The British Government has flagged off a donation of 150 computers to Mandera County in a bid to enhance digital literacy and access to online opportunities for marginalised communities. The event, held in Nairobi, was graced by representatives from the British High Commission, the County Government of Mandera, and key stakeholders from Kenya’s ICT sector.
Speaking at the ceremony, Deputy High Commissioner Dr Ed Barnett reaffirmed the UK’s commitment to Kenya’s digital transformation. “We in the UK have as much to learn from Kenya’s tech innovators as the other way around. This initiative aligns with our commitment to gender, equity, and social inclusion in Kenya,” he said.
The computers will be distributed across three vocational training centres in Mandera: Mandera Town Vocational Technical Training Centre (80 units), Elwak Vocational Technical Training Centre (40 units), and Banisa Vocational Technical Training Centre (30 units). These centres are fully equipped with ICT infrastructure, fibre internet connectivity, and security, ensuring accessibility for youth and citizens.
The donation is part of the UK’s Digital Access Programme (DAP), which aims to bridge the digital divide by equipping young people, women, persons with disabilities, and senior citizens with foundational digital skills. To date, over 6,000 youths have received digital literacy training under the programme, indirectly impacting more than 150,000 community members.
H.E. Mohamed Adan Khalif, Governor of Mandera County, expressed gratitude to the British Government, stating that the initiative would empower young people, create job opportunities, and unlock economic potential in the region. “These computers will turn our ICT hubs into vibrant centres for online learning, remote work, and innovation. In an era where technology drives progress, this initiative will dismantle barriers and enable our youth to compete on a global scale,” he remarked in a speech read on his behalf by Deputy Governor Dr Ali Maalim.
The event also highlighted the UK’s broader collaboration with Mandera County, including digital entrepreneurship training, support for persons with disabilities, and AI development partnerships between Kenyan and UK institutions.
As part of future plans, Mandera leaders called for further support to expand ICT hubs in four additional vocational centres—Takaba, Kutulo, Rhamu, and Lafey—to ensure all seven sub-counties benefit from digital empowerment.
With this latest initiative, the UK Government and Mandera County reaffirm their shared vision of leveraging technology to foster economic growth, improve livelihoods, and ensure no one is left behind in Kenya’s digital revolution.
