Youths who have been absorbed in various government programmes have been advised to take full advantage of the programmes to improve their skills and to transform the communities in their areas.
ICT, Innovation and Youth Affairs Cabinet Secretary, Joe Mucheru, said President Uhuru Kenyatta has initiated several programmes to empower young people with skills and to improve their livelihoods citing the Presidential DigiTalent Programme (PDPT), Ajira Digital Programme and the Digital Literacy Programme among others.
Addressing 400 youths who have been selected for the Presidential DigiTalent Programme (PDPT) Cohort VI programme during the Pre-deployment verification exercise at the University of Nairobi, Manu Chandaria Hall today, Mucheru told the interns to focus on things and initiatives that will make them develop and move the digital talent transformation.
In the event themed ‘Reimagining Workforce Skills for a Digital Economy’, the CS told the youths to always think positive, be custodians of truth and to disregard misinformation that may hinder them from performing their assignments effectively during their one year programme.
“Kenya is a digital economy nation and needs people who can work 24 hours. This requires you take a position in life and commitment to propel this country to greater heights,” he said.
“You have been selected in this programme because of the skills and competence you have, therefore you must be able to deliver and work with facts, as it is the only thing that can take you forward,” he added.
The CS urged the interns to create awareness on the Ajira Digital Programme which is currently helping at least 1.2 million youth to earn income through online work.
“Some of you have admitted that they have and are still earning from online work. I urge you to create awareness to enable at least 12 million youths to work and gain, as I know in your own small part you can transform this country,” added Mucheru.
He also told them not to shy away from undertaking innovations and transformation activities that can make a big difference for Kenyans and their communities, and urged them to use the opportunity they have been given to learn, share, grow and work as a group to transform not only Kenya but the entire world.
Mucheru also told the youths while on the programme, to inform Kenyans on the various projects and programmes the government is undertaking, as well as tell true stories that can transform people and the country.
“The government has put in place a lot of development projects across the country in the areas of health, infrastructure, ICT and has drilled a total of 93 boreholes in the informal settlement areas to provide free clean water to the citizenry,” added the CS.
In his remarks, the Ag Chief Executive Officer of ICT Authority (ICTA) Kipronoh Ronoh, said the government will digitize a total of 5 billion government records and automate government offices to enhance service delivery to customers.
“ICTA is putting up initiatives to train at least 20 million Kenyans on digital skills talent as we continue to connect schools to the internet, to spur utilization of devices and content for learners and teachers in schools,” said Dr Ronoh.
He said PDTP internship is in line with the Authority’s Mandate of promoting ICT Literacy, capacity, innovation and enterprise as envisioned by the ICT Masterplan of 2017.
The CEO added that the interns will be key in championing and implementing various government ICT initiatives among them training of 20 million Kenyans on digital skills which is a critical mandate of the Authority.
“For the country to run in the 21st digital economy, the government will continue to build the required human competency to enable the young people and all Kenyans compete in the global market,” he said.
By Bernadette Khaduli
