The Government has partnered with Microsoft Kenya and Stanbic Bank Kenya Foundation to roll out digital upscaling programme that is aimed at placing 2,000 youths into employment countrywide, by the end of this year.
The programme, spearheaded by the Ministry of Industrialization, Trade and Enterprise Development, seeks to enhance the employability of Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs).
Through the programme, Laikipia County Government has received 18 computers and three laptops to enable entrepreneurs learn e-commerce skills.
Head of Stanbic Bank Foundation, Pauline Mbaya, told the media in Nanyuki town that they are targeting to train 1,000 County Government staff countrywide and second them to the programme as instructors.
“We are targeting those MSMEs and youths who lost their jobs due to the Covid-19 pandemic downturn. We will continue rolling out the programme in various counties with support from the Ministry,” Ms Mbaya said.
Ms Mbaya was accompanied by Governor Ndiritu Muriithi, Industrialization Chief Administrative Secretary (CAS), Lawrence Karanja and County Trade Executive, Nicholas Biwott.
The Government is banking on technology to transform the economy by creating employment.
The programme will enhance the government’s investments in capacity building and adoption of digital technologies.
So far, the programme has been rolled out in Laikipia, Nairobi, Kisumu, Mombasa, Nakuru and Eldoret.
By Martin Munyi
