The government plans to put up 100,000 kilometers of fibre connectivity in most parts of the country, Information, Commutations and Digital Economy Cabinet Secretary Eliud Owalo has said.
“We said that all parts of this country will have fibre connectivity and we have plans to put fibre 100,000 kilometers in every part of this country,” Owalo reiterated at David Mbithi Wambuli Technical and Vocational College where he officially launched Jitume Digital Laboratory.
The CS disclosed that the Ministry of Information, Communications and The Digital Economy has so far established 112 Jitume Laboratories in TVETs across the country while adding that in future with the help of Members of Parliament (MPs), they will put one in every ward.
“We have plans to partner with MPs to help us put up more Jitume laboratories. They will pay for the cost of electricity in those premises and the national government will bring computers and train the youth free of charge to acquire digitals skills,” said the CS.
“These days we don’t have work offices but work is in digital space. Work using brains and a computer. So, we shall link our boys and girls to big companies in America, Belgium and India where they will get money in dollars,” noted Owalo.
He further added that this will help them combat poverty afflicting many while adding that they will also help their parents besides paying fees for their siblings who are in school.
On Wi-Fi, the CS said that his ministry has plans to put Wi-Fi in 25,000 markets across the country so that wananchi can access government services without necessarily going to government offices.
Consequently, The CS disclosed that by the end of the year, all government services will be on the E-Citizen platform while adding that currently 13,282 services have been put on digital platforms.
“In today’s world, if we train Kenyans to have enough experience in digital skills, there is no point in forcing them to come to seek services in government offices,” he reiterated.
“When we came into government, we had only 350 services on E-Citizen but now we have 13,282 services currently. By the end of the year all services will be on digital platforms to also reduce corruption in government offices,” he posed.
Speaking at the same event, Makueni Deputy Governor (DG) Lucy Mulili asked the national government to extend the Jitume Laboratories to other colleges in the county so that the youth can learn and acquire skills.
The deputy governor also urged the national government to put Wi-Fi at two modern markets in Mukuyuni and Emali that were commissioned recently so that businesses can thrive.
On his part, Makueni County Assembly Majority leader Kyalo Mumo asked the national government to give water projects in the county a priority so that the residents can get the scarce commodity.
The Principal of David Mbithi Wambuli Technical and Vocational College Daniel Muumbi, asked the government to assist them get more land in a bid to help in putting up more buildings to expand the institution.
By Patrick Nyakundi
