The Government will continue to offer internship programmes to youth trained in ICT in the country as the digital economy requires people who are highly skilled in Information, Communication and Technology to drive the Small and Medium Enterprises industry.
ICT, Innovation and Youth Affairs Cabinet Secretary, Joe Mucheru, said the government through the Ministry of ICT, has initiated various programmes among them the Presidential Digital Talent Programme (PDTP), the Ajira Digital and the Digital Literacy Programme to respond to the current and future demands on digital skills.
Mucheru said the government is determined to foster a globally responsive, competitive and adaptive ICT workforce through the programmes.
The CS was speaking during the virtual induction of 400 Presidential Digital Talent Programme Cohort VI interns for the financial year 2021-2022.
“ICT plays a great role in the achievement of the Big Four Agenda, and we are bringing on board the PDTP interns to play their role in creating that future,” said Mucheru.
He said his ministry has been making tremendous efforts to increase connectivity and internet access to enable the uptake of technology solutions and bridge the digital divide.
In his remarks, the State Department of ICT and Innovation Principal Secretary, Jerome Ochieng, said through the PDTP internship, the government will create more job opportunities for the youth as well prepare them for leadership roles.
Prof Fredrick Ochieng, the ICT Authority Board Chairman in his speech, said the Authority is using the PDTP programme to champion the growth of an African-wide digital economy and to make every Kenyan citizen to access technology and participate in thriving the digital economy.
Among those who attended the meeting were the Chairman ICT Authority Board of Directors, Prof Fredrick Owino, Ag CEO ICT Authority, Dr Ronoh Kiprono and Ms Zilpher Owiti, Director Partnership, Innovation and Capacity.
By Bernadette Khaduli
