Nyeri is partnering with the MasterCard Foundation and other stakeholders through a public-private Partnership (PPP) to ensure the establishment of Innovation and ICT hubs at the Asian Quarters Bus Termini in Nyeri County.
This initiative will provide an enabling space for the youth’s skills development and use of technology for creativity, as well as provide them with a platform to source for online jobs.
Subsequently, Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga, together with his Deputy David Kinaniri Waroe, held a meeting with a team from the Master Card Foundation led by David Bagenda, who had paid a courtesy call to the governor’s office.
Kahiga said the county government is committed to supporting digital transformation in partnership with the private sector and other development partners.
The governor noted that these efforts are geared towards adopting sustainable technology innovations that will have a greater impact on livelihoods and create sustainable solutions through job creation for young people.
”With the youth population growing so rapidly in Kenya, a lot of them enter the labour market each year, thus creating a high rate of unemployment that the government is now trying to address through the online platform,” he said.
Kahiga said digital advancements were changing the world of work. It is estimated that over the next 10 years, 9 out of 10 jobs globally will require digital skills.
The governor said his administration has contributed to digital transformation and youth empowerment through partnerships with several organisations, which have created jobs for youth in the county.
On his part, Bagenda said the Master Card Foundation will also provide open spaces for entrepreneurship and establish Digital Libraries in the area, which will provide a portal for residents to access information electronically, thus providing them with speedy and broad access to information.
By Beth Ndirangu
