The government is accelerating internet connectivity to ensure each of the digital hubs establishes technical and vocational education training, TVET institutions are connected with fiber, Principal Secretary ICT, and the Digital economy Eng. John Tanui has said.
Speaking at the Rift Valley Technical Training Institute in Eldoret, while launching the institutions’ digital hub, the PS said the state department was working through an arrangement with Kenya Power to lay the fiber over power lines to hasten the process of connectivity.
“We are not only aiming to ensure all public institutions are connected to the fiber internet, but we are also working with the private sector so that they take advantage of the connectivity to enable the business community, as well as homes where Kenya Power pole reach also get fiber internet to log on to all global opportunities,” said Eng. Tanui.
Earlier, the PS also launched a digital hub at Kipkabus Technical Training Institute, TTI, being part of 1450 digital hubs, the government intends to establish across the country.
He said already over 274 digital hubs have already been established in TVET institutions. “In the north rift region 51 digital hubs have already been connected to fiber, and we are in the process of connecting another 100 through the arrangement with Kenya Power,” he added.
Eng. Tanui said the opening of digital hubs, including those being established in every ward with support from members of parliament was critical for the government’s digital superhighway initiatives that will unlock opportunities for the youth in the digital space.
He said they were working with TVET principals and local leadership to ensure the digital hubs are not only available to the students but neighbouring communities are also allowed to access the hubs.
On the manufacturing of digital devices, the PS said the first factory, East Africa Devices Assembly Kenya, EADAK, which was commissioned by President William Ruto last year, has so far manufactured more than one million devices. “We also have another company, M-Kopa, that has entered into manufacturing the devices, which has already exceeded the manufacture of more than one million devices,” the PS said.
By Kiptanui Cherono
