Ajira Digital Program, an initiative of the Government of Kenya under the Ministry of ICT, Innovations, and Youth Affairs which is being funded by Mastercard Foundation and implemented by different partners including eMobilis and Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA) today launched four Ajira Youth Empowerment Centres in West Pokot. These centres are equipped with Free internet connectivity and computers where young people can access Free training, mentorship and online working opportunities.
Located in Makutano, Kapenguria Consituency; Chapareria, Pokot South Constituency, Sigor Pokot Central Constituency; and Alale in Pokot North Constituency, the Centres will be accessible free of charge to the youth in the region. The County government of West Pokot has invested a great deal to develop and equip these centres to entrench digital literacy and youth empowerment geared towards a sustainable community development
Speaking at the launch of the Makutano Empowerment Centre, West Pokot Governor, Prof. John Krop Lonyang’apuo, applauded the Ajira Digital Program for providing an opportunity for youth empowerment through the innumerable online opportunities that the digital ecosystem presents. Governor Lonyang’apuo pointed out that West Pokot is determined to help its youthful population embrace digital transformation and will complement the effort by Ajira Digital Program and its partners in addition to a personal donation of 30 laptop computers to the Makutano Centre.
Recently, a national study on the digital economy indicated that more than 1.2 million young people are earning their livelihood through digital and digitally-enabled jobs. This scale has been reached as a result of the growing importance of Kenya’s digital ecosystem and the role of the private sector in spurring innovations, jobs, and enterprises for youth. Businesses that are embracing digitization as a core strategy for enhancing operations have further encouraged this trend while at the same time facilitating the creation of jobs for youth. This is the central focus of the Ajira Digital Program. Every Kenyan can access the Ajira Digital program free and start working online through www.ajiradigital.go.ke