Boost For Youths As Ajira Joins County’s Empowerment Program
The County Government of Uasin Gishu has partnered with the Ministry of Information Communication Technology’s (ICT) Ajira Digital, the collaboration primed to muscle up youth empowerment programs.
The County, under the leadership of Governor Jonathan Bii and taking youth empowerment as among the 10 development pillars, is already running several empowerment programs, the Ajira Program coming to add muscle to the interventions.
The Ajira Digital Program is a National Government initiative driven by the Ministry of ICT, Innovations and Youth Affairs, aiming to train and empower over one million young people to access digital job opportunities.
Speaking on Tuesday as he hosted the Ajira Digital delegation, Chief Officer for ICT and Innovation, Felix Kimaru said the County Government has established several ICT Centres across, intending to assist youth to access digital opportunities.
“The County Government takes youth empowerment very critically and this is why we have constructed ICT centres to support our youthful generation to get exposed to online jobs,” said Kimaru.
Ajira Digital’s Head of Program One, Ruth Amoit, said: “Uasin Gishu is among counties that have done well in terms of harnessing ICT to promote innovation. As a government agency, we are happy to partner with counties to expand the scope of youth empowerment.”
Chief Officer for Youth Affairs and Sports, Nahum Jelagat said the partnership is valuable. “(The partnership) is an idea whose time has come and we welcome it.
“The County Government through our department is undertaking many programs and so we are pleased when this is expanded to bring in digital training.”
Director of ICT, Titus Kimaiyo, said each of the ICT centres in various wards, is connected to fast fiber internet, enough space and workstations equipped with working computers. Ajira’s John Ng’eno said the centres have already satisfied the requirements.
Mr. Peter Ruto, the County Director of Youth Affairs, said the county is seeking diversified partnerships to support youth empowerment and mentorship programs and that the digital space is a crucial opportunity.
The Ajira training programs will be undertaken across all 30 wards, on a rotational basis. The Department of Youth, Sports, ICT and Innovation is discussing with Ajira on the date of the launch, to give a nod for the commencement of the youth’s capacity building.