CS Owalo Launches Jitume ICT Laboratory at The Eldoret National Polytechnic
Eliud Owalo, Cabinet Secretary, Information, Communications, and the Digital Economy has launched Jitume ICT Laboratory at The Eldoret National Polytechnic, Uasin Gishu County.
He said the Jitume program was conceived by the President to complement the successes of the existing Digital Enablement Programmes, such as Ajira Digital & the Kenya Youth Employment Programme.
“The Jitume Lab project seeks to address issues of connectivity, device access, and digital skills, as well as job opportunities targeted at the youth, countrywide. In view of this, the Government is targeting to train our Youth on ICTskills using existing TVET institutions. The aim is to create a critical mass of skilled labor to support and benefit from in the digital economy.” Said the CS.
The question asked by the majority is why the government choose the Technical and vocational education and training (TVETs) institution.
“The Jitume Labs have been deployed at TVET institutions to take advantage of their already existing governance system, ability to attract the critical numbers of youth, as well as the human resource. These Labs have been integrated into TVETs, Constituency Innovation Hubs, and other existing institutions.” He said.
He said the digital centers will host up to 100 virtual digital infrastructures with broadband connectivity, reliable power, and security with a program coordinator provided by Konza Technopolis.
“I am informed that each Jitume Center will have the following: up to 100 Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) with broadband connectivity, reliable power, and security and program coordinator provided by Konza Technopolis, which is our lead partner in this program,” Owalo noted.
The centers are set to have two main programs, with the first being a Jitume Class training program which is aimed at providing the necessary skills required while the second being a Jitume Kaziopton where the trainees can access digitally enabled jobs.
“Each center will have two main programs. The first is the Jitume Class training component, which is aimed at providing enhanced training on skills for the digital economy to enable youth to access advanced digital jobs. The Class will feature both a physical and virtual program delivery component supported by partners. The second component is the Jitume Kazi, which is a work hub/center that provides a conducive environment for access to Digitally-enabled jobs, sourced locally and internationally through identified partners, in a bid to address the high unemployment rate in the country.” Noted Owalo.
With the government identifies flagship projects whose realization will enable a digital future while also automating and digitizing government services to digitize government records.
“The Government has identified flagship projects whose realization will enable a digital future. The training of citizens to improve the digital literacy of Kenyans through Jitume Labs, the development of 100,000 Kilometers of fiber optic infrastructure to connect learning institutions, government institutions, and heath facilities. Setting up of 25,000 hotspots to be deployed countrywide and setting up of 1,450 innovation hubs countrywide. The accelerated automation and digitization of all core government services in both national and county governments. In addition, the government is keen on availing common services
on an online portal for ease of access by citizens. This will start with the digitization of government records.” added the CS
Having a parting shot to the youths who the CS urged to embrace this program and take advantage of it and be part of the over one million youths set to benefit from the launched program in the years to come.
“To our Youth, my message today is this: The digital economy train has left the station. Be part of our aspiration. As the name suggests, Jitume – a Kiswahili word meaning “Take initiative” – calls on all youth to take advantage of the investments by the government to uplift themselves. The opportunities in the Digital world are immense. I encourage you to “Take Initiative – Jitume – Class, Jitume – Kazi”.I expect that many of us will now take advantage of this program and be a part of the over one million Youth, who will benefit in the next 3 to 5 years,” he advised.
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