September 20^th 2018              Pricilla Achieng

Cabinet Secretary for Information, Communication and Technology, Mr. Joe Mucheru has said the government will intensify efforts build and expand ICT infrastructure across the country to enable over 1 million youth access online jobs.

Mr. Mucheru said the government is building technology innovation hubs across the 290 constituencies in the country equipped with free WiFi and working space for the public as part of measures to expand ICT infrastructure.

Speaking at the University of Nairobi today when he launched the University’s Ajira Digital Club Mr Mucheru said under the Program, the government was putting up 150 training centers to deliver Ajira Digital Curriculum and drive awareness and register the youth onto online work platforms.

The Cabinet Secretary explained the program aims at encouraging public and the public sectors  to source for freelance workers from the platform. He added that the government plans to off load some of its onto digital platform.

He said the Ajira Digital is providing youth with education and training on online freelancing and entrepreneurial skills. He said efforts were being made to change the perception of on-line  work to make it acceptable as a formal employment that provides decent income.

The Cabinet Secretary said the efforts aims at promoting new and flexible forms of employment such as micro-work and online contracting to create employment and grow the economy.

The University of Nairobi Vice Chancellor Prof Peter Mbithi said the University would support the Ajira Digital program because the initiative will be a pillar of innovation that will revolutionerise how citizens work.

Prof. Mbithi said the Ajira Club established at the University would unlock key online opportunities for students and prepare them to participate actively in the gig economy.