July 15th 2019

By Cheruiyot Korir

Cabinet Secretary for ICT Mr Joe Mucheru has said the government is committed to providing the right education and skills to the rapidly growing on-line freelancers working for overseas companies from local towns and rural villages.
Mr Mucheru said the government is putting a lot of effort in developing the skills to enable individual freelancers earn their income and enable the country export digital labour to attract foreign exchange.

Speaking at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre today, during the Kenya Trade Week Summit, Mr Mucheru said specialised education through Technical and Vocational training Institutions is key in equipping young people with skills.

Mr Mucheru explained that, for digital workers to be successful, they need to be trustworthy individuals. He added that, the standards of the products and services provided by online workers must also tracked and audited if it is to be trusted.
The Cabinet Secretary said Huduma number is key in addressing trust and credibility issues on digital freelancing because the platform has capability to track products and service. He added that the Huduma number is also critical because it will be possible to use the number to trace and identify the origin of the products.

As the country works towards boosting manufacturing, Mr Mucheru said, the government has focused on revitalising the Postal Corporation of Kenya through automation and deploying use of modern technology in its processes to enable the Corporation collect, move and deliver products and services through its vast infrastructure across the country
He said the Corporation would collaborate with the private sector to enhance logistics to to enable the corporation deliver services locally and across the globe in a timely manner.

The Principal Secretary for ICT Mr Jerome Ochieng said intensive efforts will be made to ensure strong visibility of Kenya through export of ICT services and products globally.