The government plan to shift some work traditionally done in offices to online platforms to be completed and submitted by freelancers, Cabinet Secretary for ICT Joe Mucheru has said.

Mr. Mucheru said putting work to be completed online is economical and will provide employment opportunities to the youth. Mr Mucheru added that training of the first batch of
10, 000 youth across the country on online work has started.

Speaking at a Breakfast meeting with members of the Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA) to discuss on Ajira Digital, a government sponsored Program, Mr Mucheru said the government will pioneer the online work program in the country to inspire and motivate the private sector to follow suit and offload some of their work on-line.

He said consultation is on with the judiciary on possibilities of moving some work for to transcription online.
Observing that the private sector is the center of innovation and the engine of economic growth , the Cabinet secretary said the government will not compete with the private sector in creating jobs but instead will play a facilitative role to enable the sector grow the economy and generate employment.

The Kenya private sector Alliance Chief executive Officer Carol Kariuki said on-line work is decent and called on young people and their parents to accept that online work could enable free lancers earn sustainable income. Ms Kariuki said the on-line work would provide opportunity for the youth to gain experience needed by employers to hire their talent.

The Chairman of the KEPSA Nick Nesbitt said there was need to sensitize and motivate organizations to offload some of their work online. Nesbitt said it was important to have good internet connectivity and affordable access and a reliable power supply to facilitate access to online jobs and information.

Responding on internet connectivity and power supply, Mr. Mucheru said there was vast coverage of 2 G and 3 G in the country. He added that that the government has licensed some companies to roll out 4G pointing out that that power grid was being expanded and electricity connection to villages has been intensified.

By Cheruiyot Korir – June 6th 2017