Construction of the Kajiado Jitume Digital Centre of Excellence has commenced following the laying of its foundation stone, in a move expected to expand access to digital skills, innovation, and employment opportunities for young people in the county.

Kajiado East MP Hamisi Kakuta Maimai, accompanied by officials from the Technopolis Development Authority (TDA) and other government agencies, laid the foundation stone for the center during a ceremony in Kitengela.

The center is expected to be completed by May next year and will provide modern digital infrastructure and training facilities to enable young people, innovators, creatives, and entrepreneurs to tap into opportunities in the digital economy.

Maimai said the project would save residents the cost and inconvenience of travelling to Nairobi or Kajiado town to access digital services and opportunities.

“For a long time, our residents have had to travel to neighbouring counties to access these opportunities. In just a few months, our young people will be able to access digital skills, technology, and opportunities right here in their own community,” he said.

The MP urged young people to take advantage of the facility once completed by acquiring relevant skills to improve their livelihoods.

The centre will offer training and support in emerging technologies and digital fields, including artificial intelligence, robotics, software development, cloud computing, cybersecurity, data analytics and digital content creation.

It will also provide collaborative workspaces and high-speed internet connectivity to support innovation and entrepreneurship among young people and other users.

In addition, the facility will offer e-Citizen and Huduma services, easing the burden on Kitengela residents who currently travel to Nairobi or Kajiado town to access some government services.

TDA Chief Manager for Construction, Operation and Management, Eng. Anthony Sang, said the establishment of Centres of Excellence across the country would strengthen pathways for young people to progress from digital skills acquisition to innovation, entrepreneurship and employment.

“The Jitume Centres of Excellence are about creating an environment where young people can acquire relevant digital skills, innovate and translate their ideas into opportunities,” said Sang.

He said the Kajiado centre would bring digital infrastructure and the wider digital ecosystem closer to young people and communities.

Since its inception in 2023, the Jitume Digital Enablement Programme has deployed nearly 30,000 digital devices nationally and trained more than 100,000 young people, with 91,428 accessing digital jobs.

The programme seeks to establish a Centre of Excellence in every county, complementing more than 300 Jitume Digital Hubs being established across the country.

Kajiado County Commissioner Michael Yator urged Kitengela residents to make full use of the facility once completed, saying it had been established for their benefit.

Yator said the national government was also implementing other development projects in Kajiado, including 17 modern markets, hostels, roads and affordable housing units, among other projects.

The Jitume Digital Enablement Programme is implemented by TDA in collaboration with the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA), ICT Authority (ICTA) and the National Government Constituencies Development Fund (NG-CDF).

The programme is part of the government’s efforts to expand digital infrastructure and create pathways for more Kenyans to participate in the digital economy.

By Diana Meneto