Machakos residents urged to embrace digitization

Machakos,

Saturday September 23, 2023

KNA by Anne Kangero

Residents of Machakos county have been urged to take advantage of the emerging opportunities in the digital economy to create job opportunities for the youth.

Machakos Deputy Governor Francis Mwangangi while speaking during a County Digitization Forum held at a Machakos hotel, said the country must now go back to the drawing board and think of alternative ways of job creation and also empowering businesses to enhance access to capital and make them more innovative and competitive.

The forum was convened by the Ajira Digital Program in partnership with the Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA), under the theme, Digital transformation for SMEs and Job creation for Machakos people.

Mwangangi said that in line with their campaign manifesto of expanding opportunities and having a working population with a decent living, they were keen to work with several partners including KEPSA, Master card and the World Bank.

He pointed out that as a County Government, they will explore institutional frame work that supports growth and adoption of Digital technologies and also partner with the National government through fiber connection, thus creating efficient systems and improving the economic growth in Machakos.

“In a period that is engulfed by rapid technology evolution, the ability of government and businesses to adapt and harness digital transformation is critical to societal success, " he said.

On his part, KEPSA Director of Youth employment and Digital Economy Dr. Ehud Gachugu said part of the work they do is to support the Kenyan Government in creation of jobs for young people.

Gachugu said as the private sector they have a crucial role to play because they work together with County governments, development partners and other actors in the economy to make sure they are inclusive and driving the agenda as a united front.

He highlighted that they were in Machakos to improve the county’s prospects by digitally transforming businesses using digital technology, so that they can become globally competitive, expand their market and increase job opportunities.

He said they cannot drive any development without the creativity and talent in Machakos, because young people have an opportunity to be innovative and solve business problems facing businesses, especially Small enterprises, while making sure they are leveraging on technology.

“Young people are able to see the world in different lenses and able to solve complex problems facing businesses and so they are best suited to work together with traders, who are willing to take advantage of the globalized market, which can only happen if young people are at the center of all our discussions,” he added.

The Director emphasized that part of their job is also to enable young people to have the right mindset to be job creators and be able to solve problems.

He added that for the Ajira digital program, they train young people on relevant digital skills such as cyber security, software development and coding which are relevant for businesses, organizations and governments.

Other leaders who were present included Machakos town MCA and majority leader Nzioka Wangondi, Chief Officer for ICT Ian Obare and his Digital economy counterpart Sheikh Ifran.

Courtesy; KNA