Owalo launches digital hubs, free WI-FI in Bungoma

By Peter Ochieng

Cabinet Secretary (CS) for ICT and the Digital Economy Eliud Owalo, on Friday launched state-of-the-art digital laboratories and free Wi-Fi hotspots in Bungoma county.

The launch, the CS said is in bid to bridge the digital divide and empower the youth in the Western region county, and other parts of the country.

The newly commissioned facilities are located at Bungoma North Technical and Vocational College in Tongaren Subcounty, Bungoma National Polytechnic (previously Sang’alo Institute of Science and Technology) in Kanduyi and the bus stage.

Owalo in his address said the facilities, are part of the Kenya Kwanza government's Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA). "The president is fully dedicated to matters of the digital economy, youth employment, and service delivery," he added.

He at the same time highlighted the government's commitment to connecting rural areas, and equipping young people with the skills needed to thrive in the digital age.

Under the same breadth, the CS announced the ambitious Jitume initiative, which aims to establish 25,000 Wi-Fi hotspots in market places across the country, besides equipping Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions with over 23,000 virtual desktops.

He urged the youth to embrace the available resources for growth. "The world is drastically evolving. We want to equip our youths with competent digital skills, to leverage on digital jobs."

His sentiments were echoed by Bungoma county deputy governor Janepher Mbatiany. She commended the initiative, encouraging young people to capitalize on the established digital infrastructure for jobs and innovation.

"This program is a game-changer. Our youths can now utilize the established digital facilities for jobs and skills," she stated, pointing to the success of the County government's Ajira digital program, which provides digital skills and employment opportunities.

Members of Parliament (MPs) John Chikati (Tongaren) and John Makali (Kanduyi) Principal Secretaries Prof. Edward Kisiangani (Broadcasting) and John Tanui (ICT), and County Executive Committee Members, were among other leaders present.