A total of 450 youth from across Elgeyo Marakwet County have graduated from a digital capacity-building programme.
The programme, funded jointly by the national and county governments, is aimed at enhancing participation in the digital economy and promoting technology-driven livelihoods.
The initiative targeted young people from various parts of the region, equipping them with both practical and theoretical skills aligned with emerging labour market demands and global digital trends.
The graduates now form the inaugural cohort of “digital champions,” a group expected to spearhead innovation and expand opportunities within the rapidly evolving digital space.
Speaking during the graduation ceremony, Elgeyo Marakwet Governor Wisley Rotich urged the youth to leverage digital platforms to grow their enterprises and reach wider markets.
“I urge you to strategically position yourselves within the expanding digital ecosystem by effectively marketing your products and services through online platforms,” said Rotich.
“You should take advantage of both local and international opportunities, as the digital economy offers scalable avenues for income generation,” he added.
The training programme adopted a multidisciplinary approach, covering key areas such as digital agripreneurship, digital economy frameworks, gig economy integration, and ICT hardware assembly, maintenance, and repair.
Participants were also introduced to innovation strategies, digital content monetisation, and technology-enabled service delivery models, ensuring a well-rounded exposure to modern digital practices.
According to programme organisers, the skills acquired will enable the graduates to optimise value chains, integrate e-commerce solutions, and participate effectively in distributed digital work platforms.
The initiative is expected to significantly contribute to job creation and improved livelihoods among young people in the county.
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The programme was implemented with technical and financial support from the UK High Commission in Kenya through its partners, highlighting a collaborative effort between public and private development actors to promote digital inclusion and youth empowerment.
Governor Rotich reaffirmed the county government’s commitment to strengthening enabling infrastructure, including ICT connectivity, innovation hubs, and digital training ecosystems, to support the growth of a knowledge-based economy.
By Kimutai Langat
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