A total of 450 young people from across Elgeyo Marakwet County on April 23, graduated from a digital capacity-building programme designed to enhance their participation in the digital economy and promote technology-driven livelihoods.
The initiative targeted youth from various parts of the county, 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,” expected to drive innovation and expand opportunities within the digital space.
Speaking during the graduation ceremony, Elgeyo Marakwet Governor Wisley Rotich urged the youth to leverage digital platforms to grow their enterprises and access broader 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.”
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, digital content monetisation, and technology-enabled service delivery models.
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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 contribute to job creation and improved livelihoods among the youth.
The programme was implemented with technical and financial support from the UK High Commission in Kenya through its partners, reflecting 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 our reporter
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