School and university students in Nyamira County have been urged to embrace modern information technology, especially Artificial Intelligence (AI), to enable them to secure employment and remain relevant in the ever-changing world.
The call was made on Wednesday, November 4, 2026, by Nyamira Governor Amos Nyaribo during a graduation ceremony for 71 students who received certificates and diplomas in various science and technology disciplines after an intensive one-month training programme.
The colourful ceremony was held at the Nyamira County Headquarters and brought together graduands, parents, trainers, county officials, national government officials, university dons and members of the public.
A total of 71 graduands received certificates and diplomas after successfully completing the one-month intensive, hands-on training.
The graduands were drawn from all five sub-counties of Nyamira, namely Nyamira South, Nyamira North, Borabu, Manga and Masaba North, a clear sign that the programme is reaching youths at the grassroots.
Among the 71, a strong cohort graduated in Artificial Intelligence, Prompt Engineering and related digital skills, alongside others who specialised in Digital Foundations and Digital Literacy, Content Writing and Transcription, Virtual Assistance and Remote Work, Web Development, Graphic Design, Cybersecurity Fundamentals, and Data Entry and Online Work Readiness.
The AI graduands were celebrated as the face of the new Nyamira, youths who can now work for local and international clients online, build AI-powered solutions for agriculture, education, health and business, and create jobs instead of waiting for white-collar employment.
County targets 350 graduates
Governor Nyaribo confirmed that a total of 150 students have graduated since the programme started, including the 71 who graduated on Wednesday.
He expressed optimism that the county would reach its target of 350 qualifiers by the end of the programme, saying demand from youths across the county continues to grow every month.
He said the county would continue to train 30 students monthly in each cohort, using the County ICT Hub equipped with 32 workstations and high-speed internet, with a target of up to 360 students annually.
Presiding over the ceremony, Governor Nyaribo said his administration started the Digital Youth Empowerment Programme to equip youths with ICT skills for innovation and prepare them for the vast range of technology-related job opportunities, both locally and internationally.
He said the programme is in line with his campaign manifesto, Agenda Seven on Youth and Sports.
He told the graduands that the world has changed and employers are no longer asking only for academic papers, but also what one can do with technology and what problems one can solve using AI.
He urged them not to fear AI but to learn it, use it and master it, noting that AI would not necessarily take their jobs, but a person who knows how to use AI could take the job of someone who does not.
The governor urged the graduands to use their skills with discipline, honesty and integrity, avoid online fraud and misinformation, and use AI to promote businesses, farming, education and county development.
He also challenged school and university students who had not yet joined the programme to enrol in the next cohort, saying digital skills are now as basic as reading and writing.
Kisii University VC urges graduates to embrace entrepreneurship
The ceremony was graced by Kisii University Vice-Chancellor Prof. Nathan Ogechi, who was the chief guest.
Prof. Ogechi congratulated the graduands and the county government for investing in practical skills, saying universities alone cannot produce job-ready graduates without such partnerships.
He advised the graduands to go beyond their certificates, noting that it is not the certificate that will earn them a living, but what they can do with it.
He urged them to keep learning, practising and building professional portfolios.
He also asked them to combine AI with good character, warning that technology without ethics is dangerous, and to use AI to build rather than cheat, forge documents or spread fake news.
He encouraged them to embrace entrepreneurship instead of waiting to be employed, urging them to start as freelancers, virtual assistants, content creators, web developers and AI trainers, because one client can open ten doors.
He further urged them to embrace lifelong learning, saying AI changes every month and the one-month training is just the foundation.
He encouraged them to follow new tools, take online courses and join professional networks.
He concluded by asking them to serve their communities by using their skills to digitise their mothers' businesses, churches, schools and cooperative societies, saying that is how Nyamira will grow.
Prof. Ogechi also noted that Kisii University continues to partner with Nyamira County on the upcoming Nyamira University at Kiabonyoru, which will initially offer programmes in Business, ICT, Agriculture and Natural Resources, giving the graduands a clear pathway to further their studies.
Also present was Nyamira County Commissioner Benson Leparmorijo, who represented the National Government.
He commended the county government and Kisii University for empowering youths, saying digital skills are a powerful tool against unemployment, crime, drug abuse and radicalisation.
He urged the graduands to use the internet responsibly and to be ambassadors of peace and integrity, especially as the country prepares for national examinations and the 2027 General Election.
He also assured the gathering that the National Government would continue to work closely with the county government to expand digital hubs, connectivity and youth programmes in all sub-counties.
The ceremony was also attended by County Executive Committee Member for Education Emily Ongaga and other CECMs, county chief officers from the Education, ICT, Youth and Gender departments, Members of the County Assembly from Nyamira, and sub-county and ward administrators.
Also in attendance were lead trainer Teresa Abuga, a lecturer at Kisii University, and her team of trainers, as well as parents, guardians, spouses and friends of the graduands, principals, teachers and students from schools and colleges in Nyamira, and representatives from the private sector, churches and civil society.
Abuga said the training was intense, hands-on and practical, and praised the learners for their eagerness, discipline and cooperation throughout the month.
As the graduands tossed their caps in celebration, ululations filled the County Headquarters.
For many, it was their first graduation. For all, it was a new beginning.
The message from Nyamira on Wednesday was clear: the future belongs to those who embrace technology. Learn AI now, or be left behind.
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