Aston Lukoye
- UK announces Ksh390 million Strengthening Digital Communities project to increase digital access for marginalized groups.
- Working in Busia and Mandera Counties, the program will enhance access to digital skills and technology for women, young people, senior citizens, and persons with disabilities (PWDs).
Today, the British Deputy High Commissioner, Dr. Ed Barnett, announced new funding
worth Ksh390 million for the ‘Strengthening Digital Communities’ project. The project
aims to bridge the digital divide in Busia and Mandera Counties by enhancing access to
digital skills and technology for women, young people, senior citizens, and persons with
disabilities (PWDs). The announcement was made during the launch of the Community
Action Plan and the Agriculture Digital Platform at the Agriculture Training Centre in
Busia County.
The project will place a special focus on digital employability by identifying and placing
high-potential young women and youth in employability skills, mentorship, financial
literacy, and entrepreneurship. It will also run community engagement and awareness
campaigns to promote cyber hygiene, digital safety, and the benefits of digital inclusion.
Lastly, the project will develop research outputs, policy briefs, and other materials to
inform systemic improvements in ICT policies.
Speaking at the launch, the Governor of Busia County, Dr Paul Otuoma said:
“It is with immense gratitude and optimism that my administration celebrates this
significant partnership, and we express our deepest appreciation to the British High
Commission for their continued support through the Digital Access Program. This
partnership is not just an investment in technology but in the very future of the people of
Busia, especially the underserved.
“This support is a cornerstone in our shared vision of a more inclusive, equitable, and
prosperous society. Through the provision of digital skills and training opportunities, we
are confident that the program will benefit some of the most vulnerable and essential
segments of our population—women, young people, senior citizens, and persons with
disabilities (PWDs)”.
Speaking at the launch, the British Deputy High Commissioner, Dr. Ed Barnett,
said:
“Putting young people, women, and persons with disabilities at the heart of development
is transformative. The UK is committed to working with Kenya to ensure these
underserved groups within the population enhance their digital skills and their access to
vital services like e-citizen, secure jobs, and participate meaningfully in this digital world.
We are delighted to partner with KICTANet on this important project in line with our
commitment to supporting digital inclusion globally. We can only go far, together, and I
believe by working together, we can ensure that digital opportunities are accessible to
everyone.”
Speaking at the launch, the CEO of KICTANet, Dr Grace Githaiga, said:
“By empowering marginalized communities with digital skills and resources, we can
break down barriers and create a more inclusive and equitable society. This project is
about more than just technology—it’s about empowering communities and creating
opportunities for those who have been left behind by the digital revolution.
This partnership between the British High Commission and KICTANet will work with
various institutions including the National Council of Persons with Disabilities, Kenya
Society for the Blind (KSB), and Technology For Growth (Tech4G) amongst others to ensure
digital inclusivity. This will improve livelihoods and foster socio-economic growth in
these two counties which currently face significant challenges related to digital
exclusion.
During his visit to Busia, the Deputy High Commissioner also visited a community health
centre where adolescents aged 15-19 years, are accessing reproductive health
services, enabled by a digital platform to tackle HIV infections, AIDS-related deaths, and
teenage pregnancies. This project which is currently being managed by Tiko, was started
with seed funding from the UK government.
The UK government’s Digital Access Programme (DAP) working in partnership with the
Kenya Information Communication and Technology Action Network (KICTANet) aims to
reach over 190,000 people and 10,000 young people with digital skills contributing to
Kenya’s target of reaching 20 million digitally literate citizens by 2027.
