By Eddah Waithaka
KICTANet, in collaboration with the British High Commission, has today hosted a one-day workshop to review the Strengthening Digital Communities (SDC) project.
The event brought together over 150 stakeholders to discuss the project’s achievements, challenges, lessons learned, and opportunities for expansion.
Kenya’s digital divide continues to hinder socio-economic growth, particularly in marginalized regions like Mandera and Busia.
Limited digital infrastructure, low literacy levels, and a lack of relevant digital services have excluded many from the digital economy.
The SDC project, funded by the UK government and implemented by KICTANet, tackled these barriers by training over 8,000 Community Digital Champions (CDCs) and equipping 400,000 citizens with digital skills.
The initiative focused on youth, women, and Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), improving access to digital services and fostering economic empowerment.
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Dennis Ngira, Chief Officer for Youth Affairs in Busia County, hailed the project as transformative.
“This program has fundamentally changed lives,” Ngira said. “We’ve reached **400,000 people farmers, entrepreneurs, women, and PWDs equipping them with digital skills essential for today’s world.”
He emphasized the need for a second phase, saying beneficiaries are demanding more. “As leaders, we will push for expansion. If other counties benefit too, even better—Kenya’s youth deserve equal opportunities.”
The workshop explored ways to expand the project to more counties while deepening impact in Busia and Mandera.
Stakeholders also discussed Artificial Intelligence (AI) integration and institutional strengthening for long-term digital growth.
“Digital skills are no longer optional—they’re a necessity,” Ngira added. “We urge partners like the British High Commission to continue this vital work.” The event took place today in Nairobi, with participants from government, civil society, and the private sector.
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