Eldama Ravine -In a small town perched in Kenya’s highlands, a new digital lifeline has opened for local youth.
On Saturday, ICT Cabinet Secretary William Kabogo officially launched a Centre of Excellence ICT Hub in Eldama Ravine, Baringo County—promising free access to digital tools, skills training, and online job platforms. It’s a big promise in a place where opportunity often feels far away.
“This is more than a building with computers,” Kabogo told the crowd. “It’s a doorway to a future where every young Kenyan, no matter where they are, can compete globally.”
The centre was developed under the government’s “Jitume” programme, a partnership between the Ministry of ICT and Konza Technopolis. It’s designed to reduce the digital gap between urban and rural areas, especially for young people struggling to find work.
The facility will provide free internet, workstations, and training in areas like digital marketing, data entry, and remote freelancing. Young people in Eldama Ravine and surrounding areas will be able to use the space to learn, collaborate, and connect with job markets far beyond their region.
Musa Sirma, the local MP, praised the effort, calling it a “much-needed step” toward tackling rural youth unemployment. “We have bright, ambitious young people here,” he said. “They just need a fair shot.”
The project reflects a broader push by the Kenyan government to prepare its youth for the global digital economy. With unemployment still high, especially outside the major cities, such programmes are seen as a critical part of economic policy.
The launch drew praise from community leaders and development partners, who hope the model can be replicated elsewhere.
Kabogo’s message to the youth was simple but firm: “Jitume” Swahili for “apply yourself.”
“The digital world is vast,” he said. “And it’s yours to explore.”
The new hub opens its doors next week. Already, dozens of young people have registered for training
