Youths in Kiambu Constituency have been hailed as the most successful participants in the national Jitume digital skills, services, and opportunities initiative, following a vibrant graduation ceremony held at the Jitume Centre in Ndumberi village, Kiambu town.
The ceremony, led by Member of Parliament (MP) Machua Waithaka, saw 54 graduates elevated to the next stage of the program, marking a significant milestone in the Constituency’s push for digital literacy and youth employment.
Addressing the graduands, MP Machua Waithaka celebrated their achievement. “Today, we celebrate our youth who have successfully completed ICT Stage 1 training at #Jitume Centre Ndumberi,” the MP said. “This milestone marks the beginning of a new journey for many of them — a journey of digital empowerment and self-reliance.”
The MP reaffirmed his commitment to equipping young people with the digital knowledge and tools required to thrive in the modern, technology-driven world. He emphasized that the ICT program was a key promise in his manifesto, born from his experience studying abroad, where he witnessed the potential for global online work.
“In my manifesto it stated that someone can be living in Kenya but can be working in USA through ICT,” he said, noting the growing trend of international companies recruiting remote talent to minimize human resource costs.
Ben Kabogo, the Ajira Digital Program Central Regional Coordinator, praised Kiambu Constituency’s outstanding performance.
“There is nowhere you will go and find an ICT hub with a success rate greater than this one in Kiambu,” Kabogo stated, commending the dedicated team, including the communication staff, for their role in the program’s effectiveness.
He stressed the importance of continuous learning, urging the graduands not to stagnate after completing Stage 1, but to keep upgrading their skills in an ever-evolving digital world. The Coordinator also proposed organizing a symposium to connect the skilled graduates with potential employers.
MP Waithaka underscored the practical steps taken to ensure the program’s success. Shortly after his election, he took his staff to Konza Technopolis City in Machakos County for benchmarking to adopt a robust model for the local ICT hub.
“The success can be seen and we have youths who have graduated with skills and are now earning online,” he noted. To accommodate the growing demand, the MP plans to install more computers, aiming to skill and graduate over 300 youths every three months.
Aloysius Irubu from the MP’s office highlighted the overwhelming response from youths, necessitating a flexible and revolving class schedule to accommodate the over 200 students learning daily. The trainees covered vital modules including Artificial Intelligence, Virtual Assistance, Graphic Design, Data Entry, and Data Analysis.
The MP noted with concern the reported cases of suicide among youths, citing challenges like depression, anxiety, and a history of rejection. He used the occasion to call on the youths to brand themselves well and embrace work to build self-worth in the job market.
The ceremony included inspiring testimonials from youths who have already begun earning income online. To further support the graduates and encourage active engagement outside of training hours, MP Waithaka donated various sports equipment, including table tennis, badminton, darts, chess, and Scrabble.
“My leadership remains committed to empowering our young people with the digital skills and opportunities they need to compete and succeed globally,” the MP concluded.
