Young people in Kiambu Constituency are being encouraged to take advantage of free digital skills training at the Ndumberi Jitume ICT Hub as demand for technology-related skills continues to reshape the job market.
The training programme, spearheaded through the Jitume digital initiative, is equipping youth with practical computer skills intended to improve their chances of securing employment, starting businesses and accessing opportunities in Kenya and beyond.
At the Ndumberi Jitume ICT Hub, young people are currently undertaking various computer courses, including academic writing skills, at no cost.
Kiambu Town MP Machua Waithaka said trainers from the Ministry of Information, Communications and the Digital Economy had resumed their sessions at the centre, allowing young people to access training on a daily basis.
“I am also pleased to announce that trainers from the Ministry of ICT are now back, and training is taking place every day,” Mr Waithaka said.
He said the programme had expanded beyond basic computer literacy to include practical and market-oriented areas such as artificial intelligence, data entry, stock marketing, internet marketing and data analysis.
The MP urged young people to seize the opportunity, saying digital competence had become a critical requirement in an increasingly technology-driven economy.
“Computer literacy is no longer optional; it is an essential skill that opens doors to employment, entrepreneurship and countless opportunities both locally and globally,” he said.
The renewed training comes at a time when employers and businesses are increasingly demanding workers who can navigate digital platforms, analyse information and use technology to improve productivity.
For many young Kenyans, digital skills have also opened alternative routes into the labour market, including online work, freelancing, digital marketing, virtual assistance, data-related jobs and technology-based entrepreneurship.
Mr Waithaka particularly appealed to parents to ensure that young people who have completed Form Four do not remain idle at home while waiting for employment or admission to further education.
He asked parents in Kiambu Constituency to encourage their sons and daughters to enrol at the Ndumberi Jitume ICT Hub and acquire skills that can help them compete in a rapidly changing economy.
“Let them acquire valuable digital skills that will prepare them for the modern job market and equip them to compete on the global stage,” he said.
The Ndumberi facility is part of the wider government-backed effort to expand access to digital skills and technology infrastructure, particularly among young people who may not have the financial means to undertake private computer courses.
Beyond providing access to computers and internet-enabled learning, Jitume hubs are increasingly being positioned as gateways to the digital economy, giving young people an opportunity to develop skills that can be converted into income and employment.
The availability of free training is expected to benefit school leavers, job seekers, aspiring entrepreneurs and other residents seeking to improve their digital competencies.
With technology increasingly influencing virtually every sector—from education and finance to agriculture, commerce and communication—the skills acquired at such centres could provide young people with an important advantage in a competitive employment environment.
Mr Waithaka said the focus should now be on ensuring that young people make full use of the facilities available to them rather than remaining at home without productive engagement.
The programme also provides an opportunity for residents to understand emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and data analytics, which are rapidly transforming workplaces and creating new categories of jobs.
For Kiambu’s young population, the message from the programme is clear: digital skills can no longer be treated as an optional extra, but as a foundation for participating in the modern economy.
The Ndumberi Jitume ICT Hub is therefore expected to remain a key platform for connecting local youth to training, technology and opportunities in the wider digital marketplace.
