In a vibrant gathering that underscored the power of collaboration, KICTANet, alongside the UK Government and a coalition of partners, celebrated the culmination of the Strengthening Digital Communities (SDC) Project. The initiative has equipped over 500,000 Kenyans in the marginalized counties of Mandera and Busia with essential digital skills. The hybrid event, held in Nairobi, drew more than 150 stakeholders, from government officials and private sector leaders to civil society advocates and community beneficiaries, to reflect on a project that has reshaped lives and laid a foundation for a more inclusive digital future.
Launched to bridge the stark digital divide that separates urban centers from remote areas, the SDC project, funded by the British High Commission in Nairobi, targeted Mandera and Busia, counties where access to technology has long been a luxury. Its achievements are both sweeping and intimate: more than 8,000 Community Digital Champions trained to spread knowledge, over 400,000 citizens equipped with foundational digital literacy, 150 computers delivered to Mandera’s schools and centers, and vital digital services, from e-government platforms to online banking, made accessible to communities once cut off from such tools.
Dr. Grace Githaiga, KICTANet’s CEO. “This workshop is a testament to the transformative power of digital inclusion,” she said, her words resonating with the audience. “We are excited to share the project’s success and collaborate with our partners to ensure these gains are sustained and expanded, ultimately empowering more Kenyans to thrive in the digital age.”
The numbers tell only part of the story. In Mandera, where arid landscapes and historical marginalization have long shaped daily life, Deputy Governor Dr. Ali Maalim Mohamud spoke with a passion that hushed the room. “When I look around today, I don’t just see the closing chapter of a project,” he said. “I see the opening pages of a story about transformation. A story about possibility.” He recounted how 5,000 young people in his county alone have been touched by the initiative — not as passive recipients, but as active architects of their futures. “They’ve learned skills. They’ve accessed opportunities. They’ve gained confidence,” he said. “Digital transformation isn’t about technology. It’s about human dignity. It’s about ensuring a child born in Mandera has the same shot at our digital future as a child born in Nairobi.”
In Busia, Governor Paul Otuoma echoed this sentiment, his gratitude to the UK Government palpable. “Your commitment to inclusive and secure digital access is transforming lives, empowering communities, and building stronger, more resilient societies,” he said. Colin Sykes, speaking for the British High Commission, shared a story that brought the project’s impact into sharp relief: Sandis Wamalwa, a young Busia resident, used digital marketing skills gained through the SDC to launch his own digital workstation. “His story underscores the ripple effect of targeted empowerment,” Sykes said, “transforming lives and boosting community resilience.”
The project’s ambition extended beyond equipping individuals with skills. Recognizing the digital world’s potential for harm, it tackled Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence (TFGBV) with resolve. In Busia and Mandera, 120 police officers and health workers were trained to handle TFGBV cases with sensitivity and precision. Sixty girls who survived sexual harassment received direct mental health support, a lifeline in communities where such resources are scarce. A multilingual lexicon in Luhya, Iteso, and Somali was developed to sharpen awareness and improve platform moderation, while a documentary captured survivors’ stories, amplifying their voices. Research into Kenya’s legal frameworks and university curricula further strengthened the fight against online abuse, signaling a commitment to safer digital spaces for all, especially the most vulnerable.
Hon. William Kabogo, Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Information, Communication and the Digital Economy, framed the project as a cornerstone of national progress. “This initiative has been a transformative force in bridging the digital divide, empowering communities, and fostering innovation,” he said. He pointed to the e-Citizen platform, now integrating over 22,000 services and serving 375,000 users daily, as evidence of Kenya’s digital ascent. “We are committed to expanding opportunities and strengthening partnerships to ensure these programs endure,” he added.
The SDC aligns with global and national blueprints, from the UK’s Digital Development Strategy (2024-2030) to Kenya’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda and the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals on education and gender equality. Ali Hussein Kassim, KICTANet’s chairperson, cast the project as an economic catalyst. “By equipping communities with digital skills, improving access to affordable devices and internet, and fostering innovation in technologies like AI, we are paving the way for socio-economic empowerment,” he said.
The workshop buzzed with voices from across Kenya, governors from Garissa, Elgeyo Marakwet, and Wajir, alongside Turkana’s county attorney — all signaling a growing coalition to scale these efforts. Challenges remain: sustaining momentum, expanding infrastructure, and ensuring affordability. Yet as the event closed, the mood was one of resolve. For the half-million Kenyans touched by the SDC, and the millions more within reach, the message was clear: the digital future is not a privilege for the few, but a right for all.
