Konza Technopolis Breaks Ground for First Center of Excellence Digital Hub in Dagoretti South

PS Eng. JohnTanui accompanied by Dagoretti South MP Hon. Kiarie John operating an excavator to ground break for the construction of the first Center of Excellence Digital Innovation Hub at the Riruta Public Complex. The Hub will be constructed within 4 months and is expected to provide an opportunity for the youth to acquire digital skill enabling them participate in the digital economy

Konza Technopolis has officially broken ground for the construction of the first Center of Excellence Digital Innovation Hub at Riruta, Dagoretti South, marking a significant milestone in Kenya’s digital transformation journey.

The hub, part of the government’s ambitious plan to establish 1,450 digital hubs across the country, is set to enhance digital skilling and bridge the digital divide.

Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony, Konza Technopolis Chief Executive Officer (CEO )John Paul Okwiri emphasized the project’s potential to empower youth beyond traditional learning institutions.

“We have been rolling out Jitume Hubs in our technical and vocational training institutions, equipping youth with digital skills that enable them to secure employment or start income-generating ventures. Now, we are expanding the initiative to every ward in the country,” Okwiri stated.

The Jitume Digital Hub initiative, a collaborative effort between the government and the National Government Constituency Development Fund (NG-CDF), aims to boost digital literacy and job creation.

Making his remarks ,Eng. John Tanui, Principal Secretary for Information Communication and Technology (ICT) and Digital Economy, highlighted the initiative’s scale and impact.

“This groundbreaking marks the beginning of 1,450 digital hubs nationwide, an essential pillar in Kenya’s Digital Superhighway agenda,” he said.

Additionally he announced that so far,290 hubs have been built and over 400,000 youths have been trained.

Each constituency will host a model Center of Excellence Hub equipped with 100 digital devices, while standard digital hubs will feature 50 desktop computers, and normal hubs will have 30 desktops. These facilities will be open to the public, providing access to essential digital skills and opportunities.

Concurrently,Hon. John Kiarie, MP for Dagoretti South and Chair of the National Assembly’s Committee on Information, Technology, and Innovation, underscored the importance of the initiative in fostering technological inclusivity.

“This is a transformative step towards ensuring digital literacy reaches every corner of the country,” Kiarie remarked.

To accelerate the rollout, the NG-CDF Committee has increased funding for digital hubs to Ksh100 million, ensuring timely completion of the projects.

Hon. Musa Sirma, Chair of the National Assembly Select Committee on NG-CDF and MP for Eldama Ravine confirmed the allocation of additional resources to constituencies which will be used to complete the Jitume Digital Hubs within this financial year.

“We have allocated additional resources to constituencies to complete the Jitume Digital Hubs within this financial year,” he said.

The Jitume Digital Hub initiative aligns with the Kenya Kwanza government’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), particularly its Digital Superhighway pillar.

This strategy includes constructing 100,000 kilometers of fiber optic cable, digitizing government services and providing internet access to all public facilities.

With the launch of the Center of Excellence Digital Hub in Dagoretti South, the government takes a major step toward creating an inclusive digital economy and empowering communities through technology.