Over 500,000 Marginalised Kenyans Empowered with Digital Skills as KICTANet Marks Milestone in SDC Project
The Kenya ICT Action Network (KICTANet), in partnership with the UK Government and other stakeholders, marked the successful culmination of the Strengthening Digital Communities (SDC) Project a transformative initiative that has equipped over 500,000 citizens in marginalised regions of Mandera and Busia with vital digital skills.Held in Nairobi, the hybrid dissemination workshop brought together more than 150 key stakeholders from government agencies, the private sector, civil society, development partners, and community beneficiaries.
The forum celebrated the project’s milestones and explored future collaborations to expand digital inclusion across Kenya.The SDC project, funded by the UK Government through the British High Commission in Nairobi, has been instrumental in bridging the digital divide in underserved areas.
Among its key achievements, the project trained over 8,000 Community Digital Champions (CDCs), reached more than 400,000 citizens with foundational digital skills, distributed 150 computers to Mandera County, and enhanced access to digital services for local communities.Dr. Grace Githaiga, CEO of KICTANet, lauded the initiative’s success, calling it “a testament to the transformative power of digital inclusion.”
She emphasized the importance of sustaining and scaling these gains to empower even more Kenyans in the evolving digital landscape.Cabinet Secretary for the Ministry of Information, Communication and the Digital Economy, Hon. William Kabogo, praised the project’s impact, describing it as “a transformative force” that is fostering innovation and reducing inequality across Kenya.
He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to expanding digital opportunities and strengthening stakeholder partnerships for long-term sustainability.
Highlighting broader government strides in digital transformation, CS Kabogo noted the integration of over 22,000 services into the e-Citizen platform, which now sees daily traffic from over 375,000 users.
KICTANet Chairperson Ali Hussein Kassim underscored the importance of digital skills for Kenya’s socio-economic development, calling for greater investment in access to affordable devices, connectivity, and emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence.County leaders echoed the life-changing impact of the project.
Busia Governor Dr. Paul Otuoma hailed the UK Government’s commitment to inclusive and secure digital access, while Mandera Deputy Governor Dr. Ali Maalim Mohamud painted a vivid picture of transformation in his region.“
Five thousand young people in Mandera alone have not just learned digital skills they’ve discovered confidence and opportunity,” said Dr. Maalim. “This project is about dignity and possibility ensuring no Kenyan is left behind in the digital age.”
Representing the British High Commission, Colin Sykes, Counsellor for Innovation, Tech and Digital, reiterated the UK’s support for Kenya’s digital transformation journey. He spotlighted success stories like that of Sandis Wamalwa from Busia, who used digital marketing skills gained through the project to launch his own business demonstrating the real-world ripple effects of digital empowerment.
The SDC project also addressed the critical issue of Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence (TFGBV), undertaking comprehensive initiatives including legal framework research, curriculum reviews, a documentary, and frontline training for police and health workers.
Notably, the project provided direct mental health support to 60 girls affected by online harassment and developed a multilingual TFGBV lexicon in Luhya, Iteso, and Somali.
Aligning with Kenya’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), the UK Digital Development Strategy 2024–2030, and the UN Sustainable Development Goals, the project has created a scalable blueprint for digital inclusion.
The event also saw participation from leaders including Garissa Deputy Governor Abdi Dagane, Elgeyo Marakwet Governor and ICT Committee Chair Wisley K. Rotich, and H.E. (FCPA) Ahmed A. Moha, further underlining the national support for continued digital empowerment.
As the curtains fall on the SDC Project, the consensus was clear: this is not the end, but the beginning of a new chapter in Kenya’s digital transformation journey one where every citizen, regardless of geography, has the opportunity to thrive in the digital age.
