AI-Powered Contact Centre by Konza launched in Siaya

President William Ruto on Sunday launched the Siaya Community Digital Hub in Bondo.

The first Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) centre to be set up in a community digital hub in Kenya is powered by artificial intelligence technology supported by Konza Technopolis.

The launch took place during the Siaya Digital Summit 2026 at Bondo Township Primary School Grounds, where national and county leaders gathered to highlight the role of digital infrastructure and skills in expanding job opportunities for young people.

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The summit, themed “Empowering Siaya’s Future: Digital Connectivity, Skills, Jobs and Creative Economy for Sustainable Growth,” focused on how digital skills, connectivity, and innovation can unlock employment opportunities in rural counties.

Speaking during the event, President Ruto said the government is committed to ensuring that young people across the country benefit from the digital economy.

“Kenya’s digital future will be built in every county, in every ward, where young people are ready to innovate, create, and lead,” said Ruto.

“Our responsibility as government is to ensure that communities everywhere have access to the infrastructure, the skills and the smart devices they need to thrive in the digital economy.”

The Siaya Community Digital Hub becomes the first in the country to establish a BPO centre under the digital hubs programme being implemented by the Konza Technopolis Development Authority.

Twenty young people from the county have already undergone training to operate the AI-assisted platform, enabling them to handle customer service interactions through messaging, web and phone channels.

The technology assists agents by generating responses, logging interactions and analysing customer cases, allowing them to work more efficiently.

Officials said the BPO centre is expected to serve both local businesses and international clients, creating employment opportunities while positioning Kenya as a competitive outsourcing destination

Expanding digital skills and connectivity

Cabinet Secretary for Information, Communications and the Digital Economy William Kabogo said the government is prioritising three key pillars in its digital transformation agenda connectivity, digital skills and access to affordable devices.

“Our ministry remains firmly committed to expanding internet connectivity, equipping young people with practical digital skills and ensuring access to affordable smart devices,” Kabogo said.

He noted that partnerships with organisations such as Huawei and Konza are helping build infrastructure and provide training that will prepare young people for opportunities in the digital economy.

The government is currently rolling out more than 100,000 kilometres of fibre optic cable across the country to expand internet access and create jobs for young people involved in installing and maintaining digital infrastructure.

Youth trained in ICT infrastructure

During the summit, 100 youth from the region were trained in networking, cabling and ICT infrastructure management under the Huawei Certified ICT Associate (HCIA) programme.

The programme aims to equip young people with technical skills needed to support Kenya’s expanding digital infrastructure.

Kabogo said the digital hubs are designed to serve as centres where young people can gain practical experience and build careers in technology-related fields.

“Rolling out fibre is creating jobs for our youth. These hubs are meant to build capacity at the grassroots level and prepare young people for jobs building and managing digital infrastructure,” he said.

Building an innovation ecosystem

Chief Executive Officer of Konza Technopolis Development Authority John Paul Okwiri said digital hubs are important spaces for nurturing innovation and connecting young people to opportunities.

“Digital hubs such as this one provide access to infrastructure, mentorship and collaborative spaces that allow young people to innovate and build digital solutions,” he said.

He added that the hubs are part of a broader technology ecosystem that includes initiatives like the Konza Digital Media City, aimed at supporting developers, creatives and digital professionals.

Youth optimistic about digital opportunities

For beneficiaries like Oliver Ogawa, who was among the 20 youth trained in BPO operations, the initiative provides a pathway to employment.

“Through the training, I gained practical skills in digital communication and customer support systems that can be applied in the BPO industry and other online opportunities,” he said.

“These skills give us confidence to compete for digital jobs and generate income from wherever we are.”

The Siaya hub is part of the government’s Jitume Digital Hubs Programme, which aims to establish digital hubs in all 1,450 administrative wards across Kenya.

So far, about 290 hubs have been set up across the country, benefiting more than 400,000 young people through digital training and access to internet-enabled workspaces.

The hub in Bondo is expected to provide a collaborative space where youth can access connectivity, learn digital skills and explore opportunities in freelancing, remote work, digital entrepreneurship and BPO services in Siaya County.

Leaders at the summit called for continued collaboration between government, the private sector and communities to ensure digital transformation creates tangible economic opportunities for young people across Kenya.

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