President William Ruto on Monday urged youth in northern Kenya to harness information and communication technology (ICT) to access employment and earn a living through online work.
Ruto said geography should not limit opportunities presented by ICT.
Speaking during Madaraka Day celebrations in Wajir, Ruto called on young people in Wajir and other northern counties to embrace digital skills and platforms that connect them to global job markets.
"Our message to the youth of Northern Kenya is simple: your future will not be defined by geography. It will be defined by your talent, your skills, and your determination," he said.
Ruto highlighted government investments in digital infrastructure and skills development designed to level the playing field.
"We are also investing in Jitume Digital Hubs, ICT centres, digital skills programmes, and digital infrastructure so that a young person in Wajir can compete with any young person in Kenya and the world," he said. "Through the Labour Mobility Programme, we are opening pathways to jobs, skills, and international experience."
Jitume Digital Hubs are physical centres meant to equip youth with essential digital skills, offer free internet access, and link them to remote online work.
Derived from the Swahili word for "take initiative," the Jitume initiative is implemented by the Ministry of Information, Communications and the Digital Economy in partnership with Konza Technopolis and the ICT Authority.
The Jitume Digital Hubs act as bridges to global online job markets, allowing youth to participate in digital economies through platforms like Freelancer, Appen, and Toloka.
Ruto noted that talent and determination flourish where opportunity is accessible and infrastructure is strong.
“That is why we are investing not only in people, but also the foundations of economic transformation."
The president also pointed to recent local gains under complementary programmes.
He said more than 2,500 youth across all 30 wards of Wajir County have benefited from the NYOTA Programme through business capital, training, and mentorship, and that over 7,200 young people across Wajir, Garissa, and Mandera counties have received support.
Ruto used international examples to underline his case for long-term investment in education and technology.
"The nations leading the world today earned that position. South Korea invested in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education and became a technology powerhouse. Singapore turned its people into the greatest national resource. Finland built a knowledge economy through sustained investment in learning," he said.
County officials and youth leaders at the event welcomed the emphasis on digital opportunities, saying sustained rollout of hubs and reliable internet will determine how quickly northern youth can benefit.
