By: Rhayan Kanyandong
Siaya Governor James Orengo today presided over the graduation of 494 youth, women and persons with disabilities (PWDs), largely Gen Zs, during the Community Digital Champions Graduation Ceremony held at Siaya Institute of Technology, marking the successful completion of the ACWICT (African Centre for Women in Information and Communication Technology) & UK DAP (United Kingdom Digital Access Programme) Inclusive Digital Futures Project aimed at strengthening digital inclusion and expanding access to economic opportunities in the county.
Speaking during the ceremony and while awarding certificates to the graduates, Governor Orengo encouraged the young people, noting that Gen Zs are not only the leaders of Siaya County but of Kenya as a whole. He emphasized that the digital skills they have acquired go beyond employability, adding that such competencies are critical in shaping leadership, governance and broader socio-economic transformation in the country. He urged them to use their skills responsibly to drive positive change in their communities.
ACWICT Chief Executive Officer-Mrs. Constantine Obuya said the project not only equips young people with practical digital skills but also positions them as community digital ambassadors expected to train and support other youth across Siaya County. She noted that this approach is intended to ensure the benefits of the programme extend beyond direct beneficiaries by creating a ripple effect of digital empowerment at the grassroots level.
Among the beneficiaries was Eric Owino, a young person with a disability, who shared his testimony, saying that the training had empowered him with practical skills in using digital platforms and strengthened his engagement in agribusiness through digital agriculture. He noted that the programme had opened up new opportunities for him to improve his livelihood and become more self reliant.
The project was implemented through a strategic partnership between the Siaya County Government, ACWICT, and UK DAP under the Inclusive Digital Futures Project. It is designed to equip beneficiaries with practical and market-relevant digital skills, enabling them to participate meaningfully in the digital economy.
The trainees were drawn from youth, women and PWDs and were trained in key areas including information technology (IT),device repair, online gig work and digital agriculture. The training aimed to enhance employability while also enabling participants to access emerging opportunities in the digital and remote work space.
Representatives from ACWICT noted that Siaya County recorded the highest level of participation and engagement compared to previous cohorts implemented in other regions, describing this as a strong indicator of the growing demand for digital skills among youth and marginalized groups. They added that similar programmes have already been rolled out in Busia County, with Elgeyo Marakwet expected to benefit in the next phase.
Graduates expressed optimism that the skills acquired will enable them to improve their livelihoods through online work, agritech innovations and the establishment of small scale digital enterprises.
The initiative reflects a broader commitment by the Siaya County Government in strategic partnership with ACWICT and UK DAP to bridge the digital divide, promote inclusive growth and empower communities through access to technology and digital opportunities.