Kenya expands digital hub network

More than 500 digital hubs are currently under construction nationwide as part of government efforts to connect every electoral ward to the digital economy. Principal Secretary for ICT and the Digital Economy, Eng. John Tanui, made the announcement during an inspection tour in Siaya County.

Tanui emphasized the role of these hubs in driving economic transformation, noting that the projects are being undertaken in collaboration with the National Government Constituencies Development Fund (NG-CDF) and are at various stages of completion.

Digital Hub Construction Progress

Amendments to the NG-CDF law, allowing Members of Parliament to allocate three percent of the fund to digital hubs, have facilitated steady construction progress. The government aims to establish hubs in all 1,450 wards, creating a digital network central to the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda.

Three hundred hubs have already been completed within technical and vocational education and training (TVET) institutions across the country.

Siaya County Projects

During the inspection tour, Tanui, accompanied by Konza Technopolis CEO John Okwiri, ICT Authority CEO Jessy Maruti, and Principal Secretary for Medical Services Dr. Ouma Oluga, detailed investments in Siaya County. Sh25 million has been allocated to the Centre of Excellence digital hub at Nyamor in Rarieda, while a standard hub in Bondo will cost Sh7 million.

The total physical infrastructure investment for these two projects amounts to Sh32 million. The Centre of Excellence is currently 50 percent complete, and work is underway with Kenya Power to ensure utilities are installed and facilities are fully equipped.

Impact on Healthcare and Economic Opportunities

Principal Secretary for Medical Services Dr. Oluga highlighted the initiative’s broader impact, stating that the hubs will equip youth with digital skills, create online job opportunities, and support the digitization of health services.

Digitization is expected to improve patient interactions with health practitioners by enabling feedback and enhancing service delivery, aligning with President William Ruto’s agenda.

Local Government Support

Kisumu Deputy Governor Mathews Owili encouraged residents to embrace the hubs, emphasizing their potential to expand access to government services and economic opportunities in rural areas.

Owili expressed gratitude to President Ruto for the vision of establishing digital hubs in every ward, stating that this will foster development in rural communities.

Inspection of Facilities

The inspection tour included visits to the Nyamor Centre of Excellence in Rarieda, the Bondo digital hub, and the Siaya community hub in Bondo town.