Digital truck helping innovate rural areas to bridge digital divide

Emmy Chelimo, 63, had a developed interest in gaining computer and digital marketing skills in order to help improve and expand her hospitality business of over 20 years.

Chelimo was among 180 students who graduated on Saturday with digital skills after undergoing a one-month training.

She said that previously she did not have access to the digital world in her village Kabimoi, Baringo County owing to electricity challenges, lack of internet and outdated computers.

When she got an opportunity to be trained digitally under Huawei in partnership with the Ministry of Information Communication Technology (ICT), she said she rushed to Kabimoi to acquire the skills.

“I went to a technical institution in my village, but I saw nothing in the classrooms except a stationary lorry. I, however, got shocked when I entered the lorry’s container,” she said.

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The 40 feet mobile container dubbed Digitruck has been redesigned into a digital hub, equipped with 20 laptops, smartphones, VR headsets, furniture, a smart television and a white board.

According to the lead trainer, Adams Makau, the container is fitted and powered with solar panels and has internet connections.

“We visit remote areas where we camp for over a month and train the residents on Computer Literacy, Digital Marketing, Online safety, and Digital job opportunities and web programming,” said Makau.

Makau said they can train 100 people every day, as the truck hosts 20 students per session and they do five sessions per day, each lasting for two hours.

He said the truck’s mobility has enabled the training to reach remote areas where they target form four leavers, plus other interested villagers.

“The programme started in 2019 and since then, we have visited 36 counties where over 6,000 people have been trained,” said Makau.

For Chelimo, the one-month training will help equip her with skills to expand her business and do advertisements in social media.

“I also learnt about Excel, which I will use in mathematics and accounting. I also plan to use the skills to do a Money Market Fund,” she said.

Harun Kipkoech, 65, joined the programme to enable him to start his security and matatu businesses.

He said everything had been digitized and it was his time to earn skills that would ensure he gets customers and clients and employees using technology.

Obed Kiplabat, 25, said he underwent the training for two weeks and learnt a lot, since he knew nothing about computers.

“I know how to type. Also, through Ajira, I can start working online by selling products when I venture into business,” he said.

Kiplabat said that he was sure he would be considered for a clerical position with the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) within Baringo County.

Faith Kosgei, 23, said that in her village the biggest challenge was lack of employment but she had felt empowered by the programme, which gave her an alternative option to getting employed.

According to ICT CS William Kabogo, who presided over the graduation of the 180, the truck helps in advancing digital inclusion in rural Kenya.

He said the government had partnered with Huawei Kenya and trainers to ensure community benefit digitally and open doors to new opportunities in the digital economy.

“This program is a key driver in bridging the digital divide and ensuring that no Kenyan is left behind as we journey toward a fully digitally enabled society,” said Kabogo.

The Deputy CEO of  Huawei said their mission was to empower communities in remote and rural areas, with the digital literacy needed to participate meaningfully in the digital economy.

“When young people are equipped with the right skills, they not only improve their livelihoods but uplift entire communities,” he said.