In a world increasingly driven by technology, access to digital tools and skills has become a crucial determinant of opportunity. Yet in many parts of Kenya—especially in remote regions like Mandera and Busia counties—thousands remain cut off from the digital revolution, not by choice but by circumstance. Limited infrastructure, poverty, and lack of digital literacy continue to lock out youth, women, persons with disabilities, and the elderly from services and opportunities that could transform their lives.
Now, a bold initiative is bridging that gap. Through the Strengthening Digital Communities (SDC) project, led by the Kenya ICT Action Network (KICTANet) and funded by the UK Government, communities in Mandera and Busia are gaining access to life-changing digital skills, tools, and platforms. The program is not just about internet connectivity—it’s about unlocking doors to economic empowerment, education, healthcare, and civic participation. From farmers learning to access market information online, to youth finding jobs through digital platforms, and persons with disabilities using assistive technologies, the program is transforming lives—one digital connection at a time.
A Farmer’s Digital Journey
“My name is Mulilu Musoso Kelvin, from Busia County. I’m a Plusfarm finalist under the KICTANet program.”
Before joining the initiative, Kelvin was a young agri-preneur mainly focused on poultry and dairy farming. After enrolling in the Strengthening Digital Communities project, his dairy farm experienced significant growth. Through training on ICT and farming, he learned how to market and sell his produce online.
“When I started, I had only three cows. Now I’ve expanded to seven, thanks to the support I received through the program,” Kelvin says.
He also received a prize of Ksh 20,000, which boosted his ability to provide adequate feed and improve animal care. Today, his farm—Fine Touch Farm—is thriving. He employs four permanent staff and 11 casual workers and collaborates with 15 young entrepreneurs, offering them mentorship, training, and income opportunities.
“We encourage other young people to embrace the opportunities brought by the Strengthening Digital Communities project,” Kelvin adds.
Inclusive Healthcare Through Sign Language
Elizabeth Misaba Elima from Busia County is a nursing officer working in the maternity department at Nambale Sub-County Hospital.
Thanks to the support of the County Government and partners, Elizabeth and two other healthcare professionals—a nurse and a clinical officer—received sign language training from Sign Media Company. This initiative has significantly improved healthcare access for patients with hearing disabilities.
“We can now communicate directly with these patients, understand their needs, and offer appropriate care. When necessary, we contact the County Government, which connects us with interpreters via video call,” she explains.
Previously, they had to rely on caretakers, which led to miscommunication and inadequate care. The training has equipped them with the confidence and skills to engage with all patients equally.
Elizabeth now appeals to the County Government and partners to extend training to more healthcare professionals to ensure continuity, especially when staff are transferred or unavailable.
A Digital Awakening in the Margins
KICTANet, in collaboration with the UK Government and other partners, held a hybrid event in Nairobi that brought together over 150 stakeholders from government, the private sector, development organizations, civil society, and project beneficiaries. The Strengthening Digital Communities project aimed to bridge the digital divide in marginalized areas by delivering digital skills and facilitating access to relevant digital services.
So far, the program has empowered over 500,000 people across Mandera and Busia counties. More than 8,000 Community Digital Champions (CDCs) were trained to guide their communities, while 400,000 citizens gained foundational digital skills.
In Mandera County alone, 150 computers were distributed, laying the groundwork for future community digital hubs. Furthermore, 22,000 services were integrated into the e-Citizen platform, now accessed by 375,000 people daily.
Voices of Change: From Learners to Leaders
At the heart of this transformation are the people. Sandis Wamalwa from Busia, trained in digital marketing, established a digital workstation that now serves his community—a testament to the ripple effect of digital inclusion.
In Mandera, the impact is just as profound. “Five thousand young people have learned skills, accessed opportunities, and gained confidence,” said Deputy Governor Dr. Ali Maalim Mohamud. “This isn’t just a project—it’s a movement.”
Addressing Online Harm: Combating Gender-Based Violence
Beyond skill-building, the SDC Project also addressed a critical yet less visible threat: Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence (TFGBV). To tackle this, the initiative conducted research, produced a documentary featuring survivors’ stories, revised university curricula, and trained 120 police officers and health workers.
The project also provided mental health support to 60 girls affected by online harassment. To enhance content moderation, a multilingual lexicon was developed in Luhya, Iteso, and Somali, providing a culturally grounded response to digital-era challenges.
Looking Ahead: Scaling and Sustaining Progress
Funded by the UK Government through the British High Commission in Nairobi, the SDC Project has achieved significant milestones:
Trained over 8,000 Community Digital Champions
Reached more than 400,000 citizens with foundational digital skills
Distributed 150 computers to Mandera County
Enabled access to over 22,000 digital services via e-Citizen
“This workshop is a testament to the transformative power of digital inclusion,” said Dr. Grace Githaiga, CEO of KICTANet. “We are excited to share the project’s success and work with our partners to expand these gains.”
A Government Perspective
Cabinet Secretary for ICT Hon. William Kabogo addressed the stakeholders, praising the initiative’s transformative role and emphasizing the government’s commitment to preparing all Kenyans for the digital age. “We will continue strengthening partnerships to ensure such programs are sustainable.”
Kabogo highlighted the success of the e-Citizen platform, stating, “With 375,000 citizens accessing it daily, we are advancing Kenya’s digital government strategy.”
Ali Hussein Kassim, Chairperson of KICTANet, stressed the economic value of digital skills: “By equipping communities with foundational and advanced digital skills, affordable devices, and internet access, we are laying the foundation for socio-economic empowerment.”
Dr. Paul Otuoma, Governor of Busia County, expressed gratitude to the UK Government. “Your commitment to expanding inclusive and secure digital access is transforming lives and empowering communities.”
Dr. Ali Maalim Mohamud, Deputy Governor of Mandera, added: “When I look around this room, I don’t just see the closing chapter of a project. I see the opening pages of a story about transformation—about what happens when we decide, together, that the future belongs to all of us.”
He emphasized that digital transformation is fundamentally about human dignity: “It’s about ensuring that a child born in Mandera has the same opportunity to participate in our digital future as one born in Nairobi.”
UK Government’s Continued Support
Colin Sykes, Counsellor for Innovation, Tech, and Digital at the British High Commission, reaffirmed the UK’s commitment: “We see ourselves as true partners to Kenya as she digitally transforms government, society, and development.”
The Way Forward
Despite the successes, challenges remain—sustainability, infrastructure gaps, and ensuring inclusive participation across all demographics. However, the SDC Project has laid a strong foundation for a future where digital opportunities are accessible to all, regardless of location.
A Replicable Model for Inclusion
As Kenya pursues its Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA) and aligns with global development goals like SDG 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 5 (Gender Equality), the SDC Project provides a replicable model. By combining technology, grassroots leadership, gender inclusivity, and policy alignment, it demonstrates that inclusive digital transformation is not only possible—it is already underway.
Conclusion: The Digital Future is Now
In a country often divided by geography, the SDC Project is proving that unity can come through connectivity. With stories like Sandis’ and the thousands of CDCs changing their communities, Kenya is experiencing a digital awakening—not just of devices and networks, but of dignity, opportunity, and hope.
I can’t express my gratitude enough to this program.Thank you #KICTANET