How 500,000 Kenyans Benefited From UK-Backed Digital Project

The Kenya ICT Action Network (KICTANet), in partnership with the UK Government and other stakeholders, marked the successful completion of the Strengthening Digital Communities (SDC) project on Thursday, April 10.

This was an ambitious initiative that has empowered over 500,000 citizens in marginalized areas of Mandera and Busia with critical digital skills.

The hybrid dissemination event in Nairobi brought together over 150 stakeholders from government, civil society, the private sector, development partners, and grassroots communities to celebrate the project’s far-reaching impact and chart the way forward.

Bridging Kenya’s Digital Divide

Funded by the UK Government through the British High Commission in Nairobi, the SDC project aimed to close the digital gap by equipping underserved communities with tools and training to navigate and thrive in the digital economy.

Kenyan and UK delegates at the Strengthening Digital Communities (SDC) Project, an initiative by KICTANet, in collaboration with the UK Government and partners, in an event held on April 11, 2025. /KICTANET

Key achievements include:

• Training 8,000+ Community Digital Champions (CDCs)

• Delivering foundational digital skills to over 400,000 people

• Distributing 150 computers to Mandera County

• Expanding access to key digital services and platforms

“This project is proof that digital inclusion can be a powerful driver of transformation,” said Dr. Grace Githaiga, CEO of KICTANet. “We’re not just talking about connectivity—we’re talking about unlocking potential.”

Government Endorsement and Policy Alignment

ICT Cabinet Secretary William Kabogo praised the initiative, calling it a "game-changer in empowering communities and fostering innovation."

He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to expand digital access, citing the integration of 22,000+ services on the eCitizen platform, accessed daily by over 375,000 Kenyans.

Ali Hussein Kassim, Chairperson of KICTANet, underscored the project’s alignment with Kenya’s tech-driven growth strategy. “Digital skills are the fuel for economic progress. This project lays the foundation for inclusive innovation—from AI to digital enterprise," he remarked.

Local Leaders: "This Is Just the Beginning"

Dr. Paul Otuoma, Governor of Busia County, lauded the UK’s role in supporting inclusive digital growth: “Lives are being transformed. Communities are being empowered.”

Dr. Ali Maalim Mohamud, Deputy Governor of Mandera County, spoke emotionally about the impact, saying, "Over 5,000 young people in Mandera have been empowered—not as passive beneficiaries, but as digital trailblazers." 

He added, "Digital transformation is about dignity. It's about ensuring every child, no matter where they're born, has a shot at the future."

UK Government: “Real Impact, Real Stories”

Colin Sykes, representing the British High Commission, reaffirmed the UK’s long-term support for Kenya’s digital ambitions. “We’re not just funding projects—we’re backing people,” he said, sharing the story of Sandis Wamalwa, a youth from Busia who now runs a digital workstation after training through the SDC initiative.

Tackling Online Gender-Based Violence

The project also took bold steps to address Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence (TFGBV) by:

• Training 120 police and healthcare workers in handling TFGBV cases

• Offering mental health support to 60 victims of online harassment

• Creating a multilingual TFGBV lexicon in Luhya, Iteso, and Somali

• Conducting research and curriculum reviews for media and law schools

• Producing a documentary on survivors’ experiences

These interventions underscore a deeper mission—ensuring digital spaces are safe, inclusive, and equitable for all, especially women and girls.

Aligned with Kenya’s Vision and Global Goals

The SDC initiative directly supports Kenya’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), the UK Digital Development Strategy 2024–2030, and Sustainable Development Goals 4 and 5—Quality Education and Gender Equality.

Way Forward

The event closed with a call to action for continued investment and collaboration to scale up digital inclusion across Kenya. County leaders from Garissa, Wajir, Elgeyo Marakwet, and Turkana reaffirmed their commitment to supporting local digital ecosystems.

“This isn’t the end,” said Dr. Githaiga. “It’s the launchpad for something bigger—a connected, empowered, and digitally literate Kenya.”