By Josiah Kariuki
Youth empowerment, digital transformation and partnerships dominated discussions during the 15th Partnership Forum Meeting in Nairobi on Wednesday.
The event was convened by Deputy President Prof. Kithure Kindiki, bringing together senior Government officials, development partners, diplomats and other stakeholders.
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The forum provided a platform to review ongoing development programmes, strengthen collaboration and identify interventions aimed at accelerating economic growth and expanding opportunities for Kenyans.
A key focus was investment in young people, with stakeholders highlighting the need to equip youth with relevant skills and improve their access to employment, entrepreneurship and other economic opportunities.
Principal Secretary for Broadcasting and Telecommunications Stephen Motari Isaboke said Government was creating pathways for young people to participate in the digital economy through skills development, employment and enterprise support.
“A key focus was youth empowerment,” Isaboke said in a statement posted on Facebook.
“Through initiatives in digital skills, entrepreneurship, employment, the creative and blue economies, Government is creating more pathways for young people to earn, innovate and participate meaningfully in the economy.”
According to figures presented at the forum, 466,811 young people have been trained in digital skills, while 72,257 have been connected to digital employment opportunities.
A further 24,522 youth have benefited from business support under the NYOTA Programme, aimed at strengthening entrepreneurship and economic participation.
The Ministry of Information, Communications and the Digital Economy has also established 272 digital hubs across the country to expand access to digital skills, online work opportunities and innovation spaces, particularly at the grassroots.
Isaboke said the hubs were part of broader efforts to ensure young people and communities outside major urban centres benefit from Kenya’s digital transformation.
He described partnerships as critical to translating Government programmes into tangible benefits for citizens.
“Strong partnerships remain essential in accelerating these interventions and translating development programmes into tangible opportunities for Kenyans,” he said.
The discussions also focused on the role of digital infrastructure in supporting economic transformation as Kenya implements the Digital Superhighway Programme.
The State Department for Broadcasting and Telecommunications is involved in efforts to expand connectivity and facilitate participation in the digital economy.
The forum brought together Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Musalia Mudavadi and Cabinet Secretaries William Kabogo, Rebecca Miano, Geoffrey Ruku, Hanna Cheptumo, Salim Mvurya, Wycliffe Oparanya and Eric Mugaa.
Also present were UN Resident Coordinator Dr Garry Conille, German Ambassador to Kenya Sebastian Groth, Principal Secretaries, development partners and members of the diplomatic corps.
Isaboke said the meeting provided an opportunity to “take stock of ongoing programmes, strengthen areas of collaboration and consider interventions that can support economic stability and expand opportunities for Kenyans.”
