Nairobi County announces areas to get free internet in Sh180m budget

NAIROBI, KENYA: Nairobi County Government has a set aside Sh180 million to empower the youth on Information Communication Technology (ICT) and infrastructure development.

Nairobi County Executive ICT and Education Youth and Social Service, Ms Ann Lokidor said the County has planned to establish E –learning centres at the one stop youth information resource centre in Ofafa, Maringo areas to empower youth.

The County official said plans are also underway to set up Wifi hotspots at the county within social halls, vocational training centres (VTCs) and libraries that will ensure the youth access free internet .

"We have planned to establish an e-learning projects that will ensure young people access free internet which will enhance their social communication capacity. We have partnered with Information Technology service provides including Cisco and IBM to provide the services," Ms Lokidor said.

She said part of their future plans is to rehabilitate onestop centre and establish Youth resource Centre at sub County level and equip them with modern ICT infrastructure.

"Through participatory approaches, we will develop a county youth policy framework that will ensure all youth benefit. The policy will be used as a guideline to Youth development programmes in the region," she said.

She said under the Kenya Youth Employment and Skill (K-YES) programme, Sh100 million will support training of youth in vocational skill, expose them to work readiness clinic, increase their awareness and utilisation of financial service and improve effectiveness of employment information.

Ms Lokidor said part of the funds will be used for career counseling, mentor ship and job placement