Raila roots for AI technology to address job shortages

Rt. Hon Raila Odinga at the Funeral of Preskila Oreny Koyo wife to the late Ker Joash Koyo Opien in Homa Bay County. [James Omoro, Standard]

Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga has urged the government to invest in training the youth on Artificial Intelligence to help address the shortage of jobs among young people.

According to Mr Odinga, AI technology is increasingly becoming part of everyday life in Kenya, serving as a tool for information gathering, research, and even economic opportunities.

Addressing students at Bondo Technical Training Institute, the ODM party leader said the youth will be in high demand in the world's job market if they are equipped with AI skills.

"Today, we have this technology called AI and it is helping people create wealth. If we can train our young people on such skills, they will be on high demand around the world," said Mr Odinga.

He added that it is not only going to create wealth but also help Kenya to catch up with other countries.

The former Premier was speaking during the graduation ceremony of over 200 students of Siaya Community Digital hub. He was accompanied by Siaya Senator Oburu Oginga and Siaya County Assembly Speaker George Okode.

"Africa is currently experiencing youth implosion with 75 per cent of its population being below the age 35. This situation can either be a curse or a blessing depending on how the youthful population is handled," he warned, adding that if the youth are given requisite skills and have knowledge, then they become motivated for development.

Elsewhere, the Russian government is keen on strengthening its ties and collaborations with the Kenyan government through cooperation in key areas that will uplift the livelihoods of the local population.

This was revealed by Russian Ambassador to Kenya H.E Vsevolod Tkachenko who said his government has identified green energy, medical services, and education as key areas of potential cooperation.

Speaking when he visited Kaimosi Friends University and Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology (JOOUST), Amb. Tkachenko, disclosed that he has been on a fact finding mission in Western Kenya counties of Vihiga, Siaya and Kisumu with the mission to find out how the locals in the region live and also identify their needs and necessities.

He was flanked by Oburu Oginga and his Vihiga counterpart Geofrey Osotsi.

Osotsi disclosed that talk are underway for possible cooperation between Kaimosi friends University and JOOUST universities in Kenya, and Mgimo and Rudn universities in Russia on research and scholarships.

"I want to confirm that the process is still on and it will culminate to cooperation between the universities in the two countries," he said.