Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has said that the Kenya Kwanza government will invest in science, innovation and technology to create jobs for youths.
Speaking on Monday, the DP said the President William Ruto-led administration understands the potential of technology in dealing with youth unemployment, thus the decision to invest in the sector and digitally interconnect the country.
"We want to harness creativity to generate more and decent jobs for the 5.7 million job-seeking youth, so that they can contribute to the delivery of the Kenya Kwanza Plan," Gachagua said.
The DP said the ICT sector is an enabler of the country's economic growth through digital entrepreneurship and that the government is set to roll out 100,000 kilometres of fiber optic to interconnect the country.
He added that the government is keen on growing the innovation and ICT sectors as the world migrates to the digital spaces and tech economy.
Gachagua spoke during the launch of the Ol Borana semiconductor manufacturing system at Dedan Kimathi University of Technology in Nyeri.
The Ol Borana semiconductor manufacturing system is owned by an upcoming tech firm known as Semiconductor Technology Limited (STL). The innovation is a partnership between the university and the company and was launched in April 2021.
It manufactures nanotechnology products such as integrated circuits and sensors used in electronic gadgets.
Gachagua insisted that the innovation by Ol Borana is a demonstration that Kenya has the potential of leading the continent by using technology to drive sustainable development.
"I am excited that STL settled on Dedan Kimathi University of Technology, focused on solution-driven innovations. Theory education alone cannot help us emerge as a leader in the digital economy in Africa," he said.
"We must blend academic work with hands-on professional experience. This can only happen when we allow innovation enterprises such as STL to collaborate with our learning institutions."
He commended the company for supporting the youth by offering 70 per cent of its employment to them, and for training over 150 engineers in Chemical, Mechanical, Electrical and Mechatronics disciplines.
