The beneficiaries of the fifth cohort of the Presidential Digital Talent Programme will graduate on Thursday.
The 400 interns were trained for 12 months – nine months in government and three in the private sector.
They have received hands-on training in ICT, including networks, applications and systems analysis. Digitalent training is meant to improve their entrepreneurial skills and boost their employability chances.
One of those expected to graduate is Sandra Akeno Kooli, 26, from Turkana county.
Growing up, Sandra said she always had a passion for ICT.
She pursued a Bachelor of Science in Informatics from the Pearson Institute of Higher Education, South Africa, where she majored in Information systems.
After completing her degree course, she returned to Turkana to learn more about her community’s culture, carry out research and mentor the youth.
When the government called for applications for recruitment of Digitalent Cohort V, Sandra applied and joined the programme in July last year.
Sandra said participating in the programme has helped her to improve her ICT skills.
“Working as an intern for the ICT Authority has enhanced my skills in project management, hardware and software support and information systems. My enthusiasm for technology grows each day because in understanding that I am one of the few girls from Turkana who has studied information technology, I have a responsibility to inspire other girls to take on the challenge,” she said.
She said with the ongoing County Connectivity Project, she got the opportunity to provide network support to the Turkana county treasury and Lodwar Referral Hospital.
She also supported the implementation of the Digital Literacy Programme and National Optic Fibre Backbone projects being implemented in Turkana.
Under the DLP, officers in Turkana make regular visits to primary schools to conduct inspections on learners digital devices and interact with pupils.
Sandra said she had the chance to understand some of the challenges pupils face while using digital devices.
She said DLP is enhancing learner's experience, and it can get better with more attention given to training teachers and students on how they can utilise the devices.
Sandra said she looks up to ICT Authority CEO Katherine Getao, who is keen on imparting digital skills to the youth.
The Presidential Digital Talents Programme was launched on February 10, 2015, by President Uhuru Kenyatta.
It is designed to build and entrench ICT capacity in government to ensure effectiveness and efficiency in service delivery.
Through the Digitalent programme, the ICT Authority has so far trained 1,700 interns in Cohorts I, II, III, IV and now V.
The programme has been supported by partners, supervisors and mentors who have helped identify business solutions the PDTP interns can deliver.
Graduates from this programme are expected to support Kenya's vision of leveraging ICT to realise a digital government.
A digital government will ensure effective service delivery and transform the way the government works, engages with citizens, businesses, other governments, and within itself.
Edited by A.N
