Launch of the DeKUT Ajira Club by the Chief Administrative Secretary, Ministry of ICT Innovation and Youths Affairs, Ms. Maureen Mbaka.
The Ministry of ICT, Innovation, and Youth Affairs, on Friday, 24th June 2022, launched an Ajira Digital Club at the Dedan Kimathi University of Technology (DeKUT) to reach more youth and expand the footprints of the Ajira Digital Program across the county.
The Ajira Digital program is a socio-economic initiative that aims to position Kenya as a top global hub for digital freelancing and business process outsourcing while also equipping young Kenyans with the necessary skills to take advantage of digital opportunities both locally and internationally.
Currently, we have over 40 Ajira clubs established in various Universities and TVET institutions across the county with the DeKUT Ajira Club leading with the highest number of online workers in the country. The club, which is run by students, will act as an additional training, incubation, and mentorship forum to help equip students with digital skills for the world of work. So far more than 200 students have been trained. Several of these have successfully explored the digital space where they're gaining more experience and earning a living.
Speaking during the launch, the Chief Administrative Secretary, Ministry of ICT Innovation and Youths Affairs, Ms. Maureen Mbaka, stated that online work is the way to go, and that digital jobs have surpassed the number of digital workers.“As a ministry, we are working hard with our partners to reach out to young Kenyans who are in and out of higher learning institutions,” Mbaka said.
In 2018, Ajira partnered with higher learning institutions to enable millions of young people to tap into digital job opportunities. Most youths have been trained in article writing, transcription, digital marketing and virtual assistance to transform their livelihoods by working online. The CAS lauded the DedanKimathi University of Technology for its commendable work. “This university has the highest number of online workers among all institutions of higher learning. We have seen several students earn a decent living in this institution. The CAS also urged the youths to seize the online opportunities Ajira Program offers to enhance their skillsets and earn a decent living through digital and digitally-enabled jobs.
The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ndirangu Kioni also stated that the programme will enable graduates to secure online jobs and contribute to the country’s economy. “We have put in place systems to ensure that none of our graduates complains that they have not secured a job,” Prof. Kioni said. Through the Ajira digital program, the country continues to demystify the myths around online work and embrace it as a source of income and dignified employment.