Turkana Youths Drive Countywide Digital Inclusion Initiative
Lodwar, September 5, 2025 – Hundreds of Turkana youths have embarked on a countywide digital literacy campaign under the Digitally Enabled Gender Equity and Social Inclusion (DEGESI) project, implemented in partnership with LOKADO and the African Centre for Women in ICT (ACWICT).
The first cohort of 246 Community Digital Champions forms part of a targeted 1,250 youth trainers who will teach digital skills to marginalized groups, including women, girls, older adults, persons with disabilities, and smallholder farmers. Each champion is tasked with training 40 digitally excluded individuals over a 30-day period.
Chief Officer for Sports and Vocational Training, Robert Loyelei, praised the initiative, urging participants to uphold professional ethics, accountability, and adaptability. LOKADO Executive Director Augustine Kai highlighted the financial incentives tied to the integrity and commitment of the trainees, emphasizing the long-term benefits for certified graduates.
The three-month pilot phase will cover device usage, online business, government and agricultural platforms, cyber hygiene, e-waste management, and soft skills, with plans to expand the programme countywide over the next three years.
Turkana South Deputy Sub-County Administrator Peter Chichi assured full community mobilization to ensure widespread participation. The programme is expected to reach over 50,000 residents, marking a significant step toward digital inclusion and empowerment in Turkana.