“Surprisingly, many people think online work is not real work. I have been asked before to hold on to the opportunity as I wait for a white-collar job. But I have come to learn that online work could pay better than most physical jobs. I make up to Ksh. 60,000 from content writing and other online jobs while enjoying the flexibility in the job” explained Murugi Wawira to the Ajira Digital team during the field visit in Mbeere South and Kirinyaga Central, BPO satellite centres, on 14^th October 2022.

Present was KEPSA team led by Dr. Ehud Gachugu (Director Ajira and Youth Employment at KEPSA); Ministry of ICT team led by Conny Mutunga (in charge of Ajira Youth Empowerment Centres); eMobilis Mobile Technology Institute team led by Ruth Amoit as well as Adept Technologies Kenya, led by the CEO, Mercy Mugure.

The visit's purpose was to meet youth in #digital & #digitallyenabled work in these areas to measure the impact of the Program on their livelihood & meet key stakeholders on the ground including the constituencies teams during this leadership transition. The team met with the NG-CDF, MPs Representatives, & County government officials.

Dr. Gachugu reminded the participants that young people’s power is on the internet and with the right skills & capacities, they are endowed with limitless opportunities. With the public sector offering work opportunities such as the ongoing transcription work by the Judiciary, these jobs are not sufficient to help fix the #unemployment rates. Hence leaders should join hands with local businesses & challenge them to outsource digital services. Farmers around the area could use the digital marketing & website services offered by these youth to promote their products to a wider market.

Mr. Kenneth Kariuki, NG-CDF Fund Manager at Kirinyaga Central constituency, commended the Program saying that the youth there are very disciplined and focused, hence a need to think through the sustainability of such work opportunities and similar programs empowering the youth; to help grow the economy.

Mr. Peter Murimi, the Deputy Constituency Office Manager, Mbeere South, welcomed the team stating that he is one of the beneficiaries of the Program when it was piloted in the constituency. He has since been empowered enough to explore politics as a career, adding that there was a need to enhance awareness of online work and outsourcing in the constituency.

Mr. Conny of the Ministry of ICT assured that the issues of internet connectivity are being solved, having gone ahead to allocate resources on the ground that ensures efficient solutions to the hitches. Urged the leaders to be ambassadors of the program as it encompasses everyone willing to learn & work. The curriculum is being updated to offer more intermediary skills that meet the current market demands. The Program contributes to the entire ecosystem & beneficial to everyone.