{
  "id": 4383947,
  "title": "MPs Push for Expansion of Digital Hubs to Create Jobs for Kenyan Youth",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/30/mps-push-for-expansion-of-digital-hubs-to-create-jobs-for-kenyan-youth",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-30T08:23:08.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "KahawaTungu",
    "slug": "kahawatungu",
    "url": "https://kahawatungu.com/mps-push-for-expansion-of-digital-hubs-to-create-jobs-for-kenyan-youth/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The National Assembly's Communication, Information and Innovation Committee has urged the swift completion and expansion of digital hubs nationwide to generate employment, foster innovation, and promote entrepreneurship among Kenyan youth. During an inspection tour in Kilifi and Likoni constituencies, MPs observed the hubs' progress and discussed enhancing them into digital skills development, online employment, and entrepreneurship centers.\n\nIn Kilifi, the committee emphasized how these hubs can provide young people access to lucrative skills and remote work opportunities, enabling them to work for companies in Nairobi, Africa, or elsewhere. Kilifi North MP Owen Baya reported substantial progress in the hub's construction, with completion expected in the coming months, allowing it to serve young people in the region. MP John Kiarie, the committee chair, stressed that digital hubs should transform into productive spaces where young people can acquire skills, secure jobs, establish businesses, and develop technology solutions.\n\nThe committee also called for stronger intellectual property protection for innovations developed by young people, as they often face exploitation due to a lack of access to such safeguards. They proposed that managers of digital hubs identify promising innovations and assist innovators in securing appropriate protection, including patents, before sharing their ideas with third parties.\n\nThe committee further recommended that digital training programs align with the evolving labor market, particularly focusing on emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI), ensuring young people acquire skills that can lead to actual employment and business opportunities. Committee Vice Chair Alfah Miruka suggested tailoring digital training to the specific needs of different communities, incorporating business incubation facilities, cafés, gyms, and workspaces to create one-stop centers where students, entrepreneurs, and community members can learn, work, and access support.\n\nMbooni MP Erastus Kivasu proposed that incubation centers aid entrepreneurs in formalizing their businesses and securing financing, beyond merely providing computer labs. Kiarie noted that the government has allocated funds for establishing digital hubs and plans to expand the initiative, aiming to make digital infrastructure accessible to every constituency in the country. The committee also advocated for a more decentralized approach to government ICT infrastructure and expertise, proposing that regions like Garissa host ICT services to improve access to public services while creating opportunities for ICT professionals outside Nairobi. Finally, Keiyo South MP Dr. Gideon Kimaiyo called for reforms in government ICT procurement to reduce costs and improve efficiency by centralizing the procurement of ICT systems and equipment for digital hubs and other government facilities.",
  "summary": "The National Assembly Departmental Committee on Communication, Information and Innovation has called for the timely completion and expansion of digital hubs across the country to create more employment, innovation and entrepreneurship opportunities for young people. The Committee, chaired by Dagoretti South MP John Kiarie, made the call on Saturday during an inspection tour of digital [...] The…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}