CS Mucheru launches digital literacy programme targeting 20 million Kenyans

The government has launched a Digital Literacy Program targeting 20 million people across the country.

According to ICT Cabinet Secretary Joe Mucheru, the program which is the first coding syllabus in Kenya will be taught in primary and secondary schools where 24,000 centres are expected to be opened to register those who will be trained.

Speaking at Serena Hotel in Nairobi on Wednesday during the launch in conjunction with Kodris Africa, CS Mucheru underscored the importance of digital literacy saying it would complement many of the government's pilot programs.

“Through the Digital Literacy Programme, ICT Authority has equipped schools with laptops and tablets that are connected to the internet, making learning easier for students. Adding coding to the school curriculum will enhance students’ technological skills and put them on the scope in the ever-growing world of technology,” Mucheru said.

“This is a great indication that ICT is very important and that we are moving forward in the right direction.”

Having been approved by the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD), it will be offered by Kodris, which is an online publishing firm that specializes in equipping learners with 21st-century skills such as problem-solving and algorithmic thinking.

In its rollout, it will target learners in 100 primary schools and 50 secondary schools.

Director of Criminal Investigations (DCI) George Kinoti who was also at the event hailed the launch saying it would be a breakthrough in handling crime-related cases.

He noted that criminals had infiltrated the technology space and thus called for the police to step up their game.

“Kodris Africa has broken into the most important aspect of securing the nation. The police must be ahead of the criminals who are today tech-savvy. Coding will be an enabler,” Kinoti said.

“We no longer chase criminals physically…like by choppers. Now we do it via computers. Technology helps us bust crime in real-time.”

Kodris Africa CEO Mugumo Munene on his part said the move was a first step in promoting the future of technology in the continent.

“For Africa to succeed, we need to be ahead of the curve when it comes to technology. Our children have the ability to lead us into the future and we must demystify programming and coding for them by making it mainstream,” said Munene.