The Digitally Enabled Gender Equity and Social Inclusion (DEGESI) project has officially commenced its three-year mission to bolster socio-economic empowerment in Kenya’s most digitally excluded communities. Funded by the UK Government through the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), the project will specifically target women and girls, senior citizens, smallholder farmers, and persons with disabilities in the counties of Turkana, Wajir, Garissa, and Elgeyo Marakwet.
UK-Funded Initiative Aims to Empower 75,000+ with Digital Skills
The Digitally Enabled Gender Equity and Social Inclusion (DEGESI) project has officially commenced its three-year mission to bolster socio-economic empowerment in Kenya’s most digitally excluded communities. Funded by the UK Government through the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), the project will specifically target women and girls, senior citizens, smallholder farmers, and persons with disabilities in the counties of Turkana, Wajir, Garissa, and Elgeyo Marakwet.
The project, implemented by the African Centre for Women, Information and Communications Technology (ACWICT), builds on the success of previous UK-funded digital inclusion programs. DEGESI will utilize a proven Community Digital Champion (CDC) model to impart foundational and basic digital skills using the national curriculum approved by the ICT Authority (ICTA).
“The digital divide is not just about access to technology, but about access to opportunity,” said a project representative. “DEGESI is designed to ensure that the most vulnerable populations are not left behind in Kenya’s digital transformation, enabling them to access government services, improve agricultural productivity, and explore new livelihood opportunities in a safe and secure environment.”
The Digitally Enabled Gender Equity and Social Inclusion for Disadvantaged and Excluded Communities in Kenya is a three-year project funded by the UK FCDO and implemented by ACWICT in partnership with the ICT Authority, county governments, and private sector partners.
Key objectives include training 15,000 Community Digital Champions, equipping 1.5 million citizens with foundational digital literacy, and creating awareness of digital opportunities for 15 million Kenyans. The project will also generate knowledge products to inform national policy.
2 Comments
Mohamed Abdi
“As a youth leader in Garissa, I’m excited to see this project focusing on our county. We have many young people eager to learn digital skills but lacking opportunities. Looking forward to partnering.”
James Kipkorir
“This is a much-needed initiative! As a teacher in North Rift, I see daily how the digital divide affects our students’ future. Looking forward to seeing this implemented in Elgeyo Marakwet.”