Garissa County: Bridging the Digital Divide in Arid Lands
Garissa County faces unique challenges with its arid climate, pastoralist communities, and historically limited infrastructure. With a poverty rate of 68.3%, DEGESI aimed to provide alternative economic pathways through digital skills, particularly focusing on women and youth in urban and peri-urban areas.
Key Achievements in Garissa
Strong Female Leadership: 58% of CDC applicants were women
Business Focus: High interest in digital entrepreneurship modules
Urban-Rural Balance: Successful training in both Garissa Town and remote areas like Bura
Cross-Border Relevance: Training emphasized skills useful for trade with Somalia
Baseline Completion: Strong participation in initial assessments
Local Success Stories
Halima’s Cross-Border Digital Business
Halima, a 28-year-old mother of three from Garissa Town, transformed her small fabric shop into an online enterprise. Using skills from the Creative Economy track, she now markets traditional Somali buibuis and kangas on Instagram and Facebook, reaching customers in Nairobi, Mogadishu, and the diaspora. Her business now employs 4 other women.
The Garissa Youth Tech Collective
A group of 10 CDCs specializing in computer repair established the first dedicated tech repair shop in Garissa Town. They repair over 50 devices monthly and have partnered with local schools to provide maintenance services, creating 8 permanent jobs.
County-Specific Interventions
Mobile Money Mastery: Intensive training on M-Pesa business tools for traders
Livestock Market Digitalization: Piloting a platform connecting herders with buyers
Women-Only Training Sessions: Creating safe spaces for conservative communities
Arabic-Digital Literacy: Basic digital skills training in Arabic for older residents
Challenges Overcome
Cultural Barriers: Worked with local religious leaders to gain community trust
Connectivity Issues: Partnered with local ISPs for affordable data bundles
Security Concerns: Coordinated training schedules with local authorities
Language Diversity: Provided materials in Somali, Swahili, and English