Huawei’s DigiTruck Empowers 200 Youth in Garissa with Digital Skills to Expand Digital Inclusion
ICT Authority CEO Jessy Kiveu joins National Assembly Communication, Information and Innovation Committee Chairperson Hon. John Kiarie and local leaders at the Huawei DigiTruck graduation in Masalani, Ijara Constituency, Garissa County. Held on Saturday, 28 March, the event marks Garissa as the 42nd county reached by the programme, bringing the total number of youth trained to 11,000.
The digital revolution in Kenya is no longer confined to Nairobi’s tech hubs. In a significant move toward nationwide connectivity, 200 young people in Garissa County recently graduated from the Huawei DigiTruck program. This solar-powered mobile classroom has become a symbol of hope, proving that distance should not be a barrier to the global economy.
The graduation, held at Baraza Park in Masalani, marks a turning point for the North Eastern region as it plugs into the country’s “Digital Superhighway.” The DigiTruck is a creative response to limited infrastructure, bringing a high-tech classroom on wheels directly to the doorsteps of those who need it most.
Speaking during the event, Hon. John Kiarie, Chairperson of the National Assembly Committee on Communication, Information and Innovation, highlighted the shift in how we view technology as a cornerstone of the modern workforce.
“Digital skills are no longer optional; they are foundational to economic participation and national competitiveness,” stated Kiarie.
He further emphasized that the success of the nation depends on ensuring that no region is ignored during this technological shift.
“Initiatives like DigiTruck demonstrate how opportunity can be taken directly to communities, ensuring that young people in areas like Ijara are not left behind in Kenya’s digital transformation,” he added.
The curriculum went far beyond basic typing, immersing students in an intensive program covering digital literacy, online safety, and entrepreneurship. The goal was to provide a toolkit for self-reliance. In an area where traditional employment can be scarce, learning how to navigate digital platforms safely and use technology to build a small business is transformative.
Graduates left the program not just with certificates, but with the practical confidence to seek online work and manage digital tools that improve their day-to-day productivity.
ICT Authority CEO Jessy Kiveu Maruti emphasized that the government cannot bridge the digital gap alone. He noted that the DigiTruck is a prime example of how public-private partnerships can accelerate the national agenda by reaching the most remote corners of the country.
“DigiTruck is a practical example of how partnerships can accelerate Kenya’s digital agenda by extending access to skills where they are needed most,” Maruti explained.
He also pointed out that the ultimate goal of the project is to create sustainable economic paths for the youth beyond just basic computer use.
“By bringing training closer to communities, we are not only building digital literacy but also enabling pathways to employment, entrepreneurship and access to essential services,” he noted.
A major focus of the Garissa cohort was tackling the persistent gender disparity in the tech world. Current data suggests a worrying trend: while 50% of Kenyan men use mobile internet, only 35% of women do.
By prioritizing female enrollment in the DigiTruck, the program is actively working to ensure that the digital economy is inclusive from the ground up, allowing women to compete equally in the digital marketplace.
Garissa is the 42nd county to be reached by this initiative, which has now trained over 10,500 beneficiaries nationwide. As the truck moves toward its next destination, it leaves behind a community in Masalani that is better equipped to handle the challenges of a digital world.
The success of these 200 graduates is a clear signal that with the right tools, the youth of North Eastern Kenya are ready to lead the charge into a more connected future.
