The government is banking on science, innovation and technology to spur job creation amongst the youth in the country, Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua as he pledged the government’s support to the start-up tech firms.

He also encouraged small-scale and medium entrepreneurs and the youth to borrow money from the Hustler Fund so as to expand their businesses.

“Ignore the retrogressive calls by the opposition politicians asking you not to repay the loans. The amount being advanced could be small but it will change lives. It is a creative intervention for our businesses and entrepreneurs who had no collateral to secure loans. Make full use of the Hustler Fund and keep on building and repaying. Keep on expanding your businesses,” said Gachagua.

The DP stated that since the Kenya Kwanza administration led by President William Ruto understands the potential of technology in dealing with youth unemployment, it has resolved to invest in the sector and digitally interconnect the country.

“As a government, we want to harness creativity to generate more and decent jobs for the 5.7 million job-seeking youth, so that they can contribute to the delivery of the Kenya Kwanza Plan,” said Gachagua.

Digital spaces

Speaking during the launch of ‘Ol Borana’ semiconductor manufacturing system at the Dedan Kimathi University of Technology in Nyeri, Gachagua stated that the government is keen on growing the innovation and ICT sectors as the world migrates to the digital spaces and tech economy. 

He said the ICT sector is an enabler of the country’s economic growth through digital entrepreneurship and that the government is set to roll out 100,000 kilometres of fibre optic to interconnect the country.

The ‘Ol Borana’ semiconductor manufacturing system is owned by an upcoming tech firm known as Semiconductor Technology Limited (STL), which was launched in April 2021. The innovation is a partnership between the university and the company.