Digital Learning Drive Begins as Government Rolls Out Devices to 10,000 Schools
By Joy Neema
NAIROBI, June 9, 2026 — The Government has officially launched the nationwide distribution of digital learning devices to Junior Secondary Schools, marking a major step in strengthening digital education and supporting the implementation of the Competency-Based Education (CBE) framework.
The exercise, flagged off on Tuesday at the Centre for Mathematics, Science and Technology Education in Africa (CEMASTEA), will see more than 10,000 schools receive laptops and interactive smart boards in a move aimed at transforming classroom learning across the country.
The event brought together officials from the Ministry of Information, Communications and the Digital Economy, the Ministry of Education, Parliament, the World Bank and the ICT Authority, highlighting a joint commitment to advancing digital learning nationwide.
Implemented by the ICT Authority through the Kenya Digital Economy Acceleration Project (KDEAP) with support from the World Bank, the initiative targets 10,382 Junior Secondary Schools. Each school will receive one teacher laptop and one interactive 65-inch smart board through a phased nationwide rollout.
During the launch, stakeholders witnessed demonstrations of the smart boards’ capabilities, including a live remote classroom session involving students from New Mukuru Primary School, who have been using a smart board donated by Huawei.
The Government said the programme signals the beginning of a coordinated national effort to improve teaching and learning experiences, expand access to digital resources and equip learners with practical skills for the digital economy.
Speaking during the event, Principal Secretary for Broadcasting and Telecommunications Stephen Isaboke said the initiative goes beyond distributing devices and represents an investment in the country’s future workforce.
“Today, we are not merely flagging off devices; we are investing in human capital, digital skills and the future prosperity of our children. We want our learners not to merely consume technology, but to create it, innovate through it, and apply it to solving challenges facing their communities and our nation,” said Isaboke.
He noted that inclusivity remains at the heart of the Government’s digital transformation agenda, supported by investments in digital infrastructure, connectivity, digital hubs and digital skills development to ensure all learners have equal opportunities in the digital age.
ICT Authority Chief Executive Officer Jessy Maruti emphasized that the success of the programme will ultimately be measured by its impact in classrooms rather than the number of devices distributed.
“The true value of this programme will not be measured by the number of devices delivered, but by the impact they create in classrooms. We envision teachers delivering more interactive lessons, learners accessing richer educational content, and schools becoming centres of innovation and digital excellence,” said Maruti.
He added that the authority remains committed to ensuring every device reaches its intended destination while working with partners to expand reliable internet connectivity, especially in underserved areas.
KDEAP Task Leader at the World Bank Aneliya Muller said the devices are expected to make lessons more visual, interactive and engaging while strengthening digital literacy among learners from an early stage.
“These devices will make lessons more visual, interactive and engaging, supporting digital literacy from an early stage and helping young Kenyans develop the skills increasingly required in today’s labour market,” said Muller.
She observed that secondary schools play a critical role in equipping learners with digital and problem-solving skills needed for current and future jobs, adding that the initiative would help bridge educational gaps regardless of location or background.
Dagoretti South MP and Chairperson of the National Assembly Committee on Communication, Information and Innovation John Kiarie described the programme as a strategic investment in Kenya’s competitiveness in the digital era.
“Today’s flag-off marks a significant milestone in Kenya’s digital transformation journey. By integrating technology into classrooms, we are equipping learners with the skills needed to thrive in the Fourth Industrial Revolution and reinforcing Kenya’s position as a leader in ICT and the digital economy,” said Kiarie.
The Government noted that the devices form part of a broader digital learning ecosystem that includes teacher preparedness, digital content, internet connectivity, reliable power supply, technical support, maintenance and continuous monitoring to ensure long-term impact.
Officials further revealed that more than 30,000 kilometres of fibre optic infrastructure have already been deployed nationwide toward a target of 100,000 kilometres, while over 8,000 public institutions have already been connected to the internet.
The initiative aligns with the Government’s broader vision of building a digitally connected, knowledge-driven economy while ensuring no learner is left behind as Kenya moves towards a digitally empowered future.
