By Editorial Team
Bondo, Siaya County – March 8, 2026 -Siaya County has marked a major digital milestone after Huawei partnered with the Konza Technopolis Development Authority to launch an AI-powered contact centre at the Siaya Community Digital Hub.
The unveiling took place during the Siaya Digital Summit 2026 at Bondo Township Primary School Grounds. The event, themed “Empowering Siaya’s Future: Digital Connectivity, Skills, Jobs, and Creative Economy for Sustainable Growth,” highlighted new pathways for digital skills, job creation and growth of the creative economy.
The newly launched platform enables the hub to offer Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) services, making it the first digital hub in Kenya to host such a facility. Already, 20 young people have been trained to operate the AI-assisted system, allowing them to handle customer service across messaging, web and phone platforms.
The hub is expected to serve both local and international clients, opening up job opportunities for youth while accelerating digital transformation in the region. Huawei and Konza plan to replicate the model in other hubs across the country.
The AI technology enhances efficiency by generating responses, logging interactions and analysing case records, helping local talent deliver services that meet global standards.
Speaking at the launch, Huawei Cloud Solutions Engineer Ruth Mokaya said the initiative demonstrates how technology can uplift communities.
“This initiative reflects the power of technology to transform communities. When young people are equipped with the right skills, they improve their livelihoods and uplift entire communities,” she said.
She added that the project aligns with Huawei’s global Tech4All initiative and supports the government’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda by expanding digital access in rural areas.
Cabinet Secretary for Information, Communications and the Digital Economy, William Kabogo Gitau, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to expanding digital opportunities.
“The success of Kenya’s digital transformation will be measured by how widely opportunities are shared. Talent exists everywhere, and our role is to ensure young people have access to the infrastructure, skills and platforms needed,” he said.
Kabogo noted that the partnership between Huawei and Konza leverages digital hubs equipped with high-speed internet and devices to create jobs and enable youth to compete globally.
During the summit, Huawei also trained 100 youth under its Huawei Certified ICT Associate (HCIA) programme, equipping them with skills in networking, cabling and ICT infrastructure management.
Kabogo said the ongoing rollout of over 100,000 kilometres of fibre optic cable is already creating jobs, adding that digital hubs are key to building local capacity to support and maintain the infrastructure.
Konza Technopolis Development Authority CEO John Paul Okwiri emphasized the role of digital hubs in nurturing innovation and talent.
“Digital hubs play a critical role in providing young people with access to infrastructure, mentorship and collaborative spaces. They are part of a broader ecosystem designed to empower creators and digital professionals,” he said.
Beneficiaries of the programme say the training has opened new opportunities. One trainee, Olivier Ogawa, said the skills gained in digital communication and customer support have prepared them for online work and income generation.
The Siaya Community Digital Hub is part of the government’s Jitume Digital Hubs programme, which aims to establish centres in all 1,450 wards across the country. So far, 290 hubs have been set up, benefiting more than 400,000 young people.
With over 75 percent of Kenya’s population under 35, stakeholders say empowering youth with digital skills is key to economic growth. The Siaya hub is expected to provide a space for young people to access connectivity, build skills and explore opportunities in remote work, freelancing and digital content creation.
The summit ended with calls for stronger collaboration between government, private sector and communities to ensure digital transformation delivers real opportunities.
“Kenya’s digital future will be built not only in major cities but also in counties where young people are ready to innovate and lead,” Kabogo said.
