Scholarship changes lives of 97 youths in Nakuru

Pauline Njoki was a salesperson at Daima Mabati.  However, after taking a short course at the Rift Valley Institute of Business Studies (RVIBS), Njoki was promoted to a managerial position.

She is among 97 women and youths who studied digital business courses over the last six months.

The World Bank, in partnership with the government under the Kenya Industry and Entrepreneurship Programme (KIEP) and RVIBS, fully sponsored the 97 for the short courses.

“I pursued Digital Marketing with 26 other students. Other sponsored courses included Cyber Security, IOT and Robotics, Graphic Design, and Web Design,” she said.

Njoki said the course helped her to come up with a digital marketing strategy, which she proposed to the company and earned her the promotion.

“The course has changed my life. I was sponsored fully. It was tough to get the sponsorship, but it paid off,” she said.

Wanja Muthami, an IOT and Robotics graduate, said the programme involved class work and practical sessions.

“We have started projects even before we graduate,” she said.

Vincent Karanja, a cyber security graduate, said he teamed up with his colleagues to start a digital solutions business.

Karanja revealed that only a few formalities are remaining and the business offering digital solutions will be up and running.

Catherine Lusieno who studied digital marketing wants to utilise her skills to do business.

RVIBS Executive Chair John Gitau said out of 360 institutions, the college was among 13 selected to offer the courses.

“There were 2823 applicants. We were targeting women- 70 per cent, and youths. Because we want to equip them with digital skills,” he said.

Gitau said they are planning to recruit 100 more for the next phase and urged well-wishers to support the programme.

“The government gave us Sh10 million, and we added Sh4 million. However, we cannot afford to support others and we are working with parents to ensure the over 100 students in the next cohort get the support they need,” he said.

David Cheboryot, the team leader of KIEP, said the government was on a mission to Strengthen Kenya’s Innovation Ecosystem (SKIES) through digital training of women and children.

Cheboryot said they supported the Ministry of Trade and Industry to identify institutions to offer courses and ensure ethnic balance.

“The students underwent thorough technical skills needed to survive in the digital era,” said Cheboryot.

He said some graduates with marketing skills are engaged by firms in the United Kingdom.

“We want to offer them employment and support them start businesses,” he said.

John Munyami, the Project Manager of KIEP said the institution has 10 impactful innovations ready for the market.

Cecilia Mwangi, the Innovation Eco-system manager at KIEP, said educating women will end the notion that they cannot take up roles in the digital world.

“KIEP was a pilot programme, and it was a way to show that young women and youths are ready to work,” she said.