Kisumu Deputy Governor (DG), Dr. Mathew Owili, has said the county recognizes the role played by the youth in national development and that investing in youth and digital skills can drive economic transformation of the County.
Owili noted that Kisumu was now emerging as a serious player in Kenya’s tech ecosystem, breaking into the top 1,000 global startup cities and ranking second nationally after Nairobi.
“Our conviction was simple: if you place opportunity in the hands of young people and equip them with digital skills, they will transform not only their lives but entire economies,” he said.
The DG made the remarks in his address during ‘the 2026 Build From Here Conference’ held in Kisumu, where the first cohort of trainees under the Zone01 Kisumu programme run by Lakehub Foundation graduated after two years of intensive training.
Dr. Owili added that the County government supported the initiative by providing a fully equipped training facility and enabling infrastructure, describing the investment in digital talent as critical to the region’s future economy and validated the county’s belief in investment in youth.
“For a long time, the digital economy has been viewed through Nairobi, but today Kisumu has the talent, the infrastructure and now, the code,” he said.
Beneficiaries of the programme say its project-based, peer-to-peer learning model has been key to their success in the global job market.
Josephine Apollo, a graduate now working with an Australian company in Artificial Intelligence and Data, said visibility and networking are crucial for young developers seeking opportunities.
“Talent exists, but you have to put yourself out there. Share what you build, grow your network and keep learning because the tech space evolves every day,” she said.
Apollo also highlighted the importance of soft skills, noting that activities such as hackathons help trainees build teamwork, communication and problem-solving abilities essential in professional environments.
Another beneficiary, Asman Malida, said she joined the programme with no background in technology but has since gained hands-on experience working with a US-based open-source company.
She has developed a blockchain-based platform aimed at addressing challenges faced by informal savings groups, including lack of transparency and accountability.
“The system records all transactions on blockchain, ensuring that contributions, loans and fines cannot be altered, which builds trust among members,” he explained.
Kisumu is rapidly cementing its place as an emerging technology hub, with at least 70 young people securing jobs through a local software development programme that is transforming livelihoods and reshaping the region’s digital economy.
LakeHub Foundation Co-founder, Dorcas Owino, attributed the programme’s success to deliberate efforts to decentralise access to technology and entrepreneurship for young people outside Nairobi.
“At LakeHub, we are focused on decentralising access to technology and opportunity. In the last two years, we have trained software developers from Kisumu and ensured they are able to compete globally,” she said.
Owino noted that the inaugural cohort of 96 apprentices has recorded strong outcomes, with about 70 graduates already securing jobs—translating to a 73 per cent placement rate—even before completing the programme.
She added that the average earnings have risen significantly, with some graduates earning over $500 (about Sh76,000) monthly and top performers making up to $2,500 (Sh322,500).
“This means young people are now able to inject money into their local economy, while others are building startups and attracting funding from outside the country,” she said.
According to Owino, the programme goes beyond employment, nurturing innovation among youth who are developing solutions rooted in community challenges, but scalable globally.
Among standout innovations is a blockchain-powered platform targeting women’s savings groups to enhance transparency and access to loans, as well as a tool that enables secure reporting of Gender-Based Violence.
“When you bring more women into technology, they are able to build solutions that directly address the challenges they face,” she added, noting that the programme is also expanding opportunities for women and Persons Living with Disabilities through targeted inclusion and partnerships.
Owino said the second cohort of 100 apprentices is already underway and will graduate later this year, with plans to increase female participation through a women-focused intake starting in May.
She emphasised that the growing success of the programme demonstrates that locally developed talent can meet global standards and compete for international opportunities.
By Chris Mahandara
