NAIROBI, Kenya, Apr 23 – The week-long coding exercise spearheaded by County Digital Economy and Startups Chief Officer, Victor Agolla in patnership with Safaricom and Women in Technology Programme came to a close today at Makadara Library.
The event benefitted 100 children of various ages.
Mr. Agolla, said Nairobi County as part of its plans under CIDP 2023-2027 will focus on building technology capacity of children between ages 8 to 16 years as well as youth of ages 17 to 35 years. He further reiterated the need to establish a sustainable public private partnership model ensuring that children are trained in the long run in order to allow them reap the economic benefits of technology.
Mr. Agolla challenged the Safaricom team to support the County in establishing a video gaming center at Makadara library that will support kids to code training program, income for youth training kids, revenue for gaming startups and innovative product offering for corporates.
County Director for e-Learning, Elizabeth Ndung’u shared the benefits of coding being critical thinking and problem solving.
Participating in the session was a gaming startup called Rubiks Digital (PlayOn) specializing in developing local games e.g Ajua, Kadi etc. PlayOn through a live demo of their platform allowed the children to play and appreciate the potential economic benefit of developing video games.
Safaricom was represented by Dianah Nyomenda Ogeto, Fixed Data Delivery Lead and Digital IT who said that Safaricom through Women in technology-kids in tech programme was looking forward to continuing its partnership with Nairobi County in supporting the kids to code program by expanding across the County.
As well as equipping children for jobs for the future, coding creates entirely unexpected opportunities that promote creative thinking and a ‘learn by doing’ maker culture.
In attendance was Assistant Director Library, Jacob Ananda, Safaricom staff and mentors.
