Former Cabinet Secretary (CS) Raphael Tuju recently spearheaded a 50-kilometer walk to raise funds for a community ICT center in Ralingo village, Rarieda sub-county, Siaya County. The initiative, which drew hundreds of participants, marks a major step in bridging the digital divide and creating employment opportunities for local youth through online work. The walk, which covered a long stretch from Kisumu town to Ralingo village, took approximately eight hours, beginning at 3:00 AM on Sunday and concluding at the Ralingo ACK Church at around 11:00 AM.
The event not only underscored the need for digital connectivity in rural areas but also served as a rallying point for local leaders and community members to work together toward a common goal of improving livelihoods through technology. Tuju’s efforts, supported by Siaya County Governor James Orengo and Rarieda Member of Parliament Otiende Amollo, demonstrate how grassroots initiatives can transform communities, empower young people, and provide sustainable avenues for economic growth.
The Motivation Behind the 50KM Walk
Raphael Tuju, a native of Rarieda sub-county, has long been an advocate for youth empowerment and community development. His passion for technology as a tool for economic growth has shaped many of his post-cabinet initiatives. During the walk and the commissioning of the ICT centre, Tuju explained that the primary objective of the project is to provide young people in Ralingo and the surrounding areas with an opportunity to acquire digital skills and leverage the global online economy.
The decision to lead a 50-kilometer walk to raise funds highlights Tuju’s personal commitment to the cause. “This walk is more than a fundraising initiative; it is about demonstrating that as a community, we can take bold steps to invest in the future of our youth,” Tuju remarked upon arriving at the ACK Church, the temporary home of the ICT centre. He noted that the walk symbolized the journey toward a brighter future, one in which digital infrastructure will enable the young people of Siaya County to earn a sustainable living.
Tuju’s dedication to the project is further illustrated by his efforts to connect the new ICT centre to high-speed internet provided by Starlink. Starlink, known for its satellite internet services, offers a robust and fast internet connection that is ideal for underserved rural areas. This connection is expected to enhance the centre’s capacity to provide world-class training and digital work opportunities for local youth.
Bridging the Digital Divide in Rarieda Sub-county
The creation of the Ralingo Community ICT Centre is a direct response to the digital divide that continues to affect rural communities across Kenya. With many young people in the country lacking access to technology and digital skills, there is a growing concern that the digital economy will further marginalize rural populations. However, initiatives such as this ICT project present an opportunity to change this narrative by ensuring that young people in remote areas have the tools and knowledge they need to participate in the global digital economy.
Tuju emphasized that the ICT centre is designed to help learners in the region acquire the skills necessary to work online. “We want our young people to have a fair chance to compete in the global job market,” Tuju said, noting that the center will offer training in various digital fields such as freelancing, software development, and digital marketing.
With access to high-speed internet through Starlink, the ICT centre will provide a vital framework for Rarieda sub-county to access online work platforms such as Upwork, Fiverr, and Freelancer, among others. This is crucial at a time when remote work opportunities are becoming increasingly prominent, particularly in light of the global shift toward digital economies triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Support from Local Leadership
Tuju’s efforts have garnered significant support from Siaya Governor James Orengo and Rarieda MP Otiende Amollo, both of whom attended the event and expressed their enthusiasm for the project.
Governor Orengo, in his speech, praised Tuju’s leadership and commitment to the people of Siaya County. “This is not just a project for Rarieda; it is an example for all of Siaya and beyond. The youth in our county need access to opportunities that will allow them to compete on a global scale, and this ICT centre is a big step in the right direction,” said Orengo. He promised to work with Tuju and other stakeholders to replicate the initiative in other parts of Siaya County, stressing the importance of utilizing digital skills to tap into the global online job market.
For his part, MP Otiende Amollo pledged his support to the project by announcing that the National Government Constituency Development Fund (NG-CDF) would be used to construct the first ICT Hub in Rarieda sub-county. “We are fully behind this initiative, and we want to ensure that this ICT centre not only thrives but also serves as a model for future projects. The NG-CDF will play a crucial role in constructing a permanent ICT Hub at Ralingo,” Amollo stated. He also revealed that while the ICT centre will initially be housed at the ACK Church, the government would support the establishment of a permanent facility.
The Role of the Community in Project Success
The success of the Ralingo Community ICT Centre will hinge on the involvement and commitment of the local community. Tuju acknowledged the importance of grassroots participation, noting that the community’s support is vital to the sustainability of the project. He called on residents to take full advantage of the centre’s offerings once it becomes operational, encouraging young people to enroll in digital skills training programs and explore the online job market.
“By working together, we can ensure that this project not only benefits the current generation but also future generations. The digital economy is vast, and it is up to us to seize the opportunities it presents,” Tuju stated.
Tuju’s initiative also received support from various local organizations and businesses that pledged to contribute resources and expertise to ensure the success of the project. Local churches, schools, and business leaders have committed to spreading awareness about the ICT centre and encouraging youth participation.
A Model for Future Projects
The Ralingo ICT Centre is expected to serve as a model for similar projects in other rural parts of Kenya. As the country strives to become a regional technology hub, initiatives like this are critical in ensuring that the benefits of the digital economy are evenly distributed across urban and rural areas.
Governor Orengo’s commitment to replicating the project across Siaya County underscores the potential for scaling such initiatives. With the right support from both the government and private sector, similar ICT centres can be established in other remote areas, providing young people with access to the skills and infrastructure they need to succeed in the digital economy.
Conclusion
Raphael Tuju’s 50-kilometer walk to raise funds for the Ralingo Community ICT Centre has set the stage for a transformative project that will empower young people in Rarieda sub-county to tap into the global online job market. The project, supported by local leaders like Governor James Orengo and MP Otiende Amollo, highlights the importance of grassroots initiatives in addressing the digital divide. As the Ralingo ICT Centre becomes operational, it promises to be a beacon of hope for young people seeking to improve their livelihoods through digital skills and online work.
