The small but increasingly prominent town of Mulot in Bomet County is on the cusp of a technological transformation, as the establishment of a major ICT software development hub gains momentum. This project, spearheaded by the Konza Technopolis Development Authority and backed by the county government, promises to equip local youth with cutting-edge digital skills, offering them a unique opportunity to participate in the fast-evolving tech industry.
The hub, known as the Jitume ICT Hub, is poised to become a beacon of innovation and knowledge in East and Central Africa. It will provide training in key software development areas and prepare participants for careers in fields like cybersecurity, app development, and digital entrepreneurship. With 50 acres already secured for the facility, construction has commenced, and the project’s progress has ignited hope among residents eager to benefit from this initiative.
For years, Mulot has been notorious for cyber-related crime, particularly SIM swap fraud. For instance, in January last year, police officers drawn from the Directorate of Criminal Investigation (DCI) nubbed over 20 youths who were charged for swindling Kenyans thousands of moneys from their mobile banks. Earlier on, in May 2022, Kararani division OCPD Peter Mwanzo lost Ksh 600,000 from his Equity back and trail evidence later confirmed that the money was withdrawn in Mulot area.
However, the ICT hub project aims to shift this narrative by offering structured, legal avenues for tech-savvy youth to channel their skills. By providing formal education and practical training, the hub is expected to foster a generation of professionals well-versed in ethical digital practices.
The curriculum at the Jitume ICT Hub will focus on market-relevant skills, ensuring that graduates are not only equipped with theoretical knowledge but also practical expertise. Partnerships with local public schools and community groups will create a collaborative learning environment, helping to identify and nurture tech talent from an early stage.
The County Government of Bomet has expressed its hope that the project will the project will change the perception of Mulot area as the youth will start engaging in providing real and ethical technology solutions projecting that this will start by this time next year.
“The start of Mulot ICT Hub Centre of Excellence that will empower young people with digital skills, technical skills, ethical tech and business opportunities. Mulot has long been known for so many things and now we are going to take the tech savvy spirit into this centre. It is my hope that by same time next year we will be coding, debugging and deploying solutions facing those foothills on the other side. Many thanks to all stakeholders that are supporting this project to its fruition,” Bomet County ICT Chief Officer Stellah Rotich exclusively told City Mirror.
Additionally, the launch is expected to stimulate the local economy by creating employment opportunities. It will attract investors and technology firms interested in tapping into the region’s newly skilled workforce. As the project gains traction, local businesses are also likely to benefit from increased activity and demand for services
