Programme launched to create employment for Kenyan youths

A new innovative programme aimed at creating job opportunities for young people using the mobile phone has been launched.

A local company- Information Convergence Technologies- has launched MwananchiSMS, a local based SMS service that will see hundreds of young people gainfully employed by using the mobile phone to disseminate specific and localized information.The company is currently in the process of recruiting youths who will be the community/youth leaders to spearhead this project in their rural areas.

The Youth Leader, to be appointed in each village will be required to collect bio data and phone numbers for 1000- 3000 people in his village. He or she will run the business as a franchise and will become a self employed micro journalist. Villagers will give consent to be receiving the Free SMS service.

“The project will provide employment to the rural youth who could otherwise be engaged in unproductive and disruptive social or political activities. The youth will not be treated as an employee but as a social entrepreneur who works on behalf of and for the interest of the community.” said Mr Simon Ndirangu, the Managing Director, Information Convergence Technologies.

Mr Ndirangu said the Micro journalist will retain about 30 per cent of the revenue, adding that the concept is a simple, yet unique way of reaching out to thousands of citizens using a mobile phone and at the same time creating jobs for the youth.

At the moment there is no way of getting a timely message to people in a rural setting as there is no Internet access, TV sets are few, and local papers are out of reach for the majority.

Today, mobile phones reach a large portion of the Kenyan population, including the low income earners. From farmers to teachers, street hawkers to businessmen, most citizens are now connected through the mobile. A simple SMS (Short Messaging Service) facility can provide citizens with a channel to receive, share, or broadcast their views on important issues.



Enabling push-down services such as sending alerts, reminders, updates, and vital information via a mobile phone can bridge the digital divide between and within rural and urban areas while serving as a useful medium of interaction between the government and public.

The project will also bridge the digital divide at the grassroots level as many people today have access to the mobile phone. For instance, if an SMS related to a health camp is sent, the information would eventually reach members of the household or the neighborhood.

And by sharing information with the public through SMS, the government will build transparency in its working and win public trust- especially in the use of devolved funds like the Constituency Development Fund.

The organization is ready to partner with the Youth Ministry, development partners, Youth Organizations and youth groups in recruiting, training and empowering the youth using noble idea.