Nairobi City County Government, through its Innovation and Digital Economy Sector, has launched the Jericho Incubation Hub, a pioneering digital innovation and entrepreneurship centre located in Harambee Ward, Makadara Sub-County. The iHub aims to equip young people with essential digital skills, foster innovation, and support startup growth at the grassroots level.
This initiative underscores Nairobi County’s goal of making technology accessible to every ward, empowering residents to build sustainable livelihoods through innovation. The initiative is bridging the digital divide and taking innovation directly to the people while ensuring that the capitals’ digital economy is working for everyone, not just the privileged few.
“This is not just an ICT facility. It is a lifeline for our youth. We are bridging the digital divide and taking innovation directly to our people. Nairobi’s digital economy must work for everyone, not just the privileged few. I urge the youth to take advantage of this iHub. Your ideas, your creativity, and your determination will define Nairobi’s next generation of innovators. " said Nairobi County Executive Committee Member for Innovation and Digital Economy, Mike Gumo during the launch.
The Hub is the first step in a broader plan to decentralize innovation services across all 85 wards as it aligns with H.E. Governor Sakaja’s strategy to bring services closer to the people, with Dishi na County as a flagship example of decentralization done right.
The initiative is tied to the Nairobi County Customer Service Week 2025, themed “Mission Possible”, as the iHub reflects the County’s commitment to making innovation and service delivery accessible to all. The iHub’s success lays the groundwork for future digital centres across Nairobi's Sub Counties. The young people are urged to embrace continuous learning, take initiative, and create their own opportunities in the evolving digital landscape.
Through strategic partnerships with the private sector and innovation stakeholders, the Jericho Hub is already nurturing a new wave of tech-savvy entrepreneurs; from app developers and digital marketers to creative designers and content creators.
The iHub demonstrates what collaboration can achieve, opening doors for the youth to learn, innovate, and connect with opportunities that can transform their lives with plans by the Nairobi County Government to expand to other Sub-counties in Nairobi County.
With Nairobi County being the first County to receive accreditation by the ICDL as an ICDL examination centre, technology is inevitable, and digital literacy is the new currency that will anchor Nairobi’s future competitiveness in the global economy.
The Jericho Incubation Hub is a collaboration between Nairobi City County and Computer Aid Kenya, with strategic partnerships from ICDL Africa and Amazon Web Services (AWS). It is designed to serve as a one-stop community hub offering digital literacy training, startup incubation, mentorship, hackathons, innovation challenges, women’s empowerment initiatives, and children’s coding programs.
What initiative has your County taken to promote digital literacy training programs?
Visit https://maarifa.cog.go.ke/ to learn more about the successful initiatives on service delivery that our Counties are undertaking.
By Daniel Masetu &
Erick Mwirigi