Government targets April 2027 to equip all public junior schools with digital devices

The target was highlighted during President William Ruto’s development tour of Trans Nzoia County, where education infrastructure and digital learning featured alongside investments in roads, electricity connectivity, markets and housing.

The national digital learning programme involves the installation of interactive smart boards and the provision of laptops to integrate information and communication technology into classroom teaching.

The Government says the initiative is intended to expand learners’ access to digital educational resources and equip them with skills needed in an increasingly technology-driven world.

The 10,382 schools already equipped mark progress towards the April 2027 deadline. However, the Government has not specified the total number of public junior schools in the country or how many are yet to receive the equipment.

More than 64,000 teachers have also undergone training as part of the rollout, underscoring the importance of preparing educators to integrate technology into classroom instruction.

The programme’s effectiveness will depend on teachers’ ability to use the equipment, the availability of relevant digital content and the provision of reliable electricity, maintenance and technical support to keep the devices operational.

During his engagements in Trans Nzoia, President Ruto commissioned a 27-classroom tuition block at Kiminini Comprehensive School, highlighting the Government’s investment in physical learning infrastructure alongside the digital education initiative.

The education projects formed part of a broader development programme targeting key infrastructure and economic sectors across the county.

In Cherangany Constituency, the President launched the construction of the 27.5-kilometre Mwaita–Bwage–Makutano–Kapsara–Minex–Aruba–Kesogon road, valued at KSh1.7 billion.

In Kiminini, he launched the first phase of the Kiminini–Mitoto–Ndalu–Brigadier road, with KSh500 million allocated to the initial phase and a further KSh1 billion pledged towards its completion.

The Government is also investing KSh7 billion in the expansion of the Maili Tisa–Kitale Road.

Across Trans Nzoia, the road development programme is valued at KSh18 billion and targets 270 kilometres of roads.

Electricity connectivity was another focus of the tour, with the Government flagging off a KSh171 million project in Cherangany targeting 2,147 households.

A separate KSh922 million project is expected to connect 8,792 households across the county, supporting efforts to expand access to electricity.

The Government also cited KSh17 billion in investments in affordable housing, modern markets and student hostels, including KSh1.5 billion earmarked for the construction of 15 modern markets.

During the visit, President Ruto inspected the Kiminini Modern Market, a KSh181 million project that was reported to be 50 per cent complete and scheduled for completion in December 2026.

The market is expected to accommodate 500 traders upon completion.

The President also urged Kenyans to embrace the rallying message “Usawa Ni Sawa”, linking it to his administration’s commitment to ensuring all regions have equal opportunities for development.

“We call on every Kenyan to embrace our rallying call, Usawa Ni Sawa, as we work together to transform our nation and ensure every region has an equal opportunity to prosper,” he said.

The development announcements covered projects at different stages of implementation, including those already launched, ongoing construction works and initiatives backed by funding commitments.

For the digital learning programme, the next major milestone will be the Government’s ability to meet the April 2027 deadline and ensure schools can effectively use the equipment to improve learning outcomes.

Beyond distributing devices, the success of the initiative will depend on reliable electricity, functional equipment, adequate teacher training and the consistent integration of technology into classroom instruction.