Joint Committee Exposes 101 Idle Digital Hubs as Billions Stall Youth Empowerment Agenda

A joint sitting of parliamentary committees has revealed that at least 101 newly constructed digital hubs across Kenya remain unused, raising concerns over delayed implementation of a key youth empowerment initiative.

The session, convened by the National Government Constituencies Development Fund (NG-CDF) Committee alongside the Communication, Information and Innovation Committee, heard that while hundreds of hubs have been built, many lack basic operational requirements such as computers, internet connectivity, furniture, and personnel.

Lawmakers expressed frustration that despite significant public investment, the programme has yet to deliver meaningful impact to young people. The initiative, launched four years ago, was designed to equip youth with digital skills and connect them to online job opportunities both locally and internationally.

Dagoretti South MP John Kiarie noted that Members of Parliament had fulfilled their role by allocating NG-CDF funds for construction, with the expectation that the Ministry of ICT would complete the process by equipping and staffing the facilities.

“We are now heading toward another election cycle, and the promise we made to young people remains largely unfulfilled,” he said.

Appearing before the committee, ICT Cabinet Secretary William Kabogo acknowledged the shortcomings, describing the situation as “a national embarrassment.”

“We have the buildings, but they are empty. No devices, no connectivity, no staff. That is the reality we must urgently fix,” he told the committee.

According to a status report dated April 3, 2026, out of 391 planned hubs, 271 are operational, while 120 remain incomplete or unequipped. Of these, 99 NG-CDF-funded hubs are structurally complete but entirely empty, alongside two additional standard hubs, bringing the total number of idle facilities to 101.

Some institutions, including Coast National Polytechnic and Kabete National Polytechnic, have successfully operationalized their hubs, each equipped with 100 devices. However, others such as Githunguri Technical and Vocational College and Karuri Digital Hub remain unused.

Members of Parliament questioned the disparities across constituencies. Kitutu Masaba MP Clive Gisairo highlighted the disconnect between infrastructure development and service delivery.

“In some areas, we have impressive buildings, but not a single computer has been installed. The youth cannot benefit from empty promises,” he said.

Kabogo attributed the delays to several factors, including procurement bottlenecks, delayed delivery of devices by suppliers, lack of furniture procurement at the constituency level, and slow installation of power and internet by utility providers. He also cited land disputes in counties such as Kwale, Lamu, and Isiolo as contributing factors.

Mwea MP Mary Maingi challenged the continued delays, emphasizing the urgency of the programme.

“Our children are already living in a digital world. We cannot keep postponing their future. This is a leadership issue,” she said.

In response, the Cabinet Secretary outlined a recovery plan, promising that each of the 101 idle hubs would receive at least 25 devices by the end of April 2026 and an additional 25 by the end of May. Staff deployment is expected within the same timeframe, while full connectivity is targeted for completion by June.

However, legislators remained sceptical, noting that similar commitments had been made previously without success. Bomachoge Chache MP Alpha Ondieki questioned the credibility of the new timelines.

“What assurances do we have that this time will be different?” he asked.

The report also revealed funding disparities, with 22 constituencies yet to allocate NG-CDF resources toward digital hubs. These include Mandera West, Garissa Township, Thika Town, Embakasi West, Ruaraka, and Makadara.

Meanwhile, larger digital hub projects continue to lag behind schedule. Construction of the Likoni hub is only 31 percent complete, while Kilifi stands at 35 percent. Other projects in Kikuyu and Siaya are not expected to be completed until 2027.

As the meeting concluded, committee chair Musa Sirma issued a firm ultimatum, warning that funding could be halted if progress is not made.

“By June 30, 2026, these hubs must be operational. If not, we will recommend suspension of further funding until results are delivered,” he said.

With mounting pressure from Parliament, the Ministry of ICT now faces the urgent task of turning dormant infrastructure into functional centres capable of delivering on Kenya’s digital transformation agenda for its youth.