Nathaniel Mong'are has said the country did not experience digitisation at the pace being witnessed today under President Kibaki or any of his predecessors, pointing to the rapid growth in smartphone ownership as evidence of the shift.
Speaking on Citizen TV's JK Live programme during a segment titled "Tomorrow's Voices, Today" in which youth leaders confronted the issues shaping their future, Mong'are said more than 35 million Kenyans now own smartphones.
His remarks placed the country's digital transformation at the centre of the discussion on young people's prospects, with the youth leader presenting widespread access to mobile technology as a defining achievement of the current administration.
He argued that the speed of change in the sector had no precedent in earlier governments, including that of the late President Mwai Kibaki, whose tenure is often associated with the early expansion of the country's technology and communications sector.
The claim is likely to attract debate. Supporters of the government point to the expansion of digital services, mobile connectivity and online platforms as proof that the country is moving faster than before.
Critics however often argue that smartphone ownership alone does not translate into meaningful opportunities, noting that questions around internet affordability, digital jobs and the cost of living remain pressing concerns for many young Kenyans.
The programme brought together young leaders to discuss the issues likely to shape the country's future, with technology, jobs and political participation among the themes that feature prominently in conversations about youth empowerment.
Mong'are's statement adds to a growing national conversation on how digital tools are reshaping the economy, public services and civic engagement as the country moves towards the 2027 General Election.
Link; https://x.com/citizentvkenya/status/2120606714546344144?a=sAJn-q21kbUuskVOuiQ&s=19
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