Information, Communications and the Digital Economy Cabinet Secretary Hon. William Kabogo today, Thursday 9, 2026 expressed strong confidence in JKUAT Industrial Park’s capacity to serve as the national hub for assembling digital devices for strategic ICT centers across Kenya.
During the high-level working visit focused on advancing Kenya’s digital economy through local manufacturing, the CS commended JKUAT’s proven track record in delivering major government projects, describing the institution as a dependable partner in the country’s digital transformation agenda.
“JKUAT has demonstrated exceptional reliability in handling high-stakes national assignments. The institution’s capacity to deliver on time and at scale gives us confidence that it is well-suited to play a central role in the government’s Digital Superhighway project,” CS Kabogo said.
The Cabinet Secretary was received by JKUAT Vice Chancellor Prof. Victoria Wambui Ngumi, who briefed him on the university’s extensive experience in large-scale device assembly and its strategic alignment with the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA).
Prof. Ngumi outlined JKUAT’s impressive track record, including the Digital Literacy Programme where the institution’s consortium supplied and deployed 390,412 digital learning devices to 7,879 primary schools across 21 counties. Additionally, during the 2019 Kenya National Census, JKUAT Industrial Park successfully delivered 97,466 mobile devices, over 73,000 power banks, and 20,000 solar chargers under a contract with the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics.
“JKUAT is uniquely positioned to bridge the gap between research and industrialization through subsidiaries such as the JKUAT Industrial Park, which has taken a lead in the assembly of electronic devices, mainly laptops and tablets under the TAIFA Brand,” Prof. Ngumi said.
“Our researchers and innovators continue to provide leadership in ICT and electronics, creating an ecosystem where industries thrive, jobs emerge, and the youth, empowered”.
The Vice Chancellor noted that JKUAT Industrial Park currently operates three device assembly lines with a combined capacity to produce over 3,000 units per day, ensuring it can meet the substantial demand generated by the 1,450 Jitume Digital Hubs being rolled out nationwide. The Park is focusing on priority sectors including ICT and electronics and is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities designed for precision and quality assembly.
JKUAT Chair of Council, Dr. James Micah Onsando, who also serves as a Board Chair of the JKUAT Industrial Park, reaffirmed the Park’s capacity to scale up production beyond current levels. He noted that the facility is well-positioned to meet increasing national demand while supporting the country’s broader industrial and economic growth objectives.
The CS’s visit also highlighted JKUAT’s vibrant innovation ecosystem, which provides a collaborative space where students, researchers, and industry leaders converge to turn ideas into impactful realities.
CS Kabogo reiterated the government’s commitment to expanding the Digital Superhighway by rolling out nationwide affordable high-speed internet, digitizing government services, creating digital jobs, and positioning Kenya as Africa’s ICT innovation hub, all in alignment with President William Ruto’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA).
“This facility demonstrates Kenya’s growing capacity to locally assemble and support digital devices. It will accelerate deployment of digital hubs, expand access to digital skills, and create opportunities for young people while laying the foundation for a sustainable electronics manufacturing ecosystem,” the CS said.
The CS noted that the government has successfully secured an extension of duty remission on inputs for local assembly of telecommunications equipment, including mobile phones, laptops, and tablets, making local production highly cost-effective.
