In the remote village of Rumuruti, one old lady, Mrs. Magana Nyakio is causing a stir among the populace. Recently her daughter bought a digital TV as Christmas gift. A few meters to the famous shopping mall known by the commons as ‘center’ Baba Gitau a 65 year old civil retiree is busy chatting with a long-time friend in Abuja through the webcam at his shop. Ten years ago, things were different and Mrs. Opar Okinyi cannot mince her words on her visit to Magana’s place.
“Woi! My goodness now I can easily talk to my daughter in Amerca” she chuckles.
Until recently the technology skills were meant for the college going youth and people in the job market. However, the government through the Ministry of Information and Communication has initiated an E-Program meant to educate the masses in rural and urban areas on the potentials of using IT to their advantage-everyday tasks.
Mr. Peter Onsongo, a trader at the Kiamaiko market can easily get paid by fellow retailers in Nairobi through his mobile phone’s e-account. The traders deposit payments in his account and the subscriber informs Mr. Onsongo via SMS.
Across primary schools to Universities, students can be seen accessing class notes through online site, e-learning and the tutors only have to project it on the wall. The media has not been spared either, from originally purchasing old radio transistors to online broadcasting. Majority of the radio stations and TV can be accessed through kenyanmedia.com at even crystal clear reception. Mr. Mbugua nods his head unbelievably remembering the days he would climb the roof and direct the antenna towards Limuru.
“I would even put a stick to hold the aerial as moving it a bit would cause my TV reception to be blur” he says.
With laptops being affordable, children as young as 5 years can own one and learn alphabet easily as the computers come loaded with Virtual teacher.
The Chief no longer has piles of case files on his shelf as all the information is on soft copy even with villagers’ database. He would commute to the provincial headquarters to meet the governor but thanks to teleconferencing he can sit in the comfort of his office and simultaneously talk to the governor and other county chiefs.
All these may seem as imaginary for you, but project to 50 years from now. With the digital age already here with us, media will explode, the education system will eventually change. Thus concerted efforts with concerned parties must be laid in place to ensure masses are in smooth transition. Its possible to have an analogue free Africa!
