Parliament Buildings
Tuesday, April 7, 2026

House Committees have been informed that dozens of newly built digital hubs across Kenya stand locked and empty, silent monuments to a stalled promise of a digital future for the country’s youth.

Despite having complete structures with walls, roofs, and doors, at least 101 hubs remain non-operational, lacking essential equipment such as computers, furniture, internet access, and staff. The revelation was announced during a joint session of the National Government Constituencies Development Fund (NG-CDF) Committee and the Communication, Information and Innovation Committee at Parliament Buildings on Tuesday.

The session, chaired by Eldama Ravine MP Musa Sirma and Dagoretti South MP John Kiarie, heard that millions of young Kenyans continue to miss out on digital opportunities as the flagship program falters.

Mr. Kiarie noted that Members of Parliament had committed NG-CDF resources to support the initiative, with a plan to establish at least one hub in every ward. The understanding, he said, was that once construction was complete, the Ministry of ICT would equip staff and operationalize the centers to drive youth employment through digital innovation.

“We are now in the fourth year since the programme was launched, and we are approaching an election cycle. We had hoped that by now, young people would be accessing online jobs locally and abroad through these hubs,” he said.

ICT Cabinet Secretary William Kabogo, who appeared before the committee, admitted that the situation was untenable.

“We have built buildings, but we have not put the pews. The structures are ready, but there are no devices, no furniture, no internet and no staff. It is a national embarrassment.” he said.

A status report dated April 3, 2026, shows that out of 391 planned digital hubs, only 271 are fully equipped and operational. The remaining 120 are either incomplete or empty. Of these, 99 NG-CDF-funded hubs are physically complete but lack any equipment. Two additional standard hubs in Bungoma and Nairobi bring the number of idle facilities to 101.

While some centers, such as those at Coast National Polytechnic and Kabete National Polytechnic, are operational and equipped with 100 devices each, others including Githunguri Technical and Vocational College, Karuri Digital Hub and Kinoo Youth Polytechnic remain unused shells.

Kitutu Masaba MP Hon. Gisairo Clive Ombane questioned the disparity, saying: “We have beautiful buildings in my constituency, some even in my door step but the youth have never seen a single computer there.”

Mr. Kabogo attributed the delays to a combination of factors, including slow delivery of devices by contracted suppliers, lack of furniture procurement by NG-CDF offices, delayed power and internet connections by Kenya Power, and bureaucratic procurement processes linked to World Bank-supported components.

He also cited land disputes in counties such as Kwale, Lamu and Isiolo, which have stalled construction in some areas.

“We cannot keep blaming the World Bank. Our children are in 2026. They need digital skills now. This is a leadership issue,” said Hon. Mary Maingi (Mwea).

The CS, who recently took over the docket, acknowledged inherited challenges, including delays by institutions such as Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology and Moi University in assembling devices.

“I am not here to give excuses. I am here to provide a roadmap even as things seem impossible to complete before the next year’s general elections,” he said.

Under the proposed timeline, each of the 101 idle hubs will receive 25 devices by the end of April 2026, with an additional 25 devices by the end of May. Staff deployment is expected by the end of April, while Kenya Power is to complete connectivity by June.

However, MPs expressed scepticism over the new deadlines, noting that similar assurances had been made previously without results.

“You told us last year that by December 2025 all hubs would be operational. It is now April 2026. What guarantee do we have that this will not be another promise?” Bomachoge Chache MP Hon. Alpha Ondieki.

Mr. Kabogo said performance contracts had now been signed with suppliers and that penalties were being considered for delays by implementing agencies.

The report further revealed that 22 constituencies, including Mandera West, Garissa Township, Thika Town, Embakasi West, Ruaraka and Makadara, have not allocated any NG-CDF funds towards digital hubs.

Hon Maingi questioned the imbalance, asking: “How do you explain to a young person in Mwea that there is no plan for a digital hub, while in Ruiru there are three?”

Meanwhile, construction of larger standard hubs continues to lag behind schedule. The Likoni hub (Sh164 million) is 31 per cent complete, Kilifi (Sh36 million) stands at 35 per cent, while projects in Kikuyu and Siaya are expected to be completed in 2027.

As the meeting adjourned, Hon Sirma issued a firm warning, urging the ministry to deliver tangible results.

“By June 30, 2026, we want to see those 101 hubs operational. Otherwise, we will recommend that no further funds be released until all completed structures are functional,” he said.

Mr. Kabogo left the session with a commitment to act swiftly under mounting pressure to turn the country’s digital ambitions into reality for the millions of young Kenyans still waiting.