Kenya has officially started preparing learners for the Artificial Intelligence (AI) era following the launch of a nationwide digital learning programme that will supply smart classroom technology to 10,382 public junior secondary schools.
Deputy President Kithure Kindiki launched the initiative at Kaptarkok Junior Secondary School on Saturday, where he unveiled the National Integration of ICT Learning in Junior Schools programme. He said the rollout marks a major step toward building an education system ready for the country’s digital future.
Under the programme, officials will distribute more than 20,700 digital learning devices, including interactive smartboards and teacher laptops, to support the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) and widen access to technology-driven learning.
The government will implement the initiative through the Kenya Digital Economy Acceleration Project (KDEAP), with support from the World Bank. The programme also supports the broader push to bring AI and other digital technologies into education.
Speaking at the launch, Information, Communications, and the Digital Economy Cabinet Secretary William Kabogo said the programme does more than bring technology into classrooms. He said it prepares learners with the digital skills they need in a world shaped increasingly by AI.
Kabogo added that the investment aims to expand digital inclusion, strengthen access to quality education, and develop a workforce ready to compete in a fast-changing global economy.
The government reported that it has already laid more than 37,000 kilometres of fibre optic cable, moving toward the national goal of 100,000 kilometres. It said this work provides a digital backbone that connects schools and public institutions across the country.
A key moment during the launch involved a live, synchronized lesson that linked learners in Nyandarua, Elgeyo Marakwet, Nairobi, Kakamega, and Mombasa. He said the session enabled students from different regions to take the same lesson at the same time.
The demonstration showed how digital learning can break down geographical barriers, widen access to high-quality instruction, and support collaboration between schools, regardless of where they are located.
This new AI-focused education push builds on last week’s launch of a Smart Library by Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba at Mbukoni Comprehensive School in Machakos. Together, the two initiatives reflect the government’s expanding plan to integrate technology into learning, including digital libraries and smart classrooms in more than 10,000 junior secondary schools.
The programme also includes teacher training. Officials said more than 62,000 educators already received support to integrate technology into classroom teaching. The effort falls under the government’s broader Digital Superhighway Programme, which seeks to improve internet connectivity and expand digital learning nationwide.
Officials said the rollout signals the start of Kenya’s long-term goal of preparing learners for an AI-driven future. They added that digital classrooms should help students build the skills they need to succeed in the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
