Kenya, UNESCO in digital literacy programme pact

Kenya and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) have signed a deal that will accelerate digital learning in the country.

President Uhuru Kenyatta witnessed the agreement on Co-operation in the Implementation of Digital Literacy in Kenya signed at the UNESCO headquarters in Paris, France, on Tuesday.

Foreign Affairs and International Trade Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohamed and the UNESCO Director General Irina Bokova penned the agreement on behalf of the Kenya Government and the UN body respectively.

President Kenyatta welcomed signing of the agreement, saying integration of ICT in education both in teaching and learning is a key priority of his Government.

“I appreciate UNESCO’s collaboration with the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology together with other key stakeholders to develop the teachers’ skills to ensure full utilization ICT in our classrooms,” the President said.

Ms Bokova commended President Kenyatta’s support, saying his visit to the UNESCO headquarters reflected the strength of Kenya’s commitment to the UN body.

“We are glad and honoured to host you here today,” the UNESCO Director-General said.

Kenya and France on Monday signed five pacts that will inject about Sh280 billion into the economy. President Uhuru Kenyatta and French President François Hollande witnessed the signing of the deals at the Elysee Palace in Paris after holding bilateral talks that covered infrastructure projects, which Uhuru said is “key to bringing prosperity to the Kenyan people.”

The pacts signed include those on financing the Last Mile Connectivity Project (Sh 13.8 billion), additional funding for roads 2000 programme phase II (Sh 1.7 billion), financing of Meru Wind Farm (Sh6.9 billion) and the financing of Ruiru II Dam and Water Supply project (Sh 2.1 billion).

Briefing the press after the talks , Uhuru lauded the shared values between the two countries, describing France as “a true friend and a partner in our development.”

“We are here to deepen our relations with the French government and French people. We strongly believe in strengthening people–to-people relations and standing shoulder to shoulder with our friends, and this occasion gives us that opportunity,” he said.

He disclosed that his talks with Hollande covered a number of issues of mutual concern, with security topping the agenda.

“As you know, both France and Kenya have been victims of terrorism – a global problem that Kenya has consistently said requires a global approach in resolving,” said Uhuru.

Hollande said Kenya and France have formed a strategic partnership that will boost intelligence-sharing and help in the de-radicalisation of young people. “We have agreed to work together to defeat terrorism. We also committed to ensuring that conflicts do not spread and we are extending our cooperation not only in Somalia but also in South Sudan and Burundi,” he said.

Hollande said Kenya and France have formed a strategic partnership that will boost intelligence-sharing and help in the de-radicalisation of young people. “We have agreed to work together to defeat terrorism. We also committed to ensuring that conflicts do not spread and we are extending our cooperation not only in Somalia but also in South Sudan and Burundi,” he said.