On 25 July 2025, Kutambua—a flagship e‑learning initiative of Youth Future Lab—teamed up with Rafiki wa Maendeleo Trust to launch an innovative ICT Hub at the Rarieda Training and Resource Centre, during the Centre’s Annual General Meeting. The milestone event marked Kutambua’s commitment to fostering digital inclusion and community empowerment in rural Kenya.
Mission & Digital Inclusion
Kutambua’s driving vision is to deliver affordable and accessible digital education in under-served regions. By combining cost-effective infrastructure with structured e‑learning content, the platform equips youth and adults alike with practical computer literacy, ICT skills, driving theory, and competency-based modules aligned with current job market needs.
Smart Technology: The ASTER Multiseat System
A core pillar of the initiative is the deployment of the IBIK ASTER multiseat setup, which enables up to eight independent computer terminals to run from a single CPU. This cost- and energy-efficient technology—donated by Kutambua—dramatically reduces hardware needs and maintenance costs, making it ideal for resource-limited community spaces. The Rarieda Training Centre graciously provided monitors and peripherals to complete the full learning environment.
Community Engagement & Live Demonstration
Hosting was local and inclusive: students, parents, chiefs, assistant chiefs, and representatives from institutions such as Bondo Technical Training Institute and Rarieda Training Institute joined the launch. Representatives from KCB Bank, NCBA, and other partners added institutional support. During the event, Joseph Wambua, Youth Media Manager, offered a hands-on demonstration of the ASTER system. He showcased its affordability, efficiency, and scalability—helping attendees appreciate how technology can effectively serve larger groups in constrained settings.
Kutambua.com: A Learning Platform for All
With the infrastructure in place, the community gained access to Kutambua.com, the platform’s robust e‑learning portal offering a range of courses: from computer literacy and journalism to CBC-aligned content and driving theory. These offerings cater to diverse learners and emphasize practical skills for workplace readiness. Learners at Rarieda are now able to engage with structured modules in local settings, supporting a learning ecosystem that is both relevant and attainable.
Environmental Action through Tree Planting
To symbolize sustainable growth, attendees joined in a tree-planting ceremony within the training centre compound. This act served as both a memorial and a statement of Kutambua’s commitment to combining digital empowerment with environmental stewardship.
Looking Forward: Growth Beyond Rarieda
Kutambua’s work in Rarieda acts as a model for nationwide expansion. New hubs are planned for Ugweri, Gatumbi, Mutus Primary School, and SEC Centre in Mombasa, all powered by the ASTER multiseat system and connected to Kutambua.com’s e‑learning platform. These expansions reaffirm Kutambua’s scaleable, cost-effective model for digital inclusion across Kenya.
Through Kutambua, learners gain cost-effective access to powerful ICT infrastructure and meaningful online courses from their local community hubs. By combining smart multiseat technology with an accessible e‑learning platform, Kutambua is democratizing digital knowledge and equipping Kenya’s youth with the tools to thrive in the digital economy. This initiative reflects the transformative potential of targeted, community-centered technology solutions.
