President William Ruto on Tuesday was impressed by a student who is earning a living online using the government's Jitume ICT Laboratories.
While at Mosop, in Nandi County on Tuesday, January 16, Ruto engaged with Brian Kipchumba, a student pursuing a diploma in ICT but also working in part-time online jobs.
"I want to show you my success through the digital platforms and I am still in school," the student stated, adding that he had earned close to Ksh45,500 (USD 284) from December 26 via Remotask.
The student explained that after taxes he pockets around Ksh40,000 to cater for his daily expenses.
Remotask is an online site that pays visitors to complete data entry tasks including copywriting, and AI development, among other evaluation-related opportunities.
According to Kipchumba, the platform gives him various tasks with a set timeline for completion and submission.
However, his revelation elicited mixed reactions as a section of the government lamented that Ruto may soon broaden Kenya's tax bracket to include such sites that youthful Kenyans use to make ends meet.
Other Kenyans who claimed to be part of the select group complained that the student had exposed them to scrutiny, especially at a time when Ruto was advocating for higher taxation.
They also explained that the platform was among the various sites used to earn a living after Kenyan youths were frustrated by the rising rate of unemployment.
Additionally, others complained that Kipchumba could have highlighted the plight of the youth like unemployment and the cost of living to defend those earning via the websites.
"You had an opportunity to talk to the President and instead of highlighting challenges you are undergoing as a student and how difficult it is to get jobs due to bad policies and lack of IT companies, you talked about Remotask?" one questioned.
Notably, the Head of State has continuously championed for Kenyans to embrace the Jitume labs across the country to gain skills and earn money. Jitume Labs is managed by the ICT Ministry led by Cabinet Secretary Eliud Owalo.
In December last year, Education CS Ezekiel Machogu stated that the program was empowering the youth with relevant digital skills and creating well-paying jobs with beneficiaries earning up to Ksh200,000.
