About us

Who we are

IT skills 4 rural Kenya is a registered charity run on an entirely voluntary basis. However, its work has been welcomed by the UN and Kenyan Government who have both asked ITS4RK to continue and expand its work.

ITS4RK is an organisation that lives and breathes rural Kenya. It was set up by Kenyans in the Diaspora. The two villages we are currently working with - Kibugat in the Rift Valley Province and Antubochiu in the Eastern Province - are, respectively, the home villages of two of the trustees, Edward Kibosek and Jac Munoru.

What we do

Over the last few years, the government of Kenya has warned of a ‘digital divide' between urban and rural Kenya. A recent draft planning document issued by the Kenyan government says ‘the divide is one of the biggest challenges the government faces'. We seek to show, through the projects being facilitated by IT skills 4 rural Kenya, how the digital divide can be broken down. Moreover, we argue that because these barriers can be overcome, there is no reason why Kenyans cannot revitalise rural Kenya through ICT and create a vibrant economic climate that is not wholly dependent on agriculture.

How we do it

There are many reasons given for not bringing ICT centres to rural Kenya. Among the main issues are inadequate infrastructures and the lack of skilled work forces. ITS4RK is working with local communities to overcome these barriers. We are facilitating a partnership between local communities, national government (particularly the Ministry of Information and Communication) and multi-national companies such as Safaricom and Microsoft. This will result in the necessary electricity, connectivity, computers and software being brought to rural areas.

Our supporters

Rehana Khan Rose - Designer and filmmaker, Hove UK
Rehana has been instrumental in the production of promotion and publicity materials for ITS4RK and says she's "inspired by the people involved".

Debra Cuming - Web Developer, Hove UK
This website would not have been possible without Debra's kind assistance.

Our Trustees

ThPatron. Dr. Caroline Lucas MP, Brighton Pavilione work being done by IT skills 4 Rural Kenya is a good example of how economics done in the right way can deliver tangible benefits for real people - rather than faceless corporations. Sharing skills, technology and expertise is vital if we are genuinely committed to global equality and fairness, so I am very excited about what this initiative might achieve in the long as well as the short term. Patron. Dr. Caroline Lucas MP,Brighton Pavilion

Andrew WillardAs a trustee of IT Skills 4 Rural Kenya I visited Kenya twice and saw the potential for change in Kenya if rural communities had access to computers and the internet. In June I decided to give up my job in housing and volunteer for IT Skills. I am involved in setting up the ICT centers in Kenya and I can't wait for them to open in the New Year (2009).Andrew Willard
Brighton UK

Edward JK Kibosek (Rono)I have seen poverty. Smelled it. Lived it. Loathed it. My dream has always been to find ways to get out of it and help others too get out of it. When I came to the UK for studies I got involved with people who were passionate about fighting global poverty especially in Africa. I wanted to compliment their efforts by inviting them to help me in building information infrastructures in Kibugat, my rural village in Kenya. The rest is the IT Skills 4 Rural Kenya's story.Edward JK Kibosek (Rono) - Operations Director, Brighton UK

 Gillian Anne Bendelow, Professor of Socilogy, Sussex University Gillian Anne Bendelow, Professor of Socilogy, Sussex University

Rebecca HumeI have been involved in IT skills since it was founded in 2005. I was at University in Brighton studying Media when I met Edward. Our shared interest in community media and development meant I did not hesitate in getting involved in the Kenyan project. I started out as chairman and have now stepped down to Trustee following my move to London to train as a Broadcast Journalist at London College of Communication. I have visited Kenya twice on behalf of this wonderful project and intend on remaining involved in the growth of both projects in Kibugat and Antibouchu.Rebecca Hume - Founding Chair
London UK

Jacob MunoruI saw no words to explain to my rural folk in Kenya what a computer is or can do for them so, I thought best is to help them see and learn practically.Jacob Munoru - Vice-Chair
London UK

Rebecca DuffyI'm part of IT skills 4 rural Kenya because it's a real opportunity to be involved with communities different to my own. If we have a shared vision, working together to develop ICT and internet access, the more likely we are to be successful.Rebecca Duffy - Secretary
Hove UK

Nicholas Njihia KagiaI saw the growing divide in development which favours cities in Kenya against rural areas, and I wanted to be part of a group that sought to address this anomaly.Nicholas Njihia Kagia - Assistant Secretary
Nairobi Kenya