Coding for Kids: Why You Should Invest in Digital Skills Early
You’ve seen your child effortlessly navigate YouTube, games, and apps, their fingers flying across the screen. It’s impressive, now imagine them creating the apps, not just using them. That’s the power of early coding exposure, and it’s becoming essential in Kenya, I would even say has been for a couple of years. But as the tech world expands into the unknown, there is no such thing as too late.
Kenya became the first African country to officially include coding in its national curriculum. As of 2022, coding is embedded in primary and secondary education, approved by KICD under the Competency-Based Curriculum. The government, in partnership with Google and Kodris Africa, is training 42,000 teachers to deliver these lessons, targeting 4 million learners across nearly 7,000 schools initially.
Digital literacy isn’t just about learning tools, it’s about preparing young Kenyans for tomorrow’s job market. Around 71% of new STEM roles globally are in computing fields, yet just 8% of STEM graduates specialise in computer science. In Northern Kenya, the Lewa Digital Literacy Programme has already introduced over 800 grade-five students to coding using Scratch, with a goal of reaching 7,500 learners.
Yet gaps remain. In Homa Bay and Kasipul, about 75% of public primary schools lack reliable internet access, limiting use of Kenya Education Cloud and online tools. Despite this, even limited exposure sparks curiosity and helps develop logical thinking and creativity core life skills.
Imagine your child approaching learning like a problem to solve, not just a task to complete. Coding teaches them to break down challenges, experiment, and troubleshoot. This mindset carries across subject; even law, medicine, or art. Organizations like Tunapanda Institute are bringing mobile-based tech education to communities in Kibera, turning smartphones into innovation hubs for youth.
Girls need not be left out either. Though only about 15% of developers in Africa are women, early programmes and gender-inclusive teaching can change that. Representation matters, and inclusive coding spaces encourage girls to pursue their tech interests.
Start small, with what you have accessible around you. Let your child experiment with Scratch or Code.org on a shared device. Join or set up local coding clubs, like those promoted by Kenya Code Week or Hack Club Nairobi, to connect with peers and creative mentors.
As Kenya grows its digital economy, ICT output doubled from Ksh 258 billion in 2019 to Ksh 538 billion in 2020, remember how future-ready kids will drive that growth. Every parent has a role: encouraging curiosity, offering tools, and trusting that your child’s digital fluency starts with a click or a tap today.
