By John Ikani
President William Ruto of Kenya has thrown his weight behind the transformation of a cybercrime hub into a centre for innovation.
The Mulot Trading Center, located in the Rift Valley, has long been known as a hub for cybercrime.
According to local media reports, fraudsters operating in the Mulot area have been behind illegal transfers and withdrawals of large sums from bank accounts.
These criminal activities have been carried out in collaboration with rogue employees of banks and mobile phone service companies.
But now, President Ruto has a new plan for the area. He has given the go-ahead for the construction of a multi-billion Kenyan shilling software development factory in Mulot.
The facility will tap into the unemployed talent in the area and help to fight online fraud.
President Ruto has instructed the local governor to secure 100 acres of land where the factory will be built.
He has set a two-month deadline for the governor to report back on the progress made, with the goal of quickly turning the area into a regional software development hub.
“We want to move with speed and set up the ICT center and turn the area to a software development hub in the region,” President Ruto said in a statement.
The transformation of Mulot Trading Center is a bold move that shows the government’s commitment to tackling cybercrime and fostering innovation.
The new software development hub will no doubt, bring new opportunities and jobs to the area, while also helping to curb illegal activities.
