The Ministry of Education maintains the Laptop Project remains active, rebranded as the Digital Literacy Program (DLP), according to Permanent Secretary Dr. Belio Kipsang's testimony to a parliamentary committee.
Critics argue the initiative faced systemic challenges from its 2013 inception, when political competition for public favor drove ambitious promises of one laptop per child. Implementation hurdles during the Jubilee administration required significant adjustments, including transitioning from laptops to tablets and redefining objectives.
Technocrats involved in the project described the original One Laptop Per Child (OLPC) vision as a 'Big Hairy Audacious Goal' (BHAG) intended to catalyze broader socio-economic transformation. This included establishing local manufacturing capacity through partnerships with JKUAT and Moi University, as well as expanding Kenya Power's infrastructure to support 20,000 primary schools.
Despite these efforts, concerns persist about vulnerabilities in the project's value chain. Experts warn that corruption risks at any stage—from component sourcing to distribution—could jeopardize the initiative. The program's success hinges on maintaining technical integrity amid political pressures, with stakeholders emphasizing the need for transparent implementation.
The final outcome, according to educators, will depend on whether the digital infrastructure delivers equitable educational opportunities nationwide, rather than merely replacing traditional teaching methods.
