Cleophas was raised in Kenya under conditions of poverty, which inspired a lifelong determination to create opportunities not only for his family but also for underserved communities. His journey took a pivotal turn during the COVID-19 pandemic when he volunteered with a refugee-led organization supporting displaced communities. After identifying a gap in digital capacity, he began training refugees in basic ICT and data management skills, enabling many of them to secure short-term data collection opportunities with NGOs in refugee camps.

While later serving as an ICT Officer for an international NGO in Marsabit, Cleophas observed that many educated youth remained unemployed due to limited digital skills and lack of professional career preparation. Following funding cuts that ended his role, he founded iLearn Digital Hub, a Kenyan NGO focused on bridging the digital divide.

Through the “iLearn, iEarn” approach, the hub equips underserved youth with digital literacy, career readiness, and entrepreneurship skills, empowering them to access opportunities in the digital economy and contribute to inclusive growth across Kenya.