The Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) and the ICT Authority (ICTA) have signed an agreement to enable the deployment of last mile fibre optic cable connectivity across 19 unserved and underserved Counties.
As part of the agreement, the CA will facilitate the deployment of fibre in the identified Counties at a cost of KSh. 5 billion through the Universal Service Fund (USF).
‘‘What we are doing today is phenomenal and will greatly transform the country in the years to come,’’ said CA Director General Mr. Ezra Chiloba at the signing ceremony.
The project is in line with the USF objective of facilitating roll out of infrastructure and communications services in unserved and underserved areas.
In April 2022, the Government launched a ten-year Digital Masterplan to chart the country’s digital course towards growth and innovation.
The project is part of the 2022 Government Digital Transformation Agenda (GoDTA) which seeks to realize the Digital Superhighway by enhancing universal broadband by laying out 100,000 km of fibre optic cable, digitising at least 80% of government services; setting up twenty-five thousand (25,000) public wifi hotspots; development of eight (8) regional ICT hubs and centres of excellence, enhancement of data protection and cyber security management and catalysing the creative economy, amongst others.
The Counties targeted in this project include Turkana, West Pokot, Baringo, Elgeyo Marakwet, Samburu, Marsabit, Mandera, Tana River, Lamu, Kilifi, Kwale, Kitui, Laikipia, Isiolo, Garissa, Wajir, Kitui, Makueni, Kajiado and Narok.
According to ICTA Chief Executive Officer Stanley Kamanguya , the partnership with CA which will go a long way in the attainment of the digital transformation agenda.‘‘It is an interesting time to begin the 100,000 kilometre journey,’’ he said.
