The Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) is committed to laying a robust fibre optic infrastructure to improve telecom services across the country.
CA Deputy Director in charge of the Universal Service Fund (USF), Paul Kiage, said the Authority is keen to help the government effectively deliver on its promise of digitising the national economy.
Kiage added the Authority is supporting the realisation of the Government’s Digital Transformation Agenda by partnering with the ICT Authority to do 2,500 km of last-mile fibre connectivity across 19 counties.
He was speaking in the Kaloleni sub-county of Kilifi while conducting media practitioners on a tour of fibre optic projects.
He confirmed that out of the targeted 2,500 km of fibre, which is one of the key pillars of the Bottom Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), 1,800 km of underground cable has been completed in the first phase at a cost of Sh 5 billion.
“So far, 19 counties in marginalized areas of the country have benefitted from internet connectivity through this programme,” he said, reiterating the government’s commitment to expanding high-speed internet access as a crucial driver of economic growth.
Kiage said the national fibre optic infrastructure rollout aligns with the government’s BETA programme that seeks to uplift livelihoods, particularly those in rural areas.
BETA is premised on the pillars of Agricultural Transformation; Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise (MSME) Economy, Healthcare, Housing and Settlement; and Digital Superhighway and Creative economy.
He said the fibre optic infrastructure to the remote parts of the country is seeking to deliver high-speed internet services to the populations in remote areas.
He noted that the broadband access in underserved areas will, in the long run, unlock socio-economic development by accelerating business growth across the country.
Kiage revealed in the second phase of the fibre optic project that CA is working with Kenya Power in a bid to utilise the power utility lines to align fibre optic cables.
Kaloleni sub-county Assistant County Commissioner Ken Omali says the fibre optic network has greatly improved links for national administration offices.
He says the project is also supporting the National E-Government initiatives and the right of access to government services to the public.
Omali says the improved internet and cellular technology has helped improve security and law enforcement.
The sub-county administrator says increased communications infrastructure in rural and remote areas is expected to improve the lives of the people through improved access to information about businesses, health, agriculture and education, among other sectors.
Jane Kanamu, a local agricultural officer, says the development of the internet in rural areas is by and large improving agricultural production efficiency.
She says the internet technology benefitted farmers a lot more by providing information about market conditions.
By Mohamed Hassan
