Kenya to deploy fiber to 19 underserved communities

Underserved and unserved communities in certain parts of Kenya will soon have access to fiber-optic connectivity.

This is after the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) and the ICT Authority (ICTA) signed an agreement to deploy fiber in 19 underserved and unserved counties.

Counties are geographic regions of a country used for administrative or other purposes.

According to the two entities, the targeted counties are Turkana, West Pokot, Baringo, Elgeyo Marakwet, Samburu, Marsabit, Mandera, Tana River, Lamu, Kilifi, Kwale, Kitui, Laikipia, Isiolo, Garissa, Wajir, Makueni, Kajiado and Narok.

Under the project, which is expected to run for three years, CA will support fiber deployment in the identified counties at the cost of 5 billion Kenyan shillings (US$36.8 million) through the Universal Service Fund (USF).

During a signing agreement ceremony, the CA noted that the move aligns with the USF objective of facilitating infrastructure and communications services rollout in unserved and underserved areas.

Underserved communities in Kenya will soon have access to fiber-optic connectivity. (Source: Image by wirestock on Freepik)

The agreement is also in line with the Government Digital Transformation Agenda (GoDTA) on deploying 100,000 kilometers of fiber in the country.

"What we are doing today is phenomenal and will greatly transform the country in the coming years," said CA CEO and Director-General Ezra Chiloba.

ICTA CEO Stanley Kamanguya lauded the partnership, saying that it will go a long way in attaining the digital transformation agenda in Kenya.

Kenya connecting underserved

The agreement is in line with the World Bank Group approving a $390 million finance deal toward the first phase of the Kenya Digital Economy Acceleration Project.

The project will focus on expanding access to high-speed Internet, improving the quality of education and selected government services, and building skills for the regional digital economy, the World Bank said in a statement.

According to World Bank's Lead Digital Development Specialist, Tim Kelly, the funding from the World Bank will increase last-mile connectivity by boosting broadband network coverage for over 70% of Kenya's population that resides in rural and underserved areas.

The East African country further cemented its journey to connect underserved communities by launching its first operational Earth observation satellite "Taifa-1," or "Nation-1" in Swahili, on April 10, 2023.

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*Top image source: Image by Freepik.

— Matshepo Sehloho, Associate Editor, Connecting Africa