18 November 2020

Northern Kenya’s Rift Valley province will soon be covered by broadband, courtesy of 630km of optical fibre are being deployed there, under the supervision of the ICT Authority.

With funding of nearly US$28m from the government and the World Bank, the broadband telecoms network will benefit the counties of Turkana, Trans Nzoia, Uasin Gishu..

It will also strengthen the existing, recently rehabilitated fibre optic network between the towns of Eldoret and Nadapal.

Katherine Getao, CEO of the ICT Authority, said the telecoms infrastructure being deployed will connect various public and social institutions including hospitals, administrations and schools. Part of its capacity will be leased to telecommunications operators whose funds will be used for its maintenance.

“Cities like Eldoret, Kitale, Lodwar, Kakuma, Lokichar and Lokichoggio will benefit greatly from the new high-speed fibre cable, in line with the long-term plans of the Ministry of ICT to transform the life through smart ICT infrastructure, which bridges the digital divide and brings prosperity to the most remote parts of Kenya,” added Josephat Nanok, Turkana county governor.

The construction of this cable will also help promote cross-border trade with South Sudan.