The Government of Kenya through the ICT Authority has launched Free Public Wi-Fi at the busy Wakulima Market in Nairobi’s Muthurwa area.
Cabinet Secretary for Information,Communication & the Digital Economy, Eliud Owalo presided over the launch on Tuesday evening.
The free internet will enable the public access affordable, efficient, fast, and reliable internet that is vital for economic and educational development.
In November,the government launched a similar initiative at Nairobi’s City Market.
ICT CS Eliud Owalo says the move to launch free internet hot-spots across the country is in line with the government’s agenda of prioritizing universal internet provision to citizenry.
Speaking at the event, Owalo noted that this launch comes at a time when the Government of Kenya is paying unprecedented attention to facilitating improved livelihoods for Kenyans in every sector of the economy.
The CS said access to affordable, stable and safe Internet is a critical integral enabler, in this regard.
“My ministry is committed to providing e-government services and software solutions to the people’s abiding needs. We are going to move from one corner of the country to the other, not only ensuring that our proposed extra 100,000 km of fiber optic cable are being laid out, but also that we are enabling Kenyans to access the superhighway through Government funded hotspots.
“The success of the recently launched Hustler Fund, for example, depends heavily on functional digital technology, everywhere in the country. My ministry is, accordingly, focused on availing this technology to every Kenyan, regardless of where they may be in the country,” he said.
Also Read: Ruto: All Primary Schools will Have Internet by 2030
Make good use of free internet
Owalo called upon the citizenry to make good use of the facility to make the digital economy a reality while urging the County Governments, other Government Departments and Agencies, as well as development partners to join and collaborate with the ICT Authority to provide internet access through this initiative.
ICT Authority Ceo Stanley Kamanguya, said the Authority is on course to rolling out ICT infrastructure across the country highlighting that Kenya currently has six submarine cables and 8,900 km of fiber optic cable connecting key government institutions in both National and County Governments.
“So far 1,650 key public institutions and offices have been connected. In Nairobi, the ICT Authority has implemented Government Core Central Network intended to serve as a shared and secure service that seeks to improve exchange of information across Government institutions.
“The ICT Authority also has plans to install (25,000) internet hotspots in business centers, rural areas and other public spaces. We believe that this will go a long way enabling local businesses to tap into the opportunities presented by the internet. We shall also be embarking digital skills trainings and internet security awareness to ensure that individuals and small businesses effectively but also securely utilize the internet connectivity facility,” he said
ICT Master plan
Further, Kamanguya noted that the ICT Authority has developed the Kenya National Digital Master Plan (2022-32) that is the framework for structured delivery of ICT in Kenya.
This, he said, will enable Kenya to fully harness the benefits envisioned from heavy investment made in ICT infrastructure by removing the hurdles faced by users in accessing the internet that include among other factors significant high cost and accessibility in remote areas.
According to Kamanguya, Digital Infrastructure and Digital Services are two of the key pillars in the Master plan.
He said through these pillars, they intend to not only provide the connectivity infrastructure to citizens as well as public and private institutions, but also deliver services online.
“Through this initiative, we shall also enhance internet access in the un-served and under-served areas as well as disadvantaged groups thus reduce digital divide, enhance equity and fairness,” he said
