Kenya Poised to Become ICT Hub in East Africa

By Staff Writer

Kenya poised to become an ICT hub in East Africa once all the 47 counties are connected to the fibre optic network, by the end of 2015.

The government in bid to digitize its operation has already connected twenty nine counties to the network, in the first phase of the project.

According to Information, Communications and Technology Cabinet Secretary Dr. Fred Matiang’I, the World Bank would be funding the second phase of the project.

This phase will see the rehabilitation of the fibre optic cable in Mandera County after it failed to function.

“Plans are in place to connect all the 47 counties to the fibre cable by the end of next year as part of the ICT programme, the first of its kind in the region,” he said. 

Speaking to the press on Thurday May 23 at Club Heritage Naivasha, during the Nyamira County Head Teachers Association’s - Annual General Meeting, he mentioned that the government is committed to increase internet penetration with the aim of making it easier to access information. 

The greatest beneficiary of the project will be the 10,000 primary schools across the country, which will be connected to the internet as part of E-Learning, in alignment with achieving the Vision 2030.

Matiang’i challenged the 200 head teachers to embrace the digital platform in delivering education to their pupils and students. "Some of the schools have the e-learning strategic plans, computer labs and we are encouraging them to have a framework for e-libraries."

 Andrew Gesore, association’s secretary, said that the one week workshop was geared towards improving education and infrastructure levels in Nyamira County.