Kenya and World Bank Expand Fibre Network to Boost Digital Connectivity Nationwide

The Government of Kenya  in partnership with the World Bank, is keen on rolling out fibre optic connectivity and access across the country and its borders.
This follows the successful completion of the first phase of the Eastern Africa Regional Transport, Trade and Development Facilitation Project (EARTTDFP), which extends from Eldoret to Nadapal-Nakodok at the border with South Sudan.

ICT and Digital Economy Principal Secretary John Tanui lauded the World Bank for its outstanding engagements with Kenya in implementing key projects in the ICT, infrastructure and energy sectors.

PS Tanui who spoke during an introductory meeting with the newly appointed World Bank Practice Manager for Transport Global Practice, Eastern Africa Mr. Binyam Reja, at the Ministry headquarters, noted that the Ministry in collaboration with the Ministry of Transport and the World Bank rolled out the 730 km EARTTDFP to help facilitate development in the Northwestern region of the country.

Eng. Tanui who was flanked by ICT Authority CEO Stanley Kamanguya further noted that ICTA, Konza Technopolis Development Authority and the other agencies within the State Department were looking forward to collaborating with the World Bank and other private partners to fully achieve their mandate.

The meeting focused on discussions around projects funded by the World Bank, key among them the EARTTDFP and Horn of Africa Gateway Development Project (HoAGDP), which is currently under implementation.

The EARTTDFP covers the counties of Uasin Gishu, Kakamega, Trans- Nzoia, West Pokot and Turkana where the entire implementation saw 193 subscriber sites installed along the corridor with most beneficiaries being schools, government institutions, hospitals/dispensaries and public WiFi at selected marketplaces.

The HoAGDP will cover the counties of Isiolo, Meru, Garissa , Wajir and Mandera and connect Kenya to Ethiopia and Somalia. The project will involve the laying of 740km of fibre optic cable along the Isiolo-Mandera Corridor and an additional 200kms in the metros and last miles to public institutions.

Also in attendance were Mr. Josphat Sasia (World Bank Lead Transport Specialist); Ms. Susan Owuor (World Bank Senior Transport Specialist); Mr. Thomas Bwaley (ICTA Director for Programmes and Standards); Mr. Washington Okoth (ICT Secretary Infrastructure) among other senior government officials.