Day: September 14, 2024

The Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) is financing the laying of 2,500 kilometres of fibre across 19 counties at a cost of Sh5 billion to enhance Internet access for Kenyans in the rural areas.

The project is 50 per cent complete, with a total of 1,300 kilometres of fibre optic connectivity already laid.

Speaking during the ITW Africa 2024 at a Nairobi hotel, CA Director General David Mugonyi said Phase II of the project, which is being undertaken in partnership with the ICT Authority (ICTA) and Kenya Power, would facilitate last-mile connectivity to 3,800 public offices and institutions across the country.

He noted that numerous studies have established a clear link between broadband access and socio-economic development, and broadband usage, which is associated with business growth and formation, particularly in knowledge-intensive industries, leading to increased access to new ideas, supply chains, and customers.

Mugonyi said access to affordable, reliable, and high-speed internet is the cornersto
ne of modern economies, essential for economic growth, and is also a critical factor to full participation in modern digital life.

‘Today, connectivity is the biggest driver of the global economy. Without robust, secure, and competitive telecommunications markets, Africa’s participation and capacity to exploit the opportunities of a rapidly expanding digital economy are significantly constrained,’ he said.

Mugonyi, however, noted that expanding access creates exposure to cyber threats, and ‘to set the pace for cyber security, we promulgated the Cybercrime and Computer Misuse (Critical Information Infrastructure and Cybercrime Management) Regulations early this year, hence providing an all-encompassing regulatory framework for securing our critical information infrastructure.’

The DG further said that Kenya has also established the Cyber Security Operations Centre for the ICT and Telecommunications Sector to enhance cyber security in the country.

These regulations, Mugonyi said, will boost the capacity of
both public and private sector institutions supporting critical information infrastructure sectors such as e-government, telecommunications, banking and finance, transportation, energy, and health, which are all anchors of a thriving digital economy.

‘The fundamental character of technology is how quickly it changes. As a regulator, this makes life interesting, and this is why we are undertaking a major reset of our legal frameworks and established a Regulatory Sandbox to ensure emerging technologies and the pacesetters that are using them are not hampered or slowed down by regulatory challenges,” said the DG.

CA, Mugonyi said, is committed to creating an environment that fosters competition in all sectors, and ‘we encourage the entry of new players and improvements in quality and scale.’

He said the ITW conference speaks volumes about the opportunities that are inherent in expanding Africa’s digital coverage-opportunities for businesses, governments, communities, innovators, and individuals.

‘We gather
against a harsh reality of the 400 million people across the world who lack mobile broadband coverage; almost half live in Africa,’ said the DG.

He said that according to the International Telecommunications Union (ITU), 67 per cent of the world’s population was online in 2023.

However, Mugonyi said that in low-income countries, most of which are in Africa, 27 per cent of the population used the internet in the same period, up from 24 per cent in 2022.

In particular, the DG noted, the average Internet penetration in Africa was recorded at 37 per cent in 2023.

‘This 66 per cent point gap reflects the yawning digital divide between high-income and low-income countries and regions,’ the CA boss asserted.

The DG said Africa cannot afford that kind of exclusion, adding that ‘digital technologies are our best shot at a new development narrative, and if we go fully digital, we can leap forward and unlock a new future.

He said Africa requires urgent and deliberate interventions to bridge this gap, expand access
, and help its people capitalise on the opportunities of a digital economy.

‘However, in our quest for acceleration, we must leave no one behind. The statistics on gender digital disparities make for grim reading. On average, 65 per cent of the global female population had access to the internet in 2023, compared to 75 per cent of the male population,’ the DG said.

In the same period, Mugonyi noted, 32 per cent of the female population in Africa had access to the Internet compared to 42 per cent of males.

He said any African knows the economic contribution of women is often double or triple that of men, and ‘we must ensure women have access to technology because it is not only right and proper but also because they have a proven track record of higher returns.’

He said that the digital divide between developed and developing countries on the one hand and between genders on the other, is largely driven by income disparities, which in turn have a bearing on the affordability of smart devices and broadband I
nternet.

Mugonyi noted that the digital divide is essentially an income divide, and to drive digital inclusion, ‘we must make deliberate efforts to address the cost of broadband internet and SMART devices.’

He said promoting effective competition remains a sustainable avenue for driving down the cost of broadband services and addressing the challenge of affordability.

Government investment in ICT infrastructure through Universal Service Fund mechanisms, the DG said, presents an additional avenue to bridge the digital divide, especially in unserved and underserved areas.

‘Over the last five years, we have deployed Base Transceiver Stations (BTSs) to avail mobile network connectivity across over 130 sub-locations, covering over 750,000 people across 24 counties,’ the DG said.

He further said that in Phase II of the mobile connectivity project, they are targeting 101 unserved and underserved sub-locations spread across 19 marginalised counties, and Phases III and IV will reach an additional 400 sub-location
s across the country.

Source: Kenya News Agency

The Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) is financing the laying of 2,500 kilometres of fibre across 19 counties at a cost of Sh5 billion to enhance Internet access for Kenyans in the rural areas.

The project is 50 per cent complete, with a total of 1,300 kilometres of fibre optic connectivity already laid.

Speaking during the ITW Africa 2024 at a Nairobi hotel, CA Director General David Mugonyi said Phase II of the project, which is being undertaken in partnership with the ICT Authority (ICTA) and Kenya Power, would facilitate last-mile connectivity to 3,800 public offices and institutions across the country.

He noted that numerous studies have established a clear link between broadband access and socio-economic development, and broadband usage, which is associated with business growth and formation, particularly in knowledge-intensive industries, leading to increased access to new ideas, supply chains, and customers.

Mugonyi said access to affordable, reliable, and high-speed internet is the cornersto
ne of modern economies, essential for economic growth, and is also a critical factor to full participation in modern digital life.

‘Today, connectivity is the biggest driver of the global economy. Without robust, secure, and competitive telecommunications markets, Africa’s participation and capacity to exploit the opportunities of a rapidly expanding digital economy are significantly constrained,’ he said.

Mugonyi, however, noted that expanding access creates exposure to cyber threats, and ‘to set the pace for cyber security, we promulgated the Cybercrime and Computer Misuse (Critical Information Infrastructure and Cybercrime Management) Regulations early this year, hence providing an all-encompassing regulatory framework for securing our critical information infrastructure.’

The DG further said that Kenya has also established the Cyber Security Operations Centre for the ICT and Telecommunications Sector to enhance cyber security in the country.

These regulations, Mugonyi said, will boost the capacity of
both public and private sector institutions supporting critical information infrastructure sectors such as e-government, telecommunications, banking and finance, transportation, energy, and health, which are all anchors of a thriving digital economy.

‘The fundamental character of technology is how quickly it changes. As a regulator, this makes life interesting, and this is why we are undertaking a major reset of our legal frameworks and established a Regulatory Sandbox to ensure emerging technologies and the pacesetters that are using them are not hampered or slowed down by regulatory challenges,” said the DG.

CA, Mugonyi said, is committed to creating an environment that fosters competition in all sectors, and ‘we encourage the entry of new players and improvements in quality and scale.’

He said the ITW conference speaks volumes about the opportunities that are inherent in expanding Africa’s digital coverage-opportunities for businesses, governments, communities, innovators, and individuals.

‘We gather
against a harsh reality of the 400 million people across the world who lack mobile broadband coverage; almost half live in Africa,’ said the DG.

He said that according to the International Telecommunications Union (ITU), 67 per cent of the world’s population was online in 2023.

However, Mugonyi said that in low-income countries, most of which are in Africa, 27 per cent of the population used the internet in the same period, up from 24 per cent in 2022.

In particular, the DG noted, the average Internet penetration in Africa was recorded at 37 per cent in 2023.

‘This 66 per cent point gap reflects the yawning digital divide between high-income and low-income countries and regions,’ the CA boss asserted.

The DG said Africa cannot afford that kind of exclusion, adding that ‘digital technologies are our best shot at a new development narrative, and if we go fully digital, we can leap forward and unlock a new future.

He said Africa requires urgent and deliberate interventions to bridge this gap, expand access
, and help its people capitalise on the opportunities of a digital economy.

‘However, in our quest for acceleration, we must leave no one behind. The statistics on gender digital disparities make for grim reading. On average, 65 per cent of the global female population had access to the internet in 2023, compared to 75 per cent of the male population,’ the DG said.

In the same period, Mugonyi noted, 32 per cent of the female population in Africa had access to the Internet compared to 42 per cent of males.

He said any African knows the economic contribution of women is often double or triple that of men, and ‘we must ensure women have access to technology because it is not only right and proper but also because they have a proven track record of higher returns.’

He said that the digital divide between developed and developing countries on the one hand and between genders on the other, is largely driven by income disparities, which in turn have a bearing on the affordability of smart devices and broadband I
nternet.

Mugonyi noted that the digital divide is essentially an income divide, and to drive digital inclusion, ‘we must make deliberate efforts to address the cost of broadband internet and SMART devices.’

He said promoting effective competition remains a sustainable avenue for driving down the cost of broadband services and addressing the challenge of affordability.

Government investment in ICT infrastructure through Universal Service Fund mechanisms, the DG said, presents an additional avenue to bridge the digital divide, especially in unserved and underserved areas.

‘Over the last five years, we have deployed Base Transceiver Stations (BTSs) to avail mobile network connectivity across over 130 sub-locations, covering over 750,000 people across 24 counties,’ the DG said.

He further said that in Phase II of the mobile connectivity project, they are targeting 101 unserved and underserved sub-locations spread across 19 marginalised counties, and Phases III and IV will reach an additional 400 sub-location
s across the country.

Source: Kenya News Agency

The Kenya Chemical Society (KCS) has challenged the government to strictly adhere to the recommended procedures for disposing of asbestos following a three-month ultimatum by the environment cabinet secretary, Aden Duale.

According to the KCS Western Kenya Chapter Chairman, Professor Fredrick Keng’ara, the process of asbestos removal from roofs must be done in a way that does not endanger the citizens’ lives.

Speaking during the KCS’ 11th International conference at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology in Bondo Friday, Keng’ara warned that unless strict adherence to the disposal procedures was upheld, the country risks creating a health problem by contaminating other areas.

‘As KCS, we want to know where the waste will be disposed. Are we going to create a new problem by contaminating other areas?’ posed the chairman.

Keng’ara, a professor at Bomet University College, further urged the cabinet secretary to tell Kenyans whether the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA)
, to which he has assigned the task of ensuring the removal of asbestos from the roofs, has sufficient budget to carry out the task.

He said that though Kenya banned the use of asbestos in 2006, removal of the material from the roofs has been a herculean task because of the cost involved.

‘NEMA gave protocols to be used. To date, so many years down the line, this has not happened because the protocol places the cost of carrying out the task of removal and disposal on the owner of the building,’ said the chairman.

Keng’ara, who was flanked by senior KCS officials, said the removal of asbestos from the roofs should be a starting point after which the government should also target other products made of asbestos.

He said products such as brake pads that are made of the material are always disposed of haphazardly, hence exposing the public to risks.

KCS member, Joseck Alwala from Kibabii University called on the government to integrate waste management into the country’s education curriculum right from the k
indergarten.

Alwala said this will help inculcate the culture of proper waste disposal into Kenyans’ minds right from childhood.

He further urged the government to work hand in hand with the Kenya Chemical Society, which has scientists that could help it unlock the waste management menace.

Source: Kenya News Agency

The Kenya Chemical Society (KCS) has challenged the government to strictly adhere to the recommended procedures for disposing of asbestos following a three-month ultimatum by the environment cabinet secretary, Aden Duale.

According to the KCS Western Kenya Chapter Chairman, Professor Fredrick Keng’ara, the process of asbestos removal from roofs must be done in a way that does not endanger the citizens’ lives.

Speaking during the KCS’ 11th International conference at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology in Bondo Friday, Keng’ara warned that unless strict adherence to the disposal procedures was upheld, the country risks creating a health problem by contaminating other areas.

‘As KCS, we want to know where the waste will be disposed. Are we going to create a new problem by contaminating other areas?’ posed the chairman.

Keng’ara, a professor at Bomet University College, further urged the cabinet secretary to tell Kenyans whether the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA)
, to which he has assigned the task of ensuring the removal of asbestos from the roofs, has sufficient budget to carry out the task.

He said that though Kenya banned the use of asbestos in 2006, removal of the material from the roofs has been a herculean task because of the cost involved.

‘NEMA gave protocols to be used. To date, so many years down the line, this has not happened because the protocol places the cost of carrying out the task of removal and disposal on the owner of the building,’ said the chairman.

Keng’ara, who was flanked by senior KCS officials, said the removal of asbestos from the roofs should be a starting point after which the government should also target other products made of asbestos.

He said products such as brake pads that are made of the material are always disposed of haphazardly, hence exposing the public to risks.

KCS member, Joseck Alwala from Kibabii University called on the government to integrate waste management into the country’s education curriculum right from the k
indergarten.

Alwala said this will help inculcate the culture of proper waste disposal into Kenyans’ minds right from childhood.

He further urged the government to work hand in hand with the Kenya Chemical Society, which has scientists that could help it unlock the waste management menace.

Source: Kenya News Agency

The Kenya Chemical Society (KCS) has challenged the government to strictly adhere to the recommended procedures for disposing of asbestos following a three-month ultimatum by the environment cabinet secretary, Aden Duale.

According to the KCS Western Kenya Chapter Chairman, Professor Fredrick Keng’ara, the process of asbestos removal from roofs must be done in a way that does not endanger the citizens’ lives.

Speaking during the KCS’ 11th International conference at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology in Bondo Friday, Keng’ara warned that unless strict adherence to the disposal procedures was upheld, the country risks creating a health problem by contaminating other areas.

‘As KCS, we want to know where the waste will be disposed. Are we going to create a new problem by contaminating other areas?’ posed the chairman.

Keng’ara, a professor at Bomet University College, further urged the cabinet secretary to tell Kenyans whether the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA)
, to which he has assigned the task of ensuring the removal of asbestos from the roofs, has sufficient budget to carry out the task.

He said that though Kenya banned the use of asbestos in 2006, removal of the material from the roofs has been a herculean task because of the cost involved.

‘NEMA gave protocols to be used. To date, so many years down the line, this has not happened because the protocol places the cost of carrying out the task of removal and disposal on the owner of the building,’ said the chairman.

Keng’ara, who was flanked by senior KCS officials, said the removal of asbestos from the roofs should be a starting point after which the government should also target other products made of asbestos.

He said products such as brake pads that are made of the material are always disposed of haphazardly, hence exposing the public to risks.

KCS member, Joseck Alwala from Kibabii University called on the government to integrate waste management into the country’s education curriculum right from the k
indergarten.

Alwala said this will help inculcate the culture of proper waste disposal into Kenyans’ minds right from childhood.

He further urged the government to work hand in hand with the Kenya Chemical Society, which has scientists that could help it unlock the waste management menace.

Source: Kenya News Agency

Chief Justice Martha Koome has underscored the importance of court systems collaborating with the alternative justice systems (AJS) committees to prioritise decongestion of prisons in the country by reviewing bail and bond terms.

CJ, who visited Isiolo G.K. Prison on Friday, announced the pardoning of 37 convicts who were set free after judicial officials reviewed their cases, bringing the tally to 540 nationally who have benefitted from the initiative.

Koome said three out of the 37 to be released at Isiolo GK prison, would be put under probation to serve their sentences on community services.

She, however, urged those released to be law-abiding and avoid committing offences lest they face the wrath of the law.

The chief Justice said that the judiciary officials would also review cases of those who are remanded, adding that AJS teams now have a mandate to determine those who can be set free and attend court sessions from their homes.

The Commissioner of Prisons, Patrick Mwiti Arandu, who had accompanied
Justice Koome, said that the collaboration efforts to decongest the prisons had led to the release of 503 inmates this year.

Mr. Arandu said there was a need to simplify access to justice through AJS initiatives, adding that decongesting prisons would ensure promotion of humane treatment of offenders and streamlining the correctional facilities to do their rehabilitation work.

Civil society organisations lauded the incorporation of AJS in the judicial process as a tool that will help promote peace and offer justice to offenders and the offended alike in a readily implementable framework.

The Regional Coordinator of the ‘Pastoralists Peace Link,’ Ms. Abdia Mohamud, said that AJS also helps promote the localisation of dispute determination and the prevention of conflicts among the different communities living in the county.

Ms. Mohamud said that marginalised groups can now access formal justice in an affordable manner and in the context of their cultural backgrounds since AJS localises the process.

The Nat
ional Treasurer of the Council of Elders, Sheikh Ahmed Set, said that the elders are proud of AJS, which has localised the justice systems while keeping up with the spirit of the constitution.

Source: Kenya News Agency

Chief Justice Martha Koome has underscored the importance of court systems collaborating with the alternative justice systems (AJS) committees to prioritise decongestion of prisons in the country by reviewing bail and bond terms.

CJ, who visited Isiolo G.K. Prison on Friday, announced the pardoning of 37 convicts who were set free after judicial officials reviewed their cases, bringing the tally to 540 nationally who have benefitted from the initiative.

Koome said three out of the 37 to be released at Isiolo GK prison, would be put under probation to serve their sentences on community services.

She, however, urged those released to be law-abiding and avoid committing offences lest they face the wrath of the law.

The chief Justice said that the judiciary officials would also review cases of those who are remanded, adding that AJS teams now have a mandate to determine those who can be set free and attend court sessions from their homes.

The Commissioner of Prisons, Patrick Mwiti Arandu, who had accompanied
Justice Koome, said that the collaboration efforts to decongest the prisons had led to the release of 503 inmates this year.

Mr. Arandu said there was a need to simplify access to justice through AJS initiatives, adding that decongesting prisons would ensure promotion of humane treatment of offenders and streamlining the correctional facilities to do their rehabilitation work.

Civil society organisations lauded the incorporation of AJS in the judicial process as a tool that will help promote peace and offer justice to offenders and the offended alike in a readily implementable framework.

The Regional Coordinator of the ‘Pastoralists Peace Link,’ Ms. Abdia Mohamud, said that AJS also helps promote the localisation of dispute determination and the prevention of conflicts among the different communities living in the county.

Ms. Mohamud said that marginalised groups can now access formal justice in an affordable manner and in the context of their cultural backgrounds since AJS localises the process.

The Nat
ional Treasurer of the Council of Elders, Sheikh Ahmed Set, said that the elders are proud of AJS, which has localised the justice systems while keeping up with the spirit of the constitution.

Source: Kenya News Agency

Chief Justice Martha Koome has underscored the importance of court systems collaborating with the alternative justice systems (AJS) committees to prioritise decongestion of prisons in the country by reviewing bail and bond terms.

CJ, who visited Isiolo G.K. Prison on Friday, announced the pardoning of 37 convicts who were set free after judicial officials reviewed their cases, bringing the tally to 540 nationally who have benefitted from the initiative.

Koome said three out of the 37 to be released at Isiolo GK prison, would be put under probation to serve their sentences on community services.

She, however, urged those released to be law-abiding and avoid committing offences lest they face the wrath of the law.

The chief Justice said that the judiciary officials would also review cases of those who are remanded, adding that AJS teams now have a mandate to determine those who can be set free and attend court sessions from their homes.

The Commissioner of Prisons, Patrick Mwiti Arandu, who had accompanied
Justice Koome, said that the collaboration efforts to decongest the prisons had led to the release of 503 inmates this year.

Mr. Arandu said there was a need to simplify access to justice through AJS initiatives, adding that decongesting prisons would ensure promotion of humane treatment of offenders and streamlining the correctional facilities to do their rehabilitation work.

Civil society organisations lauded the incorporation of AJS in the judicial process as a tool that will help promote peace and offer justice to offenders and the offended alike in a readily implementable framework.

The Regional Coordinator of the ‘Pastoralists Peace Link,’ Ms. Abdia Mohamud, said that AJS also helps promote the localisation of dispute determination and the prevention of conflicts among the different communities living in the county.

Ms. Mohamud said that marginalised groups can now access formal justice in an affordable manner and in the context of their cultural backgrounds since AJS localises the process.

The Nat
ional Treasurer of the Council of Elders, Sheikh Ahmed Set, said that the elders are proud of AJS, which has localised the justice systems while keeping up with the spirit of the constitution.

Source: Kenya News Agency

Kakamega County Governor Fernandes Barasa has said Butere Level Four Hospital will be commissioned in November to offer quality health services to the residents.

While touring the facility Friday, Barasa said the county government will revitalise the health sector as part of his six strategic pillars.

The governor inspected the ongoing construction of the hospital and said similar upgrades of health facilities are underway across the region.

He said the planning offices within its precinct would be refurbished and modified to be the sub-county headquarters.

Barasa also said there are plans to shift training activities from the present Butere County Polytechnic block to a more expansive infrastructure built at Emurwa village.

‘These strategies will create space for the construction of a Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC) adjacent to level 4 hospital,’ he said.

The governor stressed his vision to transform Butere Hospital into a health hub where residents can access quality health care as learners purs
ue medical training.

At the same time, he said Kakamega Level-6 Hospital, with the collaboration of the National Government, will have a 750-bed capacity.

He was accompanied by MCAs, CECM for Education Bonface Okoth, County Secretary Lawrence Omuhaka, Chief Officers David Alila (Health Services), and Doreen Amwoga (County Administration), among other leaders.

Source: Kenya News Agency

Kakamega County Governor Fernandes Barasa has said Butere Level Four Hospital will be commissioned in November to offer quality health services to the residents.

While touring the facility Friday, Barasa said the county government will revitalise the health sector as part of his six strategic pillars.

The governor inspected the ongoing construction of the hospital and said similar upgrades of health facilities are underway across the region.

He said the planning offices within its precinct would be refurbished and modified to be the sub-county headquarters.

Barasa also said there are plans to shift training activities from the present Butere County Polytechnic block to a more expansive infrastructure built at Emurwa village.

‘These strategies will create space for the construction of a Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC) adjacent to level 4 hospital,’ he said.

The governor stressed his vision to transform Butere Hospital into a health hub where residents can access quality health care as learners purs
ue medical training.

At the same time, he said Kakamega Level-6 Hospital, with the collaboration of the National Government, will have a 750-bed capacity.

He was accompanied by MCAs, CECM for Education Bonface Okoth, County Secretary Lawrence Omuhaka, Chief Officers David Alila (Health Services), and Doreen Amwoga (County Administration), among other leaders.

Source: Kenya News Agency