The Kenyan has revealed plans aimed at doubling internet penetration in the country by 2017. In line with this goal, the government is providing investors planning to set up broadband infrastructure with financial support from the National Treasury.
Announcing this plan, Kenya’s ICT Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i said he was working with the National Treasury on a legislation that will support broadband investments through public-private partnerships. According to him, the law will enable ease of site acquisitions and reduction of way leave fees by county governments. It will also result in a huge reduction in the cost of Internet.
“We are also revising the broadband master plan even as we discuss a raft of resources that we can give to private sector to push our agenda,” said Dr Matiang’i at the Annual Huawei Broadband Conference yesterday in Nairobi.
“President Kenyatta is committed to deepening Internet penetration to enhance accountability, transparency and increase public participation,” he said.
The Secretary said there were plans to leverage on excess infrastructure from Kenya Power, Kenya Electricity Transmission Co Ltd (Ketraco) and Kenya Pipeline, to supply broadband to rural Kenya.
In his remark at the conference, Huawei chief executive Yu Dingpeng said there is need for the government to push for legislation that will allow private sector to connect all households to high speed Internet.
“Every 10 per cent of broadband leads to 3 per cent increase in economic growth. Kenya’s growth will be pegged on deepening penetration in rural areas,” Yu said.
