President William Ruto on Saturday, July 27 revealed details of an internet connection deal between the government and Kenya Power
Speaking at the Kinango Technical and Vocational College, Kwale County, the Head of State revealed that the government had contracted Kenya Power to deliver high-speed fibre internet to all technical training institutions across the country.
He added that the internet would also be delivered to various wards across the country.The wards will be targeted as the government implements the digital hubs plan alongside Members of Parliament.
Further, Ruto explained that the initiative was crucial as the digital hubs would be job employment centres for the youth interested in working for various organisations abroad.As noted in his speech, Kshs 10 billion was allocated for that plan with the contract issued two months ago.
“Already, we have given a contract to Kenya Power to deliver internet to all our technical training colleges in Kenya and in all our wards so that we can give our youth an opportunity to work in the digital space.
“We just gave the contract two months ago. We have committed Kshs 10 billion to that programme countrywide,” Ruto stated.
In March this year, former ICT Cabinet Secretary Eliud Owalo hinted at the planned use of Kenya Power infrastructure to deliver internet.
The former CS indicated that the new plan would limit the digging of fibre trenches as previously witnessed.
“We have changed the model of rolling out the fibre. As opposed to digging trenches to lay fibre, we are going to leverage on the already existing Kenya Power lines, so that as we roll out electricity, we also roll out fibre using the same lines.
“To sort the question of youth unemployment, we want to establish and operationalize a digital hub in every ward,” he stated then.
By Kenyans