The government has launched Phase Four and Five of the Last Mile County Connectivity Project (LMCCP), which seeks to enhance accessibility to the internet through the National Fibre Backbone Infrastructure (NOFBI).
The project, which was officially unveiled at the Machakos County Commissioner’s office by the Head of Civil Service and Chief of Staff Felix Koskei, will see connection of 455 sites, both primary and secondary schools, across various government offices at the county headquarters during phase four of the project.
“The phase will also entail installation of 78 kilometers of fibre optic and the installation of indoor and outdoor Wi-Fi hotspots, which will serve as access points for public Wi-Fi hotspots to amplify digital accessibility to the citizens,” said Koskei.
Speaking at the Machakos University when he delivered his keynote speech, the Head of Civil Service said phase five of the LMCCP will extend to the sub counties to ensure that the most remote regions of the country are integrated in the digital landscape.
“The goal is to connect 660 sites across 110 sub counties to ensure inclusivity and equitable access to digital resources. This ambitious programme will deploy an additional 102 kilometers of fibre and strategically positioned Wi-Fi hotspots to nurture innovation and empower local communities to thrive in the digital age,” he added.
Koskei noted that LMCCP is anchored on the Bottom Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA) which aims to accelerate economic activities and facilitate the efficient delivery of government services across the country.
“The government is committed to leveraging technology as a catalyst for sustainable development and inclusive growth, which will propel Kenya into a prosperous and a digitally empowered country for all,’’ said the Head of Civil Service.
He hailed the project, terming it as a monumental step towards propelling Kenya into a new era of technological advancement and inclusive development.
“LMCCP signifies a giant leap in our commitment to bridge the digital divide and ensure that every Kenyan regardless of their location has access to efficient and reliable government services,” he said.
At the same time, Koskei reiterated the need for the country to make more investments in increased connectivity and digital technologies to respond to unemployment and economic recovery.
“As it stands, there is an increasingly overburdened and fragmented digital infrastructure reducing reliability and performance. However, deployment of 100,000 kilometres of NOFBI to ensure connectivity across the 47 counties is one of the interventions being made to address the digital divide,” he added.
On his part, Information, Communications and The Digital Economy CS Eliud Owalo, while speaking at the same event, stated that the government has implemented the project across the 47 counties as part of the digital superhighway.
Owalo added that through the project, government offices both at the county and sub-county levels can now receive internet services such as inter-county communication, IFMIS, and video conferencing among others.
“Some of the departments that are connected at the county level include Interior, Education, Kenya News Agency, Treasury, Judiciary, hospitals and prisons,’’ said the CS.
He further emphasized that inter-county communications will improve communication among government officers and create efficiency in the delivery of services.
On the other hand, ICT and Digital Economy PS Eng. John Tanui disclosed that the digital economy constitutes 18 percent of the country’s GDP.
“The digital economy is also growing 2.5 times faster than the physical economy. LMCCP will ensure that no Kenyan is left behind in this fast-growing digital space,” said Tanui.
Earlier on, the Head of Civil service had launched the Jitume lab at the Machakos University and Machakos Technical Institute for the blind.
Others in attendance included Technical and Vocational Education and Training PS Dr. Esther Muoria, her counterparts Veronica Nduva (Performance and Delivery Management), Teresia Mbaika (Devolution), Chair Parliamentary committee on ICT and Dagoretti MP John Kiarie and Machakos Town MP Caleb Mule.
By Roselyne Kavoo and Anne Kangero
