The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for ICT Authority, Dr. Katherine Getao has assured that the Ministry of ICT, Innovation and Youth Affairs is committed to bringing connectivity to the Northern frontier region in Kenya.
The ICT Authority CEO underscored the significance of Fibre connectivity in facilitating efficient delivery of the government services to the citizens.
Speaking during a press briefing while inspecting the project Fibre connectivity at Kailoseget, Kawalase in Lodwar, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for ICT Authority said that the Authority is committed to ensuring that all Kenyans get access to good broadband connectivity in the future.
“The Authority has implemented an Innovation where it is doing integrated infrastructure delivery through collaboration with the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) who undertake civil works which entails ducting as the Authority focuses more on blowing the Fibre which is in its domain,” Dr. Getao said.
In Turkana County, The ICT team carried out inspection on sites at Nakoda in Nadapal at Kenya-South Sudan Border, Lokichoggio, Songot, Kakuma, Makutano, Nasiger, Lodwar, Lokichar, Kakongu, Kainuk and Turkwel.
The ICT team is set to inspect other Fibre sites in West Pokot County.
“We are inspecting the East Africa Regional Trade and Transport Development Facilitation Program which is funded by World Bank,” said Dr. Getao.
“There is Road Infrastructure being developed between Eldoret and Nadapal-Nakoda on the Border with South Sudan and it is being followed by Fibre,” she added.
Dr. Getau explained that in ensuring that the works done by KeNHA meet the standards desired by the Authority, ICTA involved a team of Fibre and Civil engineers to oversee and assess the civil works.
The East Africa Regional Trade and Transport Development Facilitation Program will also benefit the residents of the area surrounding the area of operation by employing them to carry out simple activities such as Back Filling, Bush clearing and others.
“Citizens from the surrounding area can be hired and get some work done while this project is going on, doing back filling, clearing and other simple activities so that they are able to get some income. We are now waiting for the Community Liaison Officer to coordinate the recruitment of the citizens,” asserted Dr. Getao.
Accompanying the CEO were the directors from Programmes and Standards and Shared Services, Head of Project Management, Fiber and Civil engineers.
By Ekuwam Sylvester
