Residents of Kuku ward in Loitokitok, Kajiado South have appealed to mobile service providers to install masts in the area to improve cell reception.
Residents complained that for years now, they have been forced to climb on top of trees and hilly areas within specific places to make or receive calls.
They lamented that lack of network coverage in the area had cost them a lot and relied on the neighboring Tanzania’s mobile service network to make calls.
Mr Kikanai Pararia, a resident of Kuku village said lack of network was a major problem as they cannot communicate with their relatives or use mobile money services.
Pararia said to make a call, one has to walk for thirty minutes to a particular spot and climb a tree so as to get a signal but even then, clarity is not guaranteed as the network fluctuates.
The Moran, said he had to buy a Vodacom simcard, whose signal from the neighboring Tanzania was better to ease communication.
“We do not have any Safaricom or Airtel signals here. For me to call someone I have to use my Vodacom line and this is quite expensive. We cannot access mobile money services, there is not a single Mpesa shop here because how will you even withdraw the money?” he posed.
On her part, Margaret Mutunkei complained that many women have died giving birth at home as they cannot reach heath workers in the area on phone to help them whenever there is an emergency.
Another resident of Inkisanjani village, John Sankale said one cannot call for help during emergencies due to the lack of network coverage in the area. “If you get sick you cannot even call for a boda boda to come fast and rush you to hospital because there is no network. You will be forced to walk all the way to the hospital and you can even die on the way,” he said.
Pastor Ibrahim Kalula, reiterated Sankale’s remarks adding that the situation was dire and urged the mobile service providers to come to their aid fast.
Area Chief Nkabani Nkirandu lamented that the lack of network coverage had increased insecurity as he was not able to communicate with security officers on time whenever there was an incident.
Nkirandu appealed to mobile telephone service providers to improve reception in the area to help in curbing crime.
The worst affected areas are Intilal, Kyulu,Olitiasika,Olkaria,Poka Kenyawa,Kuku, Inkisanjani ,Ruanje,Magari, Shompole and Torosei.
By Rop Janet
