The County Government of Nakuru is in the process of reviewing regulatory policies to facilitate reliable and affordable internet access across the devolved unit.
City Manager Gitau Thabanja indicated that the County’s administration was treating Information Communication Technology (ICT) infrastructure as a critical service similar to other amenities like water and sewer lines adding that for the devolved unit to attract local and international investments availability of high-speed internet is a major selling point.
Mr Thabanja stated that the demand for high-speed internet in Nakuru is growing as demonstrated by local industries, learning institutions, the hospitality sector and healthcare facilities among others adding that if the demand is met, additional services and service providers will be stimulated to grow and in the process expand the county’s economy.
Speaking after a meeting with representatives drawn from eleven Internet Service Providers (ISPs), the city manager assured that the county government was not only looking for opportunities to collect revenue from ISPs but was instead focusing on the accruing benefits of improved connectivity within their jurisdictions.
The City manager assured that Governor Susan Kihika’s administration was addressing the cost of wayleave charges which the ISPs termed as exorbitant.
“Key issues raised by ISPs in our deliberations included the high cost of wayleaves, the burden of obtaining multiple permits to operate in different locations, encroachment on wayleaves and harassment by enforcement officers.
They also voiced their concerns over disjointed procedures for paying business permits which further complicates their operations,” stated Mr. Thabanja.
“Addressing the cost of wayleave fees will play a critical role in facilitating the growth of the city’s digital infrastructure. We acknowledge that the current challenges faced by the ISPs with regard to the cost and management of wayleaves are hindering the deployment of essential internet services in the devolved unit, “added Thabanja.
Mr Thabanja pledged that his office was collaborating with the County Revenue Department to create an enabling environment for ISPS to operate efficiently which he said was crucial in ensuring that residents and businesses have access to reliable and affordable internet connectivity.
Thabanja also highlighted the need for better coordination between enforcement officers and internet service providers to address unnecessary harassment and ensure that they work collaboratively towards improving digital infrastructure in the city.
He disclosed that the County Government had completed a Sh80 million project at the Central Business District to construct telecommunications ducts aimed at reducing the number of fibre optic cuts, saving millions of shillings lost in repairs and downtime.
Mr Thabanja said the ducts which will be shared by all providers, will initially be used to lay Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) camera and street light cables that are being installed by the County Government on Kenyatta Avenue, Mburu Gichua and Moi Roads.
The move is set to benefit service providers such as Airtel, Safaricom and Telkom Kenya among others that have invested billions of shillings in fibre optic infrastructure and have in the past incurred millions in repairs and maintenance.
The utility ducts will enable installation of cables without having to dig up roads within the CBD.
“We have built the ducts so that whenever a new Telco opens shop in Nakuru, it does not have to excavate channels. They now are only required to obtain authorization after making necessary payments, to lay their cables in the utility ducts. In the past such excavations besides causing damage to existing cables have also disrupted movement of people and vehicles,” Mr Thabanja pointed out.
He stated that the county administration was keen on ending numerous complaints from the telcos, about destruction of fibre optic cables which normally happens after work on major water and road projects commences.
The project, the City Manager indicated, is in line with the national government’s National Broadband Strategy which among other things seeks to reduce the cost of doing business by ensuring that operators share infrastructure.
Mr Thabanja said the devolved unit was keen on supporting the national government’s efforts to boost the uptake of quality Internet, adding that a growing number of Kenyans had embraced online jobs and e-government services.
“The operators have invested heavily in Nakuru City. The telecommunications ducts are one of the ways through which we will be seeking to protect such investments. In future we will extend the project outside the CBD especially in those areas that experience high rates of uncontrolled development,” he said.
The City Manager observed that both residential and commercial building design will not be complete in this digital era if there is no provision for fibre connectivity.
While insisting on partnerships between the County government and the private sector, he said the devolved unit’s administration is keen on improving connectivity across the county.
“In cases where there is sharing of infrastructure with several service providers, the ISPs propose that the County Government should not charge for wayleaves more than once,” he said.
He emphasized that there is a need for adherence to standards when ISPs are putting up the infrastructure.
For example, he noted, ISPs should be compelled to redo pathways and roads once they install their fibre cables on wayleaves.
By Anne Mwale
