On Monday, the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) and the ICT Authority (ICTA) entered into an agreement to provide last mile fibre optic cable connectivity across 19 underserved and unserved counties.

The Technical Cooperation Agreement (TCA) between the two authorities stipulates that the CA will support the deployment of fibre in the identified counties at a cost of KSh. 5 billion through the Universal Service Fund (USF). The move is in line with the USF’s objective of facilitating infrastructure and communication services rollout in areas that lack such services.

This project is aligned with the Government Digital Transformation Agenda (GoDTA) on the deployment of 100,000 kilometers of fibre, a strategic effort to improve broadband access across the country. The counties that the project targets include Turkana, West Pokot, Baringo, Elgeyo Marakwet, Samburu, Marsabit, Mandera, Tana River, Lamu, Kilifi, Kwale, Kitui, Laikipia, Isiolo, Garissa, Wajir, Kitui, Makueni, Kajiado, and Narok.

At the signing ceremony, Mr. Ezra Chiloba, the CA Director-General, said, “What we are doing today is phenomenal and will greatly transform the country in the years to come.” The CEO of ICTA, Stanley Kamanguya, hailed the partnership with the CA, saying that it will go a long way in achieving the digital transformation agenda. He observed that “it is an interesting time to begin the 100,000 kilometre journey.”

The project will be implemented within a maximum period of three (3) years. The agreement gives effect to the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by the two institutions in December 2022.