Countrywide Universal Broadband Availability

The Kenya Kwanza  government promised to increase and fast track broadband connectivity across the country by the construction of 100,000km of national fibre optic connectivity network to facilitate universal broadband availability throughout the country within five years.

• The National Treasury reports that total fibre optic cable in Kenya reached 80,633 km by 2025. Of this, approximately 30,454 km is public sector fiber, a significant increase from the 22,486 km available when the administration took office in 2022.
• To accelerate the rollout, the ICT Authority has partnered with Kenya Power to utilize existing electricity transmission lines for last-mile connectivity. This approach aims to roll out 100,000km of fibre optic infrastructure to connect over 53,000 public institutions, including schools and hospitals.
• Implementation has faced scrutiny regarding the effectiveness of the KES. 34 billion already spent, with Members of Parliament raising questions about maintenance costs and the relevance of older infrastructure.
• In addition, while Kenya has made significant strides  toward universal broadband accessibility, full countrywide availability remains a work in progress. Rural areas still face gaps in internet access, affordability, and infrastructure.