Government commits to nationwide internet access in Last Mile Connectivity project

Government Spokesperson Isaac Mwaura says the Last Mile County Connectivity project, initiated in 2011 and funded through a loan agreement between Kenya and the Kingdom of Belgium, has emerged as a cornerstone of the government's commitment to bridge the digital gap in the country.

Mwaura emphasized the project's objectives, which include connecting County and National Government Offices in all 47 counties with telephony service, video conferencing applications, and high-speed internet. 

“By utilizing the National Fiber Optic Infrastructure (NOFBI), the project aims to link governmental buildings at various administrative levels, facilitating efficient communication and service delivery,” said Mwaura.

Highlighting the progress made thus far, Mwaura noted the successful completion of the first three phases of the project. 

“Kenyans now enjoy uninterrupted voice service, internet browsing capabilities, video conferencing facilities, and access to application services. Additionally, the operationalization of the Network Operating Centre has interconnected over 650 government buildings into a single, cohesive network,” he noted in a statement.

Mwaura further outlined the ongoing efforts of Phase 4 of the Last Mile County Connectivity project, which aims to address gaps left in previous phases. This phase entails connecting an additional 455 sites, extending the reach of NOFBI to cover all county headquarters. Upon completion, 78 kilometers of fiber optic cables and over 700 Wi-Fi points will be enabled, serving as public Wi-Fi spots for enhanced connectivity.

Looking ahead, the government is committed to the final stage of the project, Phase 5, which will extend broadband access down to the sub-county level. This phase aims to connect an average of six buildings in 110 sub-counties, totaling 660 sites. 

By incorporating over 100 kilometers of fiber and deploying additional Wi-Fi points, the government seeks to ensure comprehensive internet coverage at the grassroots level.

“The Last Mile County Connectivity project aligns with the Kenya Kwanza administration's Bottom-up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), emphasizing the installation of reliable, stable, affordable, and high-speed internet connectivity nationwide,” said the government spokesperson.