NAIROBI — Safaricom Chief Executive Officer Peter Ndegwa is calling on the Kenyan government to classify telecommunications infrastructure as critical. This move aims to support the government’s objective of installing 100,000 kilometers of fiber optics across the country.
According to Kenya News Agency, while telecommunications companies have significantly invested in modern infrastructure, the installation of fiber optics remains a challenge. Fiber cuts in road construction and building activities persist due to inadequate planning. Currently, only water and electricity access are considered in most construction projects, leaving out provisions for fiber optics. “We are calling on government support to make telecommunications infrastructure a core part of the future,” Ndegwa stated.
The remarks were made during the launch of the East Africa Device Assembly Kenya (EADAK), the first device assembly plant in the country, located in Athi River. In addition to his call for critical infrastructure classification, Ndegwa urged the government to subsidize locally assembled smartphones to extend their reach to various population groups. He cited the example of Rwanda, where such subsidies have been effectively implemented.
Ndegwa also emphasized the transformative power of smartphones, stating that they could serve as an essential gateway for ordinary Kenyans to access digitized government services and various online opportunities. In partnership with Google, Safaricom plans to offer affordable smartphones payable in installments. Ndegwa disclosed that nearly one million phones have been sold since March of this year, primarily to rural areas. The initiative will soon be expanded to include more smartphones and reduced data costs.
Jamii Telecommunications General Manager John Kamau, also present at the launch, termed the plant a significant milestone for the telecommunications sector. “The affordable smartphones will ensure that ordinary Kenyans do not miss out on the services offered by telecommunications companies,” said Kamau.