ICT CS Eliud Owalo [Photo: Owalo-Twitter]
The government says it will set up approximately 5,000 free public WiFi hotspots across the country in 2023.
Speaking through a local media house on 10th of January 2023, Information Communication, and Technology (ICT) Cabinet Secretary (CS) Eliud Owalo said the move is in a bid to promote a digitally driven economy that leverages technology.
He added that president William Ruto’s administration will roll out 25,000 such centres by 2027.
He then noted that the state will collaborate with technology companies such as Google to commission the hotspots.
“So far we have done 17 hotspots, in Nairobi we have done City Market and Muthurwa. We have also launched others in Nyeri, Bondo and Ahero. Tomorrow morning I will launch a free Wi-FI hotspot in Kapsabet and in the afternoon I will launch another in Kericho,” said Owalo.
The CS further said that the WiFi programmes will help in creating numerous job opportunities for the youth.
“We monitor the activities based on the launch of the hotspots. One thing we have realized is that we have moved the youth idling near bus stops to close proximity of the free WiFi hotspots. We want to leverage technology for the purposes of digital jobs for our youth.We can create a minimum of 1.5 to 2 million digital jobs if we leverage technology,” said the CS.
A newsmaker, reporter and anchor at Pearl Radio, Ndalilah Sharon is witty and savvy.
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