The Ministry of Information, Communication, Technology and Digital Economy has launched three WiFi hotspots at Sikhendu market, Kiminini municipality and Kitale town Bus terminus in Trans Nzoia County.
Speaking at Sikhendu market, ICT and Digital Economy Cabinet Secretary Eliud Owalo said the public WiFi hotspots are part of the Digital transformation agenda of Kenya Kwanza administration manifesto.
“When we went around the country during our campaigns, Kenyans told us that they want the cost of internet data bundles lowered and that is why we are launching public WiFi hotspots in 25,000 markets in Kenya,” Owalo said.
The CS said access to the Internet will enable Kenyan youth to do online jobs and in turn help curb unemployment in the country.
“The whole world is going digital, our youth should not be left out. There are a lot of jobs in the digital space, young people should explore that space,” he added.
Digitized government services
He further noted that the government is leveraging technology to offer services to Kenyans.
According to CS Owalo, they have so far digitized 7,500 government services.
“In the long run, this will cure the menace of corruption because you will just need your mobile phone or desktop computer laptop to get all government services without bribing anybody,” he said.
Owalo was in the company of his Health Cabinet counterpart Susan Nakhumicha who said the health sector heavily relies on technology to offer services to Kenyans.
She said the technology will help monitor drug distribution and utilization of drugs in and out of health facilities.
In addition, CS Nakhumicha revealed that from the month of October, over 100,000 Community Health Promoters will receive Internet-enabled devices that will be used to get health-related data from all Kenyan households.
“Those gadgets will not work without an Internet connection and that is why I am actively involved in this launch, those whose coming here is in vain should be informed,” the CS said.
On his part, Communication Authority of Kenya (CAK) Chief Executive Officer Ezra Chiloba said the government is committed to identifying international job opportunities for Kenyans.
TikTok regulation in Kenya
Trans Nzoia County Senator, who is also the chairperson of the ICT Committee in the Senate Allan Chesang said while there is a need to regulate Tiktok, youths of Kenya should be allowed to innovatively create good content.
“As a youth, I understand our youths are jobless. Therefore, while we support that Tiktok should be regulated, that regulation should not deny our youths their daily bread,” Chesang said.
