Nakuru has become the first town in Kenya to become a free Wi-Fi zone through a partnership between the State House Digital Team and the Nakuru county government.
The Daily Nation reports Nakuru has become the 16th town globally and the third in Africa to be provided with free Wi-Fi, with State House director of digital media and diaspora communication Dennis Itumbi saying the free connectivity will help simplify the way the public participates in governance matters.
The KSh200 million (US$2 million) project is also expected to enhance ICT as well as service delivery.
“Through this forum, one will not be required to go into a hall to air their views on how they want the county to be run, they can directly communicate with the government through its website,” said Itumbi.
Along with the free Wi-Fi, a Digital Impact Centre was also launched to train the public in the use of social media, as well as a more vibrant Nakuru county government website where residents can make comments directly.
“The business community can use the internet to conduct international trade while university and college students can get free study materials,” said Itumbi.
Nakuru county governor Kinuthia Mbugua said the project would not only make Nakuru a regional business hub but an international hub as well.
“I am happy that those who installed the free connectivity blocked phonography and other offensive sites and now our people, students included can access useful information,” said Mbugua.
The first phase of the free Wi-Fi connectivity will cover a radius of five to ten kilometres from the headquarters of the county, with subsequent phases to cover Naivasha and Molo towns.
