Fred Matiangi, cabinet secretary for ICT. CC image courtesy of CCK
Kenyan Ministry of ICT cabinet secretary Dr Fred Matiangi has inaugurated the Universal Service Advisory Council (USAC) to oversee the creation of the Universal Service Fund (USF).
The council was provided for in the Kenya Information and Communications Act 1998, which was amended in 2009 and 2013 to provide for the establishment of the USF and mandates the Communications Authority of Kenya (CAK) to administer and manage the fund.
The new board is tasked with overseeing and providing strategic policy guidance in the implementation of the USF.
Inaugurated USAC members who were appointed on May 9 for a period of three years include chairperson Catherine Ngahu, Josephine Chepkurui Towett, James Long’ole Wangiros, Rodah Awinja Masaviru, J Kennedy Odiwuor Okong’o, Nixon Mageka Gecheo, Wellington Pakia Godo, Samuel Gitonga Mutungi and Michael Maina Itote.
“Members of the Advisory Council underwent a rigorous appointment process and I believe we have the best people with the right expertise for the job” said Matiangi.
Matiangi said despite the rapid growth of ICT services in the country, the disparity in availability and access to telecommunications services between rural and urban areas continues to widen.
“While the private sector has an important role to play in meeting universal access, there is need for government to promote investments in unserved and underserved areas through various initiatives including Universal Service Fund,” he said.
The fund will play a key role in subsidising the cost of ICT infrastructure rollout and expansion in these unserved and underserved areas. The fund is primarily financed through mandatory contributions by licensed operators, the Communications Authority and any other complementary sources.
