Fibre optic network.
The ministry of Information, Communication and Digital Economy has launched a Sh10 billion fibre optic expansion programme targeting the deployment of 100,000 kilometres of high-speed internet cable across the country.
The rollout, led by the Information Communications Technology Authority (ICTA) in collaboration with Kenya Power, will leverage the utility firm’s last-mile electricity infrastructure to accelerate network reach.
Funding is being drawn in part from the Universal Service Fund (USF), with the government aiming to raise national fibre coverage from the current 62 percent to 90 percent by the next financial year.
ICT Cabinet Secretary William Kabogo, while appearing before the Senate, said the programme will bridge digital gaps in regions such as Northern Kenya and Kerio Valley, where poor connectivity has compounded insecurity and isolated communities from essential services.
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Senators questioned the transparency of USF utilisation and called for alternative satellite-based solutions to complement fibre in hard-to-reach terrain.
CS Kabogo defended the ministry stating that the government has partnered with firms such as Starlink and Air Traffic Control (ATC) to roll out satellite internet in areas where laying fibre remains impractical.
The project is part of Kenya’s broader digital transformation agenda, which includes enhancing public safety systems, enabling e-government services, and fostering inclusive economic growth through access to the digital economy.
The integration of fibre and satellite technologies is expected to provide a resilient and wide-reaching network that supports both national security and socio-economic development.
