Nairobi to host global Internet agency office

Kenya beat about six other countries to become the first African city to host the Internet Corporations for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN).

The country raced ahead of Nigeria, South Africa, Rwanda, Egypt, Ethiopia and South Africa to host the American-based organisation that is responsible for internet governance.

Information, Communication and Technology (ICT) Cabinet Secretary Joe Mucheru noted  the decision to set up an ICANN office in Africa was “long overdue”.

“For long, Africa has been asking this office to be set up in Africa,” said Mucheru, who hoped that with the office around, the domain business will flourish.

Senior advisor to the President and Senior Vice President Global Stakeholder Engagement-ICANN, Sally Costerton, said Nairobi was chosen because Kenya understands the organisation’s culture of multi-stakeholder process in which decisions are made by various players.

“What we are trying to do is new, and trust and partnership are important,” said Costerton during a press briefing.

Other reasons that gave Kenya a head-start over its competitors included its booming ICT sector and its young population.

Communications Authority of Kenya chairman Ngene Gituku said ICANN’s regional presence in Africa and its choice of Kenya is a big boost and further reasserts Kenya’s position as an ICT powerhouse.