World Bank to fund internet project in counties

By Antony Gitonga

NAIVASHA, KENYA: The government has announced that all counties will be connected to the fibre-optic network by the end of next year.

Already, twenty nine counties are connected to the network as part of the government plan to digitise its operations.

According to the Information, Communications and Technology Cabinet Secretary Dr Fred Matiang'i, the World Bank would fund the next phase of the project.

He said that the second phase would also see the rehabilitation of the fibre optic cable in Mandera County after it failed to perform.

"Plans are underway to connect all the counties to the fiber cable by the end of next year as part of the ICT programme," he said.

The CS added 10,000 primary schools across the country would be connected to internet in two years as part of E-Learning.

He said that the government was committed to the increase in internet penetration so as to make information access easier.

Matiang'i was addressing the press in Club Heritage Naivasha during the Nyamira County head teacher’s association annual general meeting.

He challenged the 200 head teachers to migrate to digital platform in delivering education to their students.

"Some of the schools have the e-learning strategic plans, computer labs and we are encouraging them to have a framework for e-libraries," he said.

The association chairman Andrew Gesore said that the one week workshop was geared towards improving education and infrastructure levels in the county.