Controversial free internet project in Nakuru scoops continental award

NAKURU, KENYA: The controversial Nakuru WiFi project has won a continental Award in South Africa after beating other contenders in the "changing Lives" category.
The Nakuru WiFi ‎Bilawaya scooped the continental African Award during the 8th AfricaCom Awards held in Cape Town on Wednesday night.
The project is an initiative involving a partnership between the county government with Liquid Telecom Kenya and the Presidential Strategic Communications Unit - Digital.
The award recognizes an inspiring initiative that has significantly impacted African communications in the community and contributed to economic and social development since November 2014. This could be conveyed through a product, act of good will or CSR programme.
The project won the award despite the controversy surrounding it since it was launched with pomp on March 30 2014 in Nakuru town. A day after it was launched it malfunctioned forcing the county government to look for another company to roll it out following protests from residents.
The county then partnered with the Liquid Telcom Kenya to launch the public WiFi to serve the 1.8 million residents to cover a radius 10 kilometre radius from the town's Central Business District.