Communication Authority has come out to urge the public not to destroy communication infrastructure as it is going to affect the economy of the country.
According to CA boss Francis Wangusi, there are increased incidences of attacks on communication masts by thugs, terrorists and political protestors in the last few weeks. The masts in Mandera, Garissa, Lamu and parts of Kisumu have been affected.
The Authority also notes that despite the significant gains in penetration of mobile connectivity, around 500 sub-locations are still not covered with others also having less than 30% connectivity.
Wangusi observed that in the year 2000, only 15,000 residents of Nairobi could access mobile connectivity in the city and its environs.
The regulator indicated that it is putting interventions to ensure that all Kenyans are connected with same technology through the Universal Service Fund (USF) which some quarters have always indicated that might be ending up in corrupt barons pockets.
The fund has reportedly been used in the last elections by some government departments.
Operators in the country have been remitting 0.5% of their annual revenue to CA as their contribution to the Universal Service Fund. It is believed that the fund’s accounts has in excess of Ksh 6 billion. The money has never been disbursed but is now feared to have been used in funding political activities in the country.
In 2016, a study by CA estimated that the country needs around Ksh 70 billion to bridge the ICT access gaps in the country.
Do you have a story you want told? Do you know of a sensitive story you would like us to get our hands on? Email your News tips to Editor@kahawatungu.com
Email your news TIPS to Editor@Kahawatungu.com — this is our only official communication channel
