Digital Transformation: Kenyan Ministry of ICT Unveils WIFI in Kitui County Towns

The launch of free public WIFI hotspots throughout the country has been a welcome development for many traders and residents who can now access hotspots in their towns. Mwingi town the introduction of public WI-FI near the assistant's chief office has brought happiness to traders operating in the area.

The launch was graced by Phoebe Mutemi the CECM for Culture, Gender, Youth, Sports, ICT, and Social Services Eliud Owalo the cabinet secretary of ICT, and Peninah Malonza of tourism presided over the launch of public WIFI in the towns of Mutomo, Kitui, and mwingion 1st Friday, September 2023.

The Cabinet Secretary stated that the program that is been launched is one of the ways the government will use to fulfill the manifesto that they gave out to the Kenyan citizens during the campaign period. He went on to state that the government is planning to install WIFI hotspots in 25,000 markets across the country

On her part tourism cabinet secretary for tourism, wildlife, and heritage Penina Malonza said that the economy is the future. Free Wi-Fi hotspots in Mutomo, Kitui Town, and mwingi Town will provide ordinary people with easy access to online jobs, government services, and online learning, and enable them to participate in e-commerce to transform their lives.

The government plans to enable market vendors and the youth who have no jobs will be able to get free public WIFI.

During the launch in Mutomo mwingi town the area legislators called for the ICT ministry to offer civic education on the responsible use of the Internet while educating Kenyans on the dangers of breaching the Cybercrime Act of 2018 which  provide a number of offenses that are related to the misuse of the internet such as;

• Unauthorised access to a computer system
• False publication
• Unauthorized interference with the computer system
• Computer forgery
• Computer fraud 
• Cyber harassment
• Identity theft and impersonation
• Phishing. 

One by one residents of Mwingi town walked toward the assistant chief's office where the Wi-Fi hotspot had been installed scrolling on their phones even some sitting close by. A resident by the name of David Muli spent his Saturday afternoon browsing since he was curious to find out whether the newly launched Wi-Fi hotspot was working he said "I came here to use the internet to advertise the businesses which I do and connect with other businesses from different people and the internet is working fine"

The government plans on reducing the cost which is incurred while purchasing data bundles which can be burdening given the high cost of living. A resident of Mwingi Town said that before they used to use a lot of money to buy data bundles but now they are relieved by the free wifi from the government.

Janet a trader in mwingi is among the lucky operators who will benefit from the public wifi since her business is within the hot spot radius she said she is expecting her business to gain more enchantment online. an avenue that she plans to explore, She thanked  Eliud Owalo the cabinet secretary of ICT since she can take pictures of the clothes she is selling and send them to people who are far away who will then buy from her.

However, the Wi-Fi experience did not come without hitches,  the residents urged the government to increase the radius of the Wi-Fi signals to reach more people since most people work from home hence they want to avoid the hustle and bustle of traveling long distances in search of wifi hotspots

The government has successfully launched 50 WI-FI hotspots across the country with the goal of reaching thousands of people countrywide. Residents in areas such as Kitui Town, Kimimili Transzoia County, Nairobi County, and Diani in Kwale County are already connected.

The launch of free wifi is expected to ease business transactions in markets and public places.