Many Kenyans are struggling with the high costs of internet and mobile devices, which limits the potential benefits of the country’s extensive internet coverage. This issue is particularly pronounced in rural areas, where, despite the government’s efforts to establish infrastructure funded by the Universal Service Fund (USF) and extend mobile telephony coverage, many still find services like voice telephony and internet access financially out of reach due to high costs.
As a result, the ICT gap in the country may widen, even as new technologies emerge and some regions advance rapidly in their adoption while others fall behind. According to the 2019 Census, internet usage stood at 22.7% nationally; in urban areas, it was 42.6%, while rural areas lagged at just 13.8%. Currently, internet usage has increased to approximately 40% nationally. Mobile service coverage in Kenya is at 96.4%, indicating that while internet availability exists, many individuals are not utilizing it, resulting in a significant usage gap of 56.4%, as reported by the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA).
Several barriers contribute to this usage gap, including affordability, lack of access to devices, electricity, and slow internet speeds. Additionally, there is a shortage of relevant content, limited digital skills and knowledge, and concerns regarding safety and security online.
Smartphone penetration in the country stands at 67%, but this figure is significantly lower in rural and remote areas. Many residents of Marsabit County have cited the high costs of smartphones and data plans as major barriers to fully utilizing the communication towers installed by the Communications Authority (CA) in North Horr.
While the installation of telecom masts has greatly improved voice communication services in the area, residents have yet to fully capitalize on these advancements due to the unaffordability of cell phones, prohibitive internet costs, and a lack of digital skills.
Malicha Guyo Bora, the assistant chief for Elgade Ward, noted that since the mast was installed, it has become much easier to obtain information promptly across the 13 zones in his ward, which are located more than 30 kilometers apart. “Today, it is easy to mobilize the community if we have urgent information to pass to the public. Previously, it could take us three to four days to send a messenger around the 13 zones,” Mr. Guyo said. However, he pointed out that unlike in urban areas, where the presence of such masts has created business opportunities like M-Pesa agents and cyber cafes, locals in Marsabit have yet to explore such enterprises.
“It is imperative that the public be better informed about the opportunities this telecom tower offers. The majority of users utilise it for voice calls and M-Pesa services, but they may make the most of its availability if they are informed,” he said.
Due to the utilisation disparity in these locations, CA, Safaricom, and Huawei were compelled to launch a trial digital skilling programme in the areas where CA had made telecom mast investments through the Universal Service Fund.
Elgade and Elbeso wards, in North Horr are among the regions that have benefitted from the USF established in 2009, which was envisaged to leverage operations and provision of services in high-cost areas.
All licensed operators providing communication services on a commercial basis are required by law to contribute at least one per cent of their annual gross turnover to the Fund. Currently, the operators are contributing zero point five (0.5) per cent to the kitty.
Baraka Duba, a resident at Elbeso, pointed out that the locals are still experiencing some challenges, like not knowing how to use basic smartphone capabilities, replacement of lost SIM cards, procurement of quality phone batteries, or purchasing airtime through mobile money.
“The awareness done by Safaricom and CA is most welcome. We would appreciate it if this is done often or a customer care shop is set up here to help the new customers,” he noted.
According to the CA sector statistics report as of the end of March 2024, the number of smartphones stood at 34.5 million, while the number of feature phones was 31.22 million.
Senior Project Development Officer at CA Eng Edwin Ombega said the exercise to equip the locals within Marsabit County with digital skills is in line with the State firm’s current strategic plan to increase broadband coverage and usage.
He also noted that a recent study by GSMA identified five barriers to accessing mobile broadband usage, which include affordability, lack of access, lack of digital skills, relevant content, and, online safety.
“The digital skills training aims to empower the citizen, especially those who are getting mobile connectivity for the first time because they are highly likely to be impacted by the barriers identified in the GSMA study,” Ombega said.
Safaricom Senior Technical Regulations Officer Ian Siako said the digital skills exercise enabled them to get feedback from their clients in the regions they visited.
Mr Siako said Safaricom has a plan where customers can pay a deposit of Sh1,000 for a smartphone of their choice and choose a daily fee for one year depending on the model of the phone.
“Majority of the clients we interacted with owned feature phones. However, they would like to have smartphones,” Siako said.
He noted that smartphones would enable them to access educational, health content, and, veterinary services.
“Being pastoralists, the residents in these areas not only want to talk with the youth grazing the livestock in the field far away but would also want to see them and the animals, and this can only be achieved by having a smartphone,” he noted.
Mr Siako also noted that the launch of East Africa Device Assembly Kenya Ltd (EADAK) – a joint venture of local mobile network operators and international device manufacturers, has lowered the costs of smartphones in the country.
He however called on the CA to consider using the USF to further subsidise the smartphones in the market.
