Kenyans to Enjoy Free Internet for a Year

President William Ruto speaking during the the Germany-Kenya Business Forum at Haus der Wirtschaft, Berlin on Monday, March 27, 2023.
President William Ruto speaking during the Germany-Kenya Business Forum at Haus der Wirtschaft, Berlin on Monday, March 27, 2023.
Photo/PCS

On Saturday, April 1, the government announced that Kenyans are set to enjoy free internet for a year, as it rushes to fulfil campaign pledges. 

The pilot project is set to start with Nairobi residents on Saturday, April 1, before being spread countrywide. 

Government partnered with several stakeholders who pledged to ensure the project succeeds. 

In 2022, President Ruto pledged to install 100,000km of digital highway through fibre optic cables to enable internet access countrywide. 

ICT CS Eliud Owalo hosts MPs from Nyanza and Nairobi, to discuss partnership with them on the government's digital economy agenda on February 15, 2023.
ICT CS Eliud Owalo hosts MPs from Nyanza and Nairobi, to discuss the partnership with them on the government's digital economy agenda on February 15, 2023.
Twitter
Eliud Owalo

 “Connect, Innovate and Inspire,” the President revealed his motto during the 59th Jamhuri Day celebrations in Nairobi. 

We’ve had a candid conversation with our technology and digital space leaders that Kenya… it is important that all of us understand the importance of technology and the place of innovation going into the future,” the President stated. 

An insider privy to the project stated that free internet would lower the country's data cost, cushioning Kenyans grappling with harsh living conditions. 

"All Kenyans, starting with those in Nairobi, will receive data in their phones or enjoy free wi-fi installed across the city. 

"We are encouraging them to check their balances occasionally," the insider stated. 

It was, however, not yet clear how the project was initiated nor how the government will cover the costs for the year. 

In a report dated February 15, Uganda was ranked higher than Kenya in internet download speeds and connectivity. 

Uganda improved 15 positions to rank 57 globally after its download speed reached 36.21 Mbps compared to Kenya's 22.69 Mbps, improving by 5 slots to 87. 

The neighbouring country' uploading speed hit 15.79 Mbps against Kenya's 9.27 Mbps.

President William Ruto and his Ugandan counterpart Yoweri Museveni during a past meeting.
President William Ruto (left) and his Ugandan counterpart Yoweri Museveni during a meeting in Uganda in August 2022.
Photo
Yoweri Museveni

According to Data Reportal, there were 17.86 million internet users in Kenya in January 2023, with internet penetration standing at 32.7 per cent.

The country also recorded 10.55 million social media users, constituting 19.3 per cent of the total population. 63.94 million cellular mobile connections were active in Kenya in early 2023, equivalent to 117.2 per cent of the total population.

Editors Note: Today is April Fools Day, and the above report is untrue. We hope we got you! Anyway, we got more news for you today and let's keep interacting on our website - Kenyans.co.ke - and social media platforms.