The Nakuru County Government is set to review its regulatory policies to enhance reliable and affordable internet access throughout the region.
City Manager Gitau Thabanja announced that the administration views Information Communication Technology (ICT) infrastructure as essential, on par with basic services like water and sewage.
According to Thabanja, robust high-speed internet is crucial for attracting both local and international investments.
The growing demand for fast internet in Nakuru is evident across various sectors, including industry, education, hospitality, and healthcare.
Meeting this demand could spur economic growth by encouraging the expansion of services and providers within the county.
Following discussions with representatives from eleven Internet Service Providers (ISPs), Thabanja assured that the county’s focus is on maximizing the benefits of improved connectivity rather than merely generating revenue.
Concerns were raised by ISPs about high wayleave charges, the complexity of obtaining multiple permits, encroachments, and inconsistent business permit procedures.
Thabanja emphasized that addressing these issues, particularly the high cost of wayleaves, is crucial for developing the city’s digital infrastructure.
He noted that current challenges with wayleave costs and management are impeding the deployment of essential internet services.
The county is working with the County Revenue Department to create a more efficient environment for ISPs.
This includes better coordination between enforcement officers and service providers to minimize unnecessary disruptions and enhance collaboration.
Additionally, the county recently completed an Sh80 million project to build telecommunications ducts in the Central Business District.
These ducts, which will initially house CCTV and street light cables, aim to reduce fibre optic damage and associated repair costs.
The ducts will facilitate easier installation for providers like Airtel, Safaricom, and Telkom Kenya, who have invested heavily in fibre infrastructure.
By using these ducts, new telcos can lay cables without road excavations, preventing damage to existing cables and minimizing traffic disruptions.
Thabanja highlighted that this initiative aligns with the National Broadband Strategy, which promotes infrastructure sharing to lower business costs.
Looking ahead, Nakuru plans to extend this project beyond the CBD to areas experiencing rapid, unregulated development.
Thabanja stressed the importance of incorporating fibre connectivity in building designs and emphasized the need for partnerships between the county government and the private sector to enhance county-wide connectivity.
The county administration is committed to addressing ISP concerns and improving infrastructure standards to support the growing demand for digital services.
