Government of Kenya Establishes Complimentary Internet Access in Four West Pokot Educational Institutions to Narrow the Digital Gap
In a significant step towards fostering innovation and closing the digital divide in rural and underserved communities, the Kenyan government has launched free public WiFi in four schools in West Pokot County. The event, presided over by Julius Bitok, the Principal Secretary for the State Department for Basic Education, marked a milestone in Kenya's integrated approach to digital education.
The schools that celebrated the launch are Ortum Mixed Secondary, Holy Rosary Girls Secondary, Saint Francis Ortum Boys Comprehensive, and Saint Bernadette Ortum Girls Comprehensive. The event was attended by PS Joel Arumonyang, Leonard Kirui (Regional ICT Officer from the ICT Authority), local leaders, and education stakeholders.
This initiative is part of a broader government plan to boost digital learning and foster innovation in rural and underserved areas. It aligns with Kenya's National AI Strategy (2025–2030), which aims to position the country as a regional leader in digital technology, including AI research and innovation. The strategy includes strengthening digital infrastructure and capacity building among public servants and citizens to support digital transformation.
The free public WiFi rollout is also in line with the African Union Development Agency-NEPAD's (AUDA-NEPAD) EdTech vision. AUDA-NEPAD has launched initiatives like RESPECT, which aims to provide locally developed interactive digital courseware accessible even on smartphones. This system targets inclusivity by ensuring digital education reaches rural and offline communities sustainably and profitably.
Kenya's model of public-private partnerships in infrastructure investment serves as a blueprint for maintaining local oversight while expanding broadband access, critical for effective digital learning in remote areas. Capacity-building efforts, such as AI training for public servants and knowledge transfer collaborations like the Kenya-Korea KAIST initiative at Konza Technopolis, are designed to enhance the skills needed to utilize and innovate within digital ecosystems effectively.
By providing dependable, high-speed internet, the initiative gives students and teachers greater access to online educational platforms and digital learning resources. This move is expected to significantly improve the quality of education in these schools and contribute to Kenya's digital transformation efforts. The launch of free public WiFi in West Pokot County schools is just the beginning, with plans to extend this service to more schools across the country, especially in underserved regions.
- This initiative, aimed at boosting digital learning in rural and underserved areas, is part of Kenya's broader plan for technology and education-and-self-development, aligning with the Kenyan National AI Strategy (2025–2030).
- The expansion of broadband access through public-private partnerships, crucial for effective digital learning in remote spots, is being demonstrated by Kenya's model, serving as a blueprint for similar projects.
- The launch of free public WiFi in West Pokot County schools is a significant step towards Kenya's digital transformation, with the aim to extend this service nationwide, focusing on underserved regions, as part of AUDA-NEPAD's EdTech vision for inclusivity and sustainability.
