Assembly discusses free Wi-Fi project

Nakuru, Kenya: Nakuru County government used Sh3.1 million during the launch of the controversial free Wi-Fi project which did not take off as expected.

The assembly's ICT committee said it could not ascertain the project's total cost since the funding and award of contracts was done by the State House Digital Team.

The committee, which investigated the controversial project, said the only cost incurred by the county government was Sh3,173,300 used to launch the project and it was split between the ICT ministry and the governor's office.

Chairman Peter Kangethe said of this amount, Sh1.5 million was paid to cater for tents, chairs, decorations, meals, refreshments, announcements, fliers, security, videography and other operations costs. The balance was used for digital stage set up, sound, microphones, lighting, generators, transport and artists, while fencing is yet to be paid for.

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"The project is yet to be handed over to the county government and the network administration is being handled by the State House Digital Team through INFONT Africa," Kangethe told the assembly.

The report was being tabled at the assembly in response to an inquiry by Ndundori MCA Steve Kihara who wanted to know the status of the much hyped initiative.

The assembly was further informed that the project was conceived in January 2014 when State House Digital Team decided to roll out free Wi-Fi initiatives in five counties with the first being Nakuru County and others to follow.

In addition to free Wi-Fi, the Digital Team also promised to develop a free county website mobile application software for citizen engagement and also set up a digital impact centre to provide access to county government online services.

Kangethe informed the House that the county government's role was to provide an environment that will make it possible to successfully implement the project.

In this regard, the county government was required to waiver fees for Wi-Fi equipment, facilitate access to appropriate buildings for hotspot mounting for better coverage, provide room for the ICT digital centre and help build a data base for mobile applications software.

The committee, however, defended the project saying its implementation is a technical issue and should be given time to be resolved as requested by State House Digital Team.

"What has been done so far in terms of Wi-Fi equipment installation, website development, delivery of computers for ICT impact centre is a plus for the county government compared to what was spent during the launch," the committee said.

 

Kihara, however, said it was not right for the county to commit public resources without being furnished with full details of the project which was launched in March.

"I can confirm to this House today that this Wi-Fi is not working and I am still convinced that for the county to have committed that huge sum of money is not prudent use of public resources," he said.

Assembly Speaker Susan Kihika, however, set the issue aside after being informed that there is a civil case pending in court over the project.

SET ASIDE

"Based on Standing Order 88 and given that there seems to be an active civil case in court and because you are naming names in the assembly where those named cannot defend themselves, this could be considered prejudicial and I want to set the matter aside for now," Kihika said.

Meanwhile, Kericho County has launched a 100-day long birth certificate and national Identity Card registration drive.

Speaking during the launch of the National Digital Population registration exercise in Kericho town, County Commissioner Lucy Mulili said at least 300,000 individuals in the county are yet to be registered by the Registrar of Births.

She said the exercise aims to register all persons under 18 years whose parents have never processed their birth certificates.

"The data collected will be helpful during issuance of Identity Cards whey turn 18," she said.