(From L) Information Principal Secretary Sammy Itemere, ICT Authority Chief Executive Officer Robert Mugo, Integrated Financial Management System Director Jerome Ochieng, ICT Cabinet Secretary Joe Mucheru (with trophy), Kisumu Governor Jack Ranguma and Kisumu ICE County Executive Committee Member while receiving a trophy in recognition of Kisumu County's success in use of government open data, April 5, 2017. [Photo: hivisasa.com]
The County Government of Kisumu has partnered with Telkom to lay a high speed metro network in the Lakeside city.
The 12.4 km metro network will cover the Central Business District, Milimani, Kondele, Kibos, Kicomi area and Migosi Junction.
Information, Communication and Technology CeC Michael Onyango said the Sh54 million state-of- the- art fiber network was the first step towards transforming Kisumu in to a Smart City.
This, he said would make Kisumu a business outsourcing hub at the same time enhance access to high speed internet for online workers and businessmen.
The county government in collaboration with the national government, he said has already trained youths under the Ajira Digital Programme whom he asked to take advantage of the new development to source for work online.
Internet connectivity in the area, he said is set to increase further since the national government plans to set up Constituency Innovative Hubs which shall be equipped with Wi-Fi connection.
“You will not have to come to town to access better connectivity, you will have it right at your home,” said Onyango.
He area residents to embrace the use of mobile phones to access quality and reliable information through the internet at the same time source for work online.
The CeC faulted the perception that digital skills or online jobs are only for the well educated or the middle class.
“Anyone with a mobile phone can improve their skills and create enterprises that help them enhance their economic prospects,” said Onyango.
He however called upon the private sector to invest more in ICT especially in the rural areas where accessing internet is expensive.
Onyango disclosed that talks were underway with leading mobile telephony providers to boost network coverage in the area.
He pointed out Nyakach, the sugar belt and shores of Lake Victoria as areas with poor network coverage.
The CeC expressed optimism that by the end of this year, the network providers will have upgraded their network boosters besides erecting others in the identified areas.