MPs demand answers over Sh34.3 billion spent on public Wi-Fi project

Members of Parliament have put the government on the spot over the management and progress of the National Optic Fibre Backbone Infrastructure (Nofbi) project, questioning how Sh34.3 billion spent in the past three years has been utilised.

The MPs want a clear report on the number of operational public Wi-Fi hotspots and the plan to keep them running amid fears that many may no longer be functional.

During a sitting of the National Assembly ICT Committee, chaired by Dagoretti South MP John Kiarie on Tuesday, MPs raised doubts about the sustainability of the 1,729 Wi-Fi hotspots installed across schools, markets, and other public areas.

They said the project, launched to expand internet access across the country, appears to have slowed down and lacks a proper maintenance framework.

Some members argued that the absence of coordination and local ownership has made it difficult to keep the sites active.

They warned that without a sustainable model, the public Wi-Fi initiative risks collapsing despite heavy public investment.

The committee demanded all contracts and payment details for firms hired to manage and repair the fibre network, after learning that eight companies receive about Sh500 million each year for maintenance.

MPs said the government must explain how the firms were selected and what value they have delivered so far.

ICT Authority CEO Zilpher Owiti, who appeared before the committee, said Telkom Kenya managed the Nofbi system until 2020 before the ICT Authority took over.

“The ICT Authority entered into a framework contractual agreement with eight firms through an open tender process procured in 2023,” she said.

Owiti outlined that each firm oversees specific regions. Adrian Limited manages Nairobi and Central Kenya, while Nextgen Technologies covers the Coast. Techminds Ltd handles the Eastern region, and Soliton Telmec Ltd oversees the Northeastern counties.

In the Rift Valley, Baran Telcoms is responsible for the North Rift, and Nightigale Ltd for the South Rift, while Prime Telcoms manages Nyanza and Tilil Technologies handles the Western region. She added that each company is required to ensure consistent connectivity and quick response to any system breakdowns.

MPs urged the ICT Authority to provide an updated progress report on the project, saying only 1,729 hotspots have been completed out of the 25,000 expected by 2027. They said Kenyans need to know whether the digital infrastructure they were promised is actually serving its purpose.

Other Topics To Read

• National
• WI-FI
• ICT
• ICT Authority
• wifi
• Nofbi
• Optic Fibre
• MPs demand answers over Sh34.3 billion spent on public Wi-Fi project
• News