Communication Authority of Kenya unveils the universal service fund 2023 -2027 strategy:
Digital inclusivity and equity:
May 20th, 2025 was a very important day for the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA). This is the day that the Authority launched the Universal Service Fund (USF) 2023 -2027 Strategy at a colourful, grand event in a Nairobi hotel. According to Mr. David Mugonyi, EBS, Director General, CA, the USF was established in 2009 with a clear vision – to ensure that all Kenyans, regardless of geographical areas of abode, income, or other life circumstances, can have access to quality communications services.
The Authority operationalized the Fund in 2014, and began implementing projects in 2017/18. The project priorities have been informed by scientific studies in 2016 and 2021, which provide a bigger picture on the extent of access to communications services.
Over the last seven (7) years of the USF projects, transformative impact of ICTs on communities has been evident including the availing of mobile connectivity to an additional nearly 800,000 people spread across 156 sub-locations in 24 Counties; here the reality of the transformative impact of the USF is evident.
For instance, in Kora sub-location in Kajiado County, small townships are mushrooming thanks to mobile connectivity in the area; in Siyu Sub-location, Pate Island in Lamu County, and in Elhadi sub-location in Marsabit County (both now connected to the information superhighway) citizens can now easily interact with security agencies in the event of medical and security emergencies. Moreover, through the USF 886 public secondary schools are connected to high-speed Internet this integrating ICTs in schools and making learning relatable and enjoyable. In General Mulinge High School in Machakos County, exponential interest has been observed and which has led to consistently high grades in the Computer Studies subject for five (5) years in a row.
Further 56 public libraries have been transformed into vibrant e-resource centres, which have additionally provided tailored support for the visually impaired.
Courtesy of the USF, too collaboration with the ICT Authority has been possible as seen in the support to the Digital Superhighway essentially deploying 2,500km of fibre across 19 un-served and under-served Counties at a cost K Sh. 5 billion (B).
Through the Fund, the CA is also supporting the establishment of 47 Centres of Excellence in 47 Counties and 1,450 ICT hubs in every Ward in Kenya in partnership with the Konza Technopolis Development Authority at a cost of sh 2.8 B. Further the CA and through the USF is utilizing the KPLC’s (Kenya Power & Lighting Company) extensive infrastructure to enhance last-mile fibre optic access to 3, 800 public offices and institutions at a cost of sh 5 B.
Some attainments highlights:
These include narrowing the education sector digital divide across the county through access to high quality learning content. Notably, the CA has partnered with the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD) to digitize & provide educational content in an e-learning portal; the portal is easily access by learners across the country. With the Kenya Institute of the Blind (KIB), CA is also customizing content for visional learners with visual disabilities for better inclusivity.
Further, the CA is collaborating with the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO) to digitize agricultural content and then disseminate it to farmers through multimedia platforms in on-going efforts to ensure food security in the country.
In the justice sector and working with the Judiciary, the CA has connected 42 Law Courts to Local Area Network (LAN) to facilitate information sharing and enhance service delivery. In the postal sector, the postal ecosystem is getting enhanced through utilization of the Postal Corporation of Kenya expansive network to catalyze the e-commerce space. In a recent Government agreement with the Universal Postal Union (UPU) the Postal Corporation of Kenya is being supported to acquire five (5) trucks (with refrigerated storage capacity) to allow for diversification of its services into the last-mile delivery of medical products to un-served and un-derserved areas of the country.
In the broadcasting sector, plans are afoot to enhance access to radio and TV signals across the country; sadly, by 2021, about 1, 200 sub-locations had no radio or TV signals.
Practical examples: Courtesy of the USF, people can now invest. For instance, a young woman in Adadijole area, deep in Wajir County can now launch her business online; a student in Kiwawa, near the Kenya-Uganda border in West Pokot County, can now also access world-class learning resources; and even a person living with disability in Korng’otuny (Mt. Elgon) can also connect with the world.
Affirmation: Mr Mugonyi affirmed that the USF is more than a Fund. According to him, it is a movement and a call to action for the Government, industry, development partners, and communities to unite in delivering digital equity.
“By pooling our resources, sharing our expertise, and aligning our efforts, we are not just providing infrastructure, we are also empowering dreams, creating opportunities, and shaping a future where every Kenyan can connect, learn, grow, and succeed.
“Essentially, the USF Strategy 2023-2027 is a bold blueprint for reaching even further and for touching the lives of those still excluded from the digital revolution. Notably, current Strategy reflects our collective ambition — to leverage innovation, partnerships, and regulatory foresight in order to extend communication services to the furthest corners of our Nation.
“The Strategy also deepens our commitment to transparency, accountability, and measurable impact. We are enhancing stakeholder engagement, embracing data-driven decision-making, and building a results-oriented implementation framework.
“We simply can’t do this alone. We must work in unity to unlock the transformative potential of digital connectivity. We must pool our resources, share our insights, and align our efforts to deliver impact where it matters most. To our industry partners: we look to you not only for investment but for innovation.
“And to the Kenyan people: we reaffirm our promise to serve your interests, to champion digital equity, and to build an inclusive digital future for all,” averred Mr. Mugonyi in conclusion./Ends/
