This archive report was first published on 25 July 2021.
On July 21, the Ministry of Information Communication Technology announced plans to relocate fibre infrastructure, which could take up to six weeks. This move was met with widespread dissatisfaction from Kenyans who rely on the internet for their daily livelihood.
However, just two days later, on July 23, Government Spokesman Cyrus Oguna denied the claims, stating that the renovation would not affect the provision of internet services. He addressed the misleading headlines that had been brought to their attention, assuring the public that the renovation would not impact internet access.
Many netizens expressed their concerns, questioning the sense in the plan, which is set to begin at the end of the month. Some of the comments from dissatisfied Kenyans include:
elvosironka: “Are they serious? Without the internet how will we work? Unless they are not using their brains well.”
Neemakamweti: “This government is a mess. Stop disturbing Kenyans we depend on the internet for a lot of things.”
Valentinoetyang: “So they mean we start communicating using smoke signals.”
Kwambokah Michelle: “Do these people realise that the end-of-semester exams will be ongoing how we are supposed to them without internet??!”
ICT Principal Secretary Jerome Ochieng had initially revealed that the renovation would include the construction of a 234-kilometre highway, which would consist of a dual carriageway from Rironi to Nakuru and lastly to Mau Summit.
