Weak, Slow Or Dead: Why Kenya Kwanza's Free Public Wi-fi Promise Is A Hotspot Of Frustrations

The promise was straightforward: The Kenya Kwanza administration will provide free WiFi in markets across the country to deliver e-commerce to the palms of local traders.

The target was 25,000 markets, and other populated spots, by end of 2027.

And so, a number of trading centres in Kenya did receive WiFi connectivity infrastructure starting from December 2022, and they were launched with so much flair.

In April last year, the World Bank announced it had offered Sh52 billion for the 25,000 free WiFi hotspots.

The government had hoped the Wi-Fi spots will be a beginning of a big conversation on the growth of the digital economy, with current data showing value addition in the ICT industry estimated at Sh294 billion as at 2021, up from Sh223 billion in 2017with the figure expected to have shot up even higher now.

'We can create a minimum of 1.5 to two million digital jobs if we leverage on the technology. We monitor the activities based on the launch of the hotspots. One thing we have realised is that we have moved the youth idling near bus stops to close proximity of the free WiFi hotspots. We want to leverage technology for purposes of digital jobs for our youth,' ICT Cabinet Secretary Eliud Owalo said of the big promise last year, when he said the spots will have hit 5,000 by end of last year and 25,000 by end of 2027.

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However, a countrywide analysis by that started early this month shows that the ones set up so far are hotspots of frustration and disappointments.

In some areas in Kisumu, Siaya, Kwale, Mombasa, Laikipia and Turkana counties, the Wi-Fi systems either stopped working after a few months or are unreliably slow.

However, also found areas where the Wi-Fi zones were working, drawing praise from traders and the public.

In terms of the problematic connections, one of the areas is Diani Market in Kwale County. The Wi-Fi was launched in August last year and two months later it ceased.

The Wi-Fi stopped working around last year in October. We had hopes that this would boost our businesses but it hasnt, said Sebastian Juma.

Marikiti Market Chairman Muhammad Al said his members have resorted to using their own data bundles to enhance e-commerce.

At Mama Ngina Waterfront, the traders and residents have the same story. The free public Wi-Fi hotspot isnt functioning.

We used to enjoy sending photos promptly and doing searches on the internet, said Mr Alex Ngao, a beverages vendor at Mama Ngina Waterfront.

In Nairobi, the Wi-Fi spots launched in November 2022 at City Market, and another at Wakulima market, have either failed or are unreliable, with very small radius of connection.

Traders who spoke to the nation noted that the WI-FI was functional for only three days.

Later on, City Markets network coverage went down and as proved by our writer, for one to browse, they must move 10 metres closer to the router which is mounted on a wall of the markets 1st floor above the stairs.

We are raising concern to the government to re-service its WI-FI system to enable us reach our customers and trade without challenges, City Market Fish Mongers Association chairman, Joanes Odongo remarked.

A survey at Wakulima Market popularly known as Marikiti showed the response from traders and management was worse than the City Market.

The public WI-FI was meant to serve the more than 4,000 traders here at Marikiti and its environs. Even here at our offices there is no network coverage, an official from the county government who cannot be named due to protocol reasons said.

Ms Rose Ndunge, a potato seller operating at the market for the last 20 years says the WI-FI was supposed to cover Kenya Railways terminus and Machakos Retail Market along Landhies Road.

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