ICT in Kenya By Evans Nyangari (Kabarak University, Nakuru – KENYA) enyangari@kabarak.ac.ke 4th Sep 2004, Joensuu University - Finland

Content Brief Background ICT facts – Kenya Kabarak University National Challenges Conclusion Open discussion

Geographical Location

Some facts - Kenya Pop: 31M (July 2001 est.) Area: 582,650 sq Km GDP (per capita- 2000 est.): $1,500 Literacy:78.1% total, 86.3% male, 70% female (1995 est.) Life Expectancy:46.57 male, 48.44 female (2001 est.) Languages: English (official), Kiswahili (official), numerous indigenous languages

ICT Environment in Kenya Beginning 1948 – EAPTC serving Kenya,Tanzania,Uganda Split up in 1977 – KP&TC formed Telkom Kenya formed 1998 (Telephony and Telecommunications Network - 95% automatic, 54% digital, Optic cable between major towns VSAT, Packet Switching, leased lines, and international telephony (including Voice on IP)are all under the monopoly of Telkom

ICT Statistics Kenya 1 in 4 have a radio (Africa) 1 in 13 have a TV (Africa) 1 in 100 have a fixed-telephone (Kenya) 1 in 21 have a mobile phone( Kenya) 1 in 2000 have a PC (Kenya) 1 in 64 use the Internet (Kenya) 44 local ISP providers (2000) – utilize one International Internet backbone (Jambonet – Telkom monopoly) 4000 PCs in the Kenya Government – 1 in 60 employees

Kabarak University Location: 20km off Nakuru town Founded 2001 – first intake 2002 3 Faculties - Science, Communication and Technology - Commerce - Theology and Education The current student population is about 230 Computer Science Department has 75 students

Computing resources 3 computing laboratories: With the following capacities 40, 35,15 Compaq Pentium IV 1.7Ghz, 128MB RAM, 20GB HD, 15” screen OS : Windows XP Pro. In addition to workstations the department has several high-end servers: Backup server Campus-wide high-speed network (Fast Ethernet LANs, ATM backbone) with Internet access via JAMBONET The department has many miscellaneous peripherals and other items: printers (color and b&w)

Challenges – Kabarak Need to finalize and implement our internal ICT policy It is estimated that there are about 5,500 ICT professionals in Kenya ( 1 in 5000) Location – 170Km from Nairobi, capital city Internet connection – bandwidth at 64mbs for over 115 terminals Low wages Industry experience – 45 Software houses Need R&D Department that can work closely with the industry and partner Universities

Challenges Mass introduction of computer training is hampered by: High costs of the equipment and software (<$4 a day) Poor infrastructure e.g. telephone and electrical grid Lack of trained teachers in the subject (300-500 grad) Lack of relevant software for computer assisted learning Low awareness High cost of training

Conclusion We urgently need a National ICT policy Need a more transparent regulatory framework in the telecommunication sector Need a comprehensive computer training policy Develop and implement ICT awareness programmes that are within our context in virtually all sectors References: Technology Kenya – Nairobi, Aug 17 (IPS) 2004 Africa Focus Bulletin – May 6, 2004 – www.africafocus.org