The Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) has asked the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to identify polling stations outside 3G and 4G coverage, The Star reported. The goal is to connect them before the 2027 General Election. CA says reliable internet will help the IEBC transmit results and help officials find polling centres.
CA Deputy Director Paul Kiage spoke before the Senate Committee on National Cohesion, Equal Opportunity and Regional Integration in Naivasha. He said CA is rolling out services in unserved and underserved areas through the Universal Service Fund. CA expects the programme to improve connectivity during the election.
Kiage said all mobile network operators have been directed to upgrade their networks. The election will need stable connectivity for results transmission and for communication by officials and voters, he said. "The 2027 General Election will require mobile network operators to provide high-quality communication services to support a credible election and electioneering-related activities," he said.
According to Kiage, CA technical staff will monitor Quality of Service in sub-locations that host polling stations. They will fix network problems quickly and identify areas that need alternatives such as satellite connectivity. The monitoring will run before, during and after the election. CA has also obtained updated polling station locations and GIS coordinates from the IEBC. These will guide its planning, including for 4G and 5G networks.
On cybersecurity, Kiage said the National KE-CIRT/CC will monitor, detect and respond to threats against election systems and critical information infrastructure. CA will also run public awareness campaigns on cyber hygiene and responsible online conduct, he said. He cited the spread of misinformation, disinformation and hateful content.
The plan reaches beyond phones and the internet. Kiage said CA is working with licensed postal and courier operators to screen parcels before acceptance and dispatch. The aim is to stop their networks from being used to move suspicious or prohibited items. In broadcasting, a monitoring room now captures content from 261 radio stations and 99 television channels.
Trained staff will look for hate speech, incitement and misinformation, Kiage said. They will also check that broadcasters stick to their licence conditions. He added that CA will keep supporting the Media Council of Kenya, which holds the mandate to set enforceable standards for election coverage.