The Communications Authority wants polling stations outside 3G and 4G coverage connected before the 2027 General Election. Deputy Director Paul Kiage told senators in Naivasha that all mobile operators have been directed to upgrade their networks.
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…