Residents of Busho area of Kwale County can now enjoy free internet thanks to the launch of a digital community (DC) constructed by ATC Kenya, a subsidiary of American Tower.
Busho, which is located in Mackinon Road Ward, Kinango Constituency, is one of the remotest villages in Kwale, and has remained unserved for years.
The village, located approximately 100kms from Mombasa, is home to over 12,000 people, most of whom are small scale farmers. It is also an area that has ragged behind for years over the high cases of human-wildlife conflict.
“We want to thank ATC Kenya for bringing this project here in Busho Kwale and assure them that as a county government, we will do our work to ensure it is used to positively impact the lives of the residents of Busho and the larger Kwale County,” Kwale governor Fatuma Achani, said while launching the digital
community.
The governor noted that the centre would economically and socially transform the lives of the residents. She said: “We will ensure that we have proper utilization of this facility so that we can improve the lives of our people.”
A DC is a place where people of all ages gain access to the internet through digital devices, educator- led instruction, and self-guided kiosks. The ATC one was conceived with the aim of providing the community with a platform that can be used to improve, help sustain and enhance lives through education and technology.
“Our dream as ATC Kenya is to create an inclusive society, where all members are accorded an opportunity to learn, grow and become better members of the society. Through this Digital Community, it is our hope that the people of Busho and Kwale in general, will be exposed to more opportunities,” ATC Kenya chief executive officer, Thomas Sonesson, said.
He added that the company will continue partnering with county governments in its plan to connect more communities.
“This Digital Community, although based here at Busho is open to all members of the larger Kwale County. We want to convert it to a center of excellence where meaningful gains in promotion of a Digital Economy and in various sub-sectors such as health, education, security, financial inclusion and connectivity, will be realized,” said Sonesson.
