TESPOK members held a critical roundtable discussion with Nairobi County officials at Serena Hotel to address the recent disruption and destruction of ICT infrastructure in the city. The meeting provided a platform for industry stakeholders to voice concerns about challenges affecting the sector and explore potential solutions for a more resilient and efficient digital ecosystem.
Key Challenges Affecting Nairobi’s Digital Infrastructure
TESPOK members highlighted several pressing issues impacting the deployment and sustainability of digital infrastructure, including:
- Disruptions caused by roadworks, vandalism, and uncoordinated infrastructure projects, which lead to significant financial losses for ISPs and slow down connectivity expansion.
- Lack of clear legal protections for critical infrastructure, making it vulnerable to damage during public works projects.
- Regulatory misalignment and double taxation on wayleaves, increasing operational costs for ISPs and delaying infrastructure deployment.
TESPOK members emphasized the need for a structured and collaborative approach between ICT stakeholders and the county government to mitigate these challenges.
“Nairobi cannot afford to have its critical infrastructure held hostage by governance failures. We urge the county government to work collaboratively with ICT stakeholders to establish clear dispute resolution mechanisms and enforce strict legal protections for digital infrastructure.” Mr. James Turuthi – TESPOK Chairman
TESPOK also called for harmonized wayleave policies to prevent double taxation and bureaucratic inefficiencies that hinder investment in ICT infrastructure.
“There is a need to protect critical infrastructure to ensure uninterrupted connectivity and safeguard Kenya’s digital economy. Collaboration between the government and ICT stakeholders is essential in addressing these challenges and fostering a resilient digital ecosystem.” Dr. Fiona Asonga – TESPOK CEO
