President William Ruto on Thursday, November 10, reiterated Kenya Kwanza’s plan to expand digital space in the country.
Ruto who was speaking during the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industries (KNCCI) annual general meeting at PCEA St Andrew’s in Nairobi said this would be achieved only if the majority of Kenyans own a smartphone.
To ensure almost all Kenyans own a smartphone, the Head of State announced that the new administration will start manufacturing cheap and affordable gadgets.
The president said the Kenya kwanza government was working with local telcos to ensure that the phones manufactured are affordable.
“Today, the cheapest smartphone is about KSh 10,000 to KSh 15,000. We want to see whether we can get it to $30 or $40 (KSh 3,000 – KSh 5,000),
“We are already working with our telecommunication sector to have a smartphone that will be less than KSh 5,000. A smartphone that can do everything that you want,” the president said.
The First in Command however assured that the gadgets will be available on the shelves in between 8 to 12 months.
“The real last mile in technology is the gadget. I want to promise the country that in the next 8-12 months, we will have the cheapest smartphone in Africa, manufactured in Kenya,” he said.
Ruto stated that his government is committed to enhancing network connectivity in a bid to scale up e-commerce and create employment in the country.
This Ruto said ill help Kenyans to access all government services at their palms adding that he was working to ensure all parts of the country have stable internet connectivity.
Apart from ensuring that Kenyans access all government services in their comfort, the president said the program will also create thousands of job opportunities for Kenyan youths.
