COMMUNICATION A KEY TOOL TO ACHIEVING VISION 2030

By Duncan Mutisya

Information and communication Technology has been recognized as a key tool to development. It is therefore the duty and responsibility of everyone to ensure that the community gets access to the ICT facilities and ensure that they are utilized fully.

One of the ICT facilities is the mobile phone. Mobile phones have made communication easier, enhanced convenience and improved the living standards of people.

Communication has become a key factor that influences the economic development in a great way. For the communication to be effective there must be a medium of communication. In Kenya, there are several service providers that provide their services across the country. These services providers are Safaricom, Airtel, Yu and Orange. Their services have impacted positively in people’s way of life and changing the country into a ‘small village’. This has seen the country move from the ‘analogue era’ to a ‘digital one’.

Despite the fast developments the communication has brought about and the initiatives that these service providers have put in place to ensure quality service delivery, some areas have never enjoyed these services fully. The services providers have put have network boosters at various areas across the country to boost communication. But, there is one area that has been suffering in silence- Mivukoni.

Mivukoni is in Kyuso district, about 30km from Kyuso market and 20km from Tseikuru market, Kitui County. It is ironical that very prominent and influential people in the country come from this neglected area. The neighboring village, Tseikuru is the home place of the Kenya former vice president and former area Member of Parliament Hon. Kalonzo Musyoka. This locality is just a stone throw from his rural home. The current Member of Parliament Hon. John Mati Munuve comes from this place! Why has this place been neglected? Is it that Safaricom and the other service providers are not aware of its existence? Is it that they are not aware of the poor network around this place?

The residents of Mivukoni have been suffering in silence for long. The Safaricom boosters situated at Kyuso and Tseikuru market have not been of much help since network here can only be accessed at some points where you will notice a queue, all waiting to get access to the service. Bearing in mind that the nation is aiming at achieving Vision 2030, communication being a key factor, needs to be given a priority. The concerned people should intervene and give a lasting solution to the people of Mivukoni.