NAIROBI, Kenya – A single message can change everything. Just ask Kennedy Maina, a young tech innovator from Kiambu.
When he challenged Cabinet Secretary William Kabogo on Kenya’s public Wi-Fi issues, he didn’t just get a reply—he got a meeting and a pilot project.
Impressed by Maina’s bold approach, Kabogo not only met with him but also committed to piloting his innovative pay-as-you-use public Wi-Fi system.
Could this be the solution to Kenya’s broken digital infrastructure?
It all started when Maina sent Kabogo a direct message after hearing him speak about the government’s initiative to install free Wi-Fi hotspots in markets and public spaces.
The problem? Many of these hotspots exist in theory but remain non-functional.
“Unfortunately, they exist in structure but are all non-functional. I have a proposal on how they can be made operational at a subsidized fee,” Maina wrote.
Rather than ignore the critique, Kabogo saw an opportunity. “One of Kenya’s youth, Kennedy Maina, reached out and challenged me in the digital space. I was impressed by his boldness and gave him an instant appointment,” the CS shared on X (formerly Twitter).
One of Kenya’s youth, Kennedy Maina, reached out and challenged me in the digital space. “Kusalimiwa Positively” Impressed by his boldness, I gave him an instant appointment. He amazed me with his startup, A pay-as-you-use public WiFi system as an SME ISP. His idea challenges…
Maina’s solution? A pay-as-you-use public Wi-Fi model designed to function as a small and medium enterprise (SME) Internet Services Provider (ISP).
The concept challenges the traditional approach of rolling out free Wi-Fi hotspots, which often become obsolete due to lack of maintenance.
During their discussion, Kabogo acknowledged the significance of the idea. “We can hear you, but action speaks louder. Umenichallenge,” he told Maina.
Kabogo has now committed to piloting Maina’s model under the ministry’s digital expansion efforts. “By supporting this innovation, we aim to create more jobs for our youth,” he said.
Kenya’s government has been pushing for greater digital access through initiatives like the rollout of 25,000 free public Wi-Fi hotspots launched in August 2023.
The initiative aims to provide free internet in markets, bus stations, and learning institutions to boost economic activity and digital inclusion.
Additionally, the government announced plans to establish Jitume digital hubs—1,450 centers aimed at training youth in digital skills to help create over a million online jobs. However, much like the free Wi-Fi project, these initiatives have faced challenges in execution.
Maina’s model, if successful, could present a sustainable alternative, allowing users to access affordable, reliable internet while creating employment opportunities in the ICT sector.
With the pilot program now in motion, all eyes are on Maina’s startup to see if it can bridge the gap between ambitious government projects and practical, scalable solutions.
If his system proves viable, it could redefine how Kenya approaches public internet access.
In the digital age, connectivity is key—and perhaps the government’s next big innovation won’t come from a boardroom but from a young entrepreneur who dared to challenge the status quo.
