The Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) has asked the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to identify polling stations outside 3G and 4G network coverage so they can be connected before the 2027 General Election. This move aims to ensure the electoral agency has reliable internet connectivity to transmit results and help officials locate polling centres across the country. The Authority is rolling out communication services in unserved and underserved areas through the Universal Service Fund (USF), a programme expected to improve connectivity during the electoral process.
Deputy Director Paul Kiage said the Authority had intensified engagement with mobile network operators (MNOs) to ensure reliable connectivity for election officials, security agencies and the public. He said all operators had been directed to upgrade their networks, noting that the election would require stable connectivity for results transmission and communication by officials and voters. The 2027 General Election will require mobile network operators to provide high-quality communication services to support a credible election and electioneering-related activities.
Kiage said CA technical staff would monitor Quality of Service (QoS) in sub-locations hosting polling stations, promptly address any network challenges and identify areas requiring alternative technologies, including satellite connectivity, before, during and after the election. He was speaking before the Senate Committee on National Cohesion, Equal Opportunity and Regional Integration in Naivasha. The Authority had also worked with IEBC to obtain updated polling station locations and Geographic Information System (GIS) coordinates to guide connectivity planning and accommodate technological advances, including 4G and 5G networks.
On cybersecurity, Kiage said the National Kenya Computer Incident Response Team Coordination Centre (National KE-CIRT/CC) would monitor, detect and respond to threats targeting election-related systems and critical information infrastructure. The Authority would also intensify public awareness campaigns on cyber hygiene and responsible online conduct amid the spread of misinformation, disinformation and hateful content. This is crucial in preventing the spread of false information that could compromise the electoral process.
Kiage said CA was engaging licensed postal and courier operators to screen parcels before acceptance and dispatch to prevent their networks from being used to transport suspicious or prohibited items during the election period. This measure aims to prevent the transportation of materials that could be used to compromise the election. The Authority is working to ensure that all aspects of the electoral process are secure and reliable.
In broadcasting, Kiage said a fully equipped monitoring room was now capturing content from 261 radio stations and 99 television channels across the country. Trained staff would be deployed to identify hate speech, incitement and misinformation while ensuring broadcasters comply with their licence conditions. The Authority would continue supporting the Media Council of Kenya, which has the mandate to develop clear and enforceable standards for election coverage ahead of the polls.
The Authority has made substantial progress in its preparedness for the 2027 General Election, including investment in broadcast, telecommunication and postal and courier monitoring infrastructure, Quality of Service oversight, and cybersecurity monitoring. With these measures in place, the Authority is confident that it can ensure a reliable and secure electoral process. The 2027 General Election is expected to be a major event in Kenya, and the Authority is working to ensure that all aspects of the process are secure and reliable.
Key points
- The Communications Authority of Kenya is working to extend internet to polling stations outside 3G/4G coverage ahead of the 2027 General Election.
- The Authority is rolling out communication services in unserved and underserved areas through the Universal Service Fund (USF).
- The Authority has made substantial progress in its preparedness for the 2027 General Election, including investment in broadcast, telecommunication and postal and courier monitoring infrastructure.
