Kenya approves EASSy project
KENYA has approved the sourcing of the East African Submarine System (EASSy) project, an under sea fibre optic cable connection between Mombasa and Fujairah in the Gulf of Oman at a cost of Ksh8b to connect East Africa to the world and also serve Sudan, Rwanda, Burundi, Ethiopia and Somalia.
By Reuben Olita in Nairobi
KENYA has approved the sourcing of the East African Submarine System (EASSy) project, an under sea fibre optic cable connection between Mombasa and Fujairah in the Gulf of Oman at a cost of Ksh8b to connect East Africa to the world and also serve Sudan, Rwanda, Burundi, Ethiopia and Somalia.
The cabinet endorsed the project, which will be a joint venture between the Kenya government and the private sector.
Intended to reduce the cost of communication, the project has been threatened with collapse following disagreement among various African governments.
Kenya had initially threatened to undertake the project alone citing foot dragging by various countries, a move that delayed its complementary implementation.
The cabinet also approved the construction of two markets costing Ksh1b in Nairobi to ease hawkers’ congestion and halt persistent clashes between them and the Nairobi City Council officers.
Clashes have left four hawkers and a policeman dead and scores wounded this year.
The two modern markets will be constructed in Muthurwa and Westlands estates when the project begins later in the current financial year.
The approval was made at a cabinet meeting chaired by President Mwai Kibaki at State House Nairobi, a statement on the government’s website said.
KENYA has approved the sourcing of the East African Submarine System (EASSy) project, an under sea fibre optic cable connection between Mombasa and Fujairah in the Gulf of Oman at a cost of Ksh8b to connect East Africa to the world and also serve Sudan, Rwanda, Burundi, Ethiopia and Somalia.
The cabinet endorsed the project, which will be a joint venture between the Kenya government and the private sector.
Intended to reduce the cost of communication, the project has been threatened with collapse following disagreement among various African governments.
Kenya had initially threatened to undertake the project alone citing foot dragging by various countries, a move that delayed its complementary implementation.
The cabinet also approved the construction of two markets costing Ksh1b in Nairobi to ease hawkers’ congestion and halt persistent clashes between them and the Nairobi City Council officers.
Clashes have left four hawkers and a policeman dead and scores wounded this year.
The two modern markets will be constructed in Muthurwa and Westlands estates when the project begins later in the current financial year.
The approval was made at a cabinet meeting chaired by President Mwai Kibaki at State House Nairobi, a statement on the government’s website said.