First solar web kiosk lands in Ukunda

[cpesprit]

Very Great .. They should have placed it in the shade of some nice trees though... Wonderful!

Hope More will come of this step....

[MTOTOwaNYAYO]

@cpesprit its solar powered

[mullinator09]

what speed do u get from that?

[kaihendry]

Those keyboards look expensive. Surely it's cheaper to just get the cheaper one and interchange them?

What software do they run? Something free and secure like webconverger?

[connoisseurnic]

In Kenya if something isn't welded down it is stolen.

Kenya is a country of 100,000 millionaires and 10 million beggers.

Nairobi is known as 'Nairobbery' and the government is so corrupt the MPs even take money which has been put towards childrens education from counties such as the U.K.

[nacek4444]

I think in a few years cell phones with internet option will get very afordable. So the problem in rural areas will be only the signal

[Rizodreamz]

That's so cool!! So if I'm stuck in some bundu I will be abel to access Internet at this kiosks now that's what you call technology :-)

[lubangad]

surf while u starve!

[VOA4SD]

The idea is to bring employment and opportunities to the area so people stop starving. The RIK is based on a self employment social enterprise model that seeks to make money for the most needy in the community.

[bananafix]

it costs how much?

[VOA4SD]

It costs 375,000 Ksh for the kiosk plus installation. The monthly internet cost is 7,500 Ksh. We are working out the partnership with the Youth Enterprise Development Fund to roll out financing for the purchase.

[bananafix]

actually i meant in U.S. dollars?

[VOA4SD]

The kiosk components were created to be able to track their wearabouts. If a component is stolen, its location can be traced.

[VOA4SD]

The Rural Internet Kiosk is the "brainchild" of Intersat Africa, an African internet service provider. Jawahar Patani is the creator of the RIK. Intersat Africa has partnered with Voices of Africa for Sustainable Development to provide the programming and manage the project implementations. This implementation is owned by the local CBO, Voices of Diani, a group comprised of local youth. Negotiations are underway with the Youth Enterprise Development Fund for a wider scale implementation.

[karuitha]

knowing Kenya, this kiosk will not be there tomorrow. That satelite dish will be gone.

[VOA4SD]

What was not mentioned by the media is that all components were designed for security and most are welded into place. In addition as it is a community based project there are several members of the community providing security at night.

[MrMujama]

Its better than having nothing at all.

[daniells71]

For people who have never used a computer this is a godsend so all you haters who have always owned 3 at a time need to let the ones without one get in the loop. The exposure is worth every penny.

[jugholder]

i think with proper planning and better design, it can work in certain areas

[MzeeMoja1]

useless!

[cymagi]

Under the sorching sun ...surfing ...get serious

[VOA4SD]

The awnings are on their way. The CBO who is now the owner is seeking a sponsor to create new shade coverings.

[lubangad]

another white elephant! Watch this space after 2 years!

[daniells71]

lol, in Kenya we are good at starting things. It is a different story when we start talking about maintenance.

[karuitha]

no ask NTV to go back to that place in 24 hours, the kiosk will be gone.

[VOA4SD]

Actually I believe this will be one of the first Internet projects that does NOT become a white elephant. The model is based on SUSTAINABILITY and time will tell.

[wilnnlights]

great,,first of its kind in the world,,well in ukunda kenya!

[magadiboy]

why cant these morons in the ministry of local goverment order street lights that uses solar energy kama bill ya stima ndio hussle.. they cant light the whole of kenya with this free energy.. middle east ziko tele !!

[daniells71]

What works in other parts of the world may not necessarily work in Kenya. We are talking about a country that has roads that have had the same hole for 30 yrs. Pesa hakuna na watu wataiba hizo vitu.

[VOA4SD]

There are serious infrastructure problems in Kenya that are related to much more than a lack of resources. The rationale for not adopting solar power is strongly tied to a lack of political will. But just watch... I believe that little by little the tides will change.

[carlosleonel1967]

IT'S FANTASTIC