Murang'a County Installs Starlink Internet In Health Facilities, Sparks Reactions From Kenyans

• Murang'a governor Irungu Kang'ata explained in a post on his X handle that Starlink has accelerated access to fast internet in rural health centres
• Kang'ata said access to high-speed internet had helped the county automate its services, thereby saving lives
• This came after the Nairobi city government became one of the pioneer counties to install Elon Musk's Starlink satellite internet service

TUKO.co.ke journalist Japhet Ruto has over eight years of experience in financial, business, and technology reporting and offers profound insights into Kenyan and global economic trends.

Murang'a county government is the latest devolved unit to install Starlink satellite internet in its facilities.

How has Starlink helped Murang'a county?

The county's governor, Irungu Kang'ata, explained in a post on his X handle that Starlink has accelerated access to fast internet in rural health centres.

Kang'ata, who's serving his first term, said access to high-speed internet has helped the county automate its services, thereby saving lives.

"Muranga county government Starlink connectivity has helped rural health facilities get fast Internet, automate and save lives," he stated.

How did Kenyans react?

TUKO.co.ke sampled some comments:

@FauzKhalid:

How much did it cost? I like what you are doing there."

@Web3Cryptos:

"Progressive. Such a technology cannot be ignored. No amount of competitors lost profiteering can match the saved lives."

Gibbs:

"At this rate, Safaricom needs a thorough review of its strategy. Seems like they have been thriving through dominance and not excellence in service delivery. I think this is just but beginning of a massive market realignment."

Simlexx:

"Way to go!"

Videlis Rotich:

"Congratulations. I'm just wondering how you managed to manoeuvre the procurement act of avoiding/using single sourcing."

Kennedy:

"What's the use of such if services offered in hospitals are poor?"

Lee Ndila:

"Hello @SafaricomPLC & @ZukuHome, for a long we requested you to lower Internet costs and have better service. Please do so before you are disrupted as a Safaricom shareholder. I'm worried."

How Elon Musk reacted after Nairobi's move

In related news, the Nairobi city government became one of the pioneer counties to install Elon Musk's Starlink satellite internet service.

The county's chief officer of ICT Infrastructure, Tiras Njoroge, said the Starlink connection would improve service delivery to the city's residents.

Musk praised the service's integration when reacting to the Nairobi city government's move to establish Starlink as a backup internet connection.

Proofreading by Mercy Nyambura Guthua, journalist and copy editor at TUKO.co.ke