SECTOR 2 Scores: Individual scores: 1 Country does not meet indicator 2 Country minimally meets aspects of the indicator. 3 Country meets many aspects of indicator but progress may be too recent to judge. 4 Country meets most aspects of indicator. 5 Country meets all aspects of the indicator and has been doing so over time. Average score: 2.2 (2005=n/a; 2007=n/a) 2.9 The country has a coherent ICT policy, which aims to meet the information needs of all citizens, including marginalised communities. Analysis The ICT policy (2006) is in place. Its vision is to have a prosperous ICT driven Kenyan society, while its mission is to improve the livelihoods of Kenyans by ensuring the availability of accessible, efficient, reliable and affordable ICT services. This is recognition of the move towards convergence of technologies. It makes provision for universal access fund (Article 8) aimed at facilitating communication to disadvantaged areas even those that do not make economic sense but are important in terms of development. Specifically, the fund is meant at leveraging the provision of communication services to rural un-served and high cost areas. The fund will support projects that may not be economically feasible but critical to development. The key components of universal access are15: • Accessibility – non-discriminatory in terms of geographical location, religion, race and sex • Affordability – affordable to all citizens in terms of pricing • Availability – nationwide coverage or availability of communication services. Internet penetration in the country is now at 6 million (out of the estimated country’s population of 43 million). With the laying of the fibre optic now on course, it will be important to examine how the policy broadens ICT penetration and the lowering of costs. 15 www.cck.go.ke 34 AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER KENYA 2009