Safaricom has opened up a new network site in Torosoi in Kajiado County, as it boosts network coverage in the county from the current 60% to 75% by the end of this financial year. The new rollout drive is being done as part of the mobile operator’s regionalization program that kicked off last year.

The new site marks a new transformation for Torosoi area, which has not had mobile network connectivity for the last 16 years. Torosoi is located 7 kilometers from the Kenya-Tanzania Border and the nearest town is Bisil, 54 kilometers away.

Previously, residents had to travel over 20 kilometers to make a call. This is now a thing of the past with the new network site that is expected to open up the remote area of Kajiado County. It is expected to improve communication, thus supporting businesses and also enhancing security in the area.

The Launch

Speaking during the launch of the site, Safaricom’s Head of Regional Sales and Operations in Nairobi East Region George Mbyuki noted that the opening up of the new site were some of the fruits of the regional structure that was put in place last year. The new structure is expected to bear even more fruits going forward for all regions across the country.

“The strategic move to regionalization has become a game changer in the way we are interacting and responding to our customers need. The rollout of this new site is a testimony that we are now more in touch with our customers than when the business was wholly run from Nairobi,” Mr Mbyuki added.

In the last one year Safaricom has been able to bring on stream over 8 new sites in Kajiado County, at Enkorika, Maparasha, Isinet, Ngatu, Pakase among others. Previously, most of these areas did not have any network connections before which means that most of this communities are getting connected for the first time in over 16 years.

The Community

Speaking during the launch, Paul Keloi assistant Chief in Torosoi noted that the community will now enjoy seamless communication and even more important, security will be improved.

“We had had several issues of insecurity and the challenge to the community was how to reach the police for help. This site comes as a huge relief for us and we thank Safaricom for this move, it’s a good gift for Christmas” He said.

Keloi added that, “Most people who needed to send money on MPESA travelled very far and businesses were also not growing, I am happy that this area will now grow and also open up more opportunities.

To sustain the site, the engineers will be modifying the site to use solar energy as the area has very hot weather and they will also add a free phone charging station for the residents. Also to continually have sustainable business practices that promote Eco-friendliness, the site will operates on environmentally safe battery that is recharged by an energy efficient standby generator only when the battery voltage is low thus reducing Safaricom’s carbon footprint and allowing them to stay ahead in the SDGs journey.