You will soon access Wi-Fi services across Kenya’s national parks and reserves following plans to set up hotspots at designated locations.
In a Tuesday, January 28, 2025, statement from the Kenya Wildlife Service’s Director General Professor Erustus Kanga, this will be done in partnership with billionaire tycoon Elon Musk who owns Starlink, an internet service provider company that provides “high-speed, low-latency broadband internet in remote and rural locations across the globe.”
“Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), Director General, Prof. Erustus Kanga, held a strategic meeting with Starlink division personnel, led by Mr. David Goldman, Vice President of Satellite Policy. The DG emphasized KWS’s commitment to leveraging Starlink technology to enhance operational efficiency. Plans are underway to expand its use in supporting tools like the Earth Ranger software and establishing Wi-Fi hotspots at designated locations within national parks and reserves,” read the statement in part.
KWS manages over several national parks and reserves, including national parks, marine parks and national sanctuaries. They include 23 terrestrial national parks, 4 marine national parks, 28 terrestrial national reserves, 6 marine national reserves and 4 national sanctuaries. The Service also manages over 100 field stations outside of protected areas.
Currently, according to KWS data, there are 71 active Starlink satellite points operated by the parastatal across the country and they provide free Wi-Fi to communities neighboring protected areas.
“This initiative not only improves connectivity but also strengthens the relationship between KWS and local communities,” continued the statement.
The satellite points were also noted to have reduced the park entry process time from 15 minutes to 2 minutes as visitors log in to eCitizen to make entry fees.
Starlink was recently introduced in Kenya in July 2023 as a cheaper, portable option against some internet service providers that enjoyed dominance in recent years. It is currently at top ten among the list of top internet service providers, ranking in at position eight.
