Athi Community Network

24/08/2026

What is a Smart Village?

A smart village is a rural community that uses connectivity, digital tools and local institutions to improve access to education, healthcare, government services, skills and economic opportunities.

At Athi Community Network (AthiCN), we are working to develop this model within Igembe South, with Mutiokiama as one practical example. We connect key public institutions such as Muthiru Primary School, Mutiokiama Health Centre and the Mutiokiama Assistant County Commissioner’s Office with free internet, while residents and businesses at **Mutiokiama Market access subsidised internet.

Digital literacy is another important part of the model. The AthiCN Digital Hub provides digital literacy and skills support, while the soon-to-be-launched Akachiu Ward NG-CDF ICT Hub will further expand access to digital skills and a wider range of ICT services.

The goal is simple: use connectivity as an enabler so that rural communities can access the same digital opportunities increasingly available elsewhere.

Connecting institutions. Building digital skills. Strengthening rural communities.

12/08/2026

02/07/2026

Smart Academy aims to facilitate digital skills to citizens and the public sector workforce to equip them with hands-on skills that boost their entrepreneurial skill as well as increase their chances in employability

27/06/2026

17/06/2026

https://www.apc.org/en/blog/how-kenyan-communities-are-shaping-connectivity-environmental-resilience

With current technological shifts and a deepening climate crisis, the concept of community-centred connectivity is a vital form of grassroots community ownership of tech. At its core, a community-centred connectivity initiative (CCCI) is where local people – rather than large commercial providers ...

15/06/2026

A major milestone has been achieved in Kenya’s digital transformation journey following the launch of the Kenya Digital Economy Acceleration Project (KDEAP) digital learning rollout that will see over 10,000 public junior schools receive laptops and interactive smart boards.
At Athi Community Network (AthiCN), we welcome this important step towards strengthening digital learning, connectivity and inclusion in our schools and rural communities.
As a community-led rural ISP operating in Meru County, AthiCN was honoured to participate as a stakeholder in the KDEAP Broadband Access Gap Study Validation Workshop convened by the Communications Authority of Kenya, ICT Authority and partners. The engagement brought together government institutions, community networks, ISPs, development partners and digital inclusion stakeholders to discuss sustainable broadband expansion solutions for underserved communities across Kenya.
We believe meaningful digital transformation goes beyond devices and requires affordable internet access, local technical support, digital literacy and community-driven connectivity models to ensure no learner or community is left behind.

04/06/2026

ICT is no longer just about computers and internet. It is about changing lives, creating opportunities, and giving young people a future.
Under Kenya’s Vision 2030 and the Kenya National Digital Master Plan 2022–2032, the government aims to empower millions of citizens through digital skills, innovation, and internet access. Across the country, ICT hubs are being established to help young people gain practical digital skills that can help them earn online, start businesses, and compete globally.
Athi Community Network (AthiCN) is proud to have been part of this journey.
On 26th October 2023, officials from the ICT Authority visited AthiCN to assess possibilities of partnering on community digital skilling initiatives. This was part of a nationwide exercise aimed at understanding how communities can benefit from the digital economy. Later, the government adopted a broader model of working with NG-CDF offices across constituencies to establish ICT hubs in wards across Kenya.
AthiCN was also invited by the ICT Authority and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) to participate in national studies assessing digital readiness, digital skills demand, and last-mile connectivity in Kenya. These studies were aimed at supporting implementation of the Kenya National Digital Master Plan and ensuring no community is left behind in the digital era.
Today, Igembe South is among the constituencies preparing for a digital transformation through the construction of ICT hubs in all the five wards. Special appreciation goes to our area MP, Hon. John Paul Mwirigi, for supporting the establishment of these hubs that are now awaiting official launching.
The success stories already being witnessed in areas like Bungoma show the true power of these hubs. Young people are learning digital skills, accessing online jobs, starting businesses, and transforming their livelihoods through technology. The goal is not just certificates — it is real skills that can help youth earn and build sustainable futures.
This is a major win for the people of Igembe South. Through these ICT hubs, our youth will have opportunities to access digital skills, internet connectivity, innovation spaces, and global online opportunities right from our community.
The future is digital, and Igembe South is ready.