In Illeret, a remote town near the Ethiopian border, once cut off from roads, mobile networks, and emergency services, a single cell tower has become a lifeline.
“Before the network, we couldn’t even call for help,” says Koriye Kuute, a local fisherman.
Today, traders use mobile money to sell fish across counties, students access digital learning materials, and healthcare workers coordinate care in real time.
This transformation isn’t just technological—it’s economic, educational, and deeply human. The arrival of Safaricom’s network has turned Illeret into a case study in digital inclusion, borderland resilience, and infrastructure-led development.
“We are no longer isolated. We are part of Kenya now,” Adnan Mangia, Illeret resident
Why This Story Matters for Khusoko
Khusoko champions East African innovation, infrastructure, and policy impact. Illeret’s story embodies all three—showing how connectivity can unlock opportunity in frontier regions. It’s a blueprint for inclusive growth, cross-border trade, and community-led transformation.
Read the full story on Safaricom Newsroom: Signal of Change: Connection in Illeret
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