Kisumu - The Kenyan government has restated its commitment to introducing affordable smartphones to the market. Eliud Owalo, the Cabinet Secretary for Information Communication and Technology (ICT), has announced that feasibility studies have been completed, affirming the country's capability to manufacture low-cost smartphones for its citizens. Owalo assures that the market will soon be flooded with affordable phones accessible to every Kenyan, regardless of their economic status. "We are on the verge of releasing our first batch of locally assembled smartphones into the market," he stated.

The Cabinet Secretary confirms that the phones will be priced at $40 (KSH 5,516). Speaking at Maseno School during the launch of digital laboratories, Owalo highlighted that the high cost of smartphones has hindered many Kenyans from accessing government services available on digital platforms. "The affordability of smartphones has been a major obstacle to digital inclusion for many Kenyans, which is why the government has taken the initiative to produce these devices locally," he explained. Owalo further revealed that the government has established digital infrastructure throughout the country, making the handsets accessible to the majority of Kenyans. The low-cost smartphones will be assembled at Konza Technopolis in Machakos County. The government is collaborating with private stakeholders and the manufacturing sector to produce and distribute these affordable smartphones. During the launch, Owalo was accompanied by Gem MP Elisha Odhiambo, Suba South MP Caroli Omondi, and former Kisumu Senator Fred Outa, who also inaugurated similar laboratories at Maseno University and Yala High School.