The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the Republic of Kenya signed two agreements on 29 May 2015 on emergency telecommunications response and cybersecurity preparedness.
On emergency telecommunications, ITU deployed 10 Iridium Satellite telephones through the Ministry of Information, Communication and Technology of Kenya to assist in responding to extreme floods that had claimed several lives, displaced people and destroyed infrastructure in the country.
According to the Kenya Meteorological Service, several parts of the country had been experiencing heavy rains and flooding since April.
Mr Brahima Sanou, Director of the ITU's Telecommunication Development Bureau said the organization “supports Member States in developing mechanisms for the use of telecommunications and ICTs in preparing for and responding to disasters. At the same time, ITU is committed to supporting Kenya and other countries to strengthen their cybersecurity.”
H.E. Dr Fred Matiang’i, Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Information, Communication and Technology noted that “access to reliable emergency telecommunication service is critical to save lives during and in the aftermath of any natural disaster. We are grateful to ITU for the support to Kenya.”
On cybersecurity, ITU will support Kenya to enhance its National Computer Incident Response Team to better respond to cyber threats.
Under the agreement Kenya will receive support in building and deploying the technical capabilities and related training necessary to ensure better protection of the country’s ICT infrastructure and improved national preparedness on the identification, prevention, response and resolution of cybersecurity incidents.
Mr Francis Wangusi, Director General of the Communications Authority of Kenya, said “the strengthening of Kenya’s National Computer Incident Response Team will give new impetus to our efforts to create confidence in the use of ICTs.”
Kenya established its National Computer Incident Response Team in 2012 and benefited from the assistance provided by ITU in the successful implementation of the project.
Computer Incident Response Teams, known as CIRTs, are national focal points for coordinating response to cyber threats.
Currently there are 101 national CIRTs established worldwide.
