Murang’a County in central Kenya is upgrading all public medical facilities from WiFi to satellite internet to reduce connectivity costs, ensure faster and more stable connections, and ultimately improve patient care.
Starlink, the US satellite internet constellation, through its local authorised agent Paratus, will connect 170 health centres starting today (Thursday).
Adjoining public institutions, including schools within a 14km radius of any upgraded medical facility, will also benefit from the satellite network.
The county government disclosed that implementation costs will be determined jointly by the county and the service provider.Dr Fredrick Kamondia Mbugua, county executive committee member for Health and Sanitation in Murang’a, confirmed the rollout.
“This upgrade strengthens Murang’a County’s commitment to digital health and ensures every resident, regardless of location, can access quality healthcare,” he said.
The shift complements an ongoing programme to connect medical facilities to solar power to provide stable electricity.
That project is scheduled for completion on 30 June.
The county listed advantages of the satellite internet shift, including internet costs 70 percent cheaper than the previous WiFi setup, reliable coverage, resilience and redundancy, as satellite systems are less affected by fibre cuts, outages and power disruptions.
Telemedicine is also expected to benefit. The Department of Health has championed several major reforms across Murang’a, focusing on digital integration and infrastructure.
Murang’a County had a population of more than one million according to the 2019 census.
Starlink officially launched in Kenya in 2023.
ITWeb Africa has previously reported that connectivity remains a major challenge for healthcare delivery across many parts of Africa, particularly in rural and underserved areas where fibre and mobile networks are either limited or unreliable.
Satellite internet is increasingly emerging as a viable solution to bridge these gaps, enabling healthcare facilities to access telemedicine services, digital health records and remote diagnostic tools.
Kenya has also taken progressive steps in adopting digital infrastructure to support its Universal Health Coverage goals, with counties increasingly investing in hybrid connectivity solutions that combine fibre, mobile and satellite technologies.
In Paratus’s case, the company is playing a critical role as a satellite internet provider in Africa, partnering with governments and private sector organisations to extend broadband access into remote areas.
This supports broader digital transformation efforts across sectors including healthcare, education and finance.
The initiative in Murang’a aligns with wider continental efforts to leverage satellite technology in critical sectors, highlighting how public-private partnerships can help scale reliable internet access and improve service delivery in resource-constrained environments.
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