Kenya’s government has officially classified telecommunications and IT installations as critical infrastructure which paves the way for strengthened security measures to be applied.

The Cabinet secretary for the Ministry of Interior and Coordination of National Government Dr Fred Matiang’I announced the development, which has been welcomed by the industry.

According to the gazette notice, the telecommunications industry is host to several critical infrastructure systems, including voice and data communication that entails Mobile Communication Infrastructure/systems (Cellular base stations, communication links, cellular network components).

Other key areas that will receive enhanced protection include internet connectivity that encompasses International Internet Gateways (Satellites, Cable Landing Sites/stations), broadband networks (GCCN, NOFBI, ISPs Fiber Networks). Internet Exchange Points (IXP), Mobile Internet Networks (communication Network links and components.

The government notice includes reference to data and information systems such as datacentres, in-country data cloud services and electronic mail systems.

Payment services such as mobile money, Integrated Financial Management Information Systems (IFMIS), electronic tax register system and other national banking service have also been listed as critical infrastructure.

The Communication Authority of Kenya welcomed the move.

Ezra Chiloba, Director-Genera at the Communications Authority of Kenya, said: “This timely and important development will see greater efforts devoted towards the protection, preservation and management of such infrastructure. For the last four years about 25 masts have been destroyed mostly in Northern Kenya costing over Kshs 200 million in repairs,” he added.

Destruction of the infrastructure has led to disruption of services and lost business opportunities because of downtime, the Director-General explained.

Kenya witnessed a nationwide blackout in January this year due to the vandalism of Kenya Power infrastructure.