Free Wikipedia access is set to become available for Kenyan subscribers of mobile network Airtel.

Wikipedia plans to use mobile messaging platform Vumi, developed by Johannesburg headquartered Praekelt Foundation, to expand its 'Wikipedia Zero' service to Airtel subscribers in the country.

Users can dial a short code via unstructured supplementary service data (USSD) technology to access a multiple-choice menu to search through the encyclopaedia across any topic.

Airtel has an estimated four million subscribers in Kenya.

"Wikipedia is an important service, a public good and so we want people to be able to access it free, regardless of what device they're using," said Sue Gardner, executive director of the Wikimedia Foundation, the non-profit organisation that runs Wikipedia.

Vumi has also been used in partnership with Sisi Ni Amani to promote peace during the recent Kenyan elections.

It is also the engine behind MAMA, which brings vital health information to pregnant women in South Africa.