China, Kenya work together to bring TV to remote areas

David Zhang, CEO of StarTimes Kenya, said the project was a strategic effort aimed at ensuring more Kenyans are not only informed, but entertained.

"Up to 20 percent of Kenyan's are yet to get access to the digital terrestrial television platform," he said. "The village satellite television project therefore will be a timely solution, as it will be accessible across the country, thus ensuring increased access to information for the beneficiaries."

Zhang noted that up to 150 engineers have been trained in the best technical practices.

"Over 1,600 job opportunities will be created," he said. "We intend to train at least two maintenance technicians in each of the 800 villages, in efforts to ensure sustainability of the project beyond the installation period."

Zhang reiterated his company's commitment toward the successful and timely completion of the project.

"It is my belief that, come October, we will converge again to celebrate the handover of the project," he said.

Catherine Gitau, secretary in the Ministry of Information Communication and Technology, said she was confident many people's lives would be transformed by the project by its implementation at the end of October.

"Article 35 of Kenya's constitution guarantees the rights to information and Vision 2030 aspires that every Kenyan has a high-quality life," she said. "I believe, for many rural Kenyans, having a digital TV is part of that high quality life."