NAIROBI, Kenya, Mar 26 – Safaricom may review its data price to support students and employees working from home after the government shut down schools and public offices.
The telco’s Chief Customer Officer Sylvia Mulinge says they have been approached by a section of learning and corporate institutions to lower their internet costs, to ensure both learning and working continues.
“Organizations such as learning institutions, universities have come and they have said students are learning from home and requesting reduced chargers which we are looking at which will enable learning at this time when most of us are staying at home,” said Mulinge.
Apart from shutting down schools and public offices, President Uhuru Kenyatta also urged private sector players to allow their workers to work from home to curb the coronavirus pandemic that has now claimed more than 21,000 lives globally.
“There are certain companies that have also reached out to us who are requesting us to look at their mobile data rates which will enable people to continue working from home,” she added.
Her sentiments come days after the President signed an agreement allowing Google Loon balloons to access the Kenyan airspace to enhance 4G network coverage, which would allow teachers and students to access learning services.
“This is to enable Kenyans access internet as they work from home during this crisis,” he said early this week.
The government also urged private companies to allow their staffers to work from home.
Several employers have already allowed their workers to work from home to minimize the spread of the virus that has so far infected 28 people in Kenya.
