The Public Service Commission(PSC) has declared a vacancy in the position of Chairperson and eight (8) vacancies in the position of Member of the Universal Service Advisory Council.
Hence, qualified Kenyans have now been officially invited to submit their application for nomination to the post of Chairperson or Member of the Universal Service Advisory Council. Moreover, any person, organization, or group of persons may propose the nomination of any qualified person for the advertised roles.
Qualified Kenyans who meet the requirements outlined here, must submit their applications by 12th September 2023. Application closes at 5.00 p.m. (East African Time).
Role of Universal Service Advisory Council
The role of the Universal Service Advisory Council is to advise the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA). Secondly, the Council is tasked with providing strategic policy guidance for the administration. Finally, the Council oversees the implementation of the Universal Service Fund.
The Kenya Information and Communications (Amendment) Act, 2009, established the Universal Service Fund (USF). The USF is administered and managed by the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA). The purpose of the Fund is to support widespread access to ICT services and promote capacity building and innovation in ICT services in the country.
Essentially, the Universal Service Fund (USF) seeks to promote communications infrastructure and services rollout in rural, remote, and underserved areas across the country. Since 2017, CA has initiated a number of pilot projects across the country funded by USF.
For example, in February 2021, the CA awarded lots to five telecommunications service providers; Safaricom, Airtel, ATC Kenya, Alan Dick, and Seal Towers. The lots were for the telco’s to roll out telecommunications cellular mobile network infrastructure and services in 101 sub-locations across the country.
