Kenya’s CA launches committee to help implement its addressing system

The Communications Authority of Kenya launched a stakeholder committee to help in implementing the National Addressing System (NAS).

“The National Addressing System implementation committee we are launching this morning has membership drawn from relevant actors in government ministries, departments and agencies,” said Mr. Matano Ndaro, Director/Competition, Tariffs and Market Analysis, CA, Kenya, during the workshop. “Additional members shall equally be drawn from stakeholders in the private sector. We therefore look forward to working with you all to ensure successful implementation and sustainability of the addressing project.” He added.

While giving the key note Speech during the Workshop, Mr. Francis Wangusi, DG, CA, Kenya, said that the full realization of the project will stimulate growth of e-commerce in the country.

“Various stakeholders have on an on-going basis made attempts towards initiating the development of an Addressing System.  However, the cross-jurisdiction nature of matters numbering and addressing, has fettered effective implementation thus our conviction that much greater collaboration, deeper dedication and a more inclusive national framework is critical, if Kenya is to enjoy the benefits of a solid national naming, numbering and addressing system established for posterity.”

A National Addressing System (NAS) is a critical infrastructure upon which various public as well as private sector services will be provided. Such services include, but not limited to emergency/disaster management, security management, national planning, infrastructure mapping, utility services courier services, e-commerce, among others.

Addresses form an important part of the basic information needed to facilitate effective communication (both physical and digital) between individuals, governments and organizations. Thus good national addressing and high quality address data should constitute part of a nation’s infrastructure development.

“It is envisaged that a National Addressing System (NAS) will provide for, among others the naming/numbering of streets, numbering of properties and/or buildings as well as parcels of land to facilitate the identification and location of a parcel or dwelling on the ground. It will also involve the development of digitized maps for use in the management of settlements and urban communities,” added Mr. Ndaro.