KWS rangers, Sebastin Njagi (right) and John Tiapar are shown how the modern radio calls will be used to boost security in national parks by Thierry Picard, the Ellipse general projects manager. PHOTO | ANTHONY OMUYA
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The government plans to eventually roll out the second phase of the project to the remaining conservation areas once additional funding is secured.
Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) has started the digitisation of its communication network, a first in its history, as it seeks to tame poaching.
The Digital Radio Network is part of the government’s efforts to boost wildlife conservation.
“This is a major boost to KWS and to Kenya as it will go a long way in aiding the country to meet one of our targets under the National Elephant Action Plan to advance our technology in wildlife monitoring,” said Prof Judi Wakhungu, the Environment and Natural resources secretary.
Last year, a French company, Ellipse Projects, was tasked with upgrading the KWS radio communication network covering three of the eight conservation areas including Tsavo, Southern and Central Rift.
Olivier Picard, the president of Ellipse Projects said the new network is superior and fulfils most advanced professional mobile radio requirements and ensures secure communication between fixed, mobile and portable radios.
‘‘In addition, it provides a dedicated set of Ultra High Frequency (UHF) links to allow communication between different parks and KWS headquarters in Nairobi,’’ he said.
The solar-powered system will include fixed, mobile and portable networks working through microwave UHF and will have the added advantage of sending text messages. It will also allow for encryption, selective calling, private calling, group calling and call alerts.
The range for the radio is 60 to 80 kilometres with the Nairobi one operating from its base on the Ngong Hills.
The government plans to eventually roll out the second phase of the project to the remaining conservation areas once additional funding is secured.
Mr Picard said the project is expected to be finished in February 2016, with 90 per cent coverage of the areas pending an extension of €1 million that would see a 100 per cent coverage after an additional six months.
“We are hoping to sign the extension within the next few weeks,” he said.
Ahmed El-naggar, the Ellipse Projects general manager for Egypt and East Africa said a virtual fence has been set up. When the ranger has the radio in his pocket while patrolling, if he goes outside the fence, then a notification is sent to headquarters.
Similarly, if the ranger is out in the field and stationary for an extended period, an alert is sent to headquarters on the same.
‘‘It does not just increase security for the wildlife, but rangers too. If the ranger is shot or attacked, it has a shock sensor that will set off an alarm in the headquarters or base station,” said Mr El-naggar.
In addition, each radio will be equipped with GPS tracking and can be disconnected from the main network in case it is stolen or lost to proof from spying.
The radios operate on an encrypted network unlike the old system that was on a high VHF that could be intercepted by outside parties. The Digital Radio Network is being funded by a €7 million (Sh770 million) loan by the French government.
The French government has financed over €26 million (Sh2.8 billion) worth of projects across the country, including some in the Meru Park and Marsabit.
“There is the possibility of extending this technology to other priority areas including Londiani Sites. Our government is studying very precisely to use the remaining from the initial treasury loan of €1 million (Sh110 million) to fund the operation,” said Matthias Fekl, French minister of State and Foreign Trade, the Promotion of Tourism and French Nationals Abroad.
The loan shall be repaid in 30 equal consecutive six monthly instalments with an interest of 0.73 per cent and a grace period of five years, said Prof Wakhungu.
At the moment, KWS operates an analogue radio network, William Kiprono, the acting director-general said. The analogue system has no encryption, suffers from poor speech quality and is limited to transmitting sound or speech.
Mr Picard said similar communication systems have been used in France, including Air France at the airport. Due to the fact that it is private and encrypted type of network, the police in France use a similar system.
Ellipse Projects has previously worked in Kenya in the construction and equipment supply for 81 GSM sites for Airtel. This included the construction, equipment supply and installations such as energy and antennas.
Kenya has been on automating its services. In March, the government moved transmission of TV and radio to digital, ahead of the global deadline slated for this month.
The Kenya Revenue Authority has moved filing of tax returns online through the iTax system and the National Transport Authority shifted renewal of driving licences to an online platform.
