The mobile phone has become the most essential work item for Theuri, a plumber, electrician and small businessman who, like many Kenyans, makes a living from various different jobs at the same time. Sometimes he receives up to five calls a day for jobs. “Were it not for mobile phones, jobs would have been very minimal. With the phone, I am well known," Theuri says. He says his phone number goes around by word-of-mouth from satisfied customers. The phone also saves him a lot of travelling because he can call around shopping for goods. Five other people that Theuri employs also benefit from his increased work.

Theuri is among thousands of poor Kenyan men and women, whose small businesses have benefited from the mobile phone expansion. The number of mobile phone subscribers has increased from only 15,000 in June 1999 to an expected 4 million by mid-2005.

See also: IICD supported project: Information Centres Water Hygiene

Web site: Development Gateway - ICT for SMEs

Source: George Obulutsa, Reuters / The Standard, 19 July 2005

Tags: information and communication, water distribution