Community Internet
Affordable, locally operated infrastructure connects people and institutions.
Community-owned technology · Meru, Kenya
Connectivity that creates opportunity.
We design and operate rural communications infrastructure that gives public institutions free internet, makes access affordable for communities, and keeps technical capacity rooted locally.
13 public schools connected free3 health facilities connected free2,500+ monthly hotspot users100+ community youths trained
10+rural market centres served with subsidised internet
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0Public primary schools connected free
0Primary health facilities connected free
0Rural market centres with subsidised internet
0Monthly hotspot users
0Community youths trained
Our coverage across Igembe South
Ten connected locations, one expanding community network.
The animated route shows AthiCN’s service footprint from Athi and Mutiokiama to Riaki, Tiira, Cameroon, Kimongoro, Ntherone, Athiru, Kiraone and Kamburu. The map is intentionally compact, placing the network within the wider Igembe South landscape.
AthiCN location Animated service route
Animated illustration of the communities currently reached by AthiCN across Igembe South.
Our integrated community development model
Six connected pathways. One resilient rural community.
Technology cuts across every part of community life. AthiCN therefore combines connectivity, education, health, livelihoods, local knowledge and climate-smart agriculture so that progress in one area strengthens the others.
Quality Education
Connected schools expand learning, digital literacy and future opportunity.
Digital Health
Connectivity supports facilities, SHA access and healthier families.
Climate-Smart Agriculture
Timely information helps farmers protect livelihoods, food security and health.
Local Content
Kimeru knowledge makes digital services understandable, trusted and useful.
Skills & Livelihoods
Training turns access into employability, enterprise and local technical capacity.
AthiCN approach
Community-owned digital ecosystem
Infrastructure, knowledge and local capability working together.
01Connectivity enables access
Schools, clinics, farmers, enterprises and households gain a dependable digital foundation.
02Knowledge improves decisions
Education and Kimeru content make health, agriculture and public services easier to use.
03Skills sustain the system
Local technicians, creators and entrepreneurs maintain the network and build livelihoods.
04Stronger sectors reinforce each other
Healthy learners perform better, climate-resilient farms protect incomes, and stronger incomes support education and connectivity.
Shared outcomeHealthier, better educated, economically active and climate-resilient rural communities.
Explore the six focus areas
Capacity that remains local
More than 100 community members trained over the years.
AthiCN combines infrastructure with practical technical and digital-literacy training so communities can use, operate and maintain the systems serving them.
- Wireless networking and fibre-optic skills
- Digital literacy and locally relevant content
- Peer learning that transfers knowledge between youth
- A continuing pool of community technicians
Meaningful connectivity
Internet access becomes a bridge to essential services.
At connected health facilities, residents can access digital public services and information, including Social Health Authority registration. In market centres, reliable internet supports communication, digital payments and stronger business confidence.
See community impact
Local content · Local language
Communities should tell their own stories.
AthiCN hosts and shares climate-smart agriculture information in Kimeru so local knowledge is easier to understand, trust and act upon. This short climate video is one example of content created for the people the network serves.
Read APC’s feature on the climate project →Part of a wider movement
Community connectivity grows through collaboration.
AthiCN is a founder member of the Association of Community Networks in Kenya and part of a wider global family of community-led internet freedom projects.
Internet Society FoundationFunded major internet infrastructure deployment.
Association for Progressive CommunicationsSupported sustained capacity building, fellowships and climate-focused local services.
Association of Community Networks in KenyaEnables peer learning, mentorship and shared practice among Kenyan community networks.
Projects that became impact
Explore our implementation record.
Watch the network in action
Stories told by the people connected.
Trusted partners, verification and recognition
A network of organisations investing in locally led impact.
There are still more communities to connect
Turn distance into access.
Your support helps deploy towers, radios, solar power, school and health connections, and local technician training.