For years, the residents of Sabarei an isolated area almost 900 kilometres from Nairobi lived without mobile connectivity, relying on runners to relay urgent messages across rough terrain to centres nearly 100 kilometres away. But today, that reality has changed thanks to the newly introduced Sabarei mobile network, a lifeline that is reshaping life in one of Kenya’s most vulnerable border zones.
Nestled in Bole Saru, Dukana sub-county in Marsabit County, Sabarei hosts a colonial-era police outpost that has stood for nearly seven decades. Staffed by a small team of officers and Assistant Chief Gufu Habane, the station has long served as Kenya’s frontline against frequent bandit attacks and tensions among the Gabbra, Borana, and Daasanach communities. Until recently, they faced these challenges with no mobile signal only hope, luck, and long-distance runners.
Assistant Chief Guyu described the daily struggle:
“Security information needs to be relayed immediately. In the past with no network, it would really delay and become time barred.”
How the Sabarei Mobile Network Is Improving Security and Saving Lives
The arrival of the Sabarei mobile network, built through the Universal Service Fund (USF) project with Safaricom, has transformed operations for both security officers and local households. What once took hours or days to communicate now happens in seconds.
“We have our security teams here checking along the borders and maintaining peace. Without a phone signal, emergencies were difficult. With the network, they’re able to respond and ask for assistance whenever need be. And that translates to saving lives,” explained Safaricom engineer Robert Wanderi.
Before the network, a small police post struggled to cover vast, bandit-prone terrain with limited tools. Now, officers can send updates in real time, coordinate patrols more effectively, and receive distress calls instantly.
Local leaders agree that better communication is supporting faster responses and reducing disruptions, especially in a region just five kilometres from the Kenya–Ethiopia border.
Sabarei Mobile Network Connecting Families and Supporting Daily Life
Beyond security, the Sabarei mobile network has delivered something residents had long been denied: connection to loved ones and the outside world.
Parents can now speak to children studying far from home. Families can check on relatives across Kenya. Traders are able to access market information without travelling long distances. Even medical emergencies are now easier to handle, with residents able to reach health workers quickly.
Until a few months ago, Sabarei felt cut off from the world. Today, thanks to the Sabarei mobile network, the community is experiencing what many Kenyans take for granted clear communication, faster services, and a sense of safety.
This is the impact residents speak of when they talk about transforming lives: the ability to share information, seek help, make decisions, and stay connected. The Sabarei mobile network hasn’t just switched on signal it has switched on hope.
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