As more strategic digital initiatives take shape in Kenya, so does the development of digital innovations by Wireless Planet. On 5th November 2025, Marsabit County broke the ground for the construction of the Desert Stars Innovation and Sustainability Hub (DISH) – a one-of-a-kind digital hub (for the first time in Marsabit and the entire ASAL region of Kenya!) that targets to deliver economic growth within the county through the intersection of digital innovation, digital skills and Agricultural R&D activities.
To be set up in Turbi Town, in North Horr Constituency, the DISH will provide an environment of collaborative research between local academic and research communities as well as researchers from various international institutions. It also aims to provide a centre of excellence for learning and development of digital skills within the local communities in North Horr constituency and the wider Marsabit County. Additionally, the Hub will serve as an anchor institution of enabling meaningful Internet access reach within North Horr Constituency and the entire Sub-county.
As part of the strategic efforts towards research collaboration, enhancement of hyperlocalised data models for precision farming and Internet of Things (IoT) innovation, Wireless Planet – the ICT partner to the initiative, also launched another mini weather station at the identified site for the DISH. The mini weather station follows up to the previous work carried out in installing a LoRaWAN network and the first weather station at Tiigo School. The set up of the LoRaWAN network within the constituency and the county is meant to support further IoT and AI research activities that will support the various thematic areas of the Hub which include Environmental studies, Agriculture, water and energy.