Kenya's election campaigns have gone a notch higher by embracing Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) to the highest levels.

The aspirants, vying for both Presidential and Parliamentary elections, have turned to online and SMS campaigning in a bid to sell their election manifestos to the electorate ahead of the December polls.

The incumbent, President Mwai Kibaki who is standing for re-election bid has vowed to use every means possible to get re-elected including ICTs. According to reports, Kibaki is scheduled to launch his campaign website next week.

A fortnight ago, Kibaki's high-level campaign team unveiled a high-tech communications network that include GSM and satellite phones. The communications network is expected to enable election campaign teams to communicate effectively throughout the country.

According to the organizers of the team, the network will make use of Short text messages (SMS) and free phone calls using satellite phones. Candidates are particularly keen to reach out to voting Kenyans in the diaspora.

"We want to make sure that communication amongst us and Kibaki supporters flows without any hitches," said a source. And coming hot in the heels of heated campaign rallies between the incumbent government, Narc-Kenya and its rivals ODM and ODM-Kenya, the ICT rollout couldn't have come at a better time.

The campaign team selected two officials to head the information communications technology unit and the duo, Mr. Owino Magana and Mr. Lantano Labala have since made comprehensive ICT presentations for the co-coordinators.

Up to 300 district and constituency co-ordinators for Kibaki's re-election have in the recent days been introduced to digital technologies to familiarize themselves with the state-of-the-art GSM and satellite phones.

"The co-coordinators will use GSM and satellite telephones to enhance communication among teams. Those from far-flung areas including North Eastern and the North Rift will be issued with satellite telephones to communicate swiftly with the Maendeleo Resource Centre (MRC) the Command Centre, to be based in Nairobi," said the duo in a press briefing.

Impeccable sources from the campaign team said that the ICT department would handle SMSees and e-mails from co-coordinators while taking cognizant of those coordinators from remote areas.

"Those who come from remote areas will be provided with satellite phones to ease work and ensure swift communication with the central office," said the source.

In another development, an Opposition aspirant, Raila Odinga who is also eyeing the coveted throne has launched an SMS system to update his supporters about his activities.

In the Short Message Service (SMS) system, subscribers will only need to dial 09005554007 to track the progress of Odinga's campaigns.