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Airtel Kenya Limited is the second largest telecommunications operator in Kenya, with approximately 30% of the mobile subscriber market. It is a subsidiary of Airtel Africa PLC, a leading provider of telecommunications and mobile money services across 14 African countries. Airtel Kenya offers voice, data, mobile money through Airtel Money, and enterprise solutions to millions of subscribers in the East Africa region. The company is known for competitive data pricing, expanding 4G and 5G networks, and partnerships such as its collaboration with Starlink for satellite connectivity solutions. The organization is headquartered in Nairobi and has a wide distribution network across the country. My Work Based Learning attachment at Airtel Kenya was undertaken from 26th January to 4th April 2026, spanning the required minimum of 320 hours on a full time basis. The attachment was hosted within the Networks Department, where I was involved in monitoring and analyzing network performance data for a major mobile network operator in a competitive market. Selection of the Establishment My decision to pursue attachment at Airtel Kenya was informed by three strategic considerations. First, as a student of Bachelor of Science in Statistics and Data Science, I wanted to work in an organization that generates large amounts of data as part of its daily operations. Network performance metrics, subscriber behavior data, and infrastructure utilization statistics provided a practical setting for applying statistical modeling and data science techniques I had learned in class. Second, Airtel Kenya's position as the main competitor to the market leader presented an opportunity to see how data driven decision making supports competitive strategy and resource allocation in a real business environment. Third, the company's focus on connecting more Kenyans to digital services aligned with my interest in using data science for socially impactful outcomes. Application Procedure I visited the Airtel Kenya offices and submitted my curriculum vitae, introductory letter, and other relevant documents to the Human Resources department. After some time, I was contacted and informed that I had been accepted into their attachment program. I was then assigned to the Networks Department to begin my placement. Frame Conditions Agreed Upon The attachment was governed by a formal contract between Strathmore University and Airtel Kenya. The terms stipulated a full time engagement for 8 weeks, working 5 days a week, 8 hours per day. As a WBL placement, the attachment was generally unpaid. However, the organization provided a lunch allowance. I was issued a temporary staff identification badge. Access to internal systems was not granted directly to me; instead, I obtained access through my supervisor when needed for specific tasks. Definition of the Job or Role My role was that of a Networks Analytics Intern. The position involved monitoring key performance indicators in the core network across the country, cleaning and analyzing large volumes of network data, and creating visualizations to support network performance reporting. This role required technical proficiency in Excel for data manipulation, as most of the work was done in Excel spreadsheets. My Python skills also proved very useful, as I could load data into a dataframe and perform manipulations in Python, which was often faster and more efficient than working in Excel alone. II. INTRODUCTION OF THE ATTACHMENT Objective of the Attachment The primary objective of this Work Based Learning attachment was to translate academic knowledge in statistics and data science into practical competence within a live corporate environment. Specifically, the attachment aimed to: Develop technical and professional skills directly applicable to the telecommunications and data analytics sector. Provide firsthand exposure to the generation, processing, and analysis of large scale network data for operational decision making. Cultivate interdisciplinary competencies including teamwork, professional communication, and problem solving under real world constraints. Enable critical self assessment of career trajectory and further academic priorities based on empirical industry experience. Brief Description of the Department(s) I was placed in the Networks Department, which serves as the technical backbone for Airtel Kenya's telecommunications infrastructure. The department is responsible for ensuring network availability, performance optimization, and capacity planning. The team includes network engineers, radio planners, transmission specialists, and data analysts. The Networks Department worked closely with the Operations Department, as both teams were located on the same floor. The Networks team occupied one side of the floor while Operations occupied the other, which made collaboration frequent and seamless. The department relies on real time monitoring systems and statistical performance dashboards to maintain service quality across the country. Benefits to the Student Professionally, this attachment provided valuable exposure to how statistical methods and data science techniques are used to manage complex infrastructure systems. I gained hands on experience with network performance datasets, reporting tools, and data visualization platforms, which improved my technical skills beyond what classroom exercises could offer. Educationally, the experience reinforced values of precision, accountability, and adaptability. These are qualities that Strathmore University emphasizes, but they develop fully only under the pressure of real organizational tasks where network issues affect revenue and customer satisfaction. The experience also deepened my understanding of ethical data handling, particularly regarding subscriber privacy under Kenya's Data Protection Act. Special Regulations/Measures Concerning Students on Attachment Airtel Kenya maintains a structured internship policy. Key regulations included signing a contract and other relevant documents, adherence to the company's Code of Conduct including dress code and punctuality standards, restricted access to core network systems without supervisor oversight, and mandatory weekly check ins with the host supervisor to review progress and address any concerns. Learning Methodology Adopted My learning approach combined several methods. I used experiential learning by carrying out assigned data analysis tasks under supervision. I used observational learning by attending network performance review meetings and watching how senior staff handled fault diagnosis and reporting. I used reflective learning by maintaining a daily activity log and weekly reflective journal. I also sought feedback from my host supervisor after completing major tasks. To better understand my work, I independently studied telecommunications concepts and reviewed Airtel Africa's public reports to place my departmental tasks within the company's broader strategy. Limitations/General Overview of Limitations Encountered Several constraints shaped the attachment experience. First, as an intern, I had no direct access to proprietary network systems and core infrastructure. All system access had to be routed through my supervisor, which limited my ability to work independently on certain tasks. Second, my technical knowledge of telecommunications was very limited at the start, so I had to do a lot of independent study to understand the data I was working with. However, my supervisor was patient and supportive throughout this learning process.