The National Assembly Committee on Information, Communication, and Innovation has committed to institute major reforms in the technological and digital space in order to realign the sector with emerging issues and technologies.
The committee said that the country was lagging behind in catching up with emerging technologies through revamped laws, regulations, and policies.
For instance, the committee noted that the sector’s last major reforms were carried out more than 20 years ago when the government enacted the Kenya Information Communications Act [1998] to regulate the communications sector.
According to the Committee Chairman, John Kiarie, the country was ripe for new reforms that will ensure the country responds to emerging needs and issues and leapfrog maximum benefits from the sector.
Kiarie noted that the technology space has transformed from 2G mobile networks to the new 5G that has heralded major changes and threats, but the country is yet to catch up legally and through revamped policies.
Kiarie, who doubles as the MP for Dagoretti South, said the committee will lead in the reviewing and formulation of new laws, policies, and regulations in order to address the existing gaps that drag the sector behind.
“The committee is already developing a raft of legislation that will see existing laws reviewed, amended, or expunged to align with and incorporate the latest advancements in technologies,” said MP Kiarie.
Leading his committee in an engagement with Huawei Kenya officials in Naivasha, Kiarie said the reforms are crucial in achieving and accelerating the Kenya Kwanza Digital Superhighway initiatives.
“The government is on course to lay out 100,000 km of fibre, establish 25,000 WIFI hotspots, and construct 1,450 Digital Hubs across the country to speed uptake of digital opportunities targeting youths,” said the chair.
In addition, Kiarie said parliament has amended the National Government Constituency Development Fund [NGCDF] Act that now allows the kitty to finance the construction of digital hubs while the ICT ministry equips them.
On his part, MP Geoffrey Wandeto, a committee member, said the reforms in the pipeline will deepen the digital superhighway initiatives and align the sector to respond to emerging issues such as cybercrime, money laundering, and data security.
Another member, Irene Mayaka, said the new engagements with sector players will help the committee address legislative gaps that create an enabling and safe environment that does not stifle technological innovations.
According to Engineer Maureen Mwaniki from Huawei Kenya, their input will help draft and pass legislation that responds to the new developments in the sector, including Artificial Intelligence, 5G, and cloud computing, among others.
“Huawei has partnered with the ICT Ministry to connect over 30 public schools with free internet to enhance and drive digital literacy skills and inclusion among learners,” said Ms. Mwaniki.
Huawei global ICT competitions have also seen over 12,000 students from Kenyan universities and technical institutions benefit in areas of networks, big data, and cloud computing, enriching their technical knowhow of modern technological advancements.
On her part, Fiona Asonga, the CEO for Technology Service Providers of Kenya [TESPOK], said the current legal environment needs an overhaul in a bid to attract new investments and create local jobs.
The new developments come amidst ongoing conversations regarding the entry of cheaper and faster-speed internet service from American company Starlink, owned by billionaire Elon Musk, and which have rubbed hairs with local companies such as Safaricom.
According to the Communications Authority of Kenya, the country continues to see an increase in brute force cyber-attack attempts within the three-month’ period from April to June this year, recording 26 million attack cases.
The ICT sector, which continues to record a rapid trajectory as the government continues to onboard essential services online and digital economy, is expected to contribute 10 per cent to the country’s Gross Domestic Product [GDP] by the year 2030.
By Erastus Gichohi
