The once-rejected ICT Bill, which stirred controversy under the previous administration of President Uhuru Kenyatta, has reemerged, posing continued concerns for professionals in the ICT sector.
Originally proposed by Aden Duale, then Garissa Township MP and now serving as Defence CS, and supported by Godfrey Osotsi, who has transitioned from a nominated MP to Vihiga Senator, the bill, initially introduced in 2016, mandated licensing and registration for ICT practitioners under a designated council.
Among its provisions were compulsory training, registration, licensing, and the establishment of standards for professionals in the field.
Despite being withdrawn in 2016 and resurfacing in 2018 and 2020, the bill faced rejection in 2022, eliciting strong opposition from the ICT community, who viewed it as restrictive and potentially exclusionary.
The revived version of the bill retains its focus on accrediting companies offering ICT services through an authority under the Ministry of ICT, accompanied by a set of prerequisites.
Additionally, all service providers will be obligated to pay an unspecified accreditation fee, echoing a contentious issue from the past.
Quoting a segment of the bill, it specifies that applicants must possess minimum technical qualifications and skills as determined by the Authority, along with relevant experience and ICT resources corresponding to the category of services applied for.
The Authority is granted powers to revoke a provider’s certificate under various circumstances, including cessation of business, liquidation, dissolution, or non-compliance with accreditation conditions or statutory provisions.
ICT Cabinet Secretary Eliud Owalo defends the bill, emphasizing its objective to enhance the delivery of secure, proficient, and high-performing ICT services.
He asserts that the bill aims to streamline the integration of ICT into public service delivery processes, thereby enhancing accessibility, efficiency, and inclusivity.
