[Kictanet] ICT Sessional paper

[Muriuki Mureithi]

Hi colleagues

ICT is still high in the political agenda .Today at the official opening of
parliament, the President mentioned telecommunications as one of the sectors
that grew fast and contributed to high overall national growth. He restated
the government commitment to the ICT sector and cited the government's
approval of the National ICT Policy earlier in the year 

 

In the legislative agenda for this session of parliament, he said that the
government will present

-          a Sessional paper on ICT 

-          a ICT bill to repeal Kenya  Communications Act of 1998

 

I did talk a number of MPs and senior officials in the ICT sector who were
present  and got away with following 

 

- there is concern that the well meaning initiative of the government may
not be realised simply because of the speed of the parliament to enact laws.
In the last year, only 7 bills were enacted against 25 presented for
discussions.  With this speed of delivery, it is worrying if Parliament can
deliver the Sessional paper and the ICT bill before the elections. One thing
that comes out in my discussions with some MPs is the need to fast track the
Bill 

- National ICT policy was published by the Ministry of I &C and approved by
the Cabinet. Parliament had no role. Sessional paper will be a more forceful
national commitment because parliament will discuss it and approve it. Often
Sessional papers are more long term and cross cutting. It is significant for
the government to develop the Sessional paper to consolidate the gains of
the national ICT policy 

- understandably the bill is  in the AG 's office being drafted and barring
heavy schedules in AG's office who have to republish the many bills that
lapsed, the ICT bill will be out soon. Keep watch. Meanwhile use the draft
bill published by the Ministry.

 

Cheers 

Muriuki 

 

 

---------------------------------------

Summit Strategies Ltd  - Strategic information for decision support in
infocommunication  business 

 

ICT Consultancy  &  Research in  Eastern & Central African markets  

 

Contacts : Tel  +254 (20) 3875824 , Cell + 254 (722) 520090, email:
<mailto:mureithi at summitstrategies.co.ke> mureithi at summitstrategies.co.ke 

 

 

 

 

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