[kictanet] Update on ICT Practitioners Bill

[Ali Hussein]

Dear Listers, 

Apologies for cross-posting.

As you may recall, pursuant to views expressed on this list, we submitted a memorandum to Parliament opposing the ICT Practitioners Bill on 8th July 2016. 
We teamed up with like minded stakeholders who were also opposed to the Bill to form a working team comprising of ourselves, the Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA), the Technology Service Providers of Kenya (TESPOK) ,  Kenya Information Technology and Outsourcing Services (KITOS) , Bloggers Association of Kenya (BAKE) and the iHub.  
The consortium was invited for a hearing before the National Assembly Committee on Energy and ICT on the 19th of July where a joint memorandum opposing the Bill was presented. The Committee, relying on Standing Order Number 140 advised on the procedure for withdrawal of a Bill, the gist of which is that the Bill can only be withdrawn by the sponsor. The committee therefore advised the consortium to consider the content of the Bill and propose amendments. 

The consortium presented proposals for amendment on several occasions. On  28th of July, they had the opportunity to listen to the sponsor, Hon Adan Duale as he addressed the Committee. He explained that the Bill had been borne out of a petition by a section of Kenyans who sought regulation the ICT sector practitioners. He also indicated that he was willing to incorporate stakeholder views. 

The consortium has attended stakeholders fora organised by the Ministry of ICT on the Bill and arrived at a common position that the Bill should be withdrawn. In view of the Committee's request for proposals for amendment of particular clauses in the Bill, stakeholders are meeting with the Ministry to discuss the same. 

It is worth noting that the Committee has extended the public participation period to allow for consensus building on the Bill. This is due to the contentions and opposition to the Bill by a significant number of stakeholders, including the Ministry and the Communications Authority. 

KICTANet representatives continue to engage in the process to ensure that our views are understood by the legislators. Together with other partners in the consortium, we are also exploring other avenues to resolve the impasse and are hopeful that Parliament will eventually see the sense in dropping this ill informed law. 

Regards

Ali Hussein
Principal
Hussein & Associates
+254 0713 601113 / 0770906375

Twitter: @AliHKassim
Skype: abu-jomo
LinkedIn: http://ke.linkedin.com/in/alihkassim


"Discovery consists in seeing what everyone else has seen and thinking what no one else has thought".  ~ Albert Szent-Györgyi

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