Govt urges public to give views on ICT Practitioners Bill

The government has called for consultations over a Bill to regulate information, communication and technology (ICT) practitioners.

Government spokesperson Eric Kiraithe said the public and practitioners still have a chance to share their views on the 2016 ICT Practitioners Bill.

“Our continued position as government, is that this Bill, as currently constituted, is archaic and poses a threat to the ICT industry,” Mr Kiraithe told journalists during a briefing in Nairobi on Thursday.

The Bill proposes that people who want to work in the industry must first be registered.

It further states that one has to have a degree and at least three years relevant experience to be registered to practice.

The proposed law has raised a storm, with bloggers and ICT practitioners demanding its withdrawal, which was proposed by Majority Leader Aden Duale.

If the bill is passed as it is, it would lead to the establishment of an ICT practitioners' institute governed by a council.

The council would approve courses and set standards of professional competence, as well as register and license practitioners upon payment of prescribed fees.

It will also offer exams to practitioners with diplomas who wish to register.

Mr Kiraithe said that ICT Cabinet Secretary Joe Mucheru, who had disowned the Bill when it was tabled in Parliament, was leading the consultations.

“The CS is currently engaging in extensive talks with relevant stakeholders in a bid to broker a tenable way forward on this matter. The Parliamentary Committee on ICT has also extended the public participation period to allow for consensus building,” said Mr Kiraithe.

The ICT industry is vibrant and lively in Kenya, with many innovations by local and international firms making life easier for many Kenyans.