The Cabinet Secretary for ICT and the Digital Economy, Eliud Owalo, recently launched a task force mandated to lead policy, legal and legislative reforms in the country. The team is tasked with reviewing and making recommendations on reforms needed in laws governing broadcasting, courier services and telecommunications.
With some of the laws enacted over 25 years ago, current laws need to address critical issues in an ever–evolving digital landscape. The CS however notes that despite significant amendments to some of the laws, there still remains a lot to be done.
While speaking on the inauguration of the task force on September 8th, last week, the CS cited significant changes in technology as the need for the reforms. CS Owalo noted that there are no specific laws governing new technologies that are emerging.
He commented, “There is also, today, a host of new technologies – and many more continue to emerge – that are not sufficiently addressed in law and policy. For instance, Artificial Intelligence (AI), cryptocurrency and other digital assets, among other technologies are not specifically regulated in law.”
Despite promising opportunities arising from new technologies, they have also presented challenges such as cybercrimes. Notably, the ministry is working on amending the Cybercrimes Act of 2018.
Roles of the ICT working group
The 42–member ICT Sector Working Group chaired by ICT veteran, Prof. Timothy Mwololo Waema – The University of Nairobi, is tasked to:
- Examine the existing policy, legislative, institutional, administrative and operational structures, systems and strategies and recommend comprehensive reforms in the Sector;
- Identify emerging technologies and other areas that need legal and policy intervention and make appropriate policy and legislative proposals;
- Make any other assessment and advise on necessary reforms to enable the Ministry of Information, Communications and the Digital Economy to meet its present mandate and expectations in a fast-changing operational environment; and,
- Draft relevant Bills, draft Policies and Strategy documents.
The CS further called for integrated approaches to the legal and policy reforms to eliminate redundancies as well as multiplication of roles.
The ICT sectoral reforms Working Group members
The ICT sectoral reforms Working Group members is chaired by Prof. Timothy Mwololo Waema with Ms. Phyllis Migwi and Dr. Hanningtone Joel Gaya as the vice chairs. Ms. Phyllis Migwi currently serves as the Ms. Phyllis Migwi, she will be responsible for ICT sectoral reforms.Dr. Hanningtone Joel Gaya will be responsible for Broadcasting and Telecommunications sectoral reforms.
Members of the ICT sectoral reforms working group include:
- Prof. Christopher Kipchumba Chepken,
- Mr. Marshal Luusa,
- Mr. Marshal Luusa,
- Mr. John Ooko,
- Mr. John Walubengo,
- Mr. Philip Thigo,
- Col (Dr) James J. Kimuyu,
- Mr. Denis Kute,
- Ms. Josephine Kamanthe Ndambuki,
- Mr. Benson K. Mandela,
- Mr. George Wanyama,
- Mr. John Nusu Mwamanzi,
- Mr. Amrit Singh Pyara Labhuram,
- Ms. Anastatia Kariuki,
- Mr. Daniel Ketoto, and
- Ms. Caroline Kiarie–Kimondo.
Members of the Broadcasting and Telecommunications sectoral reforms work group include:
- Digital Strategist Dennis Itumbi,
- Prof. Dr. Thomas Anyanje Senaji,
- Mr.Thomas Mshindi Nyamancha,
- Ms. Zubeidah Kananu,
- Prof. Tom Olali,
- Ms. Agnes Kalekye Nguna,
- Ms. Agnes Kalekye Nguna,
- Ms. Caroline S.A Mandi,
- Mr. Churchill Moses Otieno,
- Mrs. Sylvia Mudasia-Mwichuli,
- Mrs. Sylvia Mudasia-Mwichuli,
- Mrs. Sylvia Mudasia-Mwichuli,
- Ms. Judy W. Munyinyi,
- Mr. Edward Mwasi, and
- Mr. Michael Okidi
Members of the joint secretariat include:
- Mr. Maina Christopher Karanja,
- Dr.Eric Kibet,
- Ms. Annette Kerubo Nyakora,
- Ms. Annette Kerubo Nyakora,
- Dr. Lyla Latif,
- Mr. Moses Kipkemoi Kipkogei,
- Mrs. Joan Onyango-Obunga, and
- Mr. Mahat Somane.
The team has six months to deliver its mandate with the CS adding that the term may be extended if necessary.
