Kenya’s Parliament is considering a bill that could make your internet work the same way your electricity bill works: pay only for what you use, down to the last megabyte.
The Kenya Information and Communications (Amendment) Bill 2025, sponsored by Aldai MP Marianne Kitany, wants to completely change how Kenyans pay for internet.
Instead of the current system where you buy unlimited bundles or flat-rate packages, internet service providers (ISPs) would be required to install “metered billing systems” that track every bit of data you consume.
How Would This Work?
Every internet user would get a unique “internet meter number” (like your electricity meter number), and ISPs would track your exact data usage in real-time. At the end of the month, you’d get a bill showing precisely how much data you consumed, whether that’s 2GB or 200GB.
The bill targets all major players in Kenya’s internet landscape, including mobile providers (Safaricom, Airtel, and Telkom), internet service providers (Zuku, Faiba, JTL), and satellite internet providers like Starlink.
Every single one would need to overhaul their billing systems to comply with these new meter requirements.
Should You Be Concerned About This Bill?
On paper, the bill sounds consumer-friendly. Supporters argue it would end billing mysteries, stop overcharging customers, give users more control, and allow you to pay only for what you actually use.
The bill’s supporters say that the measure addresses a real problem. Many Kenyans complain about opaque billing practices and undisclosed data limits on supposedly “unlimited” plans.
However, critics have warned that this move might not be all it’s cracked up to be. Setting up metered billing systems isn’t cheap. For smaller, regional ISPs that serve rural areas and keep prices competitive, the cost of implementing these new systems could be crushing. Many might simply shut down, leaving fewer options and potentially higher prices.
If you’ve ever found yourself rationing electricity because you’re watching the meter, you could face the same psychological effect with internet usage. People might start avoiding video calls, online learning, or streaming, all activities that are increasingly essential for work and education.
Even worse, smaller ISPs are often the lifeline for internet access in remote areas. If they can’t afford to comply and shut down, rural communities could lose connectivity.
Although metered billing is getting the most attention, the bill includes other controversial provisions that have privacy advocates worried.
ISPs would also need to submit detailed usage data, including individual meter numbers, to the Communications Authority annually. This would allow the CA to create a comprehensive database of who’s using what online, which is a problem for users who are already skeptical about their privacy.
Companies that don’t comply will face fines of up to KES 5 million, a steep price that could force smaller players out of the market.
What Happens Next?
The bill, dated February 21 and received by the National Assembly on March 7, is still making its way through Parliament. If passed, it would change how Kenya approaches internet services by treating them more like utilities such as water and electricity.
Existing ISP licenses would remain valid until they expire, but renewals would need to comply with the new framework.
It doesn’t take much thought to see how this bill, if passed, will stifle innovation, reduce competition, and create barriers for heavy users who rely on unlimited plans for work or education.
The Aldai member of parliament seems intent on pushing this bill, but Kenyans might want to consider, in the pursuit of billing transparency, what else might we be giving up?
