Thanks for these important and interesting observations Mureithi. They are very important and critical to keep in mind when planning for CATIA activities and measuring CATIA's performance against its objectives in the ICT Policy area as well. Please continue to update us on these issues and also perhaps share with me the names of key officials who are willing to discuss the ICT policy draft and bill issues with me.
 
Best,
 
Maureen
----- Original Message -----
From: Muriuki Mureithi
To: mwangati@measureafrica.org
Sent: Tuesday, March 21, 2006 9:49 PM
Subject: [Kictanet] ICT Sessional paper

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: mureithi@summitstrategies.co.ke

 

 

 

 

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