I have gone through the amendments to KICA.
Positives of the bill:
1. the mandatory annual reporting of how the USF has been utilized,
2. QoS requirements for telecoms service providers
It seems this is the first step in separating Safaricom from M-pesa.
"To enable persons operating a telecommunication system or providing telecommunication service to engage in any other business and provide for the separation of such other businesses from the telecommunication business. The amendment will further aid in the control of anti-competitive practices by the large industries in the sector.
Area of Concern
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The amendment also expands the scope of USF to include funding anything else under the sun to which CA shall deem fit. Dangerous grounds for abuse. There is a problem there.
5. (5)(d) "Ten percent of the Fund shall be used for furthering the other objectives of the Funds as the Commission may determine"
The bill concerns county governments too, so Senetors should be alerted to this bill. Counties accross the country are marginalized, and they are the biggest beneficiaries of the USF.
Regards.
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Mwendwa Kivuva, Nairobi, Kenya