Subject: Implications of the Kenya Information and Communications (Amendment) Bill, 2025 on the Common Citizen

Dear KICTAnet Members,

I hope this message finds you well.

I am writing to contribute to the ongoing conversation surrounding the Kenya Information and Communications (Amendment) Bill, 2025, which is currently under consideration. While the bill appears to address regulatory gaps in the information and communications sector, several provisions—if passed and enacted—may have far-reaching consequences for the common citizen, particularly in relation to constitutional freedoms, media independence, and access to secure communication channels.

Key Implications for the Common Mwananchi:

1. Chilling Effect on Press Freedom and Public Accountability
   The bill proposes punitive fines of up to KSh 20 million for media houses and KSh 1 million for individual journalists, alongside the risk of suspension or deregistration. These sanctions are likely to promote self-censorship in the media, diminishing the public's access to critical reporting, especially on governance, corruption, and service delivery issues that directly affect everyday life.

2. Suppression of Civic Voices and Whistleblowers
   In an environment where journalists and media outlets are under threat, civil society actors, community voices, and whistleblowers may hesitate to speak out or share information publicly, reducing the avenues through which citizens hold leaders accountable.

3. Erosion of Constitutional Rights
   The bill raises serious questions about compliance with Article 34 of the Constitution, which guarantees freedom of the press. If these rights are weakened through legislation, ordinary citizens lose one of their most powerful tools for civic engagement and democratic participation.

4. Loosening SIM Card Registration Rules – A Double-Edged Sword
   While the removal of restrictions on SIM card hawking may support informal economy players, it also opens the door to misuse of unregistered lines, potentially increasing cybercrime, identity theft, and fraudulent mobile money transactions that disproportionately affect low-income earners and vulnerable users.

5. Decline in Trust in Public Institutions
   A heavily regulated media landscape controlled by state mechanisms may lead to reduced public trust in the credibility of information, limiting informed decision-making and widening the digital divide.

A Call for a Citizen-Centric Approach

As members of Kenya’s vibrant ICT policy community, I believe we have a shared responsibility to defend digital rights, promote inclusive regulation, and advocate for legislative frameworks that strengthen—not suppress—citizen empowerment.

I urge this forum to continue amplifying civic voices, interrogating the constitutionality of the bill’s provisions, and engaging policy makers with reasoned, evidence-based recommendations. Let us work toward legislation that protects citizens, upholds press freedom, and secures the digital public square.

Warm regards,
Steve Wasilwa- MSc. MBA
Board Member -REDO Kenya