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
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
ICT Consultancy &
Research in Eastern & Central African markets
Contacts : Tel +254 (20) 3875824 , Cell + 254
(722) 520090, email: mureithi@summitstrategies.co.ke