The Kenya Information & Communications (Amendment) Bill 2025.

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

On Sun, May 25, 2025 at 9:45 PM Lawrence Muchilwa via KICTANet <
[email protected]> wrote:

> Hey Listers…
>
> The proposed changes regarding usage of meters are misinformed, counter
> productive.
>
> ISP already keep track of connections to an extent. The system isn’t
> without gaps but existing gaps can better be address by eg more adoption of
> IPv6,instead of this retrogressive approach that will increase connectivity
> overhead,making Internet access more expensive,reduce number of users on
> the net, effectively undermining any digital transformation, adoption and
> progress.
>
> Link to bill:
>
>
> www.parliament.go.ke/sites/default/files/2025-05/The%20Kenya%20Information%20and%20Communications%20%28amendment%29%20Bill%2C%202025.pdf
>
> with kind regards
> Muchilwa Lawrence
> overwatch.or.ke www.testmyids.ke
>