The Kenya Information & Communications (Amendment) Bill 2025.

Thanks for opening the discussion on The Kenya Information & Communications
(Amendment) Bill 2025
<www.parliament.go.ke/sites/default/files/2025-05/The%20Kenya%20Information%20and%20Communications%20%28amendment%29%20Bill%2C%202025.pdf>
and
for the contributions by Kinyanjui and Steve.

I encourage everyone to review the bill and contribute to this much-needed
discussion. Let’s amplify our voices and ensure the final legislation
reflects the needs of the vibrant digital community that we’ve worked hard
to grow as Kenyans.

Best,

*Jacinta Wothaya*

On Mon, May 26, 2025 at 10:16 AM Wasilwa Steve via KICTANet <
[email protected]> wrote:

> *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
>
>
>
> 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
>>