On March 30, 2022, a bill seeking to license all Information Communication Technology (ICT) practitioners was read for the second time in the National Assembly.
The proposed legislation, sponsored by nominated MP Godfrey Osotsi, aims to establish an institute that will issue licenses to ICT practitioners, which will be valid for a period of one year and subject to renewal.
According to the Information Communication Technology Practitioners Bill (National Assembly Bill No. 38 Of 2020), ICT practitioners who operate without a valid license will face a fine of Khs 500,000 or a jail term not exceeding two years, or both.
Osotsi argued that the bill is necessary to streamline the sector and prevent quacks from operating. He stated, 'It is very risky that all these professionals are driving the ICT sector without any legal and ethical framework, this Bill has dealt with that problem.'
Hon. Majimbo Kalasinga added that the bill is necessary to bring sanity to the ICT Department, saying, 'Mr. speaker it is high time we need a lot of sanity in the ICT Department, this is a sector where liabilities should be taken off, this is a field that is abused in the country.'
