Kenya wins key global ITU position in Dubai

Kenya was recently re-elected the Council of the International Telecommunications Union (ITU), the UN specialized agency for ICTs after a whopping 140 votes, the highest on the continent, followed by Algeria and Morroco that got 134 and 133 votes respectively. Kenya will hence represent Africa to one of the key decision making organs of the ITU together with 12 other African countries.

The win at the ongoing ITU Plenipotentiary Conference in Dubai, United Arab Emirates is a stamp of confidence in the credibility and goodwill that Kenya enjoys in the global ICT community and her outstanding leadership in the development of ICT services and is considered her best performance in recent times.Other countries that made it through from the continent include Algeria, Burkina Faso Ivory Coast, Egypt, Ghana, Morocco, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, South Africa, Tunisia and Uganda.

Kenya’s ICT Cabinet Secretary Mr. Joe Mucheru led Kenya’s final campaigns at the event, calling on the world to support Kenya’s bid. The victory is a second major win for Kenya this year, as it comes hot on the heels of winning the African Telecommunications Union (ATU) Secretary General’s seat in August this year. Africa has 13 slots on the 48-member body that governs ITU’s activities in the interval between Plenipotentiary Conferences.

The ITU Council has a role of considering a broad telecommunication policy issues to ensure that the Union’s activities, policies and strategies fully respond to today’s dynamic, rapidly changing telecommunications environment. It also prepares a report on the policy and strategic planning of the ITU and is responsible for ensuring the smooth day-to-day running of the Union, coordinating work programs, approving budgets and controlling finances and expenditure.

In the interim, a Kenyan, Mr. Stanley Kibe was recognized for his outstanding contribution to the work of the ITU. Mr. Kibe, a former Director for Frequency Spectrum Management at the Communications Authority of Kenya, was among six individuals awarded medals and certificates as outgoing members of the Radio Regulations Board (RRB) at the ITU. He has served as a member of the RRB for eight years and his second and final term ends in December this year.

The RRB is a critical organ of the ITU that approves rules of procedure in frequency assignments made by member states. Its members are elected during ITU Plenipotentiary Conferences and perform their duties independently and on a part-time basis, normally meeting up to four times a year, in Geneva, Switzerland.