TESPOK demands involvement in Communication Act 1998 amendments

Information Technology lobby group Technology Service Providers of Kenya (TESPOK) has expressed concern of not having being involved in the amendments of the Kenya Information Communications Act,1998 (No2 of 1998) on telecoms dominance by the parliamentarians on Tuesday 10th November 2015.

The bill seeks to amend the Kenya Information Communications Act so as to move the responsibility of the Communication Authority to the Competition Act on declaring a telecom operator dominant.

“Telecom operators have not been consulted concerning the amendment which is against the consultative spirit encouraged in the Kenyan constitution. We as TESPOK are asking for audience with the Parliamentary Committee on Energy and Communications at their earliest convenience so as to give an appropriate position based on global best practise. If we begin to develop laws with total disregard of the required due process we shall throw the country into anarchy and discourage investors from considering Kenya as a suitable destination.“Said TESPOK CEO Fiona Asonga.

According to the Kenya Constitution article 118 which stipulates for public access and participation in legislative processes in the parliamentary business and the committees, stakeholders were to be involved in the process of amending the Communications Act on dominant players before making a decision.

We urge the concerned parties to follow the due process according to the constitution so that the industry players can give their input which is crucial to spearhead the growth of ICT sector in Kenya.