Fred Matiangi, cabinet secretary for ICT. CC image courtesy of CCK
Kenyan cabinet secretary for Information Communication and Technology Dr Fred Matiangi has published a bill that will make industry regulator the Communications Commission of Kenya (CCK) more independent from government and businesses influences.
The new law, if passed by parliament and assented to by the president, will also change the name of the CCK to the Kenya Communications Regulatory Authority (KCRA).
The CCK was established in 1999 by the Kenya Communications Act (KCA) No. 2 of 1998.
In January 2009 the government enacted the Kenya Communications (Amendment) Act 2009, which enhanced the regulatory scope and jurisdiction of the CCK and effectively transformed it to a converged regulator.
Under current laws, cabinet secretaries have sole powers for unilateral and decisive appointments to the CCK’s board, though the new law would change how top management is appointed. The regulator will be headed by a director general and seven directors, who will be appointed through a competitive process.
According to the policy justification paper for the amendment published by Matiangi: “The constitution which requires that parliament shall enact legislation that provides for the establishment of a body which shall be independent of control by government and political interests or commercial interests reflect the interests of all sections of the society.”
The Kenya Information and Communications (Amendment) Bill will need cabinet approval before being taken to parliament for debate. The new constitution also demands public participation in the drafting of the bill.
