ICT secretary disowns Bill seeking to have practitioners licensed

Information, Communications and Technology (ICT) secretary Joe Mucheru has disowned a Bill seeking to have all ICT practitioners licensed before being allowed to practice in Kenya.

The ministry, in a statement to media houses on Wednesday, distanced itself from the Bill that was brought to Parliament by Leader of Majority Aden Duale and has already undergone the first reading.

“The ministry would like to clarify that this ICT practitioner’s Bill is a private member’s Bill, which whilst dealing with the ICT sector does not originate from the ICT ministry and does not represent the policy position of the Government of Kenya,” he said in the statement.
If the Information Communication Technology practitioners Bill 2016 is enacted as it is, it will lead to the establishment of an ICT practitioner’s institute governed by a council and which will set standards of professional competence, approve courses as well as register and license practitioners upon payment of prescribed fees.

The Bill proposes that for one to be eligible for registration, one should be a holder of a Bachelor’s degree and have at least three years relevant experience.

Those with diplomas from recognised universities are required to pass an examination, or fulfil other requirements that the council may set, before registration.

Mr Mucheru stated that the Bill was not congruent with the ICT draft policy which the ministry intends to introduce after undergoing public participation.

“The Constitution of Kenya allows the submission of Private Bills to Parliament and the government encourages the participation of all stakeholders with a view to gaining robust legislation.

‘‘We believe that further consultations between all stakeholders will alleviate some of the concerns that have arisen,” he said

Nairobi is home to institutions like Nailab, Ihub, GrowthHub, Nairobi Garage and mLab as well as Strathmore’s iLab Africa and University of Nairobi’s C4D lab which foster creativity and innovation among self-taught techies and those still pursuing education.

The proposed law has received negative reception from stakeholders in a sector which has grown to attract research centres and innovation hubs of multinationals.

CEO of Symbiotic Mbugua Njihia noted that while the Bill may have been crafted with good intentions, its drafters did not take the time to appreciate how the industry operates and the enabling environment surrounding innovation in the county.

“Every Bill that is pushed has a sponsor and an agenda and this reads like a tenderprenuer template that will allow the all-powerful and curated council to vet and approve as practitioners those who would in simple terms be friendlies, read kickbacks and alignment,” Mr Njihia said.