By Benjy Kwabe
The last 12th parliamentary Bill does not account for the ever-changing dynamics of the ICT industry.
Azimio la Umoja Presidential candidate Raila Odinga [Courtesy]
Azimio presidential candidate Raila Odinga this Sunday indicated his objectivity about the recently passed ICT bill of practitioners of ICT regulation.
According to the former Prime Minister, the bill is vague and has no clear indication of what the power passed to the ICT sector.
“I find the move to regulate ICT Practitioners impractically and counter-productive. It negates the goals and visions of the National ICT Policy and Digital Strategies.” He said.
He implied that the Bill that got passed in the last 12th parliament does not account for the ever-changing dynamics of the ICT industry.
Raila further insinuated that the bill limits innovation by restricting persons who are self-taught in the provision of ICT services as it overrules the Recognition of Prior Learning objective.
Congratulating Google and Microsoft for acknowledging Kenya and setting up headquarters within Kenya which will be an employer for numerous citizens with or without degrees, they will then be offered certificates in ICT and technology empowering the youth.
According to Raila, the bill is more of a dissuasion to the technology giants which is the main discouragement for the practitioners in investing in ‘silicon savannah’.
Citing that Kenya needs to emulate countries like the US, Canada, and South Africa in the adoption of a self-regulating mechanism.
Suggesting the registration of ICT practitioners be made voluntary rather than a mandatory exercise, incorporation of voluntary standards in collaboration with stakeholders in a manner that incentivizes compliance with the standards.
Emulating the countries’ states that have allowed ICT practitioners to come together sharing skills and innovative ideas hence determining standards to be upheld within the profession.
