Raila Urges President Uhuru Not to Sign ICT Bill into Law

ODM party leader Raila Odinga has urged President Kenyatta not to sign the Information Communication Technology (ICT) Practitioners Bill 2020 into law.

Odinga, who is the Azimio La Umoja-One Kenya coalition party presidential flagbearer, said he finds the bill which was passed by the National Assembly last week vague and full of sweeping powers over the ICT sector, adding that it does not state the specific problem it seeks to cure.

MPs hailed the bill as progressive, saying it will eliminate confusion in the ICT sector and provide a legal framework for the recognition, registration, licensing of the ICT practitioners in the country.

But Odinga dismissed the move to regulate ICT Practitioners in the country as impractical and counter-productive. “It negates the goals and visions of the national ICT policy and digital strategies. It amounts to regulating talent which damages innovation and limits growth,” Odinga stated.

Odinga's plea to President Kenyatta comes after ICT Cabinet Secretary Joe Mucheru said the bill is not good for the sector.

"As a ministry, we continuously fought against this Bill in various forums. The political season comes with all manner of surprises including failed assurances by the people responsible. I will do my part to safeguard our thriving sector," said Mucheru.

Dr. Shem Ochuodho, an expert in the ICT sector, described the passage of the bill as the best thing that ever happened to the sector and the 12th parliament.

“The country should be proud of this Bill because it seeks to promote creativity, innovation, ethics, and standards and create decent jobs in the ICT sector. This Bill promotes competence and deep knowledge. Those who have always benefited from lack of structures in the industry will oppose this Bill,” Ochuodho told Nation.