Nairobi: The government of Kenya, in collaboration with the United Kingdom, has announced the endorsement of reforms to 23 statutes concerning Information, Communication, and Technology (ICT). This initiative aims to fortify Kenya’s legal framework concerning data governance and emerging technologies.
According to Kenya News Agency, the State Department for ICT and the Digital Economy Principal Secretary, Eng. John Tanui, highlighted that the statutes under review encompass various legal areas such as the Constitution, the Kenya Information and Communication Act, and laws pertaining to consumer protection, procurement, education, employment, innovation, and defense. Speaking through Secretary ICT, E-Government and Digital Economy Mary Kerema, Tanui emphasized the necessity of these reforms to ensure that the laws remain relevant amidst the rapid technological changes and to guarantee inclusivity.
Tanui stated, “The statutes we validated prepared us not only for today but also for the next decade of digital disruption.” Furthermore, he stressed the importance of embedding protections for women, youth, persons with disabilities, and rural communities within the legal frameworks to ensure inclusivity.
The Principal Secretary elaborated that the reforms are designed to safeguard trust, promote innovation, and enhance national sovereignty in data and technology management. He noted that the review process serves as both a legal audit and a nation-building endeavor.
Wilfred Oluoch, the Emerging Tech and AI4D Advisor at the British High Commission in Nairobi, mentioned that the review was influenced by recommendations from the ICT Sector Working Group report, which recognized existing gaps in current laws. The Ministry of Information, Communications, and the Digital Economy sought technical assistance from the British High Commission to harmonize the legal framework. “When regulations lag behind, innovation becomes risky and sometimes citizens are left unprotected,” Oluoch remarked.
Oluoch also highlighted that the review positions Kenya to assume a leadership role in digital governance both within Africa and on the global stage. He added that the initiative builds on more than five years of UK-Kenya collaboration in domains such as cyber resilience, digital inclusion, and e-government services.
Eng. David Mulongo, CEO of Viscar, stated that the workshop provided Kenyans an opportunity to scrutinize laws that will shape the nation’s digital future. “You had a chance to interact with these statutes, understand their implications, and contribute to the future of this country,” Mulongo said. He emphasized that strong data governance and enabling laws are fundamental for fostering trust and innovation.
Mulongo pointed out that emerging technologies like artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, 5G, blockchain, and cloud computing are highly data-sensitive and cross-border, raising issues related to privacy, surveillance, cybersecurity, and data ownership. He noted the global economic projections for AI, IoT, and blockchain, stressing the importance of timely reforms for Kenya to capitalize on these developments.
Francisca Omunga, a Consultant at Viscar, discussed Kenya’s digital journey, noting significant innovations such as mobile money and e-filing in the Judiciary. However, she observed that challenges persist due to unequal infrastructure and weak legal protections. “We needed a new operating system laws and policies that safeguarded innovation and ensured young innovators were protected,” Omunga stated.
The workshop, supported by the UK through the Digital Access Programme, also explored ways to align Kenya’s digital transformation with policies such as the Kenya Digital Master Plan and the National AI Strategy. Stakeholders from government, private sector, academia, and development partners reached a consensus that the statutes validated during the forum would be presented to Parliament and other agencies for consideration.
