Nairobi: The National Assembly Departmental Committee on Communication, Information and Innovation held key stakeholder consultations on Friday regarding the National Addressing Bill 2025. This legislative initiative aims to transform Kenya’s fragmented and outdated spatial referencing systems into a unified, digital-ready national addressing framework.
According to Kenya News Agency, the Bill, sponsored by Kiambu Town MP Machua Waithaka, seeks to establish a standardized national addressing infrastructure. This infrastructure is intended to bolster e-commerce logistics, emergency response, security coordination, and public service delivery across the country. During a clause-by-clause review forum in Nairobi, Committee Chairman John Kiarie emphasized the absence of an integrated address system in Kenya, highlighting the need for clarity in handling the country’s addressing system. He noted that the draft is currently at the formative ‘green paper stage’ and will undergo public participation before its second reading in the August House.
Mwala MP Erastus Kivasu expressed support for the initiative, describing it as a timely legislative proposal necessary for creating a clear roadmap for Kenya’s addressing system. However, discussions arose concerning the proposed governance structure, with Broadcasting and Telecommunications Principal Secretary Stephen Isaboke revealing that national address system discussions have been ongoing for a decade. While offering conditional support, the Ministry of Information, Telecommunications, and The Digital Economy raised concerns about establishing a standalone National Addressing Council, recommending instead that the system be anchored within existing regulatory bodies for cost efficiency and effective governance.
The Communications Authority of Kenya, along with other stakeholders, advised against creating a new entity, arguing that it would contradict the government’s fiscal consolidation agenda. David Mugonyi, CEO of the Communications Authority of Kenya, highlighted the authority’s existing mandate and legal framework as making it well-suited to serve as the national custodian and coordinator of the addressing system.
Various government departments underscored the importance of a standardized address database. Deputy Chief State Counsel Prisca Wambui from the Interior and National Administration docket supported the bill for its potential benefits in disaster management and administrative efficiency, while stressing the need for data privacy and security. The State Department for Housing and Urban Development recommended integrating the National Addressing Council into existing county spatial plans to manage urban growth effectively.
The proposal also received backing from the Lands and Physical Planning docket for its role in enhancing land management and property registration. Officials from the State Department for Roads noted that a unified system would improve infrastructure planning and assist traffic departments in identifying accident black spots.
MP Machua Waithaka defended the bill by drawing on his academic experience in international trade in Texas, contrasting Kenya’s reliance on informal location sharing with structured addressing systems used globally. He also cited remarks from Alibaba founder Jack Ma and highlighted the potential for the Postal Corporation of Kenya to expand its last-mile delivery business.
Isiolo South MP Tubi Mohammed Tubi expressed optimism about streamlining the country’s logistics system, while Homa Bay Women Representative Joyce Besunda emphasized the need for clear implementation frameworks. Nandi Hills MP Bernard Kitur called for technological advancements in the addressing sector, while Isiolo County MP Mumina Bonaya raised concerns about data security and localized challenges affecting implementation.
The National Assembly Departmental Committee on Information, Communication and Innovation will now incorporate stakeholder input to refine the bill, focusing on separating physical street-naming functions from digital address data management before proceeding to public participation and further legislative consideration.
