Make the internet a right with increased adoption of e-payment in Kenya

“It is time to make the internet a right,” according to the Kenya ICT Action Network (KICTANet).

Ms Grace Githaiga, a cyber security expert and part of the KICTAnet said with increased adoption of paperless payment system in Kenya to improve accountability, efficiency and transparency in the public sector transactions and emergence of e-commerce, it was prudent for policy makers to ensure internet is a right.

“Policy makers should include the people’s voice” as they are the end users of the said platforms.

Speaking on Monday at the 2nd edition of the Kenya School of Internet Governance 2017 in partnership with Facebook, said diversity, openness, security, access, and critical Internet resources are central issues of ongoing public debate.

Githaiga notes that the Internet operates on the basis of the multi-stakeholder model and does not have a central administrative authority. “Wen it comes to the internet, the government cannot do it alone. The process of making laws must have a multi-stakeholder approach.”

“Advocacy and policy can be a very slow process and people give up on the way. It is important to have new voices to the decisions,” says Githaiga.

Read: Internet Growth in Kenya Key to Social Media Activism

She also disclosed that ‘cyber-security is real’ and they are ‘concerned’. “In as much as we say it should be open, we keep on witnessing the negative side of its use. There is increased fraud, child online pornography. We need concerted efforts to that. Laws should not infringe on freedom of expression.”

Kenya has The Computer and Cybercrime Bill 2016 which has been approved by different stakeholders. The Act provides for offences relating to computer systems; to enable timely and effective collection of forensic material for use as evidence, and facilitate international co-operation in dealing with cybercrime matters; and for connected purposes.

However, the  proposed Information and Communication Technology Practitioners Bill 2016, “An ACT of Parliament to provide for the training, registration, licensing, practice and standards of ICT practitioners and for connected purposes,” already received public outrage on allegations that it would hinder progress that has already been achieved in Kenya.