Uhuru Rejects The Controversial ICT Bill

By Juma / Published June 22, 2022 | 9:30 am

KEY POINTS

The Bill required that all ICT practitioners, including those with basic skills such as building a website, must get licenses to be allowed to operate.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

The Bill also outlined what Kenyans termed punitive measures and fines for those found contravening its requirements. For instance, it recommended that any person who attempts to illegally buy a license would be fined Ksh500,0000 or serve a jail term not exceeding two years or both.

President Uhuru Kenyatta has rejected the controversial ICT Bill. The Bill, which was approved by the National Assembly two weeks ago, attracted backlash from Kenyans and experts who termed it ridiculous. The ICT Ministry rejected it too.

The Bill required that all ICT practitioners, including those with basic skills such as building a website, must get licenses to be allowed to operate. This would have killed many dreams and skills given that many IT experts are self-taught.

The Bill further proposed that practitioners who fail to honor summons by the recommended council over complaints by clients will be liable to a fine not exceeding Ksh50,000 or imprisonment of not more than six months.

Initially, ICT CS Joe Mucheru denounced the bill calling it ridiculous and unreasonable. “This ICT Bill is a private member’s Bill. As a Ministry, we continuously fought against this Bill in its various forms. 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.”

Kenyans have welcomed the move by President Uhuru Kenyatta saying that he made a wise move. Angry Kenyans had started calling for the heads of the proponents of the Bill who even do not have any background on matters to do with IT.

“President Uhuru Kenyatta has rejected the controversial ICT Bill. Our President has become so wise and reasonable of late… The witchcraft that had been placed on him seems to have expired. Been making some great decisions these last few days,” said one of the Kenyans through social media.

About Juma

Juma is an enthusiastic journalist who believes that journalism has power to change the world either negatively or positively depending on how one uses it.(020) 528 0222 or Email: info@sokodirectory.com

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