By Benjy Kwabe
The last 12th parliamentary Bill does not account for the
ever-changing dynamics of the ICT industry.
Azimio la Umoja Presidential
candidate Raila Odinga [Courtesy]
Azimio
presidential candidate Raila Odinga this Sunday indicated his objectivity about
the recently passed ICT bill of practitioners of ICT regulation.
According
to the former Prime Minister, the bill is vague and has no clear indication of
what the power passed to the ICT sector.
“I find
the move to regulate ICT Practitioners impractically and counter-productive. It
negates the goals and visions of the National ICT Policy and Digital
Strategies.” He said.
He
implied that the Bill that got passed in the last 12th parliament does not
account for the ever-changing dynamics of the ICT industry.
Raila
further insinuated that the bill limits innovation by restricting persons who
are self-taught in the provision of ICT services as it overrules the
Recognition of Prior Learning objective.
Congratulating
Google and Microsoft for acknowledging Kenya and setting up headquarters within
Kenya which will be an employer for numerous citizens with or without degrees, they
will then be offered certificates in ICT and technology empowering the youth.
According
to Raila, the bill is more of a dissuasion to the technology giants which is
the main discouragement for the practitioners in investing in ‘silicon
savannah’.
Citing
that Kenya needs to emulate countries like the US, Canada, and South Africa in
the adoption of a self-regulating mechanism.
Suggesting
the registration of ICT practitioners be made voluntary rather than a mandatory
exercise, incorporation of voluntary standards in collaboration with
stakeholders in a manner that incentivizes compliance with the standards.
Emulating
the countries’ states that have allowed ICT practitioners to come together
sharing skills and innovative ideas hence determining standards to be upheld
within the profession.
