Kenya’s Ministry of Information, Communications, and the Digital Economy has announced the formation of a Sector Working Group to oversee policy and legislative reforms.
Cabinet Secretary Eliud Owalo, during the group’s inauguration, emphasized the need for updated laws and policies to effectively legislate and regulate the expanding mandate of the Ministry.
The group’s responsibilities include examining existing policy, legislative, institutional, administrative, and operational structures, systems, and strategies.
They will recommend comprehensive reforms in the sector, identify emerging technologies that require legal and policy intervention, and make appropriate policy and legislative proposals.
Furthermore, they will assess necessary reforms to enable the Ministry to meet its current mandate in a rapidly changing operational environment. They will also be responsible for drafting relevant bills, policies, and strategy documents.
The Sector Working Group will serve for six months, with a possible extension at the discretion of the Cabinet Secretary.
The group is divided into two thematic areas: ICT sectoral reforms and broadcasting and telecommunication sectoral reforms.
Prof Timothy Mwololo will chair the group, with Phylis Migwi serving as Vice Chair responsible for ICT sectoral reforms, and Dr Hannington Joel Gaya as Vice Chair responsible for Broadcasting and Telecommunication sectoral reforms.
The ICT sectoral reforms members include Prof Christopher Kipchumba, Marshal Luusa, Angela Wamola, John Ooko, John Walubengo, Philip Thigo, Col (Dr) James Kimuyu, Dennis Kute, Josephine Ndambuki, Benson Mandela, George Wanyama, John Mwamanzi, Anastacia Kariuki, Caroline Kimondo.
The broadcasting and telecommunication sectoral reforms members include Prof. Dr Thomas Senaji, Tom Mshindi, President of the Editors Guild Zubeida Kananu, Prof. Tom Olali, Dennis Itumbi, Agnes Kalekye, Caroline Mandi, Churchill Otieno, and David Nzioka among others.
The Joint Secretariat of the Working Group will consist of Lawyers Mahat Somane, Joan Obunga, Moses Kipkemoi, Lyla Latif, Amos Omolo, Annette Kerubo, Eric Kibet and Christopher Karanja.
