In a Parliamentary session, Aldai MP Marianne Kitany presented her proposed amendments to the Kenya Information and Communications (KICA) Bill before the Communication, Information, and Innovation (CII) Committee, chaired by Dagoretti South MP John Kiarie.
The proposed changes seek to revolutionize the internet billing system in Kenya, introducing a metering system to ensure fairness and transparency for consumers.
MP Kitany’s amendments aim to hold Internet Service Providers (ISPs) accountable by introducing internet meters that will track individual data usage.
“The Bill seeks to introduce internet meters to monitor consumption and prevent exploitation of citizens,” Hon. Kitany explained.
She stressed that ISPs often charge blanket rates, leading to overbilling without accountability, and added that consumers deserve value for money. “The gap is on the pricing of internet, and we need consumer protection. The metering system will allow us to account for the value we get.”
The bill also proposes that ISPs submit annual reports to the Communications Authority (CA) to improve transparency. This accountability mechanism will help monitor the financial operations of ISPs, addressing the ongoing concerns of inflated billing practices.
During the session, several MPs weighed in on the implications of the amendments. Hon. Shakeel raised the need for a consumer reporting system to hold ISPs accountable. “We need a system to ensure that ISPs do not take advantage of consumers,” he stated.
MP Erastus Kivasu added, “ISPs know consumers don’t use the full data they subscribe for. How does the Communications Authority ensure they’re not taking advantage?”
Committee Chair Hon. Kiarie drew comparisons to international examples, particularly from South Africa, emphasizing that similar metering systems have been successfully implemented elsewhere. He urged the Committee to consider whether the existing utility model in Kenya, where services don’t expire, could be adapted for internet consumption. “Utilities don’t expire; services don’t expire. How do we ensure the data Safaricom shows is accurate?”
MP Kitany concluded by emphasizing the importance of consumer rights, noting that the current model benefits ISPs disproportionately. “ISPs know you won’t consume the bundle you’ve bought—this is for pure profit. My bill proposes to put a stop to this, ensuring value for money as required under the Consumer Act,” she said.
The bill’s potential to reshape Kenya’s internet landscape was acknowledged by Hon. Bernard Kitur, who referred to it as a “game-changer” for the region but stressed the need for research to back the proposals.
The Committee expressed its overall support for the bill, signaling the potential for significant reform in the telecommunications sector. As the process moves forward, the metering system and enhanced oversight will provide a pathway toward more affordable, transparent internet access for Kenyans.
