In a bid to strengthen Kenya’s cybersecurity defenses, the government will release the amended draft of the ICT Authority Bill, 2024, for a second round of public hearings this month. This move follows increased cyber threats and widespread criticism of the initial draft.
The original Bill, unveiled for public comment in July 2023, sparked concerns over its regulatory approach, with critics fearing stringent licensing and registration requirements might stifle innovation in the ICT sector.
However, ICT Authority CEO Stanley Kamanguya reassured stakeholders that the revised Bill addresses these concerns.
“The public’s feedback was carefully reviewed, and amendments were made to ensure the Bill aligns with sector growth while fostering innovation,” Kamanguya said. “This is not about stifling development but about creating a framework that catalyzes growth.”

The updated Bill will undergo further validation by public and private sector stakeholders before being presented to the Cabinet and the Attorney General for final approval.
Kamanguya emphasized that the ICT Authority Bill 2024 differs significantly from the controversial ICT Practitioners Bill, which sought to regulate ICT professionals.
“The ICTA Bill focuses on encouraging responsible ICT development and addressing increasing cyber threats. It does not aim to regulate practitioners,” he clarified.
Between April and June 2024, Kenya experienced over 1.1 billion cyber threats, according to the Communications Authority. This statistic highlights the urgency of the Bill and other measures, such as consolidating cyber threat control units and advancing the Critical Infrastructure Bill, which aims to protect essential infrastructure like the Optical Fibre Cable (OFC) network.
Kamanguya also called for policies on infrastructure sharing to curb vandalism and optimize the use of public resources, particularly in underserved regions.
The ICT Authority continues to drive its Digital Super Highway initiative, which seeks to expand Kenya’s fiber network, lower internet costs, and enhance e-government services. The project includes deploying 100,000 kilometers of fiber cable, 25,000 public Wi-Fi hotspots, and 1,450 digital village smart hubs.
Additionally, the Digital Skills Programme has already trained over 114,000 Kenyans in ICT and cybersecurity, with plans to equip 20 million citizens for the digital economy.
The Presidential DigiTalent Programme (PDTP) has trained nearly 3,000 ICT interns, many of whom have secured employment in the public sector.
Collaborations with universities such as Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) and Dedan Kimathi University of Technology (DeKUT) are addressing challenges like e-waste while fostering innovation. Through these partnerships, innovators gain access to funding and platforms to connect with investors.
The ICT Authority’s holistic approach is paving the way for a more secure and connected Kenya, with a focus on inclusivity, innovation, and sustainable development.