Nandi County Senator Samson Cherarkey has sought a statement from the Standing Committee on Information, Communication and Technology regarding the non-implementation of lower Mobile Termination Rates (MTR) as recommended by a consultant engaged by the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA).
“Mobile Termination Rates (MTRs) are a key determinant of the cost of voice calls across networks. Reducing MTRs is essential to ensuring affordable and accessible communication services for all Kenyans. A consultant engaged by the CA recommended a significant reduction in the MTR to KES 0.06 per minute, in line with international best practices, where some jurisdictions have adopted zero-rated termination charges to promote consumer welfare and market competitiveness,” Sen Cherarkey stated.
He further noted that the CA instead announced a revised MTR of KES 0.41 per minute, effective March 1, 2024 down from the previous KES 0.58 per minute but still significantly higher than the consultant’s recommendation. This decision raises concerns about the rationale for departing from expert advice and the delay in adopting more consumer friendly rates.
In the statement, the Committee is required to address the reasons behind the CA’s decision to set the MTR at KES 0.41 per minute despite the consultant’s proposal of KES 0.06 per minute and to clarify the basis for the deviation from expert guidance.
The Senator also requested the Committee to outline the timeline within which the Authority intends to align the MTR with the consultant’s recommendation given that the current rate lapses in March 2026 and to detail the measures in place to ensure timely, transparent and accountable implementation of the lower MTR.
