Shelved ICT Practitioners Bill Is Back But With Amendments

The ICT Practitioners Bill 2016 Bill sponsored by Majority leader Aden Duale is back but with proposed amendments.

It was rejected by ICT Cabinet Secretary Joe Mucheru who said “if enacted, the ICT Protection Bill 2016, will cause duplication in regulation and frustrate individual talents from realizing their potential.”

The private members Bill sought to have ICT practitioners licensed before being permitted to practice.

The Bill also stipulated that for one to be eligible for registration, he /she should be a holder of a Bachelor’s Degree with at least three years of relevant experience, something that the CS noted would hinder growth of innovations and developments in the country.

The Bill is now back, sponsored by Nominated MP Godfrey Osotsi and will be addressing the title “ICT Practitioner” which limited a practitioner to an individual who holds a degree.

“But essentially the powers have been given to the members, licenced practitioners, in terms of running of the council and the institute and also we have broadened the definition of an ICT practitioner,” Osotsi said.

The Osotsi sponsored Bill will take into consideration individuals from other ICT related fields including engineering, physics, mathematics and BBIT.

Those without degrees or diplomas will also present their ideas but through the Council of the Institute which in the first bill “was largely going to be government driven. But this one has been designed such that it is going to be largely a member driven council, majority of the members of the council are going to be ICT practitioners themselves.”

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While rejecting the bill, CS Mucheru noted that it would render jobless youths engaging on online jobs while reversing the gains already felt in the ICT industry.

The ICT Committee also noted that the Bill posed an economic risk as it would cripple the industry that plays a major role in the success of Vision 2030.

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