Senate Wants Counties To Have More Say In Technopolis Bill

A Senate committee is pushing for major changes to the Technopolis Bill, 2024, to give county governments a stronger role in the development and management of Kenya’s planned technology cities.

The Senate Committee on Information, Communication and Technology, chaired by Trans Nzoia Senator Allan Chesang, met in Kiambu County and said it plans to introduce amendments to the controversial Bill, which was introduced in the National Assembly earlier this year as Bill No. 6 of 2024.

The proposed law aims to create technopolises—high-tech innovation hubs designed to attract investment, research, and skilled talent. However, senators say the current draft does not properly reflect Kenya’s devolved governance structure.

Senator Chesang said counties must not be left out of the country’s digital transformation.

“We are building a framework that respects devolution,” he said. “Counties must be part of the decision-making and not just observers.”

One of the key areas of concern is Clause 7, which outlines the leadership of the Technopolis Development Authority (TDA). The Committee now wants the Council of Governors to have a seat on the board to ensure counties are involved in decisions such as land use and licensing.

Another major proposed change is to Clause 16, which currently allows the Cabinet Secretary for ICT to declare any area a technopolis. The Committee wants this power to be subject to public consultation, in line with the Statutory Instruments Act. Clause 18, which deals with buffer zones around technopolises, has also been revised to require—not just suggest—collaboration with county governments during planning.

While the Committee supports the central role of the TDA in approving developments within technopolises, it insists that all plans must align with national and county land use frameworks.

Elgeyo Marakwet Senator William Kisang said counties must be fully involved in land use and planning. “County governments must be at the centre of implementation, especially on land use and planning, which are constitutionally devolved,” he said.

The Senate Committee is expected to finalise its report on the Bill by the end of the weekend before it is presented in Parliament for debate.