GAZETTE NOTICE NO. 12620

IT IS notified for the general information of the public that the Cabinet Secretary for Information, Communications and the Digital Economy has appointed the Working Group on Policy and Legislative Reforms for the Information, Communications and the Digital Economy Sector (hereafter referred to as “Sectoral Working Group”). Objective: The Sectoral Working Group shall— (a) Evaluate the efficacy, suitability and structuring of the ICT and digital economy sector and its role in fostering agility, innovation and value creation. (b) Review existing policy, legislative frameworks, institutional structures and administrative protocols regulating/underpinning the ICT and digital economy sector in Kenya and make recommendations for reform. The Sectoral Working Group shall be structured around the State Departments of ICT and the Digital Economy, and Broadcasting and Telecommunications, under clearly defined thematic areas, and shall comprise— Timothy Mwololo Waema (Prof.) — Chairperson Vice-Chairpersons: (a) Information, Communications and the Digital Economy Phyllis Migwi (b) Broadcasting and Telecommunications Hanningtone Joel Gaya (Dr.) Members: INFORMATION, COMMUNICATIONS AND THE DIGITAL ECONOMY: (a) Digital Infrastructure and Services Thomas Anyanje Senaji (Prof.) Angela Wamola George Wanyama David Nzioka Amos William Omolo (Dr.) (b) Software, Software Services and Emerging Technologies Marshal Luusa Christopher Kipchumba Chepken (Prof.) Denis Kute John Walubengo John Ooko Amrit Singh Pyara Labhuram (c) Cybersecurity Daniel Ketoto Benson K. Mandela Anastasia Kariuki James J. Kimuyu (Col (Dr.)) Mahat Somane (d) Innovation, Enterprise Development and Digital Jobs Phyllis Migwi Josephine K. Ndambuki John N. Mwamanzi Moses Kipkemoi Kipkogei BROADCASTING AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS: (a) Telecommunications Hanningtone Joel Gaya (Dr.) Vincent Adul (Eng.) Daniel O. Obam (Eng.) James Ngari Njeru (Dr.) Fiona Asonga Lyla Latif (Dr.) (b) Broadcasting, Postal and Courier Bishar A. Hussein (Amb.) Zubeidah Kananu Churchill Moses Otieno Agnes Kalekye Nguna Judy W. Munyinyi Joan Onyango-Obunga (c) Media, Public Relations and Communications Thomas Mshindi Caroline Kiarie-Kimondo 2:36 PM THE KENYA GAZETTE 19th September, 2023 4118 4118 Michael Okidi Caroline S.A. Mandi Sylvia Mudasia-Mwichuli Eric Kibet (Dr.) (d) New Media Tom Olali (Prof.) Dennis Itumbi Edward Mwasi Philip Thigo Joint Secretaries: Christopher Maina Annette Kerubo Nyakora The Terms of Reference of the Sectoral Working Group are to— (a) examine the existing policy, legislative, institutional, administrative and operational structures, systems and strategies and recommend comprehensive reforms in the Sector; (b) identify emerging technologies and other developments in the environment that require legal and policy intervention and make appropriate policy and legislative proposals; (c) Recommend legal, policy and institutional reforms to anchor the regulation of ICT and digital economy-based organizations, entities, and activities under a coherent legal, policy and institutional regime; and (d) make any other assessment and advise on necessary reforms to enable the Ministry of Information, Communications and the Digital Economy meet its present mandate and expectations in a fast-changing operational environment. (e) Develop a detailed action plan with timelines for implementing the result of the reviews and matters being considered by the Sectoral Working Group and the recommendations and strategies made thereto. (f) Consider, perform and advise on any other matter or subject ancillary or incidental to the matters afore described In the performance of its functions, the Sectoral Working Group shall— (a) be responsible to the Cabinet Secretary for ICT and the Digital Economy (b) map out the issues, functions, responsible institutions and financing strategy for each identified challenge area and reform proposal (c) identify international and regional best practices in the management, oversight, strategic intent and regulation of the particular aspect of the ICT and digital economy sector under review (d) consider and propose appropriate mechanisms for collaboration and cooperation among the institutions involved in the particular aspect of ICT and digital economy sector under consideration (e) regulate its own procedure; (f) form thematic working groups, if necessary; (g) hold such number of meetings in such places and at such times as the Sectoral Working Group members will consider necessary for the proper discharge of its functions; (h) carry out or cause to be carried out such assessments, studies or research as may inform its mandate; (i) hold consultations with stakeholders to solicit, receive, consider and collate inputs that may be useful for the performance of its mandate; and (j) co-opt technical experts who possess relevant expertise, skills and experiences which it considers necessary and proper. The Sectoral Working Group shall remain in office for a period of three (3) months from the date of publication of this notice and the Cabinet Secretary may, if necessary, extend the term of the Sectoral Working Group. The deliverable of the Sectoral Working Group shall be the Sectoral Reforms Report and the Implementation Matrix. The Secretariat of the Sectoral Working Group shall be based at the Ministry Headquarters, 10th Floor, Telposta Towers, Kenyatta Avenue, Nairobi, P.O. Box 350–00100, Nairobi. The Secretariat shall be responsible for— (a) Providing appropriate background briefing to the Sectoral Working Group; (b) Policy interpretation, developing and implementing the programmes and activities of the Sectoral Working Group; (c) Preparing the reports of the Sectoral Working Group and disseminating any information deemed relevant to the Sectoral Working Group, and; (d) Undertaking research and liaising with the relevant Government departments and any other institution or stakeholders in order to gather relevant information necessary for informing the Sectoral Working Group. Dated the 11th September, 2023. ELIUD OWALO, Cabinet Secretary for Information, Communications and the Digital Economy.