The Committee on Delegated Legislation has reviewed proposed regulations aimed at safeguarding the interests of Kenyans in the telecommunications sector and promoting accountability among service providers.
The Committee, chaired by Samuel Chepkonga (Ainabkoi), examined the Kenya Information and Communications Regulations (Registration of Telecommunications Service Subscribers) Regulations, 2025, during a session held today.
The Principal Secretary for Broadcasting and Telecommunications, Mr Stephen Isaboke, appeared before the Committee on behalf of the Cabinet Secretary for Information, Communications, and the Digital Economy, Hon. William Kabogo Gitau.
He was accompanied by the Director General of the Communications Authority of Kenya, Mr David Mugonyi, and other senior officials from the Ministry and the Authority.
PS Isaboke briefed the lawmakers on the contents and intent of the regulations.
He reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to strengthening Kenya’s digital ecosystem through robust legal frameworks that prioritise data protection, national security, and service reliability. He also appealed for Parliament’s support in implementing the measures.
The proposed regulations introduce strict requirements for the registration of telecommunications service subscribers. Notably, parents or guardians seeking to register SIM cards on behalf of minors will be required to present original birth certificates of the children and their own identification documents.
“A parent or a guardian who intends to register a SIM card on behalf of a child shall provide the birth certificate of the child and the identification documents of the parent or the guardian,” reads the regulations in part.
“The parent or guardian shall be registered as the subscriber of that particular SIM card until the child attains the age of maturity,” the regulations add.
The regulations also place clear responsibilities on telecom operators, requiring them to maintain updated records of their subscribers and registration agents.
“A telecom operator issuing SIM cards shall keep and maintain an up-to-date record of all SIM cards sold to registration agents and information on every registered SIM card to ensure that each registered SIM card can be traced to the registration agent,” the regulations state.
Today’s meeting was the second session between the ministry and the committee regarding the regulations. During an earlier meeting, committee members had proposed several amendments and suggestions, which were taken into consideration.
Chepkonga confirmed that the committee’s input had been incorporated into the revised regulations.
“We have reviewed the regulations and are satisfied that they conform to the law and meet the legitimate expectations and concerns of Kenyans,” stated Chepkonga.
