Abstract
The role that information and communication technologies (ICT) could play in socio-economic development has been recognized by governments worldwide. The most important starting point in most countries is a national ICT policy. In many developing countries, ICT policy development has increasingly become a participatory process. This is largely as a result of implementing policy reforms, with a strong emphasis on governance systems. This chapter is a case study of the development of national information and communication technology policy in Kenya, the influences of regional institutions and their products, and the role of the private sector and civil society. The chapter is based on a study that was carried out by reviewing existing relevant documents and by interviewing key persons involved in national and regional ICT policy in Kenya. The chapter also presents the challenges, conclusions, recommendations, and future research directions based on the case.
Key Terms in this Chapter
IT: Information technology
NEPAD: New partnership for Africa’s development
KCA: Kenya communications act
VOIP: Voice-over Internet protocol
TESPOK: Telecommunications service providers sssociation of Kenya
NCS: National communications secretariat
TKL: Telkom Kenya Ltd.
UNCITRAL: United Nations Commission on International Trade Law
EAP&TC: East African posts and telecommunications corporation
PDNO: Public data network operator
GSM: Global mobile systems
KEPSA: Kenya private sector alliance
ARICEA: Association of regulators of information and communications in Eastern and Southern Africa
CSO: Civil society organization
IGAD: Inter-governmental development authority
VSAT: Very small aperture terminal
CCK: Communications commission of Kenya
G2G: Government to government
UNECA: United Nations Economic Commission for Africa
MPC: Monopolies and prices commission
RTO: Rural telecommunications operator
COMESA: Common market for Eastern and Southern Africa
EARPTO: East Africa regulatory, postal and telecommunications organization
MISD: Micro-information systems department
EAC: East African community
G2B: Government to business
CTRO: Commercial trunked radio operator
UNESCO: United Nations Scientific and Cultural Organization
ICT: Information and communications technology
ESA: Eastern and Southern Africa
KICTANET: Kenya ICT action network
GITS: Government IT services
G2C: Government to citizen
KP&TC: Kenya posts and telecommunications corporation
NGO: Non-governmental organization