- "The Bill seeks to introduce internet meters to monitor consumption and prevent exploitation of citizens.”
- "We need a system to ensure that ISPs do not take advantage of consumers.”
Image: HANDOUT
Aldai MP Marianne Kitany wants a metering system introduced in internet service provision to ensure fairness and transparency for consumers.
In proposed amendments to the Kenya Information and Communications (KICA) Bill before the Communication, Information, and Innovation (CII) Committee, Kitany said internet meters will track individual data usage.
She told the committee chaired by Dagoretti South MP John Kiarie that the changes will revolutionise the internet billing system in Kenya as Internet Service Providers (ISPs) will be held accountable.
"The Bill seeks to introduce internet meters to monitor consumption and prevent exploitation of citizens," Kitany explained.
She stressed that ISPs often charge blanket rates, leading to overbilling without accountability, and added that consumers deserve value for money.
"The gap is on the pricing of the internet, and we need consumer protection. The metering system will allow us to account for the value we get."
The Bill also proposes that ISPs submit annual reports to the Communications Authority (CA) to improve transparency.
The accountability mechanism is expected to help monitor the financial operations of ISPs, addressing the ongoing concerns of inflated billing practices.
During the session, several MPs weighed in on the implications of the amendments.
Kisumu East MP Shakeel Shabir raised the need for a consumer reporting system to hold ISPs accountable.
"We need a system to ensure that ISPs do not take advantage of consumers," he stated.
Mbooni MP Erastus Kivasu added,;
"ISPs know consumers don’t use the full data they subscribe for. How does the Communications Authority ensure they’re not taking advantage?"
Kiarie drew comparisons to international examples, particularly from South Africa, emphasising that similar metering systems have been successfully implemented elsewhere.
He urged the committee to consider whether the existing utility model in Kenya, where services don't expire, could be adapted for internet consumption.
“Utilities don’t expire; services don’t expire. How do we ensure the data Safaricom shows is accurate?”
Kitany stressed the importance of consumer rights, noting that the current model benefits ISPs disproportionately.
"ISPs know you won’t consume the bundle you’ve bought—this is for pure profit. My Bill proposes to put a stop to this, ensuring value for money as required under the Consumer Act," she said.