MPs under pressure to rescind decision on thin-sim roll out

Nairobi; Kenya: Pressure is mounting on Parliament to reverse a decision it made earlier this week blocking the Communication Authority of Kenya (CAK) from allowing Equity Bank to roll out its virtual mobile operator network. The ICT Association of Kenya yesterday added its voice to the on-going stalemate that pits Kenya’s titans Safaricom and Equity Bank, by calling on MPs to act within their mandate.

“Although the Constitution grants sweeping oversight powers to parliamentary committees, requiring an independent regulator to act in a particular way on a matter with glaring commercial stakes clearly over-stretches the committee’s mandate,” said the association’s Secretary General Kamotho Njenga. The lobby’s remarks come barely a day after the Government slammed the Parliamentary Committee on Energy and Communication for interfering with the operations of an independent regulator.

Information Cabinet Secretary Dr Fred Matiangi, on Thursday said CAK’s decision to allow Equity bank to roll out its virtual mobile money network, which uses the thin-sim technology was justified and the regulator’s decision should be respected. “According to Article 34 of the Constitution, the regulator should be independent from political, government and business influence,” stated Dr Matiangi.

“In the interest of the country, we need to support institutionalisation and follow the laid down processes. CAK is an independent body, they have taken a decision, the Government is satisfied with the decision and if there are any issues that emerge, we need to follow the channels that exist.”

Last week, CAK and the Central Bank approved Equity Bank’s thin-sim roll out for a 12-month pilot period before full deployment.