4.3.5 Competition
Adequate competition in all relevant markets in products, function and geographical reach while at
the same time promoting investment and innovation.
4.3.6 Innovations
Encouragement of innovation, attraction of investment and promotion of ease of doing business for
a positive social and economic impact through ICTs.
4.3.7 Standards
Standardization of ICT products and services for quality assurance and adherence to the national and
international standards.
4.3.8 Internationalization, National Cohesion and Integration
The maintenance of global connectivity and the promotion of One Kenya shall be a key tenet of
electronic communications.
4.3.9 Privacy and Security
The privacy, security of the person and property shall be paramount in the deployment of information
and communications technologies.
4.3.10 Recognition of the UN Sustainable Development Goals
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and targets will stimulate action over the next fifteen
years in areas of critical importance for humanity and the planet. Implementation of the SDGs
addresses science, technology and innovation, capacity building, data monitoring and accountability;
among other issues which are of great importance to the ICT sector. All three pillars of sustainable
development – economic development, social inclusion and environmental protection – need ICTs as
key catalysts, and ICTs will be crucial for achieving the SDGs.
Though not a stand-alone goal in the SDGs, ICTs are a key cross-cutting enabler for promoting and
achieving each and every SDG and ICTs have great potential to accelerate human progress, to bridge
the digital divide and to develop knowledge societies. Kenya will endeavour to domesticate the SDGs
targets that relate to ICTs
4.4
Situational Analysis
Currently, Kenya is one of Africa’s fastest growing ICT markets where ICTs have increased productivity
in all spheres of production process and enabled expansion of skills, contributing to improved
standards of living for Kenyans. The Economic survey 2016 report provides an overview of the ICT
sector performance and development trends in Mobile Telephony Service, Fixed Telephony Service,
Internet/Data Service, Registered Domains, Broadcasting, Postal and Courier Service and Tariffs. Some
of these key indicators are given below:
Contribution to Gross Domestic Product: The contribution of ICT to GDP dropped from 1.2 % in 2014
to 0.9 % in 2015. This could be due to low value addition on ICT inputs which are mostly imports.
Fixed Telephone: During the year under review, Telkom Kenya decommissioned the fixed wireless
network due to the obsolete technology, expensive maintenance cost and high competition from
other telephone technologies. Consequently, subscribers under Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA)
network were migrated to the company’s mobile network. This resulted in a decline of fixed wireline
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