SENATOR ALLAN CHESANG CHAIRS THE COMMITTEE MEETING.
The Senate ICT committee has conveyed a meeting which was chaired by the Trans-Nzoia Senator, Allan Chesang. They have resolve to push for the review of Sim Card taxes to make them affordable to the common Mwananchi. The meeting has been held in Parliament building. The Information, Communication and, Technology committee invited the Airtel Chief Executive Officer Mr. Ashish Malhotra.
Mr. Ashish came with the Airtel management where they aired their predicaments to the ICT committee members. The Committee were appalled to learn that the telecommunication firms pay ksh 50 tax for each Sim Card imported into the country. ICT committee assured them that they will raise the issue with the National Treasury to ensure that the taxes are reviewed downwards.
The Airtel CEO on his part addressed the Honorable Members concerns about the security of consumer data in the country. Mr. Malhotra reiterated that Airtel has a reliable telecommunication system approved by the Communication Authority of Kenya (CAK). He added that, the system mitigates against cyber attacks through implementation of voice encryptions and firewalls on voice, SMS, and, data services.
This response was a consideration by the committee to a statement sought by Bungoma Senator, David Wakoli. On the routing of international gateway tariffs by mobile telecommunication firms and mobile service providers. Information, Communication and, Technology committee Chairman in the Senate, Hon Allan Chesang, has assured them that the issues raised will be looked into.
