The Digital Literacy and Opportunities Bill, 2024
Status Timeline
Proposed
Active now
Public Review
Pending
Debate
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Executive
Pending
Final
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KSh 1 Million Fine for Unlicensed Digital Training
Under Section 25, any person or private institution offering digital literacy training services must be licensed and registered. Under Section 25(2), operating without registration carries:
- A fine not exceeding KSh 1 million;
- Imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years; or
- Both.
Counties to Establish and Run Community Digital Hubs
Under Section 18, county governments are empowered to establish and maintain community digital hubs. County executive committee members must:
- Maintain a register of registered trainers, hubs, assets, liabilities, and trainees within the county (Section 20).
- Ensure hub premises meet occupational health, safety, and disability accessibility requirements (Section 21).
- Recruit and remunerate digital literacy managers and trainers (Section 24).
New Digital Literacy Committee Created
The Bill establishes the Digital Literacy Committee under Section 6. Key responsibilities of the Committee include:
- Recommending minimum standards and policies for digital literacy programs to the Cabinet Secretary.
- Developing and keeping an updated comprehensive register of all digital literacy programs within one year of its constitution.
- Conducting periodic evaluations of registered digital hubs and institutions.
Mandatory Digital Skills for Public Servants
The Bill amends Section 17(2) of the Public Service (Values and Principles) Act (Cap. 185A) to introduce a new requirement:
- Mandates the provision of digital literacy training and certification for all public servants to improve public service delivery and support the digitization of government services.
Bill No.
Senate Bills No. 8 of 2024
Gazette No.
Supplement No. 45
Sponsor
Karen Njeri Nyamu
Background
The principal object of the Digital Literacy and Opportunities Bill, 2024 is to provide a coordinated national approach for planning, designing, deploying, and managing government digital literacy programs. As the government of Kenya moves to digitize its services, the Bill aims to raise the digital skills of citizens and public servants, bridge the digital divide in low-income and rural areas, and prepare individuals for jobs in the digital economy.
Key Amendments
The Bill amends the Public Service (Values and Principles) Act (Cap. 185A) as follows:
- Section 2 is amended to insert a definition for "digital literacy," describing it as the ability to use information and communication technologies to find, evaluate, create, and communicate information using basic cognitive and technical skills.
- Section 17(2) is amended to mandate digital literacy training and certification programs specifically designed for public servants.
New Obligations
For County Governments:
- Must develop and implement local digital literacy programs aligned with national policies (Section 5).
- Must designate an administrative unit to oversee training, manage property, develop strategic plans, and handle the enrollment of trainees in community digital hubs (Section 23).
- Must maintain a public register of registered trainers, hubs, assets, liabilities, and trainees within the county (Section 20).
For Private Institutions and Trainers:
- Any person or private institution intending to offer digital literacy services must submit an application for registration to their county government (Section 26).
- Applications must include completed forms, public health or sanitary inspection reports, a title deed or a valid lease of at least five years, and certified academic credentials of the manager and trainers.
- Registered institutions must file an annual self-evaluation report detailing physical infrastructure developments and programs offered (Section 29).
Penalties
- Unlicensed Operations: Under Section 25(2), offering digital literacy training services without a valid license and registration carries a fine of up to KSh 1 million, imprisonment for up to two years, or both.
- Failure to Rectify: Under Section 30, if an institution fails to comply with set standards after receiving a written warning notice from the Committee, the Committee may close the institution permanently or until it complies.
Transitional Provisions
- Existing Institutions: Under Section 36, any institution registered to offer digital literacy training before the commencement of this Act is deemed registered for one year.
- Notice to Re-register: The Committee may give a three-month written notice requiring an existing institution to formally apply for registration under Section 26. Failure to apply within the specified period results in the loss of registered status.
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