A new bill before the Kenyan Parliament seeks to revolutionize how internet usage is tracked and billed in the country. The Kenya Information and Communications (Amendment) Bill, 2025, introduced by Aldai MP Marianne Kitany, proposes a shift from traditional internet service models to a metered billing system. If passed, internet service providers (ISPs) such as Safaricom, Zuku, Faiba, Starlink, and Jamii Telkom will be required to assign unique meter numbers to each subscriber.
According to the bill, these meter numbers will allow ISPs to monitor and track individual customer usage, generate consumption-based invoices, and enable users to verify the accuracy of their bills. The proposal further mandates that all ISPs submit detailed reports of their billing systems, including the meter numbers issued, to the Communications Authority (CA) at least once every financial year.
Kitany, who is affiliated with the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party, argues that this law is intended to curb consumer exploitation and enhance transparency in billing. She cites Article 46 of the Constitution, which protects consumer rights, as a guiding principle for the bill. “The enactment of this Bill will help secure the economic interests of internet users,” Kitany noted in her submission.
The bill also seeks to redefine the term “telecommunication operators” under the current Kenya Information and Communications Act to explicitly include ISPs. Additionally, while existing ISP licenses will remain valid until their expiry, future registrations will have to comply with the new regulatory framework outlined in the bill.
While the bill aims to protect consumers, it also notes that implementation could lead to increased public expenditure, raising questions about the cost and complexity of rolling out the required infrastructure for meter-based internet billing.
The proposal has already reached the National Assembly, having been received on March 7, 2025. As debate looms, stakeholders in the telecommunications sector and internet users alike will be closely watching the bill’s progression and its potential impact on the cost and accessibility of internet services in Kenya.
