CA advocates joint regulatory framework to enhance inter-agency collaboration

By:  Kanto Kai Okanta

The Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) has called for enhanced inter-agency collaboration to strengthen consumer protection in the country’s rapidly evolving information and communications technology (ICT) sector.

Speaking before the Senate ICT Committee, Dr. Priscilla N., Director of Competition Management, Consumer Protection and Corporate Communications at CA, emphasized that consumers increasingly expect trust, privacy, security and meaningful participation in the digital economy.

She noted that emerging technologies and overlapping regulatory mandates require a more coordinated approach among key oversight institutions to ensure effective protection of consumers and market integrity.

To address these challenges, the Authority proposed the establishment of a joint working group comprising the Communications Authority of Kenya, the Central Bank of Kenya, the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner and the Competition Authority of Kenya. The proposed framework is expected to harmonize regulatory oversight in areas where mandates intersect.

According to CA, the collaboration would focus on aligning disclosure standards and streamlining complaints handling mechanisms to improve efficiency and consistency in consumer redress across the ICT and digital financial services ecosystem.

The Authority further indicated that in the long term, regulatory reforms should incorporate open finance safeguards while also reviewing existing frameworks to address emerging risks associated with artificial intelligence and digital identity systems.

CA maintained that such measures are critical to ensuring that Kenya’s digital economy remains secure, competitive and responsive to consumer needs while supporting innovation and sustainable growth in the ICT sector.