NAIROBU, Kenya, July 14 – The government has constituted a Taskforce on the Development of Cybersecurity Policy that will undertake a comprehensive review and audit of the Computer Misuse and Cybercrime Act.
According to the Kenya Gazette notice dated June 6, 2024, the 21-member committee taskforce to be chaired by Mark Matunga with David Njoga and Ericsson Obura as joint secretaries will also identify any gaps and inconsistencies and propose specific legislative reviews.
“It is notified for the general information of the public that the Cabinet Secretary for Interior and National Administration has constituted a Taskforce to be known as the Taskforce on the Development of Cybersecurity Policy, Standard Operating Procedures and Related Legislative Instruments,” read the gazette notice.
The committee members include Mark Matunga, Timothy Were, James Kimuyu, Jennifer Nga’ng’a, Mary Christine Wanjiku, Dorine Wanjeru, Maj. Jamal Mohamed, Simon Kimaiyio, Terah Chadenya, and Janet Barulai.
Others are James Yogo, Miriam Kakenya, Vincent Ngundi, Moses Thiga, Brenda Seko, Phillip Irode, Prisca Wambui, Benson Njagi, Celestine Oluoch, David Njoga, and Ericsson Obura.
The committee will further identify all areas of the Computer Misuse and Cybercrime Regulations, 2024, that require implementation and develop a comprehensive implementation plan, as well as develop the National Artificial Intelligence and Cybersecurity Plan.
It will also be tasked with providing technical support to cybersecurity operation centers at the national, sector, and critical infrastructure operator levels during the setting-up process to support the operationalization of the cybersecurity desks at police posts and police stations.
“The Terms of Reference of the Taskforce are to develop a National Cybersecurity Policy, review the National Cybersecurity Strategy , conduct desk research and study visits to identify opportunities and best practices to improve Kenya’s cybersecurity regulatory framework.”
The Taskforce, which shall regulate its own procedures within the law, will also advise the Ministry of Interior and National Administration on emerging technologies in cybersecurity, including artificial intelligence (AI).
The Secretariat of the Taskforce shall be drawn from the National Computer and Cybercrime Coordination Committee established by the Computer Misuse and Cybercrime Act 2018 to coordinate national cybersecurity matters.
