Kenya, being a regional and continental leader in the digital race, is calling for equity in the structuring of the global digital economy.

Hon. John Kiarie MP, Dagoretti South, the Chair of the National Assembly’s Departmental Committee on Communication, Information and Innovation made his presentation at the Standing Committee on Peace and International Security of the Inter- Parliamentary Union on a debate themed “Cyberattacks and Cybercrimes – The new risks to global security.” during the 146th Inter-Parliamentary Union General Assembly in Bahrain.

Kiarie said that perpetuation of global inequalities including the online space is a form of economic attacks that shouldn’t be propelled further.

Kenya is at the moment working on automation of massive government services. There are plans to established an ICT Infrastructure that will see about 100,000 KM of fiber optic cables. We are developing Wi-Fi hotspots in markets and rural areas”, said Hon. Kiarie.

He indicated that Kenya has made tremendous progress in legislations that relation to the ICT and Communication including, the Kenya Information and Communication Act, the Kenya Data Protection and Privacy Bill, the computer misuse and Cybercrime Bill among other laws in the sector.

He called on the convention to consider the economic protection through establishing proper mechanism and conventions to regulate online trade that promote economic equality in the digital space.