{
  "id": 1488062,
  "title": "How Kenya’s proposed internet billing law could change what you pay for data",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/17/how-kenyas-proposed-internet-billing-law-could-change-what-you-pay",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-08-17T13:21:05.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "People Daily Kenya",
    "slug": "people-daily-kenya",
    "url": "https://peopledaily.digital/business/how-kenyas-proposed-internet-billing-law-could-change-what-you-pay-for-data"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Kenya is contemplating a new law that could alter the way internet users are charged for their data by service providers. The proposal, known as the Kenya Information and Communication (Amendment) Bill, 2025, has been introduced for public comment by the nation’s lawmakers. Sponsored by Aldai MP Marianne Keitany, the Bill would introduce a metered billing system for internet services, wherein customers might be charged based on the amount of data they use. Currently, the measure is under review by the National Assembly’s Departmental Committee on Communication, Information and Innovation before being presented to the entire Parliament for discussion. The core of the proposed legislation revolves around creating a framework for billing internet services based on the amount of data consumed. The bill aims to broaden the definition of telecommunications operators to include internet service providers and the definition of internet services under the existing Kenya Information and Communications Act. By doing so, the Bill intends to establish a more structured approach to measuring and billing internet usage. Proponents argue that these changes could enhance consumer protection by aligning with the consumer safeguards outlined in Article 46 of the Kenyan Constitution. Under the proposed system, internet service providers would need to establish and implement billing mechanisms capable of tracking individual customer usage. Each user would receive a distinct internet meter number, facilitating the monitoring of their consumption. Service providers will then have to issue bills based on the recorded usage and provide customers with clear information to help them understand and verify their data consumption. This shift in billing practices could significantly impact how consumers perceive internet costs, especially for those who currently purchase flat-rate data bundles or other fixed packages. The impact of this proposed legislation will be felt by millions of Kenyans who depend on mobile data, broadband, and other internet services. Consequently, public input is crucial to evaluating the proposal’s feasibility, effectiveness, and potential implications before it advances through Parliament. Stakeholders, including consumers, businesses, and technology firms, are encouraged to scrutinize the Bill during the public participation phase. Key concerns such as affordability, privacy, billing accuracy, dispute resolution, and the effects on various groups of internet users will be among the topics addressed in this stage. The public can access the Bill and draft submissions that will be forwarded to the National Assembly for consideration. The Bill is presently at the committee stage and is expected to be deliberated by the full National Assembly. Importantly, public participation is a constitutional obligation in Kenya’s legislative process, not merely a procedural formality. The feedback from citizens plays a vital role in helping lawmakers identify potential weaknesses, provide clarity on provisions, and assess whether the proposed changes sufficiently safeguard consumer interests. Thus, internet users are given a platform to influence legislation that could ultimately dictate how their internet usage is measured and charged.",
  "summary": "Kenya is considering a proposed law that could change how internet users are billed by service providers, with Parliament inviting members of the public to submit their views on the Kenya Information and Communication (Amendment) Bill, 2025. Sponsored by Aldai MP Marianne Keitany, the Bill proposes to introduce metered billing for internet services, meaning customers […]",
  "key_points": [
    "Kenya proposes metered internet billing law.",
    "Bill aims to track data usage for billing.",
    "Public comment sought before parliamentary vote."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}