NAIROBI, Kenya- A new bill introduced in Parliament could soon change how Kenyans are billed for internet services, with the aim of making charges more transparent and easier to track.
The billl dubbed the Kenya Information and Communications (Amendment) Bill, 2025 seeks to amend the current Kenya Information and Communications Act to introduce strict billing requirements for internet service providers (ISPs).
What the Bill Proposes
At the heart of the bill sponsored by Aldai MP Marianne Kitany is a push to make internet billing more transparent.
ISPs will be required to implement a meter billing system that functions akin to the electricity or water meters.
According to the proposed Section 27A(3C),
“An internet service provider shall operate a meter billing system which shall assign to each customer a unique and identifiable meter number.”
This means that every customer will have their own unique meter number.
Likeiwse,the ISPs must track data usage in real time.
The usage must then be converted into clear, readable formats.
Similarly,the bill seeks to require Invoices based on actual consumption.
Customers will be able to verify their bills independently.
The bill seesk to enhance accountability and protect consumers from unclear or inaccurate billing. The bill seeks to amend the Kenya Information and Communications Act by expanding the definition of a “telecommunication operator” to explicitly include internet service providers.
SIM Card Registration Requirements
The proposed law imposes duties on telecommunications operators regarding SIM card registration, requiring full subscriber details such as names, identity card numbers, dates of birth, and physical addresses to be collected and securely maintained.
Disclosure of subscriber information will be allowed only under specific legal circumstances, such as criminal investigations or statutory functions.
Age Verification for Social Media Users
The bill introduces strict age verification rules for social media users.
Both new and existing users of platforms like WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn will be required to confirm their age using their national identification cards before gaining access.
Content service providers (CSPs) and application service providers (ASPs) will be mandated to enforce these verification procedures, while mobile service providers will ensure SIM card registration aligns with these requirements.
Annual Reporting to the Regulator
The bill also introduces stricter oversight by requiring ISPs to report their billing practices annually.
This will allow the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) to track how ISPs manage billing and ensure compliance with the law.
Kenya has seen rapid growth in internet penetration, but complaints about unclear data charges and poor customer service have persisted.
The bill aims to promote transparency in how data is billed while enabling users to monitor their own data usage
Similarly,the bill seeks to reduce disputes between customers and providers as well as strengthening regulatory oversight in the digital sector.
However,critics argue that the proposed bill of enacted into law risks giving the government a “through-pass” to the information of Kenya,therefore curtailing the freedom of expression.
If passed into law, ISPs will be required to update their systems and begin issuing meter numbers to customers.
Consumers, on the other hand, can expect clearer bills, more accurate usage reports, and better control over how they use and pay for internet services.
