Nairobi — The Government's decision to sack the Communication Commission of Kenya (CCK) board has thrown the industry into disarray.

This means that at the moment, no licence can be issued, no dispute can be settled and no regulatory intervention can take place.

CCK staff yesterday refused to comment on the board's sacking by Information and Communications minister Raphael Tuju on Monday evening.

The sector's umbrella body, Telecommunications Service Providers Association of Kenya (Tespok), criticised the move and said a vacuum had been created due to lack of communication by the Government on how affairs within the sector should be managed.

Tespok chairman Joseph Mucheru said Tuju's move was a blow to Kenya's economy.

"Over 100 companies await processing of their licences in order to establish business, employ Kenyans and bring communications facilities and services to the economy.

This has all been cut short by interference from the very Government that committed itself to economic reforms, improved employment and support for private sector driven development", said Mucheru.

Speaking during the opening of the Second National ICT Convention in Nairobi yesterday, Mucheru said the chairman of the African ISP Association, W Stucke, had lamented that Tuju's action would scare off investors in the continent.

"Now watch investments in Africa as a whole, not just Kenya, wither up and blow away in the wind".

Mucheru said Tuju's action could only be construed as intrusive and short-sighted.

"The action can only be construed as obstructive and diversionary since it comes in the midst of the on going liberalisation of the sector".

Tespok commended the sacked board and CCK's director general Sammy Kirui who was sent on compulsory leave on Monday.

"The immediate former board of directors and the director general had successfully managed Kenya's transition into a competition framework", said Mucheru.

Kirui is also the current chairman of the International Telecommunications Union Council that oversees telecommunications worldwide.

"This is due to recognition by the international community of CCK's outstanding efforts to reform Kenya's regulatory environment from one of the worst in the world to the current status where we are being emulated by countries such as South Africa because of our exemplary and progressive regulations", said Mucheru.

Mucheru also said Kirui had a security of tenure under the Kenya Communications Act of 1998 "and his removal from active duty without any explanation begs the question as to whether the Government really respects the law".

He said the appointment of an acting Director-General from a Ministerial department raises questions of sincerity on the Government side in providing an independent regulator as mandated by the law.

The disbandment of the board came only a day after reports that a powerful cartel was interfering with CCK operations.

But sources had earlier indicated to The Standard that there was a disagreement between Tuju and the CCK board over the minister's move to cancel a GSM licence issued to Econet Wireless Kenya.