Nairobi — The National Computer and Cybercrimes Coordination Committee (NC4) has initiated a public participation campaign to gather input on the Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes Act (CMCA) Regulations.
The goal is to incorporate feedback from all stakeholders including citizens in the development of a secure and trusted cyberspace.
The move follows the successful development of the draft Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes (Critical Information Infrastructure and Cybercrime Management) Regulations in 2023 by NC4, a body operating under the State Department of Internal Security and National Administration.
These regulations are designed to establish a comprehensive framework for monitoring, detecting, and responding to cybersecurity threats within Kenya's cyberspace while safeguarding Critical Information Infrastructure.
"Cybersecurity is a collective responsibility, and the Government is fully committed to ensuring a secure and resilient cyber environment in the country," Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo said.
The Ministry of Interior and National Administration has already issued a public participation and consultation notice, inviting institutions, organizations, and individuals to review and provide their comments on the draft regulations.
The public engagement period is scheduled to run until September 22, 2023.
PS Omollo revealed that both physical and virtual meetings will be held in eight regions across Kenya, namely the Coast, Nyanza, Central, Western, Rift Valley, Eastern, North Eastern, and Nairobi.
NC4 is also set to conduct sectoral meetings with representatives from industries that may be impacted by the regulations, including ICT & Telecommunications, Energy, Transport, Manufacturing, Industry, Banking, Insurance, Finance, Electoral, Judicial, Health, Education, Food, Water, Land, Defence, Security and Public Safety.
Sectoral meetings
These sectoral meetings will also involve professional bodies, associations, local and international Cybersecurity/ICT practitioners, as well as representatives from interest groups such as women, youth, and persons with disabilities.
"Comments, views, opinions, and suggestions can be submitted via registered courier/post to the Ministry of Interior and National Administration during working hours or sent to the email address (regulations@nc4.go.ke)," Omollo added,
He encouraged the public to actively participate in the physical public engagement meetings taking place across the country.
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Established by Section 4 & 5 of the Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes Act No. 5 of 2018 (CMCA), the National Computer and Cybercrimes Coordination Committee (NC4) is a multi-agency committee mandated to coordinate all cybersecurity matters in Kenya.
Its objective is to facilitate timely and effective detection, prohibition, prevention, response, investigation, and prosecution of computer and cybercrimes.
The committee is chaired by the Principal Secretary of Internal Security and National Administration (IS&NA) and operates with a dedicated NC4 Secretariat established under Section 7 of CMCA 2018 to implement committee decisions.
NC4 seeks to ensure a safe and trusted cyberspace for the people of Kenya through a through a coordinated approach while maximizing on the benefits of a digital economy.
