Likuyani Digest | Ground Reality
New Bill Sparks Fear of Higher Data Prices
A proposed law currently before Parliament is causing concern among Kenyans who fear it could make internet data more expensive.
The Kenya Information and Communications (Amendment) Bill, 2025, sponsored by Aldai MP Marianne Kitany, seeks to introduce mandatory metered billing for all internet service providers. Under the proposal, providers would be required to assign every customer a unique meter number, monitor their data usage, and bill them strictly according to how much data they consume — similar to how electricity is billed.
The Bill is still under consideration and has not yet become law. However, many Kenyans online are already blaming it for the recent reduction in data value by major telcos, especially after Airtel cut the data on its popular Smarta bundles while keeping prices the same.
Telecommunications companies have warned Parliament that forcing consumption-based billing would require expensive new systems. They say these costs would likely be passed on to consumers and could also eliminate unlimited and speed-based packages that many households and businesses currently enjoy.
Questions on the ground:
Will this Bill make data more expensive for ordinary Kenyans?
Why are telcos already reducing data value before the law is even passed?
Should Kenyans be forced into pay-as-you-use billing like electricity tokens?
Will unlimited internet packages disappear if this Bill becomes law?
Who really benefits from metered billing — the consumer or the companies?
As the Bill continues to move through Parliament, residents say they are watching closely. Many argue that instead of making data more expensive, the government should focus on making internet more affordable for ordinary citizens.
Stay informed. Stay ahead.
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