PM Party Leader Caleb Amisi Raises Alarm Over Sh1.8 Billion Government Email Security Bill

By Liz Anyango

A fresh political storm is brewing over the government’s Whole-of-Government Domain and Email Security initiative, with Hon. Caleb Amisi questioning a Sh1.8 billion bill being imposed on public institutions.
Amisi says institutions are being asked to pay approximately Sh4.7 million each for domain and email security services coordinated by the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA), raising questions over the cost, procurement process and value for money.

The lawmaker argues that while strengthening government cybersecurity is necessary amid growing digital threats, the multi-million-shilling charge requires greater transparency—particularly as some of the affected institutions, including public universities, face severe financial constraints.

Amisi is also questioning the alleged involvement of a private entity in the arrangement, claiming the CA retains only 15 per cent of the fees while the remainder is transferred to a private company.

He wants the government to disclose how the Sh4.7 million figure was arrived at, the services covered by the charge, whether alternative providers were considered and whether the private entity was competitively procured.
The lawmaker further raised concern over reports that some heads of public institutions have received show-cause letters from the Head of Public Service alongside invoices from the CA, describing the approach as inconsistent with accountable public administration.

“Cybersecurity cannot become a justification for unexplained or excessive expenditure,” Amisi said, calling on the Head of Public Service, the CA, relevant government agencies and Parliament to provide a comprehensive explanation.

The controversy comes at a time when the government is urging public institutions to cut costs, putting renewed focus on whether the cybersecurity directive represents necessary investment or an avoidable financial burden on already cash-strapped institutions.

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