Senator Samson Cherargei of Nandi County has called attention to the persistently high cost of phone calls in Kenya, questioning why ordinary citizens continue to pay more despite expert advice recommending lower rates.
In a statement on November 20, he urged the Standing Committee on Information, Communication and Technology to seek clarification from the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) on its decisions.
Cherargei focused on Mobile Termination Rates (MTRs), the charges one mobile network levies on another when a call crosses networks. These rates directly affect how much consumers pay for cross-network calls.
“Mobile Termination Rates (MTRs) are a key determinant of the cost of voice calls across networks. Reducing MTRs is essential to ensuring affordable and accessible communication services for all Kenyans,” he said.
The controversy stems from a consultant hired by CA who recommended slashing the MTR to Ksh 0.06 per minute, following international best practices. In some countries, these charges are even zero-rated to encourage competition and lower costs for users.
Despite the recommendation, CA set the rate at Ksh 0.41 per minute, effective March 1, 2024, down from the previous Ksh 0.58 per minute. Cherargei argues that while this reduction is a step in the right direction, it falls far short of the expert’s guidance.
“In the statement, the Committee is required to address the reasons behind the CA’s decision to set the MTR at KES 0.41 per minute despite the consultant’s proposal of Ksh 0.06 per minute and to clarify the basis for the deviation from expert guidance,” Cherargei emphasised.
He insists that Kenyans deserve clarity, fairness, and communication services that do not strain household budgets.
Cherargei highlighted that the gap between the recommended rate and CA’s final decision raises questions about the authority’s approach.
He wants the committee to explain why the expert’s advice was not fully implemented, what considerations informed the higher rate, and whether consumers’ interests were adequately factored into the decision.
For many Kenyans, high call costs affect more than personal communication; they impact small businesses, emergency communication, and daily life.
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