Communications Authority of Kenya formerly known as Communications Commission of Kenya has today assumed new identity in an official launch with a remittance of over Four Billion to the National Treasury what has been termed as one of the highest recorded contributions to the ex-chequer in line with culmination of ICT sector reforms that will ensure a good measure of regulatory independence and transparency.

The authority will now have an added mandate to develop and review Regulations on SIM card registration. CAK will also regulate electronic transactions which include cyber security while the broadcasting regulatory function has equally expanded to include administering broadcast content, developing media standards and monitoring compliance.

Speaking during the launch of the new identity, His Excellency President Uhuru Kenyatta noted the country's fast adoption of ICTs and called for the need to have a strong regulatory framework in line with the ever changing industry trends.

The launch indicates a developing vibrant ICT sector with the government spending more than 5.16 million US Dollars with an expected increase of 700,000 by 2017. The government also plans to increase the budgetary allocation to ICTs and also spend at least 7.8 billion on infrastructure development in the coming decade.

In the same breath, the president launched Kenya's National Cybersecurity Framework that includes the National Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) and the Kenya Computer Incident Response Team Co-ordination Centre (KE-CIRT/CC). The two facilities are established to promote efficient management of critical internet resources and facilitate the investigation and prosecution of cybercrime.  The KE-CIRT/CC provides early warning and advisory services for cyber incidents while the Public Key Infrastructure will facilitate the issuance of virtual identities to secure online transactions in the country.

Communications Authority Director General, Francis Wangusi assured the industry a more strategic position to address the demands of the fast changing environment and technology sophistication. The body will also open four regional offices in Mombasa, Kisumu, Eldoret and Nyeri in a quest to spread reach.