As the debate continues over the new management of the ".ke" domain, the Communication Authority of Kenya (CAK) - formerly CCK - has now come out to clarify that it would be represented on the yet-to-be reconstituted Kenya Network Information Centre (KENIC) board by the ICT Authority of Kenya.

In an announcement circulated today via the online discussion platform Kictanet, CAK's communications manager Christopher Wambua stated that "the proposed licensing framework does not propose the dissolution of KENIC and thus the need for a re-delegation."

"If anything, the proposed framework seeks to strengthen the governance of KENIC by ensuring that the Board is representative of the local Internet community. The proposed licensing framework envisages an arrangement where KENIC remains as-is (a multi-stakeholder private public partnership) but with Government represented by another entity - the Kenya ICT Authority," stated Wambua, adding that CAK will relinquish its positions in the KENIC Board and assume a regulatory oversight role.

The announcement further states that as far as commercialization is concerned, the CAK encourages a business model that will spur the growth of the ".KE" domain name space, with the new entity having the sole responsibility to devise strategies to increase uptake.

Just last week, the telecoms industry lobby TESPOK came out to express displeasure with how the government is proposing to handle the CAK's transition of KENIC, which manages the ".ke" domain.

TESPOK noted that KENIC - as currently constituted - has two guarantor shareholders, these being TESPOK and CAK. The body added that while it supports the move to have the regulator - CAK - step down from the KENIC board, there is a need to ensure smooth institutional transition and service delivery.