Librarians, archivists and records managers who practise without registration could face penalties under a Bill before the National Assembly that would make professional registration mandatory for the library and information science sector.
The Library and Information Science Professionals Bill, 2026, sponsored by MP Timothy Wanyonyi, proposes a statutory regulatory body with powers to register practitioners, set professional standards, investigate misconduct and take disciplinary action against members who violate the rules. It aims to strengthen accountability, enforce ethical standards and improve the management of the country's information resources.
The proposal was under consideration by the National Assembly's Budget and Appropriations Committee on Thursday, October 22, 2026, with Vice Chairperson Robert Pukose leading the committee's deliberations.
A new institute to regulate the profession
At the centre of the Bill is the establishment of the Institute of Library and Information Science Professionals, which would oversee the regulation, development and professional conduct of practitioners across the sector. The institute would be governed by a nine-member council mandated to set, monitor and enforce standards for professional training, competence, practice and ethics.
The council would also oversee the registration of qualified practitioners, prescribe training requirements in collaboration with selected academic institutions, and advise the Government, industry players and learning institutions on matters affecting the profession.
Under the proposed framework, the institute would develop and maintain a professional code of conduct, set procedures for disciplinary action and provide mechanisms for deregistering practitioners who breach professional requirements.
The Bill also proposes penalties for individuals who practise without the required registration and a valid practising certificate, although the final scope of enforcement would depend on the legislation as enacted.
The framework would cover librarians, archivists, records managers, documentalists, knowledge managers, information technologists and practitioners in other recognised branches of information science. These professionals manage public and private records, preserve historical documents, safeguard institutional knowledge and keep information accessible in both physical and digital formats. Their work extends across government departments, schools, universities, research institutions and businesses.
The Bill seeks to address the absence of a dedicated statutory body mandated to oversee library and information science professionals in Kenya. Professional associations and existing legal frameworks currently contribute to professional development, training and ethical guidance. If enacted, the Bill would establish a dedicated structure with defined responsibilities for registration, standards and discipline.
For practitioners, the framework could introduce clearer expectations on qualifications, competence, ethical conduct and compliance. Employers and institutions could also benefit from more consistent standards for recruiting information professionals and managing records. The legislation could also have wider implications for public accountability and the preservation of Kenya's documentary heritage, particularly as institutions shift from paper-based records to digital systems.
The institute's effectiveness would depend on the final provisions of the Bill, the clarity of its registration and enforcement procedures, and the capacity to implement the new requirements fairly and consistently. If Parliament passes the Bill and it becomes law, Kenya would move towards a dedicated statutory system for regulating the profession, with the potential to strengthen professional standards and improve the management of information resources across public and private institutions.
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