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{
    "id": 1029112,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1029112/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 125,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Kang’ata",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 1826,
        "legal_name": "Irungu Kang'ata",
        "slug": "irungu-kangata"
    },
    "content": "Another company that has the same problem – I urge my sister to bring a Statement on it – is the telecommunication industry. Currently, Safaricom controls more than 90 per cent of that sector. As a result, new companies cannot establish themselves in this economy. It is easy for Safaricom to use its muscles to push out other companies. There is what we call termination charges. That is to say, once a person calls from company ―X‖ to clients of another company like say Safaricom, there is some money that company is supposed to pay Safaricom. As a result of the skewed economy, you find that small companies owe billions of shillings to Safaricom. At what point shall we have a situation where those companies will become competitive, innovate and ensure that the market is free? Mr. Speaker, Sir, the CAK must appear before the Senate to tell us why they have been unable to compel certain huge companies to act responsibly so as to allow the market to be open and competitive. That is the only way we can create employment and break monopolies. Otherwise, this economy of ours will never prosper. We shall not innovate and create employment and it will be an imperfect competitive economy. I therefore support Sen. Were for bringing up this issue. As I finalise, I am aware there have been some litigations concerning this matter. I saw that in the newspaper. However, I think what is before us is not that which is in court. We are looking at the public interest elements and not the private issues which are currently being litigated in court. I am not aware of any other time that Parliament has ever endeavoured to question the CAK on matters of a closed or competitive economy. I think this Statement affords us that opportunity. I thank you."
}