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{
    "id": 1055720,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1055720/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 278,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Alego-Usonga, ODM",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. Samuel Atandi",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13290,
        "legal_name": "Samuel Onunga Atandi",
        "slug": "samuel-onunga-atandi"
    },
    "content": "costing, there is no product within the space of the Banking Act which charges the interest rates that are here that Hon. Sankok has been speaking about. They do not exist. I think this is really the reason these services should be split so that if they are engaging in services that are similar to the banking services, then they must conform to the regulations that contained in the Banking Act. In this manner, Kenyans are going to benefit from the services and products. Therefore, the proposal to split is timely and we need to support it. Let us not be deluded that Safaricom, as an example, has grown to be a big and large company because of the profits they make and because of the dividends they pay, and that now we as law makers should not venture into this law and separate the services. We need to do it. It will be for the benefit of our citizens when we do it. Companies will be confined to products that will benefit our people. This is something that is timely. On call drops, it is a question of investment. Somebody just wakes up, hears that there is a space in a sector and then they just venture into that business even before they invest in the technology that is required. This amendment will ensure that one has the necessary infrastructure, resources and the networks before thinking about going into a venture. A company like Airtel, has, for instance, M-Banking here in Nairobi. When you go to a place like Siaya, you cannot find even an agent. You cannot find an agent in remote places yet here in Nairobi you can use the services very well. So, these are the things that we are talking about. We are saying that one must, first of all, invest in the infrastructure so that it can serve Kenyans equally. If you are a Kenyan and you are enjoying that product in Nairobi, you should enjoy it everywhere else. Most of my colleagues are conflicting in debate whether Fuliza or its services are legal or not, or they are fleecing Kenyans. When we say that Kenyans are being fleeced because of a product, it does not mean that product is illegal. That product is legal. That is even the reason we are making this law. We are making this law because that product is legal, but it is very expensive and, therefore, Kenyans are getting fleeced because of the existence of that product. Therefore, I wanted to correct my sister, Hon. Wamuchomba, who was doubting the sentiments of my brother, Hon. Sankok, when he said that some of these products are fleecing Kenyans. It is true they are fleecing Kenyans and the products are legal. But we cannot beat the providers. Our work as Members of Parliament is to come here and change the law. That is why we are thanking the Member for Gem for coming up with this law. In a nutshell, this amendment is going to ensure that we have quality services as Kenyans who are benefitting from telecommunication services. Two, that we have affordable services, and three, the companies operating in these spaces respect the regulations that are contained in the products they are offering. I support this Bill in its entirety. Thank you."
}