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{
    "id": 1180682,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1180682/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 68,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Kamukunji, JP",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. Yusuf Hassan",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 398,
        "legal_name": "Yusuf Hassan Abdi",
        "slug": "yusuf-hassan-abdi"
    },
    "content": " Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker for the opportunity. I am seeking a Statement concerning the expiry of unused data bundles and wide- spread internet throttling practised by internet service providers. The request for Statement is pursuant to Standing Order 44 (2) (c). I wish to request for a Statement from the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Communication, Information and Innovation on the expiry of unused data bundles and the wide-spread practice of internet speed throttling practised by the internet service providers. We are in the midst of an internet revolution whereby access to the internet has made the world a global village. There has been a steady increase in Kenya of internet users. According to the World Digital Quality of Life Index of 2022, an estimated 42 per cent of the total Kenyan population has access to the internet. Hon. Temporary Speaker, further, data from the Communications Authority of Kenya (CAK) indicates that mobile data subscriptions account for the largest contributor to internet subscriptions as more Kenyans access the internet using mobile devices. As a result, Kenyans spent billions of shillings in subscribing to data packages offered by telecommunication companies and other internet service providers. Hon. Temporary Speaker, telecommunication companies and internet service providers (ISPs) have been charging subscribers exorbitant prices for their data packages which are subject to expiry of validity. Consumers are required to use their data bundles within limited periods usually a day, week or month. The high cost of data bundles coupled with this imposed expiry period has largely disadvantaged millions of Kenyans who are arbitrarily deprived of the unused data bundles already paid for in full. The time limits imposed on the validity of data services has resulted in a waste of a great deal of subscribers’ money. According to statistics available in 2021, the value of unused Safaricom airtime and data stood at Ksh5.7 billion; a huge amount. Hon. Temporary Speaker, the continued expiry of data services is further made unreasonable by poor network coverage in some parts of the country and widespread throttling of internet speeds by internet service providers thus preventing consumers from fully exhausting what they have purchased. It is notable that data bundles that are affordable to consumers have shorter expiry periods while packages which last longer tend to be more expensive with lesser data. This has compelled subscribers to spend more money."
}