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{
    "id": 1266591,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1266591/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 191,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Kitui Central, WDM",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. (Dr) Makali Mulu",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "Hon. Temporary Speaker, you will appreciate that many Kenyans have enrolled for different courses in different universities, like the South African Open University. When they are in session, because at times students will be required to visit the universities for a short time, they will look for accommodation in those countries and, therefore, make money for their countries. Kenya will also be benefiting from the same. In a situation where a professor wants to have a one-on-one interaction with the students and, more so, when they are doing their thesis, there will be one or two weeks that they will be in Kenya. They might thereafter decide to go back to their countries. During that time, the country will also make money in terms of foreign exchange. Hon. Temporary Speaker, it is also critical to look at the infrastructure required to competently provide that service. As usual, a number of regions in those counties have been marginalised. For example, in North Eastern Kenya, internet connectivity and infrastructure laying has not taken place. We also have far-flung counties like Lamu and yesterday, we heard the Mheshimiwa from Lamu complaining about marginalisation in Lamu East and other areas. Even as you award the charter, I think it will be important for this House to make sure that the required infrastructure is provided. Another advantage of an open university is that you can also tap from the best professors in the world. This is where you can consult such professors and ask them to educate our students from different parts of the world. This will help us get the best in terms of resource persons. In my view, while it is important that the House supports this Motion, we need to look at the issue of integrity of our education system. This idea of Kenyans getting fake certificates is very common. It is even surprising that they are able to get those certificates for all the levels – O-Level, bachelor’s degree, master’s degree, and I think there have even been attempts to get PhDs through the same system. We really need to look at the credibility of our education system so that we can make sure that those students who get those certificates have actually earned them; that it is not a situation where they go through shortcuts and get the certificates. I am more worried about a situation where you might find other educated Kenyans assisting their children or relatives to get those fake certificates because we might not have physical presence where you can confirm attendance. This is an area that we really need to guard. Those are issues of values. As a country, we need to invest in our national values, so that at the end of the day, our students get certificates that they have genuinely earned through the education system. With those many remarks, I want to support this Motion and congratulate the Committee for a job well done. I also want to request Members to support this move. It is a good move for the country. Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker."
}