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{
    "id": 1267692,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1267692/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 174,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Kisang",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 2263,
        "legal_name": "William Kipkemoi Kisang",
        "slug": "william-kipkemoi-kisang"
    },
    "content": "Clause 5 of the Bill proposes to give the functions of this Technopolis - “(1) The Authority shall administer the planning, development and management of the Technopolis. 2(f) Facilitate the specialized research and development in high technology in collaboration with relevant institutions of higher learning and research institutions.” Madam Temporary Speaker, as we speak now, we have the Kenya Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, a university set up at Konza. It is at an advanced stage and by next year around March, the President is likely to go there and open the University. This is a University that specializes mainly in science and technology at bachelors, masters and doctorate level. There is also a proposal to do online learning so that, you do not have to go to Konza or the university to study. You learn online. One of the other functions is – “(g) Facilitate the conduct of scientific research and development in technology and innovation in Kenya in collaboration with the National Commission for Science, Technology and Innovation established under section 3 of the Science, Technology and Innovation Act and the Kenya National Innovation Agency established under section 28 of the Science, Technology and Innovation Act.” This is important. When we had the COVID-19 pandemic in the year 2020 to 2022. There was a proposal to have our own research Centre that can manufacture vaccines. Konza was one of the places that was seen to be ideal because of the land area. In the past, the Silicon Valley in the United States started in the same manner. It is only that the Konza Technopolis has taken so long. Since 2012, it is now 11 years. We should be far and have already taken off by now. However, because of bureaucracy and lack of resources it has not picked. I believe with this law in place, Konza Technopolis should take off. Already they have buildings and a headquarter. There is a proposal that this should be a smart city. We use a lot of resources to go to hotels in Mombasa and Naivasha. However, if we had a smart city at Konza with conference facilities and hotels, we should be going there as Government institutions. There is a big data centre that has been set up at Konza. Our Ministries should be having Konza as a disaster recovery centre to ensure that Government data is safe. My colleague has promised to come up with a proposal to amend the Data Protection Act to ensure Government data is safe and secure. I second this Bill. Members, let us support it and fast track so that it is passed in the Committee of the Whole with amendments because I know there are several that are coming up. We have had consultations with the Ministry of Information, Communication and the Digital Economy, engagements with stakeholders and Konza itself. I am a member of the Committee and they have told us that they need this Bill to be passed so that it can be enacted into law. The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Director, Hansard Services,Senate."
}