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{
    "id": 1475545,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1475545/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 326,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Dagoretti South, UDA",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. John Kiarie",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "establishment of the Technopolis to energise a robust ICT-driven economy that is geared towards meeting the 21st century's needs and a Technopolis Development Authority that will drive this country towards achieving its economic development objectives as outlined in the Kenya Vision 2030. Over and above the Kenya Vision 2030 and BETA, the Kenya Kwanza administration has also formulated the Kenya Digital Superhighway Programme. It is a project that is ongoing. This Bill shall, in a great way, support the implementation of this digital superhighway. The Bill seeks to provide a comprehensive framework for the establishment of a Technopolis in Kenya and create a Technopolis Development Authority that will be responsible for the development, governance, planning, management, improvement and maintenance of every technopolis that is established. As we speak today, there is only one Technopolis, the Konza Technopolis, which is under the Konza Technopolis Development Agency. However, with this Bill, nothing stops us from having a technopolis in Wajir, Mandera, Kisii, Tharaka and Dagoreti, if the land allows. So, this is a Bill that seeks to expand a good idea into a better idea. This Bill, which I am moving this afternoon, has 65 clauses. It seeks to transition the former Konza Technopolis Development Authority to the new Technopolis Development Authority, which is tactful. The Bill proposes to remove the word \"Konza” to allow for the establishment of other technopolis. It also seeks to revoke the State Corporation, which is the Konza Technopolis Development Authority Order of 2012. Part I (Clause 3) of this Bill outlines the objectives of the legislation. They are: To provide for the establishment, development and management of a technopolis in a designated geographical area; create a conducive environment to attract and retain world-class talent by providing state-of-the-art infrastructure; position a technopolis as a premier destination for technology-driven businesses, research institutions and innovation ecosystems; provide for adoption of sustainable environmental practices and technologies within a technopolis; offer incentives and other forms of Government support to encourage investments in a technopolis; and support the development of Kenya's knowledge-based economy. I moved a Motion in this House seeking to institute a science museum in the Republic. That idea finds its place in such a Bill. When we establish that technopolis, it can also house some of those developments, up to and including a science museum. Part II (Clauses 4-15) of the Bill establishes the Technopolis Development Authority, whose primary function will be to develop and manage technopolis in Kenya. This part also provides for the board of the authority, the qualifications for appointment as chief executive officer and his functions, and the office of the corporation secretary of the authority. Part III of this Bill provides for the establishment of a technopolis by the cabinet secretary through a gazette notice and the development of a high-technology innovation system at a technopolis by the authority. Clause 17 seeks to provide features of a technopolis that are globally acceptable norms and standards that distinguish a technopolis smart city from other areas and cities. This part of the Bill allows us to define distinctly what a technopolis is and what differentiates it from the five cities in the country. A technopolis is worlds apart from what we have established or from what has developed from municipalities, localities and so on. It is designed specifically to undertake the responsibilities and roles as prescribed in this Bill. Clause 18 of this Bill provides for a buffer zone of a technopolis, and it outlines the development control measure to prevent urban sprawl and to ensure seamless integration into a technopolis. The clause allows the expansion of a technopolis to accommodate auxiliary services that are not provided for within a technopolis. This is critical. We are seeing the problems that we are running into with cities like Nairobi, where a city that was placed in a The electronic version of the Official Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor."
}