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"id": 228618,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/228618/?format=api",
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"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Mr. Kagwe",
"speaker_title": "The Minister for Information and Communications",
"speaker": {
"id": 229,
"legal_name": "Mutahi Kagwe",
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"content": " Mr. Speaker, Sir, I am unaware that there are some computers that are being held at the port. However, I do promise to follow up the matter and see that if, indeed, we have computers at the port, then I would like to see them in schools instead of the port. Mr. Speaker, Sir, I do agree with the frustrations that hon. Raila would have if, indeed, there are such computers. However, having computers in the port or towns is one thing, but having them actually working in schools is quite another. The only way we can get the computers working in schools is the creation of computer laboratories. Not too many of our rural schools have got these computer laboratories. Therefore, I still urge my colleagues to invest some money in the creation of computer laboratories in their constituencies, so that we can take advantage of this situation. Indeed, that is why the Government zero-rated computers because of the idea of boosting them. This is the way we can diversify this economy from not only agriculture and tourism, but also an ICT investment destination. Consequently, my Ministry is doing everything possible, and indeed, we are under orders by the President to do so. Mr. Speaker, Sir, I would also like to inform my colleagues in the House that part of the growth and expansion of the ICT business is the movement from analogue to digital broadcasting. What does this mean? This means that we need to be advising our constituents that when they are purchasing televisions now, they should be purchasing digital televisions because what is happening is that there are some few companies overseas that are planning to dump analogue televisions in Kenya. What we are looking at is that they will seem like real televisions because they work. It will also look like something that one can continue using. However, the truth of the matter will be that very soon those televisions will be useless. Therefore, I would like to urge those in the television business, whether distributing or selling them, to ensure that the televisions that they are bringing in the country are digital and not analogue ones. They should also tell citizens to be careful when they are purchasing them, so that they do not lose money in the process. Mr. Speaker, Sir, I would also like to mention something on patriotism. As we head towards the General Elections, I think it is important for us, as Members of Parliament, to keep in mind that even as we argue, quarrel and politic, we should do so within the context of an existing country that we all love. When we argue, it is easy for people outside this country and, indeed, even our own citizens, to assume that we are talking out of enmity in this House. I think it is important for us to send clear signals as we speak outside the House and this country; that what we are trying to do, even as we oppose or propose, is to build one stable nation. Therefore, I urge my colleagues not to say things that are going to be so critical of this country, that one becomes ashamed of where he or she comes from. Let us not lose sight of the fact that even as we quarrel, we are doing so about our parents. When you criticise your parent or spouse, you do it to them, but not outside there; to tell other people how ugly or poor they are. It is important for us to recognise this and 252 PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES March 29, 2007 agree to do so. Mr. Speaker, Sir, again on the issue of Information Communication Technology (ICT), we will soon be announcing the creation of an ICT board. This board will spearhead the development of the ICT, particularly, on the marketing of Kenya as an ICT destination outside this country. We want the ICT board to work in the same way that the Kenya Tourism Board (KTB) does, so that individuals and business people outside this country can be invited to come to Kenya and invest. Mr. Speaker, Sir, in that voice, I would also like to inform my colleagues that over the last six months or so, several American, British and European companies have come to set up their regional offices in this country. About a month ago, we had Ericsson, which is a huge European multinational corporation. We also have got Microsoft Corporation and several other companies that are setting up their regional headquarters here in Nairobi. Therefore, this shows that both local and international investors have come to recognise that this is a good environment for people to invest in. I am glad - and this should serve as a signal to Kenyans at large - that Kenyans, both in the Government and Opposition, are investing in this country very heavily. Consequently, they would not be doing so if they did not believe that the Government is stable and is going to move on. Mr. Speaker, Sir, on the issue of the Nairobi Stock Exchange, I would like to say that it runs on the basis of the principle of demand and supply. No Government has ever been able to control the increase or decrease in price of shares."
}