HTTP 200 OK
Allow: GET, PUT, PATCH, DELETE, HEAD, OPTIONS
Content-Type: application/json
Vary: Accept
{
"id": 397728,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/397728/?format=api",
"text_counter": 11,
"type": "other",
"speaker_name": "",
"speaker_title": "",
"speaker": null,
"content": "efficiency and accountability and improve the performance of county governments. Mr. Speaker, Sir, the Committee on Education, Information and Technology has in the last couple of weeks and months traversed this country in many counties. The intention of the Committee was to oversight what is happening in the education sector. In addition to that, the Committee was trying to see how well we are connected in as far as ICT is concerned. In our opinion, we have a long way to go from where we would want to be. We believe that part of the building of county governments must include infrastructure, particularly roads and technology. That is represented by the fibre optic cables. Mr. Speaker, Sir, in a previous meeting in Naivasha where we invited the Ministry of Information, Communication and Technology, we were told that 28 counties in Kenya have now been connected to the fibre optic. However, on further assessment of the so-called connection to those counties, we found out that as a matter of fact what we are talking about is either that there is a fibre cable that passes through the county or at best, there is a cable connected to the county commissioner’s office. But almost in no county did we find that the Governor’s office is connected via fibre. The closest was in Kisii County. The members of the county assemblies are connected to fibre. We passed such a Motion in this House. So, even with the 28 counties that are supposedly connected, within our list includes counties like Marsabit and Baringo. However, when we talk to the Senators from those areas, they tell us clearly that they are not aware of such connectivity. Mr. Speaker, Sir, we are informed that, at the moment, Kenya has 4,300 kilometres of fibre cable. The project started with connectivity by TEAMS where I had the privilege of serving as Minister. Therefore, I know a little bit about the state of affairs as far as connectivity is concerned. But what this House is now telling the national Government is that this project must be fast-tracked. There is no way we will be able to create new governance in the new dispensation of a new Constitution without creating an enabling environment within the county governments. The only way we can do that is by making sure that counties are technically and technologically able to connect themselves with the national Government. The Treasury has been operating IFMIS. A lot of the counties are using telephones because they are not able to connect themselves to the fibre network. In any event, even if we connect them, we still have another 65,000 kilometres to connect if we want our schools connected to the fibre optic, to be the same as a child operating in India or the UK. If we want all hospitals connected across the country, we need 65,000 kilometres of fibre. At the moment, we have 4,300 kilometres and another 1,600 kilometres that are currently underway. That is a long way to go, especially when we think about the 65,000 kilometres. Therefore, we need to think in a new way if we are going to connect Kenya in the manner that it should be connected. Mr. Speaker, Sir, connecting fibre to the counties will create several advantages, including security benefits. As we watched television the other day, we saw, even in this chaotic situation at the Westgate Mall, pictures of people through CCTV. We saw terrorists being identified through CCTV. The other day, in Karatina Town, somebody using a mobile phone, was able to detect thugs who were about to rob people and sent The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposes only. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor, Senate."
}