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{
    "id": 397806,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/397806/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 89,
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    "content": "advancement in technology. I want to ensure that when I am in the Senate, I can look at the Order Paper for the next one week, I can be able to retrieve documents of the Senate and that I do not need to come to the Clerk for the Constitution. It will be in a little small mirror that I can do all the things that are incumbent upon us. That is where the world is headed and that is where we must head. Madam Temporary Speaker, I think it is a resource in this Senate that we have people who are distinguished in their various fields; ICT, law, engineering, Public Service et cetera. So, this Senate is an enormous resource. In fact, through some of your Motions and presentations, we continue to learn new trends every day. I think technology as a means of accountability must be effected in all our counties and to give our counties the necessary pace in terms of development. I think what this Senate needs to do is to interpret the Constitution which we have done to ensure that those obligations that arise out of the Constitution to the national Government are captured in spirit and in letter by the Motions of this Senate. But also the Senate needs to go a step further and ensure that these Motions are then adopted into legislative frameworks that compel the Government to deliver on certain things. It would be an endless mirage in the Senate to constantly bring Motions and not see the fruitful consequence of these Motions. Therefore, after we pass this Motion, I would urge Sen. Kagwe to bring a further Motion to suggest a select Committee of this Senate that can suggest legislation on a broad framework on ICT development in our counties. I think we need to compel the Government through the legislative functions of this Senate. We are not just a talking shop and an advisory council. We are a legislative organ and we must now start to pursue robustly our powers and legislation. Madam Temporary Speaker, we used to say in the regime of rights that there are basic rights; the right to food, shelter and clothing. But it is coming to that point where technology will be a right of every Kenyan citizen because I think it is no longer a luxury. The desire of the Jubilee Coalition Government to give every class one pupil a laptop, as much as we might feel that it is not a priority, it expresses that popular aspiration that we have a reached a world where technology is an inevitable reality. It is a broad aspiration that we need to ensure that everybody has access to technology and information. Tied to the very aspect of freedom of information, this Senate must also pursue its legislative agenda to ensure that The Freedom of Information Bill is debated and passed. Open Government is fundamental to our democratic growth and accountability. Just a few days ago, we saw what happened at the Westgate Mall. If we had a freedom of information law, we would demand to get certain information either in camera or otherwise that would place responsibility where it belongs. Freedom of information in Government has become an inevitable right and every democratic Government applies the freedom of information as a means of open governance. I do remember during the State opening of Parliament, President Kenyatta promised that the freedom of information law was going to be effected during his term. Every successive government has always promised that freedom of information law will be passed but have reneged on its enactment because it will open Government for us to be able to scrutinize what are called “confidential documents”, so that where rights and 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."
}