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{
    "id": 403736,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/403736/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 147,
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    "content": "really want to move and drive this vision. In order to access new scientific knowledge, we have no choice, but we have to benchmark with other countries by sending some of these researchers out there. When they come back home, we should also give them money for research. I was a principal of pure and applied sciences for five years. I was a principal at Chepkoilel Campus. Now it is known as the University of Eldoret. A lot of research was done there and we came up with the best variety of seed of maize that can do well all over the world. This variety is not found anywhere in the whole world apart from that university. After it was discovered, no funding was forthcoming from the Government. Prof. Gudu, the brainchild of this variety just remained in the laboratory doing his research without funding until he was promoted the other day to head a new university in South Nyanza. That is where he is now. I have visited him there. There is no farm and he cannot do anything. He is a very frustrated man because there is nothing much he can do. He told me that he had gone to Ontario in Canada. With all his knowledge, there is nothing he can do now because of lack of funding. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, as a nation, if we want to move ahead, we must seriously invest in technology. For example, who makes the Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) that we are using for security purposes? Kenyans can actually innovate and come up with better CCTV cameras than those which have been made to fit in the local circumstances that we have. A few of the Kenyans that we have trained in technology have moved to Botswana, South Africa and other countries because we are not supporting them. They are running the best meat factory in Bostwana. Recently, I visited Rwanda with the Education and Information Technology (ICT) Committee. While there, we saw the technology being used. We could not believe what is happening there. The man in charge of the polytechnic which produces farm products for Rwandan farms is from Nyahururu. How much is he being paid with his Higher National Diploma? He is paid an equivalent of Kshs250,000. However, his colleagues here earn Kshs20,000. The Koreans have linked up with them. They have given them those machines and are training them to make whatever they want. We also visited Sigalagala Polytechnic with my colleague, the Senator for Kirinyaga. However, in this area, there has not been funding. Therefore, there is no money to buy machines to utilise the technology. In the area of ICT, Kenyans have come up with good products. There is one person in the coast region who was on television recently. There are also two others who have been struggling with technology and innovation. One of them is in Kitale. Two years ago, if you can remember, he was telling people that his plane was about to take off. There was another one last year who tried climbing Ngong Hills. He told people to go and watch him fly. He tried although he almost killed himself. However, people must die for a product to be realized. We should put more effort and ensure that our syllabus encourages the same. How many of us have failed to take science subjects because of debts? The country’s response to rapid change will depend on our economy. I am proposing that we put a lot of human capital and money so that science subjects are encouraged in our schools. I note with a lot of satisfaction that very many studies have been done and commissions have been formed, the latest one being the one by a professor from Moi 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"
}