Entry Instance

HTTP 200 OK
Allow: GET, PUT, PATCH, DELETE, HEAD, OPTIONS
Content-Type: application/json
Vary: Accept

{
    "id": 463719,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/463719/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 284,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. Langat",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 384,
        "legal_name": "Benjamin Kipkirui Langat",
        "slug": "benjamin-langat"
    },
    "content": "Thank you very much, hon. Temporary Deputy Speaker. I also want to contribute to this debate on the Kenya Information and Communication (Amendment) Bill, 2013. Looking at the Memorandum of Objects and Reasons, I note that one of the things that this Bills seeks to achieve is the independence from control by both the Government and the commercial sector. We all agree that our communications is really a very key sector; it involves more than the communication and the media. This is also a security sector; if we do not manage our communication, or media sector, well this country will be exposed to risks. What happened at the Westgate Mall tragedy was because of communication mismanagement. This is because videos were shown; you could see people communicating but we did not know who they were. I am sure they were using our systems to communicate. Therefore, I strongly believe that the communications sector and the media must be strongly controlled. The authority that we are trying to create--- In fact this Bill proposes a change from the CCK to a Communications Authority of Kenya. In other words, it seeks to give more control powers. But when I look at it, I ask myself, how do you achieve independence? Hon. Temporary Deputy Speaker, look at the appointments proposed in this Bill; you are just telling us that, this is a Bill that is supposed to be independent. But look at the appointment. Look at the composition of the board. It has three Principal Secretaries, who are Government officials. The other members proposed to be appointed in this Bill are also appointed by one person. You are telling us that a Cabinet Secretary will just advertise and then on the list they will draw up they can just get some comments from the public and then they appoint people to the authority. The chairman will advertise; then get complaints; give names to the President and then he will appoint. Look at also what is proposed in the Bill; how do you fire the chairperson? How do you fire members of the authority? It only says if you receive a complaint from the public--- If it is a chairman of the board, then you give the President the complaint and the President shall fire. Then for the other members, it is the Cabinet Secretary who will act. There is no security of tenure for the members of the authority – I stand corrected by the Committee. So, I want to encourage the Committee to undertake radical amendments to this Bill, so that it really achieves what we intend to achieve. There is no independence which is being talked about as a requirement in the objects of the Bill. I will really support the Committee if it comes up with amendment that will create a body that Kenyans can have confidence in. Hon. Temporary Deputy Speaker, if the Chairman can be fired at any time, or if the members of the Board can be fired because of complaints without any checks--- I think the Committee should consult and come up with a body that will truly be independent, and which will be respected by Kenyans. This is because if this sector is mismanaged it can bring chaos in this country. It can bring serious security concerns. 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."
}