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{
    "id": 603530,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/603530/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 161,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. Dido",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 2749,
        "legal_name": "Col (Rtd) Ali Rasso Dido",
        "slug": "col-rtd-ali-rasso-dido"
    },
    "content": "Thank you very much, Hon. Temporary Deputy Speaker. From the outset, I wish to support this Bill. In the interest of time, and I also wish many of my colleagues to contribute, I want to agree with my colleagues that information is power. Currently, Kenyans are getting information through the social media on WhatsApp, Instagram, Twitter et cetera . It appears to be the domain. Everybody logs into the social media to get information. In the process, what we have been treated to is propaganda, incitement, perception and falsehoods. If Kenyans will be able to access information at every level from every institution, then we will have an informed citizenry that will be able to challenge the order of the day and seek for accountability at every level. Currently, we, Kenyans, are looking for information every day. It is what takes most of our time. It has been said that the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) is the most difficult institution to access information although it should be the easiest because they disburse public money to young Kenyans who are accessing university education. I am happy that this Bill does not just talk about the State but other entities that hold information. The most difficult place to also get information from is the NGO world because of activism. More often, they hide information. Through such legislation, we will see them becoming transparent. My colleagues have talked about the county governments. It is the most contentious area today where information cannot be obtained. If you seek information from the county government, it is considered to be witch-hunting and you are considered to be an opposition that is fighting that county establishment. Most of the time, we are seeking information from county governments in the areas of employment, pay, equal opportunity and affirmative action. Through this Bill, light will be thrown on some of these aspects so that those in the county governments also begin to realise that they are accountable to the citizenry and elected leaders at every level. There are a few areas that the sponsor needs to consider, particularly in the area of compulsory information that must be publicised in the media. Once that information hits the media, already an individual has been employed. That is a travesty of justice. I also wish to talk about whistle blowers. If we did not have whistle blowers in this country today, we would be in a lot of trouble. We must ensure that the whistle blowers are protected because whatever they talk about is in the interest of institutions and the country. 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."
}