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{
    "id": 631952,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/631952/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 352,
    "type": "other",
    "speaker_name": "",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "I agree with the Senator for Homa Bay that our Bills should be tailored in a manner that will serve Kenyans for many years to come. This will ensure that we do not amend different Bills any other time. As we leave for the campaigns in 2017, to operationalize the functions in the Fourth Schedule, we should ensure that we amend most of the Acts to assist the counties to move forward. Sen. Gwendo’s proposal concerning the committees will facilitate training of librarians in the counties on the principles, procedures and techniques of librarianship. As we advance towards e-learning, we should have libraries where people can learn new technological advancements. We have young people who are innovative. They have come up with e-books, for instance, stored in a tablet. Therefore, one can download and read them. As we bring in amendments, let us enhance the Bill so that it does not only addresses reading but also new technology. The national Government should provide computers and tablets. As the Government prepares to provide laptops to schools, the libraries must also be given the capacity to manage that. Madam Temporary Speaker, young people languish in idleness because there are no recreational centres. These libraries should impart knowledge and enable them acquire skills. Internet services should also be provided in support of this. In addition, as we devolve this function, computers should be provided in the libraries so that young people can engage, for instance, in discussion groups and search for information on the internet. The environment should also be clean. Macmillan Library has been there for many years but the environment is not conducive for learning. There are no books and it is dusty. We should also ensure that library workers get incentives to motivate them. For example, they should be paid allowances. Some of them are complaining that they are not paid. It is not only about the library services, any function that has been devolved has challenges. The employees are suffering. It is time that the Committee on Devolved Government looks at every institution that was devolved. Have the county governments embraced these institutions? Can they manage them? They should take up and rebuild them. This case is similar with that of the Ministry of Health. By the time the county governments took over, it had many challenges. There are no innovations in the libraries. Some books are old and outdated. In our education system, every year, we have books by different writers. We need to stock current books in the libraries. There is no need of going to a library only to find a book like the Government Inspector . Today, our children read different books. However, if you go to a library, you will find a book that was written way back when we had the 7-4-2-3 system of education. This will not assist our students. We have to advance as the system advances. We also need to build capacity for the librarians to keep up with the changing times. Education is evolving. I hope that Sen. Gwendo will also look at the issue of newspapers, periodicals, paintings and posters. We need to have place in the library where children can learn how to draw and paint. There should also be books on this. There are also those people who are serious in science and research. We need to support them. We have shortage of researchers and scientists in our country. The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposes"
}