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{
    "id": 663290,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/663290/?format=api",
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    "speaker": null,
    "content": "Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, Clause 8 deals with how the application should be made. The Senate Majority Leader, in moving the Motion, clearly indicated this. This is because the Bill says it should be written in Kiswahili or English but I think some communication can be made so that we do not cut off a group of people who cannot communicate in the way that the Bill specifies. We need to look at that. Probably an amendment is needed during the Committee Stage to ensure that anybody seeking this information can get it. Clause 10 gives the timelines. For example, how that transfer of information will be sought and the date of receipt of the applicant. If they are, for example, seeking information from another public entity, that information will be sought from that public entity. That process will be engaged in from the point of view of the CEO. This is very critical. There is also a premise that within 15 working days from the time one makes an application, he or she should have the application granted. The Bill also provides the way the information should be contained, details of fees and the method of payment. All these are proposed in Clause 11 and they are straight forward. Clause 12 has also been alluded to. No fee may be levied in relation to the submission of an application. Again, sometimes there may be a silent fee in delay where you keep going and coming but formally, no fee is expected. Let me talk a little about the quality of information and the data. Since there is no fee, it is not that there is a favour that is being done and that someone should just be happy and go with the information that they have been given. It is important that that information is up to standard. In Clause 13, the Bill gives the possibility for correcting information. Information is never static. Just in case there are changes and situations have shifted, then that information can be corrected and updated. More information can be annotated to the initial information that was given to ensure that the information is up to date. This is a Bill with a lot of optimism if we can use the technology, mechanisms and the good will of the Bill to give information. Part 4 is all about review of decisions by the Commission. This suggest that where somebody is unhappy with the information that they have got or they want additional information or review, then this will go to the Commission. The Commission will then review and see how to give that information in another way. The Commission also has the overall oversight role of enforcement of functions and powers. The name I was looking for earlier is this Access to Information Commissioner. He or she will be the link from the Commission point of view but then the particular person who is directly in charge of giving information at a lower level. He or she has the responsibility to ensure that information is passed on. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, we also have provisions for delegated powers at the end of the Bill that give the regulations. Some key regulations which will be important are the manner in which applications under this search have been made, so that there is a routine, measures to be taken by public entities to ensure adequate records are created and maintained over time and the procedures requiring a public entity to ensure that personal information is also accurate. There is nothing as bad as inaccurate information. It is better to have no information than to have inaccurate information I support, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir. 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"
}