Entry Instance

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

{
    "id": 722263,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/722263/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 246,
    "type": "other",
    "speaker_name": "",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "I happen to serve in the Committee on Information, Communication and Technology (ICT) and one of the greatest concerns that we have always raised is how the ICT departments continue to be underfunded year in year out in almost all our counties without fail yet it is known that technology is the “in thing” in the 21st Centenary and it is one of the avenues that we can use to move away from some of the emerging challenges. When we think about things such as youth unemployment and emerging diseases, the use of technology in developed countries is one of the ways that they have used to think about ways of emerging and becoming better. Mr. Temporary Speaker Sir, in 2013 when so many of our governors were presenting their manifestos to the electorate for the very first time, I would like to read again this time as they go back to seek the mandate of the electorate in terms of ICT and use of technology; what they will tell the electorate. Why is it that they only use 1 or 2 per cent of the revenues that are allocated to them to finance that department in the county governments yet we know that if you were to have a county government that is creative in the use of funds and say that they would like to set up a call center. We have multinationals that are trooping into this country almost each and every month and they need regional offices. Why is it that we have a multinational company that is housed in Kenya which also happens to be the regional office for Africa. However, when it comes to things such as call centres, they have to rely on countries such as India and Philippines yet we have proper graduates who can speak English well. I dare say better than some of those things that we hear when we make international calls to call centres of some of the multinational companies. Where is the creative use of resources that are allocated to counties? With very limited resources, you can set up a call centre and help some of the young people that continue to struggle. Mr. Temporary Speaker Sir, I have seen agriculture as one of the agenda items in the Fourth Schedule. Agriculture continues to be underfunded in most of our counties. The premise of thinking as we were setting up the county governments is that it was generally believed and agreed upon that the way we had managed our resources in the previous 50 years was not the way to go. One of the reasons why our country continues to be underdeveloped is because of poor management of resources. It was the general hope and belief of everyone that when we go to the system of government where funds are devolved, that we would do things differently. However, it continues to bother me that as we sit here and discuss about how much money we are sending to the counties, it would be so wrong for us, as legislators, if we do not question how the resources are put to use. It would be wrong of us to see the agenda items that are listed in the Fourth Schedule continue to be underfunded yet we know the reason why, the desire for things that can give you quick money and gains in term of votes and kickbacks. The reason why people want to do as many roads as possible and are allocating much money to certain projects is elections. Out of f a county allocation of Kshs4 billion, you can find Kshs1.2 billion going to the roads department; the reason for this is so obvious. We know that certain corrupt county officials are colluding with rogue contractors and after every kilometer that has been poorly done, they get kickbacks. Mr. Temporary Speaker Sir, if we were to invest the same amount of money in agriculture and have good policy---Some of us represent agricultural counties and we continue to wonder why up to date, county governments are not bothered. I represent 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"
}