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{
    "id": 893234,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/893234/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 400,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Kikuyu, JP",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. Kimani Ichung’wah",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 1835,
        "legal_name": "Anthony Kimani Ichung'Wah",
        "slug": "anthony-kimani-ichungwah"
    },
    "content": " With your indulgence, before I contribute, I want to move two amendments on behalf of the Member for Ruaraka, Hon. T.J. Kajwang’. I propose an amendment to Recommendation 5(i) and 11 in Section 12.4 and Section 12.9 of the Report by the Departmental Committee on Communications, Information and Innovation. Recommendation 5(i) on Page 81 of the Report proposes that the CA consults with mobile network operators and establishes a glide path for reduction of mobile termination rates to zero within a period of two years. As a House, we have a duty and a responsibility to the people of Kenya and more so, consumers, to ensure that increasingly, we reduce the cost of calling to as low as possible. This is underpinned by the need to protect consumers and make communications affordable in our country to spur economic growth. However, if you read this recommendation as it is, you will find that the Committee is asking Parliament to take on the role of the CA, which ought and is, indeed, an independent regulator established through an Act of Parliament that was passed by this House. The CA, being an independent regulatory Authority, has powers that we should not be seen as a House to be interfering with. We should allow them, as an independent regulator within the industry, to regulate this industry without necessarily guiding them too much on specifics of how they should do this. Again, you will note that the recommendation, as worded, would create an avenue for issuing directives for reduction of rates without an underlying mechanism that justifies the action. If you look at the history of the telecommunications industry in this country, you will find that we have already set a precedent and a trend as to how rates are reviewed. Previously, when mobile termination rates have been lowered in this country, a network cost study is usually carried out. Last time, they did a network cost study to establish the actual cost of making a call. Therefore, we have already established a precedent on who should do these things. What the Committee is asking is to go out of this precedent that has already been established. It is important for us, as a House, not to be seen doing what would almost amount to The electronic version of the Official Hansard Report is for information purposes only. Acertified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor."
}