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{
    "id": 893235,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/893235/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 401,
    "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": "price control in this country. If it was to be done, it must be done in an objective way through a scientific process like it has been done in the past through conducting a network cost study. If you look at the trend in other countries like our neighbours, Tanzania and South Africa, who you would comfortably say are our peers in the continent, and even Ghana where similar glide paths have been established, the initiative has always been informed by a network cost study. Therefore, it is international best practice that you do a study before you decide what rates will be charged. Therefore, there is nothing unique about the Kenyan jurisdiction that would warrant us to deviate from established good practice in the world and in the industry all over the world. Additionally, we must demonstrate consistency by building onto what has already been done in the past. We have done it in this country in the past. We have conducted a network cost study to review the rates. Therefore, the Member for Ruaraka is asking is this, so that we can follow that precedence that we have already set. I beg to move that the Motion be amended: by deleting Recommendation 5(i) and replacing it with the following: THAT, the Communications Authority consults with mobile network operators and carries out a network cost study within two years with the aim of establishing a glide path for reduction of mobile termination rates to zero. If the House agrees with this proposal, the only thing we are doing is to introduce that element of having a network cost study to be done before you move the termination rates to zero within a period of three years. So, the only new introduction is that element of the network cost study being done, and I am hopeful the Chair of the Committee, the Committee and the entire House will be in support of this. Secondly, Recommendation 11 on Page 84 proposes that the CA implements national roaming to other Tier 1 operators in seven counties of Isiolo, Garissa, Mandera, Marsabit, Samburu, Turkana and Wajir within one-year subject to long- term average incremental cost. Again, the proposal seeks to tie the hands of the CA of Kenya by limiting it to one defined method of the long-run average incremental cost. Again, let me not reiterate and reemphasise the need for Parliament not to be seen to be directing an independent body like the CA. To function effectively, we should allow the CA of Kenya, being an independent Authority, to function effectively and have a free hand to determine the methodology they should use. Therefore, it is not for Parliament to define the methodology that the regulator should employ in implementing the recommendations as that would effectively be usurping the regulator’s mandate leaving no room for the Authority to define the best possible approach in implementing national roaming. For all we know, the methodology might not fit the Kenyan market or it may not necessarily be the cheapest, but the regulator in this industry may know the best methodology that can be used. Therefore, I appeal to the House not to go into the specifics of defining the methodology to be used. The Communications Authority of Kenya implements national roaming to other Tier 1 operators, as the wording was previously. Hon. Temporary Deputy Speaker, I beg to move that the Motion be amended in Recommendation 11- by deleting all the words “subject to Long-Run incremental Cost” after the words “one year”. The Recommendation reads as follows: 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."
}