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"id": 936503,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/936503/?format=api",
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"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Sen. Halake",
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"id": 13184,
"legal_name": "Abshiro Soka Halake",
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"content": "The Committee established that most mobile money services offered by telecommunication service providers are often backed by banks, which are regulated, thereby, protecting consumers and their data. The Committee, however, noted that there are mobile only lenders, essentially “ online shylocks, ” who are not regulated. This then places the customers at risk and may end up exploiting them. This was canvassed and further action recommended, and it is being pursued by the Committee. Our Committee is holding consultative meetings to determine how best to regulate this sector for the purposes of protecting consumer financial information and data. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, with regards to the Statement by Sen. Kasanga, on the status of mobile connectivity for marginalized areas and special projects, the Committee has invited the CS to provide response in November, 2019. The Committee has been engaging with stakeholders on the issue of the basic 2G connectivity across the country. Connectivity is a human rights issue which enables access to basic services, like contact with security services. The Committee met with the Communication Authority of Kenya (CAK) to discuss the implementation of the Universal Service Fund (USF), connectivity for marginalized areas and projects of Phase 1 and 2. It noted that the project was being implemented in collaboration with private sector partners, and encouraged CAK to ensure that the projects are implemented within the prescribed time. The Committee has been engaging with Telkom Kenya on a series of issues surrounding the company. First, the Committee met with the company to discuss the progress of the implementation of its allocated projects under the USF Phase 1. The Committee also noted that the company had implement up to 80 per cent of its allocated sub-locations, and commended the company for its efficiency. Secondly, the company was scheduled to merge with Airtel Kenya. However, the said merger has encountered some headwinds. The Committee is scheduled to meet with both Airtel Kenya and Telkom Kenya Limited to discuss the challenges facing the merger between the two companies. The Committee has since met, and this Report must have been done the week before we met. We have since met and many issues have been streamlined therein, with the view to meeting again for further discussions. Mr. Speaker, Sir, in the execution of our broadcasting mandate, the Committee has been concerned about the state of the national broadcaster, the Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC). The Committee met with the management of the Corporation to be apprised on their turnaround strategy. In a bid to support the process, the Committee established a sub-committee comprising of the three Senators to closely follow up on the implementation of the plans and to interface on legislative and policy interventions to help our broadcaster along. Mr. Speaker Sir, with regards to our engagement with counties, the Committee, while in Kitui during the Senate sittings in September, 2019, met with the counterpart Committee of Kitui County Assembly and the CAK to discuss 2G connectivity in Kitui County. This was a review of the implementation meeting, following a visit to the county by the Committee in August, 2018. The CAK is in the process of implementing measures to improve connectivity in the county, following resolutions made at the meeting. The Committee also conducted a site inspection visit to a digital service mast site of the KBC The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor, Senate."
}