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{
    "id": 974752,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/974752/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 249,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Marakwet West, JP",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. William Kisang",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 2263,
        "legal_name": "William Kipkemoi Kisang",
        "slug": "william-kipkemoi-kisang"
    },
    "content": "regard, electronic records are expected to play an increasingly significant role in commercial practice. Hon. Speaker, electronic signatures are not accepted even now in some quarters, but as soon as we pass this law, electronic signatures and documents are going to be legal. This will help to fast-track business. As earlier indicated, Kenya currently is number 56 in the ease of doing business. We were number 136 and we have come to number 56. As soon as we pass this Bill and it is assented to law, there is a chance that Kenya is likely to be number one in Africa and may be in the top five or 10 in the world. Documents of title like shipping documents and bills of lading are subject to application and operations of electronic transactions. It is even going on currently. When you get documents, say from Singapore or Japan, they are sent electronically. The only ones that come in print form are logbooks. As soon as this is done, they should be able to send logbooks electronically so that you receive them the same day. Some of the benefits of adoption of these documents in electronic form are many. One of them is speed of transaction leading to cost reduction and avoidance of liability arising from paying demurrage if there are delays in submission of documents. As the Departmental Committee on Communication, Information and Innovation, we strongly support this Bill because we are the champions of technology in the country. This should also enhance competitiveness to a higher efficiency. There will be confidentiality and creation of more secure trading environment due to prevention of fraud and human error. One of the Members said that we need to be very sure so that there is no fraud. I want to tell Members that it is very easy to forge physical documents but if you submit electronic documents, it is not easy. It is difficult. I know there might be some hackers who can interfere, but it is easy to forge a physical document than an electronic one. This will also create convenience, trust and confidence. It will also promote documents and data reusability because you do not need any physical paper. We will even save our forests. Documents of title are key instruments in e-transactions and e-commerce. Accommodating them will facilitate safe and secure use of transactions and promote trust in transactions. I want to urge Members that we support this Bill because this will put Kenya on the map in terms of ease of doing business. In the recent past, there were some investors who started running away from our country because of the over 200 processes that you need to go through before you are given a permit to invest in the country. With these amendments of more than 20 laws, basically, it means that Kenya is going to be attractive and we will get more investors. Even with the coronavirus epidemic, those businessmen from this country who import things from China and other countries do not need to go there. You just do your business online. The documents are sent electronically where you sign your contracts and eventually your goods are shipped. Hon. Speaker, I wish to support and thank Members of the Departmental Committee on Communication, Information and Innovation who sat with the Ministry and the Communications Authority of Kenya. We agreed that we are passing the amendments as they are. We are not coming with any other proposed amendments. So, I beg to support."
}