[kictanet] Face-to-face link with MP at the touch of a button

[alice]

We are getting there.

Congratulations Hon. Rege

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A conference hall fitted with a huge screen is all constituents will 
need to communicate with their MP.

That is a reality for the people of Karachuonyo in Nyanza, who have 
embraced teleconferencing in a big way.

To talk to their MP, Mr James Rege, all they need do is walk to the 
local office and book an appointment. Once an appointment has been 
secured, at the touch of a button, they will be talking to the MP.

The technology comes at a time when the government seeks to reduce the 
costs incurred by Members of Parliament during their day-to-day duties.

*Other duties*

If the technology is embraced by all the constituencies, the MPs will 
efficiently be able to monitor their constituencies’ development without 
having to travel there. This will free the leaders for other duties such 
as attending parliamentary sessions.

Mr Rege, the chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Energy and 
Communication, said the technology will enable constituents to have a 
face-to-face conversation with their MP without having to travel to 
Nairobi, where the legislators spend most of their time in order to 
attend Parliament and other business.

“When the facility is fully installed by the government in all 
constituencies, the Treasury will be able to cut the costs incurred by 
MPs by half. Many MPs travel to their constituencies four times a week, 
which costs the taxpayers a huge sum of money” he said.

*Two trips*

Mr Rege said that to instal the teleconference equipment, a constituency 
needs only Sh120,000. This, he added, is what an MP spends for two trips 
to his constituency on average.

“Sometimes, an MP uses the amount on travelling to his constituency to 
attend an hour’s meeting. The amount saved can be used to assist in the 
construction of schools and upgrading roads, among other projects.”

Mr Rege said that with the technology, he was able to attend to his 
constituents and follow up development without having to miss 
parliamentary proceedings.

The TelePresence virtual meeting also allows the MP to communicate with 
the district and provincial administrators and hold live interactive 
meetings using the connectivity of the Internet.

Mr Rege said the technology will ensure that information is not 
distorted, as well as providing a channel for instant feedback.

The teleconference kit was installed on April 30 at the Rachuonyo 
Constituency Development offices by Smoothtel and Tandberg High Definition.