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

[Winfred Kithinji]

Congrats Hon.Eng Rege.
E-Karachuonyo is the New Way of Working.


Regards,

Winnie Kithinji
System Engineer
w.kithinji at smoothtel.com[Mobile:-0731209512]

"If Everyone Knew What Video Could Do Everyone Could Want It"


-----Original Message-----
From: kictanet-bounces+w.kithinji=smoothtel.com at lists.kictanet.or.ke
[mailto:kictanet-bounces+w.kithinji=smoothtel.com at lists.kictanet.or.ke] On
Behalf Of muriuki mureithi
Sent: Wednesday, May 19, 2010 7:46 PM
To: winnie
Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions
Subject: Re: [kictanet] Face-to-face link with MP at the touch of a button


Congrats Hon Eng Rege
 You have set the trend for others to follow -- 
Muriuki Mureithi 

-----Original Message-----
From: kictanet-bounces+mureithi=summitstrategies.co.ke at lists.kictanet.or.ke
[mailto:kictanet-bounces+mureithi=summitstrategies.co.ke at lists.kictanet.or.k
e] On Behalf Of Edith Adera
Sent: 19 May 2010 14:56
To: mureithi at summitstrategies.co.ke
Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions
Subject: Re: [kictanet] Face-to-face link with MP at the touch of a button

Congrats Hon. (...but do I say!!). Certainly, the way to go. Would be nice
to do some research around it e.g. how does it change the governnace
dynamics? Who participates and who does not? Why? How does accountability
and transparency play out?  etc etc

I've had a feel of CISCO's telepresence at their office - great experience!
Congrats once again.

-----Original Message-----
From: kictanet-bounces+eadera=idrc.or.ke at lists.kictanet.or.ke
[mailto:kictanet-bounces+eadera=idrc.or.ke at lists.kictanet.or.ke] On Behalf
Of alice
Sent: Wednesday, May 19, 2010 12:35 PM
To: Edith Adera
Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions
Subject: [kictanet] Face-to-face link with MP at the touch of a button

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.



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