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

Sun May 23 00:24:14 EAT 2010

Perhaps this could be  the right time for a baseline   study  and at the
same time develop data recording tools  to capture longitudinal data over
time ---

Cheers 

MM

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 Catherine Adeya
Sent: 21 May 2010 17:51
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

And Edith, the research would be a brilliant idea but give it time to be
able to assess real impact...it is too soon...ama?

Nyaki

  _____  

From: Edith Adera <eadera at idrc.or.ke>
To: elizaslider at yahoo.com
Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions <kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke>
Sent: Wed, May 19, 2010 2:56:13 PM
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

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------

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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