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

Sun May 23 01:26:24 EAT 2010

Edith, I concur with your view and Nyaki's that
there is need to build in a research element into this venture from the outset.
Certainly, beyond the ‘with’ and without’ scenarios, there will be as many
interesting and unique points of research as will be the number of constituencies
and MPs using the technology – ‘the with’s'...  

In a routine literature review earlier today, I ran into Mike Eldon’s assertion in the 2005 publication ‘At the
Cross-roads: ICT Policy Making in East Africa’.
In certain ways, I find it so apt for this moment than it probably was in the
year in reference, 2002.

‘The euphoria that accompanied the
coming to power of the NARC government in December 2002 permeated the ICT
sector. Here at last, it seemed, was a new crop of leaders who appeared to
understand enough about how and why ICT could contribute to development, and
who would be only too keen to partner with the private sector to see Kenya
catch up with its potential. Whereas the overall champion for the cause could
not yet be identified, it seemed that at least there existed a critical mass of
cabinet ministers who would take ICT seriously and who would make sure it
stayed firmly on the national agenda.’ (Page 51)

Not sure about the ‘critical mass’
bit yet with regards to the current cabinet – and what ‘critical mass’ would be
needed at cabinet and parliamentary level to have significant adaptation of
innovations such as these. Aspects for further research?

…And like many other ‘researchers’
on the ICT policy process, I have found this publication extremely useful and
must compliment those of us who made contributions. We need to have more of
such authoritative and evidence-based publications on the ICT policy process in Kenya. 

Betty

--- On Sat, 5/22/10, Edith Adera <eadera at idrc.or.ke> wrote:

From: Edith Adera <eadera at idrc.or.ke>
Subject: Re: [kictanet] Face-to-face link with MP at the touch of a button
To: ogange at yahoo.com
Cc: "KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions" <kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke>
Date: Saturday, May 22, 2010, 7:00 AM

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I agree with you Nyaki. While other MPs are hanging around from Tuesday to Thursday attending parliamentary sessions. Eng. Rege would be able to do BOTH - dialogue with his constituents while also
 attending to parliamentray business in Nairobi and then be able to have face to face from Friday to Monday like others. I would call that technophobia!

The more reason why we need this research things to compare the "with" and "without" scenario and the emerging outcomes. This will inform the debates!

Edith

_________________
Edith Ofwona Adera
Senior Program Specialist
International Development Research Centre | Centre de recherches pour le développement international
+254- 20- 2713160 ext 3406 |
eadera at idrc.or.ke  | www.idrc.ca
 | www.crdi.ca

From: Catherine Adeya [elizaslider at yahoo.com]

Sent: 21 May 2010 17:48

To: Edith Adera

Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions

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

And yet there are some...mostly Professionals if the news is true...who were criticizing this excellent innovation who say it is a way for the MP to keep away from his constituents. Lets be real...we do not teleconference to make sure we do not meet....we
 try to ensure we are productive yet efficient even in our absence.

Mhesh, do not let these detractors derail the great work you are doing in ICT4D.

Thanks, 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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