Members of the National Assembly will be resuming their sitting in style after the State splashed millions in acquiring them new iPads.
Quoting Parliamentary Speaker Justin Muturi, Nation reported that up to 350 iPads had been installed and was awaiting the MPs to use them. They were procured the Parliamentary Service Commission (PSC) which is chaired by Muturi.
“As from Tuesday, April 23, 2019, there will be no physical Order Paper that will from time to time be provided in the chamber.
“MPs will, henceforth, be able to access all documents from the application on the equipment,” stated Muturi.
Speaking in connection with the matter, National Assembly Clerk Michael Sialai revealed that the rollout of the new programme would be done progressively beginning with the order paper and that it would save the State Ksh15 million annually.
“The amount we save is likely to go up once we fully integrate the system and use it in uploading all the information in the chamber,” stated Sialai.
Daily Nation established that going by the current rates, an iPad costs between Ksh100,000 to Ksh120,000. That means that the State spent a minimum of Ksh35 million to acquire the gadgets.
The Senate, on the other hand, was fitted with 68 tablets. It is not yet clear when the full rollout of the house will be carried out.
The paper further revealed that currently, Parliament used at least 1,500 reams of printing paper every week for both the Senate and the Parliament.
The move was applauded by several leaders including Parliament's Majority Leader Aden Duale who revealed that the digital installation would prevent unnecessary wastage.
“This is the way to go in this time and age notwithstanding that as a House, we are saving a substantial amount of money,” stated Duale.
