Date: Tue, 17 Feb 2009 18:46:23 +0300 [09:46:23 AM CST]
From: John Gichuru
Subject: Re: Technology in Parliament

And probably these budget highlights should be presented using powerpoint, they would look serious and easier to understand besides being lively. Probably UK will present his using a prompter, the way he did in Kasarani. The fulll budget could then be distributed by hard copies or/and email. Gichuru

On 2/17/09, Tom Onditi wrote:

Wanabidii,

I have been wondering why renovations in parliament that cost many millions of shillings have not been accompanied by other important technological innovations that are now part of normalcy in the world. I am talking here about presentation of documents in parliament. There are now trendier and less boring presentation methods.

Many times I sympathize with wajumbe sitting through a three hour presentation of the budget speech. I would myself sleep as many of them do. It is today primitive to read through a 340 page document to a literate audience who can read the full version at another setting. The budget speech is a highly technical document loaded with jargon from the subject of economics and fiscal issues that many of our legislators are not schooled in. Why not just work on its highlights for presentation to parliament and deposit the full version for easy access to those interested in the full version.

Apart from the fact that the budget speech is not interactive and many parliamentarians do not follow it, they sleep in numbers, it is also a tough task for the Minister for Finance who consumes large amounts of water to keep cool and purse his lips etc (It will be most difficult for Hon. Uhuru who is also known to indulge in the intake of many dehydrants in his freer times). I am sure there are many wanabidii who are communication experts who will only take the little they deserve to design modern communication/ presentation methods for use by the August house. It is terrible today, when proceedings of the house are televised, to see an already indolent lot slumbering in the chambers when they should be representing more alert constituents