Telkom Kenya has announced an agreement to provide a digitization solution to all Kenyan Members of Parliament. The deal, sealed today by Telkom Kenya Chief Executive Officer Dominique Saint-Jean and the Speaker of the National Assembly Hon. Kenneth Marende, will see the 222 elected MPs get connected electronically.

The agreement covers provision of laptops and internet everywhere connection. Internet everywhere allows access to internet anywhere on the Orange network using a USB modem and automatically selects the best available network ensuring that users have the best possible browsing experience wherever they are (i.e. EDGE/GPRS, Wifi, ADSL and LAN).

The bundled solution which was presented to the speaker of the National assembly Kenneth Marende and Hon. Eng.James Rege, chairperson, National Assembly communication committee at Parliament Buildings, will see the initial phase connect 16 members and eventually rollout to the rest of the members within the year.

Telkom Kenya is the first and only integrated telecommunications operator in Kenya . Through innovative thinking and converged services solutions the company has developed a unique solution to enable house business by ensuring members can communicate with each other and their constituents wherever they are.

Speaking at the ceremony, Mr. Dominique Saint-Jean, Telkom Kenya CEO commented:

“Following our recent launch of Orange Business Services and our lead role in the Connected Business Summit in April, this partnership is also another landmark in Telkom Kenya 's ongoing journey to deliver innovative, relevant solutions for Kenyan organisations in both the public and private sector.

Using technology to develop partnerships which enable people to achieve more is Telkom Kenya 's vision and it's always a fantastic achievement when we're able to realise this vision. I'd like to thank and recognise the National Assembly and my colleagues at Telkom Kenya for this success story and I look forward to sharing more collective successes with you all.”

On receiving the equipment, Speaker of the General Assembly, Kenneth Marende said:

“This is a wonderful example of the value of public-private partnerships in action and also serves to demonstrate the truth of Telkom Kenya 's business philosophy “together we can do more”. Hand in hand, public sector and private sector, we can deliver greater value to Kenyans, from today and for tomorrow, because whilst it will serve a public sector agenda, it is a business initiative, which means that it is sustainable financially. We know the monthly cost and we have built it into our budgets to ensure that by the end of the year, all members of parliament will be able to benefit from a more streamlined and cost effective communications solution to serve their constituents better.”

Hon. Eng. James Rege, the Chairman, National General Assembly Communication Committee and MP, Muhoroni added:

“The partnership we are announcing today is about more than laptops and internet connections. Today we are kicking off a partnership that will transform the way that Members of Parliament work. We will be able to lead the way in demonstrating to the ordinary mwananchi the very real benefits of technology in enhancing productivity and therefore the development of our great nation.”