House business stalls in wrangle over iPads

Work may grind to a halt at the Kisumu County Assembly after ward representatives failed to embrace technology despite an order to go paperless.

Finance Committee Chairman James Were said all members should use iPads that were issued to them to access documents.

The county spent Sh5 million to buy iPads for the 50 reps last year.

But on Tuesday many of them did not have them.

Some members claimed that they had lost the iPads while many argued that they did not know how to use them.

The assembly had agreed that all motions would be communicated via the gadgets

Those who do not have them will not get printed documents of proceedings.

Leader of Majority Samuel Ongow said that the assembly will not tolerate any excuses.

“Members should not come to the sitting with papers. We need to cut down the cost of using papers,” he said.

“Buying and printing papers is expensive. We are going to be strict because this involved the county’s money,” he said. Minority Whip Caroline Owen echoed Mr Ong’ow’s sentiments adding that members who have misplaced their iPads should buy new ones.

East Seme representative Aggrey Ogosi called for training on how to use the gadget.

“Why would I carry something that I do not know how to use? It is very embarrassing that a member has to go round showing us how to use the gadgets. It is very embarrassing,” he said.

Wawidhi ward representative Moses Ochele said they have been trained many times on how to use them.

He said additional training would be a waste of money.

“Everybody should have basic knowledge on how to use the gadgets. We have also received e-government training in Nairobi on the gadgets,” he said.

Migosi Ward rep Paul Achayo complained that the assembly was spending a lot of money on internet, suggesting using paper was cheaper.