December 2009 - KICTANet

Digital to Analog Conversion
by robert yawe 19 Jun '15

19 Jun '15

Hi, When the migration from analog to digital was initially raised fear was put into the public on how there would be no option but to throw away our analog TV sets and replace them with Digital. Now that digital transmission is finally here we need to look at how to make the migration as painless as possible while at the same time we do not disenfranchise any citizens. It has been mentioned that there are over 1 million TV sets in Kenya today, that means 1 million digital to analog converters will be required over the next 2-3 years. I believe this is a great opportunity for us to go into the electronic assembly business, I would like to propose that we 1st increase duty on converters from the current 35% to 250% so as to discourage the importation of the converters. Then exempt from duty and vat all assembly stations, test equipment and components for anyone who sets up a converter assembly plant, with a 3 year tax holiday. If you setup the plant more than 200 kilometers from Nairobi or Mombasa you receive an addition 2 years tax holiday. I believe this will sort out the issue of substandard converters and will also provide an opportunity for us to develop our electronic devices assembly skills. If you make a net profit of 1,000/- there is a clean 875,000,000/- to be made, close to what the government is spending on purchase of the Malili farm. This is assuming a standard device, there is still a market for those who want high end devices with recording, tuners, USB ports, etc which would mean that the returns could be much higher than projected above. So will we move away from juts being importers and retailers or do we have what it takes to do some value add? Regards Robert Yawe KAY System Technologies Ltd Phoenix House, 6th Floor P O Box 55806 Nairobi, 00200 Kenya Tel: +254722511225, +254202010696

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Re: [kictanet] Paypal Vs Mpesa
by Barrack Otieno 04 Feb '10

04 Feb '10

Honourable Members, I was just having a chat with a good friend who is a web developer over the issue of online payments. I realised paypal is common but the procedure and processes involved seem to be too complicated despite the fact that it is an important medium for online transactions globally. Does anyone has an idea of how we can encouarage local banks to interface with such systems to facilitate online transactions instead of the difficult route being undertaken currently, better still can mpesa be a viable option. They have an arrangement with pesa point which saved my neck on new year because of its efficiency can it be extended to facilitate online transactions international (say with Kenyans in diaspora Just curious On Wed, Jan 21, 2009 at 8:22 PM, Alex Gakuru <alex.gakuru(a)yahoo.com> wrote: > > > > --- On Wed, 1/21/09, Okulo Anthony <anthony.okulo(a)okulo.co.ke> wrote: > > > From: Okulo Anthony <anthony.okulo(a)okulo.co.ke> > > Subject: Re: [kictanet] Obama Speech puzzle: read, memorised or simply no > script? > > To: alex.gakuru(a)yahoo.com > > Cc: kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke > > Date: Wednesday, January 21, 2009, 12:22 AM > > Most good speakers especially litigation lawyers memories > > their speeches and when making the speech they rely on > > points so that it looks as if they are not reading a script. > > most likely Obama had his "points" on a screen in > > front of him. > > > > > > Anthony Okulo > > > > A trick we used in O-Levels to "cram" formulas, make "words" shortened > abbreviations for Chemistry, Geo, Bio, Hist, Maths etc.. It works wonders-- > only remember "new word" only known to thyself and Hey Presto! UR genius;) > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > kictanet mailing list > kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > > This message was sent to: otieno.barrack(a)gmail.com > Unsubscribe or change your options at > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/otieno.barrack%40gmail… > -- Barrack O. Otieno ISSEN CONSULTING Tel: +254721325277 +254726544442 +254733206359 www.issenconsult.com http://projectdiscovery.or.ke To give up the task of reforming society is to give up ones responsibility as a free man. Alan Paton, South Africa

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My 2cts: ICT Parks
by Victor Gathara 12 Jan '10

12 Jan '10

Dr Ndemo, The following is an excerpt for a paper I wrote on the impact of the arrival of sub-marine fibre in East Africa(http://www.gg.rhul.ac.uk/ict4d/workingpapers/Gathero.doc). In it I suggest we adopt consultant Booz Allen Hamilton's six levers for successful development of an ICT park strategy for Kenya. ______________________ ICT Parks Kenya's BPO sector cannot succeed without a critical mass of companies at least a handful of which must be of significant size (000s of employees). The Government can fast-track an environment conducive to ICT sector growth by fostering ICT parks - one or more buildings in which there is a full range of services including reliable electrical power, high speed lines, cabling, physical security and so on. GoK has undertaken the creation of one such park in Athi River. Building is expected to commence in July. The park will occupy about 5000 acres of land and is expected to employ over 10,000 people. While a positive undertaking, the park should be considered as part of an overall strategy. Consultant firm Booz Allen Hamilton has reviewed the learning from global experiences and suggests six main levers for the successful development of ICT parks:[1] <outbind://20/#_ftn1> * Purpose - This element must be articulated up front as it directly impacts the physical environment, regulatory and legal context, economic focus, level of integration to the national economy, etc. To illustrate, parks can focus on objectives dealing with ICT sector development, attraction of foreign investments and/or retention of domestic investments, and incubation of new business. The purpose of the Athi River Park should be clearly articulated. * Value Proposition - Central to the success of an ICT park is the definition and enactment of a legal and regulatory framework, provision of adequate infrastructure and facilities, availability of support services, overall quality of life, and location, to name a few. Importantly, the offering of communication-related services such as voice and data telecommunications, managed data services, and media broadcast all play a key role in shaping the value proposition. It would be good to get a blueprint of the park widely circulated showing advantages of businesses being housed there. The government can also make it easy for local or foreign firms to set up operations for example by giving tax incentives to companies, domestic and foreign operating in the park. * Location - The efficiency, effectiveness, and resulting lifestyle in these parks are important attributes. As a result, ICT parks tend to be located in dedicated areas outside the main city and within a short driving distance. They also tend to be located within a short driving distance from the airport as well as prominent universities. This clearly suits Athi River as a choice location with its distance from Nairobi, Daystar University and Jomo Kenyatta International Airport. Last but not least, Booz Allen suggests the park dedicates 30%-50% of their space to green areas with the objective to create a distinctive and attractive environment. * Partnership - ICT parks require close links to academic institutions, real estate developers, venture capitals and financial institutions, investment promotion agencies, and national government agencies involved in the ICT sector. To illustrate, and building on the learning of the broader experience of technology parks, nearly 50% of such developments are pursued within university-related premises. It would be prudent for the government to initiate such partnerships in this early stage. * Funding - ICT parks can be funded primarily through the private sector (e.g., real estate developers, private investors/placement) and government agencies if required. They are self-sustainable financially and can generate attractive returns. In this regard GoK should seek to enter Private Public Partnerships to ensure that there is private sector buy-in. * Competitive Positioning - ICT parks can define their competitive positioning along three dimensions. Firstly, they need a differentiated positioning vis-à-vis other comparable developments within the same region (e.g., within the Arabian Peninsula, such as the Dubai Media city). Secondly, they need to offer distinctive benefits at a national level, in particular when considering that 50% of the tenants could represent already established institutions. Thirdly, ICT parks can be defined as part of a regional network of parks. Such a 'constellation' of parks aims to create cross-border synergies and complementary products, services, and strengths. The concept of 'constellation' is already into play at a national level with developments such as the Smart Villages in Egypt having planned presences in Giza (Cairo), Mansoura (Cairo), and Alexandria. The Athi River Park should therefore not be seen in isolation but as part of a constellation of parks. Others could be developed in University towns such as Eldoret, Nakuru and Juja. ________________________________ [1] <outbind://20/#_ftnref1> Booz Allen Hamilton: ICT parks offer a fast-track development approach for the Middle East, http://www.ameinfo.com/66995.html <http://www.ameinfo.com/66995.html> Victor Gathara| UK Department for International Development| Regional IS Manager , East Africa| * email: v-gathara(a)dfid.gov.uk * Telephone: +254 20 2873349 * Fax: +254 20 2873102 * Ftn: 8300 3349 * Mobile: +254 733 414846 url: www.dfid.gov.uk <http://www.dfid.gov.uk/> DFID, the Department for International Development: leading the UK Government's fight against world poverty. Find out more at http://www.dfid.gov.uk. The road to Copenhagen: the UK Government's ambition for a global deal on climate change. Find out more at http://www.actoncopenhagen.gov.uk and about DFID's work at http://www.dfid.gov.uk/climate. ______________________________________________________________________ This e-mail has been scanned for all viruses by Peapod. The service is powered by MessageLabs. For more information on a proactive anti-virus service working around the clock, around the globe, visit: http://www.peapod.co.uk/cleanmail

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Re: [kictanet] KNEC giving candidates, parents a raw deal
by mureithi 08 Jan '10

08 Jan '10

Thanks barrack For the candidate and their family they interacted with the ict system and the interface was the sms and the web. We should not hide behind huge traffic because the phenomena and the time is known and the implications. Another terrible failure is that i and many thousands kenyans paid upfront to the ict system for a service that was not delivered ____________ Muriuki Mureithi Summit Strategies Ltd sent from cellphone ________________ Reply Header ________________ Subject: Re: [kictanet] KNEC giving candidates, parents a raw deal Author: Barrack Otieno <otieno.barrack(a)gmail.com> Date: 29th December 2009 12:51 MM, I guess it's a bit premature to blame the System, the problem stems from how the whole announcement was managed, it was improper for the Ministers handlers to say the results would be available on the site immediately after the speech, with the anxiety that had been going on i'm sure even the best servers might not have handled the hits, no wonder the systems were unable to cope, however this serves as a lesson to KNEC, i am sure they will do better in 2010. Happy New Year ! On 12/29/09, mureithi <mureithi(a)summitstrategies.co.ke> wrote: > > Zachary > This was the great opportunity for the ict system to prove its value to our > society. It failed miserably to just serve less than 1 percent of the > population and had to walk to schools. Zain however stood tall and 2228 > worked. > ____________ > Muriuki Mureithi > Summit Strategies Ltd sent from cellphone > > ________________ Reply Header ________________ > Subject: [kictanet] KNEC giving candidates, parents a raw deal > Author: Zachary Ochieng <zzachmbir(a)yahoo.com> > Date: 29th December 2009 09:59 > > > Despite the digitisation of exam results by the Kenya National > Examinations Council (KNEC) and the Ministry of Education, the platform > doesn't seem to be working. My daughter is one of the candidates who sat > KCPE in November 2009. But more than two hours after the release of the > results by Education minister Sam Ongeri, the KNEC website from where the > candidates are supposed to check their results remains down. Worse still, > the 2228 no. to which candidates should text their index numbers to get > results is also not working but continues to consume airtime to the tune of > Ksh 20 per SMS. If this is not a rip off, then I don't know the definition, > coming as it does at a time when the ministry is reeling from a theft > scandal. > > One wonders what else the ministry could be hiding. While announcing the > top candidates, Ongeri never mentioned the names of their schools. But it is > anyone's guess that majority of them are from private schools. Rather than > bash the media as he did during the release of the results, Ongeri should > tell us what is bedevilling FPE. > > Can someone please help? MY daughter has refused to take lunch until she > gets her results. > > > > --- Be the change you want to see in the world. > > > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > kictanet mailing list > kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > > This message was sent to: mureithi(a)summitstrategies.co.ke > Unsubscribe or change your options at > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/mureithi%40summitstrat… > > > > _______________________________________________ > kictanet mailing list > kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > > This message was sent to: otieno.barrack(a)gmail.com > Unsubscribe or change your options at > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/otieno.barrack%40gmail… > -- Barrack O. Otieno Administrative Manager Afriregister Ltd (Ke) P.o.Box 21682 Nairobi 00100 Tel: +254721325277 +254733206359 +254202498789 Riara Road, Bamboo Lane www.afriregister.com www.afriregister.co.ke ICANN accredited registrar. Skype: barrack.otieno

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State Wrong on Internet Exchange Point , is it true
by Barrack Otieno 08 Jan '10

08 Jan '10

Listers, I was going through an article in the East African standard with the above mentioned title by the CEO of KIXP published on Sunday Dec 2009 in the East African Standard, am wondering is there a business case other than the security considerations highlighted that justifies the GIXP and if we could be allowed to access it or is it classified info?, in addition the writer has mentioned the Strengths of KIXP however i would also appreciate to know the weaknesses since they might justify the need for GIXP bearing in mind the fact that we are just coming out of the woods in so far as monopolies are concerned as i try to digest the article in any case having gone through http://www.bgp4.as/internet-exchanges it is evident there are a few developed countries with more that one Exchange point eg South Africa , the US, Sweden, Singapore, Russia and the UK, somebody educate me. Regards -- Barrack O. Otieno Administrative Manager Afriregister Ltd (Ke) P.o.Box 21682 Nairobi 00100 Tel: +254721325277 +254733206359 +254202498789 Riara Road, Bamboo Lane www.afriregister.com www.afriregister.co.ke ICANN accredited registrar. Skype: barrack.otieno

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Question on ICT/BPO Park
by Agosta Liko 05 Jan '10

05 Jan '10

Guys.... I was interviewed the other day about this BPO/ICT park thats suppposed to be built by GOK using World Bank funds ... My question is ... was this a private sector idea or a government idea ? I am told its 70KM's from Nai .... is this true ? And what are your thoughts about the same ? Thanks

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@ 2010 Not Yet Uhuru
by Barrack Otieno 05 Jan '10

05 Jan '10

Distinguished listers, I have read through the comments and still feel it is not yet time to celebrate, what we have simply done in the year 2009 is to build buses (Policies, Infrastructure , Strategies) however Kenyans are still walking on foot and hurting their toes as a result since they havent seen the difference this buses will make in their lives. Many gains have been made but they still don't resonate with the common man for instance *why are accidents still maiming Kenyans whereas we can use ICT's to curb them significantly through* CCTV's and other technologies (refer to Kwa Zulu Natal SA), *why is the corruption index still high whereas we can use ICT's to significantly reduce* *corruption*, *why is access to treatment a challenge whereas telemedicine is a reality,* *why is education expensive whereas e-learning is a reality* we continue to witness Petty fights among stakeholders whereas there are *REAL* issues that must be addressed we need to shun this culture and cooperate if we are to achieve more, if ICT cannot contribute to Socio-economic liberation, *then it is not worth it,* for those who were hitting hard continue with the same spirit mediocrity should not be tolerated, for the Peacemakers, be blessed in the year 2010 and continue with that spirit. -- Barrack O. Otieno Administrative Manager Afriregister Ltd (Ke) P.o.Box 21682 Nairobi 00100 Tel: +254721325277 +254733206359 +254202498789 Riara Road, Bamboo Lane www.afriregister.com www.afriregister.co.ke ICANN accredited registrar. Skype: barrack.otieno

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customer service commitments from service providers
by muriuki mureithi 04 Jan '10

04 Jan '10

After the announcement of KCPE results on 29th , I and I believe many other Kenyans sent sms's through 2228 to get the results without success . for each sums I sent I discharged my obligation and was charged ksh20 to get service. After 5hrs I got responses from 2 sms's but for all the other sms, I never got a response and I have not been refunded the money deducted . Some customer service issues arise; - 1) when is a service deemed to have been rendered by a service provider? Can a service provider delay a response for 5 hrs and claim to have provided a service? - 2)my contract for cellular service is to Safaricom who charged me for all the sms I sent, when I called the customer service I was told the failure belonged to a service provider contracted by KNEC and could I call them. I declined to call them because I have no contractual relations with them. What is the obligation of the cellular operator when they charge on behalf of a third party who does not provide the service? - 3) Examination results by there scale provide the best platform to show that the ICT system have come of age. KCPE was a great platform, KCSE is just round the corner , what went wrong and what strategies are being put in place to avoid such terrible failures in future? Cheers Muriuki Mureithi

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On the role of govt
by Matunda Nyanchama 31 Dec '09

31 Dec '09

Friends/Colleagues, On recent comments on the role of government, I have this to say: I think it should be an enabler through creation and enforcement (regulation) of policies intended towards desired outcomes. We also need good laws, a sound justice system (fair and speedy) to deal with disputes; the people need to be aware of their roles, rights and the need to challenge their potential. Recently I was asked to address youth in my Nyamira home. My speech (click on this link) focused on empowerment and harnessing the collective potential. And that as much as government has been a jobs provider in the past, it cannot meaningfully be everyone's employer! ---- On the topic of examination dropouts, there is a serious need to focus on this lot. Our education system has this "pass points" at which the majority fall off and the system forgets about them. The need for tertiary training has never been greater - more village polytechnics, more mid-level colleges (polytechnics) and then universities. Past instances of gutting polytechnics to give way for universities have done great injustice to the education system and many young people in the country. ----- Finally, on the issue of roads and accidents; looks like we take a step forward and several back. I re-read an essay I wrote back in the 1990s and was surprised how many things remain the same! Driver and public transporter owner education is paramount! This is especually so with respect to fatigue. Drivers in Kenya don't get enough rest before embarking on the next trip; and because the owner would like to maximize gains. Happy New 2010 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Matunda Nyanchama, mnyanchama(a)aganoconsulting.com Agano Consulting Inc.; www.aganoconsulting.com ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- “If you have an apple and I have an apple and we exchange these apples then you and I will still each have one apple. But if you have an idea and I have an idea and we exchange these ideas, then each of us will have two ideas.”- George Bernard Shaw ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This e-mail, including attachments, may be privileged and may contain confidential or proprietary information intended only for the addressee(s). Any other distribution, copying, use, or disclosure is unauthorized and strictly prohibited. If you have received this message in error, please notify the sender immediately by reply e-mail and permanently delete the message, including any attachments, without making a copy. Thank you.

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Enquiry on Digital Broadcasting
by Brian Munyao Longwe 30 Dec '09

30 Dec '09

from keziodk(a)yahoo.com My name is Kezio-Musoke David. I am a journalist with the Nation Media Grou= p based in Nairobi. I actually cover Burundi and Rwanda and other parts of = the great lakes region. I am working on a story to do with broadcasting mov= ement from Analogue=C2=A0 to Digital and i am looking for information to un= derstand the issue better.=20 1. What does it mean to move from analogue to digital for TV? 2. What are the benefits for that? Is DSTv digital or analogue? 3. Is it a preriquisite by ITU to move to digital? 4. I understand their is a target for African TV stations to move to digita= l. Why and when is the target?=20 5. I also understand East Africa as in (EAC) has set a stardard to have all= TVs move to digital earlier than the ITU target. Any information on this w= ill be appreciated .... 6. If you are in East Africa which of your TV stations are digital? Here in= Rwanda RTV is moving digital by next year. Nation TV was denied a license = to operate in Kigali because of its analogue platform yet it operates in Ka= mpala and Nairobi NB: This information will be used in an article which will appear in the e-= African section of the East African. I will credit anyone who doesnt mind .= ...=20 Kezio-Musoke David Journalist NMG Musoke-Kezio David, ICT journo,=C2=A0Visual artist, Creative writer.=C2=A0 GSM: +256-772-5308749(Uganda), +250-08865917(Rwanda)=C2=A0 BLOGGER: http://= africanict.blogspot.com, http://kezio-musoke.blogspot.com -- Brian Munyao Longwe e-mail: blongwe(a)gmail.com cell: + 254 722 518 744 blog : http://zinjlog.blogspot.com meta-blog: http://mashilingi.blogspot.com

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