April 2009 - KICTANet

Re: [kictanet] [Skunkworks] Fwd: KRA has gone online...but!
by wesley kiriinya 06 Apr '09

06 Apr '09

Does anyone who needs to file tax online (or do something important on the KRA website) need to go to that URL? If so then it seems KRA has taken 2 steps forward and 1.5 steps backwards. KRA may insist that people file taxes online and since not filing them is illegal then one has to go online, but ALAS! you need to buy Windows so that you can run IE. So one either endures long qeues or buys Windows else you land in jail. (Mathematically ones chances of going to jail because of taxes have increased since one must avoid using pirated Windows O_O) I for one would like to know what feature of this Simba system ties it to IE (and probably forces any Kenyan who wants to file taxes online to buy Windows). No problem if Windows has a technology that no other OS has. If that's not the case then supporting open systems that can be purchased, maintained, used and extended (especially for government institutions that provide public (tax-paid) services) at a reasonable price is a wiser decision. X_X? --- On Sun, 4/5/09, Solomon Mburu <solo.mburu(a)gmail.com> wrote: From: Solomon Mburu <solo.mburu(a)gmail.com> Subject: Re: [Skunkworks] Fwd: KRA has gone online...but! To: "Skunkworks forum" <skunkworks(a)lists.my.co.ke> Date: Sunday, April 5, 2009, 12:19 PM Yes Georg, I can attest to that! Such a pathetic way of telling someone thank you!!! 2009/4/5 George Githinji <georgkam(a)gmail.com> This is total crap! https://forodha.kra.go.ke/ trying accessing this URL and from latest firefox browser and it displays a message. Simba 2005 can only accessed using Microsoft Internet Explorer Version 5.0 and above. I can't believe it! On Sat, Apr 4, 2009 at 9:00 PM, Solomon Mburu <solo.mburu(a)gmail.com> wrote: Dear Skunks and Skunkettes, At least we are back and right on course! The other day I went to Times Tower (Tower Wing) to apply for a VAT certificate from KRA. The lady at the reception bluntly refused to have my documents saying KRA is no longer accepting manual applications either for VAT or PIN. She further told me to log on to www.kra.go.ke/portal and I'd be able to register the details of my company, as long as it is a valid and legal entity. When I logged on to the site, which is too colourful for my 'ageing' eyes, I finally clicked on the Taxpayer Registration just under the E-registration services I entered the company's PIN number and all the details about the company were on my screen. Now, the funny part is that when I set a new password and waited for next page to open, I was told that the agent (who registered my company) does not exist on the Integrated Tax Management System of KRA. So I cannot proceed with the registration for a VAT certificate. Then I gave a shot at my PIN and interestingly, the PIN number does not exist on the ITMS of KRA again. I've tried this on a number of occasions without getting any through. (I tried using my friends PIN and his worked, though it later asked for his parent's names). Could it be that PIN certificates can be fake? And can KRA really isue fake PIN certificates? Anyone amongst you who has experienced a problem with the KRA portal? It really gets into my nerves! Mburu -- Man is a gregarious animal and enjoys agreement as cows will graze all the same way to the side of a hill! -- Man is a gregarious animal and enjoys agreement as cows will graze all the same way to the side of a hill! _______________________________________________ Skunkworks mailing list Skunkworks(a)lists.my.co.ke http://lists.my.co.ke/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/skunkworks -- --------------- Sincerely George Skype: george_g2 Blog: http://biorelated.wordpress.com/ _______________________________________________ Skunkworks mailing list Skunkworks(a)lists.my.co.ke http://lists.my.co.ke/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/skunkworks -- Man is a gregarious animal and enjoys agreement as cows will graze all the same way to the side of a hill! -----Inline Attachment Follows----- _______________________________________________ Skunkworks mailing list Skunkworks(a)lists.my.co.ke http://lists.my.co.ke/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/skunkworks

1 0

Kenya: Fibre optic cable almost reaches telephone house
by alice 05 Apr '09

05 Apr '09

Kenya: Fibre optic cable almost reaches telephone house 'we expect a lot of movement to take place in the month of April' Coastweek -- A timetable for the roll-out of the TEAMS (The East African Marine Systems) cable has been released by contractors, Alcatel Submarines Network Systems. According to Mr. Nzioka Waita, a TEAMS board member and Safaricom's Head of Legal and Regulatory Affairs, "we expect a lot of movement to take place in the month of April." Activities lined up for April include the completion of loading and commencement of the dropping of the cable, a visit to Fujairah by the TEAMS board members to inspect the equipment before the ship starts laying the cable in the sea. Waita was speaking in Mombasa yesterday after a TEAM's board of directors' inspection of the terminal equipment, housed in the equipment room and landing station room situated in Telephone House on Moi Avenue. Terminal equipment is what is necessary to light the entire length of the cable and to provide a point of connection for the submarine cable to the terrestrial infrastructure in the country. They include power feeding equipment, transmission equipment, SDH and network monitoring equipment. "We are fairly confident the equipment room is now ready to be handed over to the contractor to begin the installation of equipment for the landing station," said Waita who was accompanied by Mr. Victor Kyalo from the Kenya ICT Board, who is also seconded to TEAMS as the Acting CEO and Project Manager. The equipment is already in Kenya awaiting clearance, while the Alcatel Contractors who will do the installation are also in the country and waiting to be handed over the room. "We just want to tell everyone interested in the TEAMS project that everything is on track and we are receiving a lot of co-operation from shareholders to make sure the project happens in time and within the budget," said Waita. The US $ 130 million TEAMS project shareholding ratio includes: Safaricom, Telkom Kenya and the Government of Kenya all with 20 per cent of the shares, (KDN) Kenya Data Network with 10 per cent, Wananchi Online with five per cent; Jamii Telkom; 3.5 per cent and Access Kenya and Flashcom; 1.25 per cent. Others are Econet and Africa Fibre Net of Uganda. The Kenyan shareholders have pledged US $ 110 million (Sh8.6 billion) while the difference will be raised by Dubai Telecom Operator, Etisalat. Waita said the project has all requisite permits and approvals from (NEMA), the National Environment Management Agency which were received in November last year. coast week.... __._,_.___

1 0

New IDRC Book: Knowledge to Policy
by Edith Adera 04 Apr '09

04 Apr '09

Colleagues, You might find this book of interest given that KICTANET mainly focusses on influencing policy and practice. The book is entitled "Knowledge to Policy: Making the Most of Development Research" copublished by Sage and IDRC, and authored by Fred Carden. It's avialble in print and online at http://www.idrc.ca/en/ev-135779-201-1-DO_TOPIC.html Book Brief Does research influence public policy and decision-making and, if so, how? This book is the most recent to address this question, investigating the effects of research in the field of international development. It starts from a sophisticated understanding about how research influences public policy and decision-making. It shows how research can contribute to better governance in at least three ways: by encouraging open inquiry and debate, by empowering people with the knowledge to hold governments accountable, and by enlarging the array of policy options and solutions available to the policy process. Edith

3 2

FW: Fellowship in London and Kenya for African women
by Edith Adera 03 Apr '09

03 Apr '09

This may be of interest. Edith

1 0

Invitation to connect on LinkedIn
by James Muendo 03 Apr '09

03 Apr '09

LinkedIn ------------ James Muendo requested to add you as a connection on LinkedIn: ------------------------------------------ Benjamin, I'd like to add you to my professional network on LinkedIn. - James View invitation from James Muendo http://www.linkedin.com/e/4_n5t6X_WQjXh2Z5g_n5tTYK1bLMphUgsD_gUY8QrOaX/blk/… ------------------------------------------ DID YOU KNOW LinkedIn can help you find the right service providers using recommendations from your trusted network? Using LinkedIn Services, you can take the risky guesswork out of selecting service providers by reading the recommendations of credible, trustworthy members of your network. http://www.linkedin.com/e/svp/inv-25/ ------ (c) 2009, LinkedIn Corporation

1 0

Call for nomination - AfriNIC Board of Directors Election
by alice＠apc.org 02 Apr '09

02 Apr '09

** [Apologies for any duplicate mails] ** Dear Colleagues, We would like to inform you that this year, the AfriNIC Board of Directors will have the following vacant seats: a) Seat 3: The Eastern African sub-region (Primary and alternate) Mandate: 2009 to 2012 b) Seat 4: The Southern African sub-region (Primary and Alternate) Mandate: 2009 to 2012 We are pleased to invite nominations to fill in the above seats. ** Who can be nominated to seat on the Board? Anybody resident in one of the above sub-regions. Self-nomination is also possible. Nominees should have a good experience/background in the Internet Protocol environment and in a similar position (Board member or hold a senior position in an Internet related organization), be able to participate actively in all activities conferred to the Board of Directors by the AfriNIC bylaws (Section 13). The candidates should have a good comprehension of the English language. Nominations should be sent to nomination2009(a)afrinic.net <https://ssl0.ovh.net/squirrelmail/src/compose.php?send_to=nomination2009%40…> with the following details: -------- 1: Candidate Information Nominated by (full name): Nominee (Full name): Organization (or affiliation): Position: Physical address: e-mail address: Phone number: Fax number: Country of Residence: Sub-region nominated for: 2. Brief statement explaining the candidate's background and motivation (in English, and not more than 400 words): Note: Please also attach a copy of your CV. (Note: CV must be sent in English.) -------- The deadline for candidacy/nominations is Wednesday 15 April 2009 at 20:00 UTC. Afrinic bylaws: http://www.afrinic.net/corporate/bylaws.htm See also the 2009's Election Process and Policy attached. --------- Ken Lohento, on behalf of the 2009's Board Election Committee

2 1

Following the Trail of eWaste
by Edith Adera 01 Apr '09

01 Apr '09

Colleagues, This is a must watch short video clip on eWaste damping in Africa from developed countries. What are the policy implications? Worth discussing on the list to guide Kenya's policy on electronic waste. Please check out this incredible short documentary of e-waste traveling from England to Nigeria. http://www.greenpeace.org/international/photosvideos/greenpeace-photo-essay…

2 1