May 2009 - KICTANet

Re: [kictanet] IG Discussion 2009, Day 6 of 10: Infrastructure Issues-Submarine Cables
by Harry Delano 11 May '09

11 May '09

Hey participants, Just to reinforce Michuki's earlier assessment of the state of affairs as they stand with our current "Broadband connectivity", I picked out some specific arguments that I suppose the players in this market & investors need to take keen interest in, so that the country as a whole can move forward much faster, tapping into this resource. Affordability & Quality are two key factors:- Affordability:- With the landing of the Submarine cable, the Cost benefit analysis on the following two fronts need to be analysed, broken down and synthesized for us to address the present challenges that curtail broadband connectivity in this country,notably:- 1. International Bandwidth Pricing models. 2. Local Loop Costing. The Internet service vendors basically pass on the high recurrent costs on these 2 fronts to the end users plus the markups and this is the simple reason internet connectivity has for a long time now been a privilege for the few who can afford it in this country, and eluded the majority. While the first cost element might be mitigated by the advent of several international Fibre circuits (given now we on satellite technology), we will expect some transparency on the pricing models of international bandwidth to determine the specific cost passed on to end users per MB/MBPS. As things stand now, this is a grey area and in as much as international B/w cost right now is high for service providers,I suppose the bill that finally gets to the end users might just be overly inflated. Secondly, while different players work to build up capacity on the last mile, tangible benefits on the local loop costing are yet to start passing on to end users. It makes no sense to talk of expanding capacity on broadband, when a 64kbps local loop on Fibre (from one Local PDNO )would for instance cost me only 5 - 8 % less than what Kenstream have been charging before the advent of Fibre. PDNO's need to wake up now, and smell the coffee and realize that they have to reach the largely untapped market rather than concentrating on the already over saturated corporate sector. As Mwende argues, there are tangible costs incurred in building up the infrastructure. I'd suggest a scheme of incentives especially from the market regulators as a cushion, but also at the same time for the investors to evenly spread out their ROI ( Return on investment) on a long term basis. Quality: - Contention Ratio The current ratios in this market are too high, and they impact negatively on connectivity quality. I sincerely expect bigger international bandwidth to mitigate this, plus as Michuki stated - building our technical capacity to make most of the technology that will be available. Regards, Harry -----Original Message----- From: kictanet-bounces+harry=inds.co.ke(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke [mailto:kictanet-bounces+harry=inds.co.ke@lists.kictanet.or.ke] On Behalf Of kictanet-request(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke Sent: Sunday, May 10, 2009 8:42 PM To: Harry Delano Subject: kictanet Digest, Vol 24, Issue 30 Send kictanet mailing list submissions to kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to kictanet-request(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke You can reach the person managing the list at kictanet-owner(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific than "Re: Contents of kictanet digest..." Today's Topics: 1. Re: IG Discussions- Day 2 of 10: Infrastructure Issues-Submarine Cables (mwende njiraini) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Message: 1 Date: Sun, 10 May 2009 20:47:26 +0300 From: mwende njiraini <mwende.njiraini(a)gmail.com> Subject: Re: [kictanet] IG Discussions- Day 2 of 10: Infrastructure Issues-Submarine Cables To: michuki(a)swiftkenya.com Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> Message-ID: <ab3769d30905101047teb31499v1894187e9789f999(a)mail.gmail.com> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="windows-1252" Hi I would like to contribute to the discussion on residential broadband access though belatedly. Installing fibre for last mile access involves a substantial commitment of fixed costs, mainly associated with civil works. To reduce this capital cost some municipalities are installing multiple ?dark? fibre as it is economical to install substantial excess capacity, relative to initial demand. One such initiative is by the city of Stockholm, in Sweden, which owns and operates an open and operator-neutral infrastructure for telephone and data communications, under a city chartered company, Stokab. Stokab was founded in 1994 when the telecommunications sector was fully liberalised due to the reluctance of the incumbent operator to meet the demand for high capacity networks. Since then, the company has provided fibre optic infrastructure on an open access basis to service providers and large businesses including telecommunication operators, ISPs, cable television networks, mobile telephone operators, municipalities, county councils, major banks, insurance companies, multi-sited organisations and media companies based in the commercial districts and industrial areas of Stockholm. The aim of the company is to contribute to making Stockholm an ICT capital by lowering the barriers to market entry for service providers, and therefore increasing competition. The guiding philosophy for the establishment of the city network is that telecommunications infrastructure should be provided as a ?public good? facilitating access to advanced communications services to all citizens. Stokab?s open access network (OAN), hopes to contribute to improved welfare and greater efficiency of municipality services, reduce the need to travel and thus ease traffic congestion ultimately contributing to a better environment. May be this is an initiative that municipalities in Kenya may wish to consider. Kind regards Mwende *Disclaimer: Views expressed here (except those quoted or referenced) are the author?s own* References 1. Stokab. http://www.stokab.se/templates/StandardPage.aspx?id=306 2. Lehr, W., Sirbu, M. Gillett, S. (2004) *Broadband Open Access: Lessons from Municipal Network Case Studies*. http://people.csail.mit.edu/wlehr/Lehr-Papers_files/Lehr%20Sirbu%20Gillett%2 0Broadband%20Open%20Access.pdf 3. Regulatory Barriers For Fibre Deployment: The ?Legacy Trap? - Barriers to Fibre Deployments in the EU. http://www.ofcom.org.uk/consult/condocs/telecoms_review1/responses/a_h/ftth. pdf * *On Fri, May 1, 2009 at 10:20 AM, Michuki Mwangi <michuki(a)swiftkenya.com>wrote: > Hi Walu, et al, > > Access: > > I believe that we need to move beyond the marketing hype into the > realities. IMHO there's no broadband in Kenya. In my basic > understanding Broadband means affordable and fast connectivity. What > we have is average-to-unreliable connectivity that costs more than its worth. > > I believe the ongoing investments into wireless solutions while they > work will continue to hold us into the pre-broadband phase for a long > time to come. > > Mobile broadband seems to be a working solution but their ability to > scale will continue to pose challenges on quality. > > Therefore investment in fixed infrastructure solutions like FTTH and > FTTC are going to be important considerations to be made if we are to > leap into broadband phase. > > At this point, it would be ideal if regulators would open up the last > mile (within residential spaces) for anyone interested to invest in > that space with fixed infrastructure. > > The de facto point here is that for a long time residential access has > been neglected for a long time. The focus has been mainly at CBDs > until the mobile 2G and 3G solutions were introduced. > > Maybe policy has a role to play in providing incentives for players > who make efforts in providing fixed infrastructure in residential locations. > > Affordability: > > The pricing will still remain high until we have a inexpensive local > loop solution. > > As far as the cables go it will be good to know more details before > folks can make conclusions. For instance is the 500-100USD per month > for bits or bytes?. It would be good to know what pricing model the > cable operators want to have in place for instance does one buy a > circuit from point A to B or does one buy a circuit with Internet on it already?. > > Selling circuits are the ideal way to go hence it allows operators and > others to buy large pipes STM1 (144 Mbps) from say Nairobi to London. > Its cheaper to buy transit capacity from London which goes for about > $10 Per MB per month the other costs will be for the circuit back to > Nairobi and that can be low if talking of big pipes. But then the > models are not clear to me so i cannot give conclusions on what is. > > Content: > > The only way we can drive up content availability is by placing the > requisite infrastructure. As it stands, few host content locally the > pricing is beyond and facilities are few hence higher pricing. > > In Kenya my estimated total collocation/hosting capacity available is > well under 2,000m2 and am being kind here. In Europe one company > Telehouse has 30,000m2 of datacenter space 20,000m2 of which is in the UK. > > We have afew factors in favor of Kenya for instance cheap land and > professional Labor (we cannot compare to EU rates). The only expense > is power but we have abundant solar energy that can serve the demand > for green data-centers one would wish to build. As some of you may > know Europe ran out of hosting space back in 2006 and has lead to the > emergence of Asia as the next collo destination. > > Its upon the region to realise that we could be home to the future > worlds data centers with low cost energy, land and labor in our favor. > > That way we have both local and international content hosted locally > and this will drive costs of access to lows never imagined. > > Quality: > > Quality of service will improve; > > 1) With better and affordable local loop infrastructure (not over > subscribed wireless base stations) - i understand that the regulatory > licensing structure had a negative impact on this as operators had to > pay an annual fee per installed site?. Probably fixed wired solutions > that have no recurrent costs are the way to go? > > 2) Increased percentage of locally hosted/accessed content (peering > traffic) which is subject to less contention and better access speeds > > 3) better pricing models on transit capacity which will reduce the > contention ratios given by service providers > > 4) More training of engineers in building scalable services and > routing infrastructure. > > Regards, > > Michuki. > > > _______________________________________________ > kictanet mailing list > kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > > This message was sent to: mwende.njiraini(a)gmail.com Unsubscribe or > change your options at > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/mwende.njiraini%4 > 0gmail.com >

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IG Discussion 2009: Closure and Way Forward
by mwende njiraini 11 May '09

11 May '09

Good morning, Welcome to the final day of the IG online discussion, 2009! The Internet Governance Forum is scheduled to be held for first time in Africa at Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt (http://igf09.eg/) This presents an excellent opportunity to raise issues that are of importance to the continent, our region and country. Some of the themes proposed to be discussed in the upcoming 4th IGF and contained in *IGF-Programme, Format and Schedule for the 2009 meeting* ( http://www.intgovforum.org/cms/2009/progpaper/ProgrammePaper.01.05.2009.rtf) include: - Internationalization of critical Internet resources management/Managing critical Internet resources - Balancing privacy, openness and security - Access - Round table discussions: on the empowerment and protection of children online, the accessibility for people with disabilities, multilingualism and access to local content. - Workshops: Access, Critical internet resources, Diversity, Openness, Security, Capacity building and Development. (Workshop proposals: http://www.intgovforum.org/cms/index.php/component/chronocontact/?chronofor… ) The forum will also provide an opportunity to discuss *Paragraph 76 of the Tunis Agenda* “*examine the desirability of the continuation of the Forum*” - What method should be used to assess the impact of the internet governance debate through the two phases of World Summit on Information Society in Geneva, 2003 and Tunis 2005 and the 1st to the 3rd IGF? - What do you think needs to be addressed in the remaining two IGFs? - How can we as Kenyans, effectively participate at the 4th IGF and translate the lessons learnt? - Do you think that the IGF should continue after the 5th IGF? *You are encouraged to make your comment on day’s and any other of the previous days’ discussions*. Kind regards Mwende *Disclaimer: Views expressed here (except those quoted or referenced) are the author’s own*

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Re: [kictanet] IG Discussion 2009: Closure and Way Forward Title: The feeling is right, but IGF is abit different, I think
by Barrack Otieno 11 May '09

11 May '09

Blessings permit me to share your comments on a discussion we are having on a list. Colleagues this comments might be helpfull *Description:* I think IGF has done some remarkable things worth reckoning. Yes, you are right James, people do spit out the words, but action has also been done. The setting up of the IGF is a follow up by recommendations made by the WGIS which was set up by the UN Secretary general. The IGF may "identify emerging issues, bring them to the attention of the relevant bodies and the general public, and, where appropriate, make recommendations," but does not have any direct decision-making authority[see note 1] This means that if people are able to spit out the words, then the IGF is fulfilling its mandate. The following are the activities that take place during the IGF: Workshops, Best Practice Forums, Open Forums and meetings of the Dynamic Coalitions. The main themes of IGF are: openness, security, diversity and access. A new theme was introduced in IGF Brazil: critical Internet resources being one of the most debatable topics in the IG field at the moment. So you are also free to contribute on what is supposed to be done. That is what the IGF is all about, a discussion forum. Then based on what we discuss we can mae a decision. I however, also note that there are hiccups here and there but all in all there is tremendous progress. Dr. Jeremy Malcolm has written a very good paper on "Appraising the Success of the Internet Governance Forum" which you may need to read.[see note 2] NOTES ---------------------------------------------- 1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet_Governance_Forum 2. http://www.internetgovernance.org/pdf/MalcolmIGFReview.pdf Author: Blessings Msowoya On Mon, May 11, 2009 at 8:20 AM, Barrack Otieno <otieno.barrack(a)gmail.com>wrote: > Well on the internet governance Forum, i am not sure whether there are > vested interests but purely from a knowledge and best practice point of view > i i would suggest that it proceeds to the 5th Session. I know many have > termed it as a talk show, however, this talk shows have fostered the spirit > of cooperation and diplomacy, maybe the forum should be given more teeth > under an appropriate UN agency, that notwithstanding i am curious to know > the position of insiders Mr Vice President Dr. Siganga what is your > position? > > On Mon, May 11, 2009 at 6:20 AM, mwende njiraini < > mwende.njiraini(a)gmail.com> wrote: > >> Good morning, >> >> >> >> Welcome to the final day of the IG online discussion, 2009! >> >> >> The Internet Governance Forum is scheduled to be held for first time in >> Africa at Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt (http://igf09.eg/) This presents an >> excellent opportunity to raise issues that are of importance to the >> continent, our region and country. >> >> Some of the themes proposed to be discussed in the upcoming 4th IGF and >> contained in *IGF-Programme, Format and Schedule for the 2009 meeting* ( >> http://www.intgovforum.org/cms/2009/progpaper/ProgrammePaper.01.05.2009.rtf) >> include: >> >> - Internationalization of critical Internet resources >> management/Managing critical Internet resources >> - Balancing privacy, openness and security >> - Access >> - Round table discussions: on the empowerment and protection of >> children online, the accessibility for people with disabilities, >> multilingualism and access to local content. >> - Workshops: Access, Critical internet resources, Diversity, Openness, >> Security, Capacity building and Development. (Workshop proposals: >> http://www.intgovforum.org/cms/index.php/component/chronocontact/?chronofor… >> ) >> >> The forum will also provide an opportunity to discuss *Paragraph 76 of >> the Tunis Agenda* “*examine the desirability of the continuation of the >> Forum*” >> >> >> >> - What method should be used to assess the impact of the internet >> governance debate through the two phases of World Summit on Information >> Society in Geneva, 2003 and Tunis 2005 and the 1st to the 3rd IGF? >> - What do you think needs to be addressed in the remaining two IGFs? >> >> - How can we as Kenyans, effectively participate at the 4th IGF and >> translate the lessons learnt? >> - Do you think that the IGF should continue after the 5th IGF? >> >> *You are encouraged to make your comment on day’s and any other of the >> previous days’ discussions*. >> >> >> >> Kind regards >> >> Mwende >> >> *Disclaimer: Views expressed here (except those quoted or referenced) are >> the author’s own* >> >> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> 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 > +254733206359 > 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 > -- Barrack O. Otieno ISSEN CONSULTING Tel: +254721325277 +254733206359 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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Nyama Choma na pombe
by warigia bowman 11 May '09

11 May '09

Hi ICT activists! Just want to let you know that yesterday I had a successful dissertation defense, and I became Daktari Warigia, earning my doctorate of philosophy in public policy from Harvard's Kennedy School of Government. My heartfelt thanks to KICTANet and KIF, in particular, for helping me get this far. I am grateful. Shukrani. Here is the footnote I included in the dissertation to thankall of you. Please let me know if you name is not in here,and you want it in or if you see misspellings or if you want to see the current Kenya chapter. Please email me OFFLINE, (so as not to spam the list) at warigia(a)gmail.com. The dissertation will be submitted for binding by May 15th, so email me quickly. Next step, publication . . . Would like to treat all of you who helped me to nyama choma and beer. So lets arrange. I will be in Kenya from June through August! Hugs and Thanks! Rigia The material in this section is based on sixty-five qualitative semi-structured interviews conducted from 2004-2006 in Kenya. Additional interviews were conducted in Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda. I also conducted participant observation, and sat in on dozens of meetings of the organizations KIF and KICTAnet as well as several national and transnational conferences on ICT. I conducted interviews in Kenya with former members of parliament, high ranking government officials, academics, private sector participants, and civil society advocates. I take responsibility for all content and interpretations. No individual named below can be held responsible for any insights or conclusions made in this article. All errors are my own. Several interviewees requested anonymity. Nonetheless, the sample below of those who allowed their names to be used gives a sense of the scope and depth of the interviews conducted. Several individuals deserve special thanks, including Juma Okech, the Secretary of E-Government, Bitange Ndemo, the Permanent Secretary for Information and Communications, Marcel Werner, the Secretary of the Kenya Information and Communications Technology Federation, Alice Munyua, the Kenyan representative of APC, and CCK Board Member, Amos Opiyo of the Ministry of Planning, Dr. Eric Aligula of the Kenya Institute of Public Policy Research and Analysis, Henry Belsoi of Telkom Kenya, Jonathan Campaigne, Director of Pride Africa, Kevit Desai, the President of Kenya IEEE, Mike Eldon, CEO of Symphony Software, James Gachui, Founder of Wananchi Online, Dr. Kathryn Getau, Computer Science Faculty of the University of Nairobi, Dr. Tim Waema, Computer Science faculty of the University of Nairobi, Wallace Gichoho of Call Center Africa, Mirjana Ilic of UNESCO, Michael Katundu, Communications Commission of Kenya, Joseph Kiplagat, Computer Science Faculty, Moi University, Brian Longwe of AFRISPA, Charles Nduati of Kenyatta University, Dr. Florence Etta, formerly of IDRC, Edith Adera of IDRC, as well as various staff members, directors and participants from the Computer Society of Kenya, KICTAnet, the Directorate of E-Government, the National Communications Secretariat, Kenya Pipeline Company, and many other organizations. -- Warigia Bowman Assistant Professor The Department of Public Policy Leadership The University of Mississippi 107 Odom Hall University, MS 38677 URL: http://www.olemiss.edu/depts/leadership/index.html PHONE: 662-915-1904 EMAIL: mwbowman(a)olemiss.edu

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Re: [kictanet] My take: IG Discussion 2009, Day 10 of 10 - ePayment Systems and Regulation
by Barrack Otieno 10 May '09

10 May '09

On Fri, May 8, 2009 at 12:27 PM, Barrack Otieno <otieno.barrack(a)gmail.com>wrote: > Victor i disagree with your position. Security is a very complicated area > and requires a multistakeholder approach, there has to be a clearly defined > system made up of state and non state actors. The much Dr Ndemo Ndemo can do > is to Facilitate, in any case his work is to implement policies (I may be > wrong). We have very skilled personell in and out of governmnet, what is > failing us is our inability to tap into their knowledge. We can only do this > through institutions > > > On Fri, May 8, 2009 at 12:20 PM, Victor Gathara <v-gathara(a)dfid.gov.uk>wrote: > >> Imoh, Ministry of Info and Comms should take the lead in legislation >> affecting the ICT sector and have an overall management role in it. I >> think some sort of IT security czar is required (or already exists) and >> may rightly sit in the CCK. The ministry should up its communication >> strategy even now to alert all on where we are regarding ICT security. >> All seems unclear because we (or maybe I) am unaware of what >> laws/structures are in place in government to address this issue. >> >> Over to you Dr Ndemo! >> >> Victor >> >> -----Original Message----- >> From: kictanet-bounces+v-gathara=dfid.gov.uk(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke >> [mailto:kictanet-bounces+v-gathara <kictanet-bounces%2Bv-gathara>= >> dfid.gov.uk(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke] On >> Behalf Of John Walubengo >> Sent: 08 May 2009 08:27 >> To: Victor Gathara >> Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions >> Subject: Re: [kictanet] IG Discussion 2009,Day 10 of 10 - ePayment >> Systems and Regulation >> >> >> Thanx Mwende for your 4day moderation on Security issues. Ofcourse more >> credit to the contributors whose insights am sure are being digested by >> stakeholders...feel free to make belated contributions. >> >> Today I want to introduce the second last theme before Mwende takes us >> through the Closure and Way forward on Monday 11th May 2009. Basically, >> we want to review the various "hybrid" electronic payments systems and >> their corresponding legal and regulatory frameworks. >> >> Hybrid electronic payment system exclude the traditional banking systmes >> which do have time-tested and proven legal/ regulatory frameworks. >> Typically they refer to emerging e-Payment systems that have been best >> exemplified by the MPESA/Zap phenomena. Such systems cut accross >> multiple industries (Banking, Telecommunication and IT) and present a >> huge challenge in terms of regulation/legislation. >> >> In developed economies, such systems have multiple >> legislation/regulation that demands that the entities involved in such >> ePayment services abide by strict Data Protection Acts which protect the >> customer data/privacy as well as other eLegislation (eCrime, >> eTransaction) that provides deterrence and assurance mechanism. >> >> In layman terms, consider an MPESA/ZAP User who sends value of 30,000Ksh >> from their mobile phone account to the parents upcountry when the >> following happens: >> 1. Disaster strikes and the electronic records are lost (whose >> liable?-it happened in 9/11, Tsunami, etc) 2. The Parents claim that >> they didnt recieve the money or worse still the sender claim they never >> send the money (non-repudiation issues) 3. An eCrime suspect is charged >> with altering ePayments records at the source (inside job/judicial >> issues) >> >> In general, do we have frameworks to protect consumers and businesses >> against such risks above and do we have investigative and judicial >> capacity to administer e-Crime related justice? What role should the >> Regulator (CCK), Banking (CBK), Police and Judiciary (NOT) have in these >> frameworks? >> >> Lets try and give views within today (1day)... >> >> walu. >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> kictanet mailing list >> kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke >> http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet >> >> This message was sent to: v-gathara(a)dfid.gov.uk Unsubscribe or change >> your options at >> http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/v-gathara%40dfid.go >> v.uk >> >> ________________________________________________________________________ >> This e-mail has been scanned for all viruses by Star. 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.star.net.uk >> ________________________________________________________________________ >> >> DFID, the Department for International Development: leading the British >> Government's fight against world poverty. Find out more about the major >> global poverty challenges and get the facts on what DFID is doing to fight >> them: http://www.dfid.gov.uk >> ______________________________________________________________________ >> >> 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 >> >> _______________________________________________ >> 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 > +254733206359 > 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 > -- Barrack O. Otieno ISSEN CONSULTING Tel: +254721325277 +254733206359 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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Re: [kictanet] [ke-internetusers] Breaking News: Kenyan Internet Community comes face to face with new Legislation
by John Walubengo 10 May '09

10 May '09

Alex - I am NOT against competition. It is good for the industry. The problem is how such competition is introduced. Yes, KENIC has had a monopoly over the .KE namespace, but at least it is(was?) a Multistakeholder Partnership in its legal formation. If this partnership was NOT exercised adequately for the benefit of the community it should be fixed rather than move the rights of the .KE namespace to with due respect -just one of the stakeholders (Govt/Regulator), however strong they are. The idea and law specifying that the regulator is ONLY going to regulate the 2nd level domain is to me mischievious /grey area and I shared the same feelings at the KENIC AGM. This is because the money/action/activities of ICT lie at the 2nd level! Claiming that the regulation is not touching the top level .KE but the lower level is similar to and I quote one of the members "telling a parent that you wont regulate him/her but his/her kids will be totally under 3rd party control". walu. --- On Fri, 5/8/09, Alex Gakuru <gakuru(a)gmail.com> wrote: > From: Alex Gakuru <gakuru(a)gmail.com> > Subject: Re: [ke-internetusers] Breaking News: Kenyan Internet Community comes face to face with new Legislation > To: jwalu(a)yahoo.com > Cc: ke-internetusers(a)bdix.net > Date: Friday, May 8, 2009, 10:55 PM > Walu, > > Thank you for the info although I find it bordering on > alarmist;) > > I deliberately boycotted today's Kenic AGM because, > among others, > kenic folks decided they will not post to this list minutes > of last > year's AGM resolutions, such as, constitutional change > made to allow > an a certain individual's term of office to be extended > beyond what > the constitution allowed. There are a couple of complaints > I > restrained myself from posting onlist. > > Background: > > During last year's AGM the said "Internet > Community" for the second > (or third?) year running repeatedly complained about > kenic's failure > to lower .ke domain prices as frustrating .ke domains > growth. > Registrars we later hurriedly called to a meeting at the > Grand Hotel > and we were asked to volunteer ourselves to a committee > that would > look into domain price issue. To the best of my knowledge > information > and belief no such meeting has ever been called, to-date. > > At today's 10,133 domain numbers statistics ( CO.KE 9, > 465 NE.KE 14, > OR.KE 654) > see:<http://www.kenic.or.ke/statistics.html> kenic > annual > domains selling income exceeds kenya shillings 20 million > every year - > while Internet consumers continue screaming "lower > domain prices!" to > seemingly deaf ears and half-hearted Kenyan domain space > (.ke) > administrator. > > They fail to see the bigger picture. By lowering domain > prices they > would have very many more being able to afford local > domain. > > Lets face it, shillings 20 million is not kidogo money > without > necessarily dwelling on the fact that many of their staff > are interns > ( Aren't permanent staff only 4?) I suppose Board > members do not draw > salaries? Again, really whom does the Kenic Board answer > to/ i.e.holds > them accountable? Only to themselves with ceremonial AGMs? > > The Law: > > Kenya Communications (Amendment) Act, 2008 states: > > Section 83F: Licence for country code top-level domain > > "The Commission [CCK] may, upon application in the > prescribed manner > and subject to such conditions as it may deem necessary, > grant > licences under this section authorizing a person to > administer a > sub-domain in the country top-level domain" > > What's wrong with CCK granting licenses to, for example > 3 or 4 (legal) > persons to compete in offering the best-priced domains to > Kenyans > consumers? > > Conclusion: > > Kenic attracted the competition which perhaps might have > been avoided > if they had listened to the "Internet Community" > cries over the year. > I note that you refer to kenic as "partnership." > Licence conditions > could include all others be representative partnerships and > PPP > 'problem' solved;) What I am trying to say is that > kenic should not > be viewed as the only PPP model possible.. ICANN does not > break > national laws and in any case, note how many registries > exist in the > US itself. Our market has matured and we need competition > in the > domain space area also, Yes/No? > > My take is kenic's honeymoon ended when the law opened > domain pricing > competition space that should lower prices- good for > consumers but bad > for old kenic 'monopoly era' ;) > > In other words, we do not have a crisis so let us not make > one up. > > Regards, > > Alex > --- > References > 1. Boosting numbers in .ke domain names > <http://www.bdafrica.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=9451&Item…> > > 2. Kenyans to enjoy reduced charges for acquiring Internet > domains > <http://www.bdafrica.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=8270&Item…> > > On Fri, May 8, 2009 at 5:12 PM, John Walubengo > <jwalu(a)yahoo.com> wrote: > > > > Apologies for cross-posting: > > > > It took a KENIC (KEnya Network Information Center, > www.kenic.or.ke) Annual General Meeting for the Kenyan > Internet community to digest the implication of the a Kenyan > ICT Legislation passed more than five months ago. The law > which included sections that touched on the Media, IT, > Telecommunication and Postal Services has faced stiff > resistance from the Media fraternity while the Internet > Community kept a low if not a dead profile. > > > > > > > > It was at the KENIC general meeting held today in > Nairobi that the Internet Community grappled with the > implication of the IT section on the operation of the .KE > namespace. The law specifies that all second level .KE > internet domain names must be licensed by the country's > converged Regulator, Communication Commission of Kenya. > The law requires that all Registries - those who manage > the internet domains - must apply for a license by the 2nd > of June 2009. > > > > > > > > KENIC, a public-private-partnership has under the > ICANN Policies been managing the .KE namespace including the > 2nd level sub-domains such as xyz.CO.KE, xyz.OR.KE, etc. > From 2nd June 2009, KENIC must seek permission from the > Regulator to continue managing these sub-domains. In an > effort to comply with the law, the KENIC Board requested the > community to support a resolution that a new legal entity > (Special Purpose Vehicle, SPV) be created in order to apply > for the license from the Regulator as well as compete with > other potential entities that are set to fight in that > space. > > > > > > > > The proposals opened up heated discussions with some > members wondering if KENIC was ceding its hard-won rights > & control over the .KE namespace to an exclusive and > single entity. The current governance structure for KENIC > provides for a Multistakeholder Partnership over the whole > .KE namespace and has the Govt, Academia, Private > Sector/Telcos and Civil Society Board Representation that is > wholly accountable to Internet Users during Annual General > Meetings. Effectively, the new law takes part of this > mandate and places it under one or two of these Stakeholders > that is the Regulator/Govt. > > > > > > > > Members wondered about the criteria that would be used > by the Regulator to award the management licenses to various > competitors. Others wondered about the potential conflict > between the local legislation and the ICANN policies given > that KENIC has currently been operating under ICANN policies > but now has to take cognizance of the local law. For > example, if the Regulator granted a license to someone else > to manage the "co.ke" subdomain BUT the local > internet community for one reason or the other instructed > the KENIC Board NOT to accept and transfer the delegation > from KENIC how would that be resolved? And yet other members > wondered to what extend the proposed SPV would cannibalize > their existing markets and services. > > > > > > > > It has taken five months of silence but clearly, the > Kenyan Internet community is just beginning to understand > and feel the heat of some sections in the ICT law that had > previously been hijacked and labeled "Media law" > at the expense of IT practitioners. It will be interesting > to see how this plays out before and after the 2nd of June > 2009 - the date when all subdomain managers must be licensed > by the Regulator. > > > > > > > > walu > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > > ke-internetusers mailing list > > ke-internetusers(a)bdix.net > > http://www.bdix.net/mailman/listinfo/ke-internetusers > >

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Breaking News: Kenyan Internet Community comes face to face with new Legislation
by John Walubengo 09 May '09

09 May '09

Apologies for cross-posting: It took a KENIC (KEnya Network Information Center, www.kenic.or.ke) Annual General Meeting for the Kenyan Internet community to digest the implication of the a Kenyan ICT Legislation passed more than five months ago. The law which included sections that touched on the Media, IT, Telecommunication and Postal Services has faced stiff resistance from the Media fraternity while the Internet Community kept a low if not a dead profile. It was at the KENIC general meeting held today in Nairobi that the Internet Community grappled with the implication of the IT section on the operation of the .KE namespace. The law specifies that all second level .KE internet domain names must be licensed by the country's converged Regulator, Communication Commission of Kenya. The law requires that all Registries - those who manage the internet domains - must apply for a license by the 2nd of June 2009. KENIC, a public-private-partnership has under the ICANN Policies been managing the .KE namespace including the 2nd level sub-domains such as xyz.CO.KE, xyz.OR.KE, etc. From 2nd June 2009, KENIC must seek permission from the Regulator to continue managing these sub-domains. In an effort to comply with the law, the KENIC Board requested the community to support a resolution that a new legal entity (Special Purpose Vehicle, SPV) be created in order to apply for the license from the Regulator as well as compete with other potential entities that are set to fight in that space. The proposals opened up heated discussions with some members wondering if KENIC was ceding its hard-won rights & control over the .KE namespace to an exclusive and single entity. The current governance structure for KENIC provides for a Multistakeholder Partnership over the whole .KE namespace and has the Govt, Academia, Private Sector/Telcos and Civil Society Board Representation that is wholly accountable to Internet Users during Annual General Meetings. Effectively, the new law takes part of this mandate and places it under one or two of these Stakeholders that is the Regulator/Govt. Members wondered about the criteria that would be used by the Regulator to award the management licenses to various competitors. Others wondered about the potential conflict between the local legislation and the ICANN policies given that KENIC has currently been operating under ICANN policies but now has to take cognizance of the local law. For example, if the Regulator granted a license to someone else to manage the "co.ke" subdomain BUT the local internet community for one reason or the other instructed the KENIC Board NOT to accept and transfer the delegation from KENIC how would that be resolved? And yet other members wondered to what extend the proposed SPV would cannibalize their existing markets and services. It has taken five months of silence but clearly, the Kenyan Internet community is just beginning to understand and feel the heat of some sections in the ICT law that had previously been hijacked and labeled "Media law" at the expense of IT practitioners. It will be interesting to see how this plays out before and after the 2nd of June 2009 - the date when all subdomain managers must be licensed by the Regulator. walu

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Re: [kictanet] IG Discussion 2009, Day 10 of 10 - ePayment Systems and Regulation
by Barrack Otieno 08 May '09

08 May '09

On Fri, May 8, 2009 at 12:17 PM, Barrack Otieno <otieno.barrack(a)gmail.com>wrote: > Walu, i am reliably informed that m-pesa was designed as a microfinance > solution. Before we were caught by the m-pesa bug there was something called > Sokotele which was a bit cumbersome because it involved queuing in a banking > hall (KREP/CELTEL). The fact that these money transfer solutions rely on > traditional banking system for the so called Trust accounts gives me the > impression that the e-payment solutions are just a means to an end (the > money stored in the bank). In this regard i propose that the Kenya Bankeres > Association and the Communication Commision of Kenya should establish > frameworks from a banking perspective as well as a technology perspective to > manage security concerns. Some of those mpesa vibandas are unsecure yet they > contain a significant amount of float. The other fact is that a good number > of users from rural areas are technologically challenged and vulnerable to > con men and women. I chose KBA because it is an umbrella for stakeholders in > the banking sector and CCK the regulator for the technology sector > > > On Fri, May 8, 2009 at 8:27 AM, John Walubengo <jwalu(a)yahoo.com> wrote: > >> >> Thanx Mwende for your 4day moderation on Security issues. Ofcourse more >> credit to the contributors whose insights am sure are being digested by >> stakeholders...feel free to make belated contributions. >> >> Today I want to introduce the second last theme before Mwende takes us >> through the Closure and Way forward on Monday 11th May 2009. Basically, we >> want to review the various "hybrid" electronic payments systems and their >> corresponding legal and regulatory frameworks. >> >> Hybrid electronic payment system exclude the traditional banking systmes >> which do have time-tested and proven legal/ regulatory frameworks. Typically >> they refer to emerging e-Payment systems that have been best exemplified by >> the MPESA/Zap phenomena. Such systems cut accross multiple industries >> (Banking, Telecommunication and IT) and present a huge challenge in terms of >> regulation/legislation. >> >> In developed economies, such systems have multiple legislation/regulation >> that demands that the entities involved in such ePayment services abide by >> strict Data Protection Acts which protect the customer data/privacy as well >> as other eLegislation (eCrime, eTransaction) that provides deterrence and >> assurance mechanism. >> >> In layman terms, consider an MPESA/ZAP User who sends value of 30,000Ksh >> from their mobile phone account to the parents upcountry when the following >> happens: >> 1. Disaster strikes and the electronic records are lost (whose liable?-it >> happened in 9/11, Tsunami, etc) >> 2. The Parents claim that they didnt recieve the money or worse still the >> sender claim they never send the money (non-repudiation issues) >> 3. An eCrime suspect is charged with altering ePayments records at the >> source (inside job/judicial issues) >> >> In general, do we have frameworks to protect consumers and businesses >> against such risks above and do we have investigative and judicial capacity >> to administer e-Crime related justice? What role should the Regulator (CCK), >> Banking (CBK), Police and Judiciary (NOT) have in these frameworks? >> >> Lets try and give views within today (1day)... >> >> walu. >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> 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 > +254733206359 > 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 > -- Barrack O. Otieno ISSEN CONSULTING Tel: +254721325277 +254733206359 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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Project Director, Nairobi, Kenya
by Moses Kemibaro 07 May '09

07 May '09

A friend forwarded me the following position for Nairobi. Kindly send resumes to the email address at the bottom --- POSITION: Project Director, Nairobi, Kenya REPORTS TO: Senior HMIS Manager, DC PROJECT SUMMARY: PEPFAR has called for immediate, comprehensive and evidence based action to turn the tide of global HIV/AIDS. One specific goal is to strengthen and expand Strategic Information (SI) activities through: The development, implementation and support for innovative HMIS and public health informatics systems for better information flow from health facilities to the national level. Collaboration with the Ministries of Health, CDC and other partners to develop a national HMIS strategy that enable integration of health related systems in the lab, pharmacy and clinics. Capacity building for Government of Kenya GOK/MOH and other local institutions on the three key components of SI, namely Disease Surveillance, M&E and Informatics/HMIS. Futures Group has developed several HMIS applications to support collection and tracking data across our various local partners. These databases support the President’s Emergency Plan indicators, National Ministry of Health (NMOH) indicators, and specific Program and Clinical indicators. These databases directly support AIDSRelief field officers and are essential to provide high quality care and treatment regimens, ensure drug durability, track progress, and provide accurate reporting to both the NMOH and US Government POSITION SUMMARY: This position is a blend of business analysis and programming activities and responsibilities. The Project director will be responsible for a team that has the following objectives: Support the development of a draft five-year national HMIS strategy with the leadership of Ministry of Health and GOK to include a plan for enabling integration of health related information systems. establishing a framework for the integration of key national electronic sub-systems which include a Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS), Electronic Medical Records (EMR) and Pharmacy systems Demonstration of interoperability between three subsystems in at least one geographical location (district or province), based on sound messaging standards and publish a data dictionary that will also allow various EMRs to exchange information Assist NASCOP and the Division of HMIS to develop and implement an HMIS/Informatics strategy giving major consideration to innovative technologies such as hand-held devices, GIS, the Internet, GSM/CDMA networks, biometric devices, to improve data capture and management. Data storage, security and privacy as well as access policies should be among the key areas. This will require an evaluation of existing systems and prioritization of implementation. The project director will interact with a wide array of stakeholders at the national and local levels to support collecting of requirements. He/she will be required to work closely with the development team to develop and maintain the Data warehouse around these requirements. As new requirements are requested, the candidate will work with subject matter experts and write the business specifications. The candidate will work closely with the field team to make sure that business specifications are being implemented as per the specifications. It is anticipated for the programmer/BA to be involved in train-the- trainer (ToT) activities; providing training support via web, online and virtual teleconference calls. Responsibilities include participating in weekly teleconference calls and emails; maintaining issue tracking of bugs; fixed and closed out; applying updated business rules; validation rules; reporting status and progress of continued developments; enhancement or modifications. It is expected for the project director to document software code and resolve software issues associated with installation and operation of the application as it expands to meet requirements of other countries. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Experience in one or more IT domain(s) with demonstrated programming skills and software development process Extensive use of requirements gathering techniques such as interviews, creating storyboards, flow diagrams, and documentation Programming skills, knowledge of software project management principles, understanding business rules and working as part of a multi-disciplinary team Programming background with solid software development, database design and implementation experience; strong computer programming skills. Experience in maintaining MsAccess and SQL databases; understanding other programmers coding structures Experience developing web or internet applications Bachelor Degree in Computer Science or equivalent 2-4 years minimum working experience in a development environment Project management skills ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS Has extensive experience in developing and managing informatics solutions (in the health sector) including experience in web and database technologies e.g. aspx and sql server respectively Has experience in managing grants (with USG) and can work in a multi- sectoral environment Has experience in monitoring technical innovative solutions following the USG ADS548R guidelines in Africa Has proven experience in leadership of informatics solutions and grants management especially in Africa Responsible for managing staff and deliverables for all TOs and coordinating with the Project Officer Reviewing current HMIS operations in Kenya and analyzing Kenya HMIS needs in measurable deliverables With the technical monitor and the contracts department of Futures group, the project director will coordinate outsourcing/subcontracting specialized functions relating to the project and managing small grants awarded herein Coordinate phased piloting of the HMIS system in select provinces before full roll-out In implementation, the project manager will ensure project deliverables are delivered within scope, quality, cost (budget) and time constraints and project is within corporate and regulatory limits Coordinate communications/linkages internal and external to the project including with CDC, MOH, NACC and NASCOP and other relevant parties Responsible for supporting HMIS Strategy. Monitoring and controlling all project activities including measuring the current project activities, monitoring the project variables including cost and effort against the project plan and performance baseline and identifying corrective actions to circumvent issues and risks Financial analysis of the costs and budgets including outsourced services on a regular basis to be shared with Futures administration* Ensuring constant support of end users, correction of errors and in- time updates of the HMIS solutions based on both need and schedule Coordinate closing efforts ensuring sustainability and proper handing over to local partner (CHAK) on project completion SKILLS Project Management Visual Studio, Microsoft .NET, MsAccess, SQL, SQL Server, MySQL Creating, analyzing backend database structures and tables in Access or SQL Generating MsAccess and SQL queries for reporting; The ability to work well as part of multi-disciplinary team; skilled in trouble shooting and problem solving Verbal and writing skills are required to produce user manuals, training materials, programming specifications, email correspondence and documentation related to programming; training experience preferred International experience (Africa) preferred and commitment to work in a team environment required Excellent communication skills ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Equipment to be used: General office equipment: Computers Physical demands: N/A International travel – up to 30% SEND RESUME TO: IWanyeki(a)futuresgroup.com

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How texting and GoogleMaps helped Kenyans survive crisis
by Edith Adera 07 May '09

07 May '09

This might be of interest....wonder how this could be used to keep our politicians on Track on Agenda 4! http://www.ted.com/talks/view/id/523 This is a cool short talk on TED Talks. At TEDU 2009, Erik Hersman presents the remarkable story of Ushahidi, a GoogleMap mashup that allowed Kenyans to report and track violence via cell phone texts following the 2008 elections, and has evolved to continue saving lives in other countries.

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