October 2010 - 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] KCSE Performance
by Jotham Kilimo Mwale 03 Mar '11

03 Mar '11

Hi Akich, I found the list you are asking for from The Standard online home page. I have attached the document. Regards, Jotham --- On Thu, 3/4/10, Akich Kwach <kwach(a)archway-productions.com> wrote: From: Akich Kwach <kwach(a)archway-productions.com> Subject: Re: [kictanet] KCSE Performance To: jokilimo(a)yahoo.com Cc: "alewela" <alewela(a)ict.go.ke>, "ke users" <ke-internetusers(a)bdix.net>, "KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions" <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> Date: Thursday, March 4, 2010, 1:01 AM _filtered #yiv689680575 { font-family:Wingdings;} _filtered #yiv689680575 { font-family:Cambria Math;} _filtered #yiv689680575 { font-family:Calibri;} _filtered #yiv689680575 {margin:70.85pt 70.85pt 70.85pt 70.85pt;} #yiv689680575 P.MsoNormal { MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt;FONT-FAMILY:"serif";FONT-SIZE:12pt;} #yiv689680575 LI.MsoNormal { MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt;FONT-FAMILY:"serif";FONT-SIZE:12pt;} #yiv689680575 DIV.MsoNormal { MARGIN:0in 0in 0pt;FONT-FAMILY:"serif";FONT-SIZE:12pt;} #yiv689680575 A:link { COLOR:blue;TEXT-DECORATION:underline;} #yiv689680575 SPAN.MsoHyperlink { COLOR:blue;TEXT-DECORATION:underline;} #yiv689680575 A:visited { COLOR:purple;TEXT-DECORATION:underline;} #yiv689680575 SPAN.MsoHyperlinkFollowed { COLOR:purple;TEXT-DECORATION:underline;} #yiv689680575 SPAN.EmailStyle17 { FONT-FAMILY:"sans-serif";COLOR:#1f497d;} #yiv689680575 .MsoChpDefault { FONT-SIZE:10pt;} #yiv689680575 DIV.Section1 { } #yiv689680575 OL { MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in;} #yiv689680575 UL { MARGIN-BOTTOM:0in;} Many thanks Barnabas for sharing this valuable information. Would you be having the list of top 100 candidates national and provincial categories with names of schools in which the candidates sat for their KCSE exams? If you do, kindly share it. The way the list is published in the media only gives incomplete information. Would you imagine if they announced the names of the winners during the Olympic Games and then they only play the national anthem without mentioning the countries they represent, (in our case the Index numbers represent schools). In the case of Olympic games, one has to go through the catalogue and find out which country is represented by such a flag; similarly, in the case of KCSE relults, those few who knows index numbers for various schools. I am of the view citizens should never be denied information they deserve. All in all your Ministry (MoE) and the KNEC has made good progress by incorporating ICT tools while releasing results. This has greatly saved parents and candidates the costs of running to schools, (some of them miles away) for their results. May God bless this nation to keep moving in the right direction at competitive speed. Akich Kwach ----- Original Message ----- From: Barnabas K. Sang To: kwach(a)archway-productions.com Cc: alewela ; ke users ; KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions Sent: Thursday, March 04, 2010 9:26 AM Subject: Re: [kictanet] KCSE Performance Thought would be of interest to you. Kind regards B. K. Sang _______________________________________________ kictanet mailing list kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet This message was sent to: kwach(a)archway-productions.com Unsubscribe or change your options at http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/kwach%40archway-produc… -----Inline Attachment Follows----- _______________________________________________ kictanet mailing list kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet This message was sent to: jokilimo(a)yahoo.com Unsubscribe or change your options at http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/jokilimo%40yahoo.com

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Need for BPO sector re-alignment?
by Edwin Onchari 03 Feb '11

03 Feb '11

Dear Listers and passionate BPO industry practitioners, In recent constructive discussions on the state of the BPO sector in Kenya, and how this will impact the contribution to realizing our Vision 2030 goals, one thing clearly emerged. As a country, we have a fragmented strategy of creating a sustainable industry. I strongly feel that we need to a have a joint communiqué (re-aligning of strategies) from the following and any other agency that has/should have BPO as part of its TORs: 1. Kenya ICT Board (The line ministry and supporting agencies such as CCK) 2. KenInvest 3. OPM- BPO/ITES working group 4. Brand Kenya 5. Vision 2030 secretariat 6. The Kenya BPO Society and by membership extension; KEPSA 7. Any other auxiliary industry/government agencies It is imperative that we have a unified, well thought through, strategy for the sector if we were to achieve much. This call is in the back-drop of many industry start-ups and auxiliary service providers, either shutting shop altogether, or suspending BPO departments in their operations (over 40 start-ups have shut down in the last 4 years with a potential loss of 5000 direct jobs). What are your thoughts? Kind regards, Edwin Being on par in terms of price and quality only gets you into the game.Service wins the game. TONY ALESSANDRA

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Kenya Investment Environment More Predictable Now
by waudo siganga 30 Oct '10

30 Oct '10

Kenya High Commissioner to South Africa has reassured ([1]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ykTPDBosZeg) international investors, especially in ICT that Kenya is now a more transparent and predictable operating environment following the passage of the new constitution and increased action against all levels of corruption. The High Commission, Amabasssador Tom Amolo, was speaking Friday 29th October during the Board of Directors meeting of the World Information Technology and Services Alliance in Sandton, South Africa, where the Kenya ICT Board also made a presentation on the Konza Technology Park. Waudo References 1. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ykTPDBosZeg

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FWD >>> Details on how to register for the upcoming LPI exams
by Joe Murithi Njeru 28 Oct '10

28 Oct '10

>From Evans Ikua LPI Hosts Promotional Exam Labs with InWent/FOSSFA in Kenya and South Africa (Sacramento, CA, USA: October 28, 2010) - The Linux Professional Institute (LPI), the world's premier Linux certification organization (http://www.lpi.org) announced promotional exam labs for their Linux Professional Institute Certification (LPIC) with the Free and Open Source Software Foundation for Africa (FOSSFA: http://www.fossfa.net/) on November 13, 2010 (Strathmore University, Nairobi, Kenya) and February 12, 2010 in South Africa (location to be announced). These exam labs are part of a larger "train-the-trainers" program jointly sponsored by FOSSFA and InWEnt Capacity Building International of Germany (InWEnt: http://www.inwent.org/) "We are pleased to assist FOSSFA in their efforts to develop skilled trainers in the professional use of Linux. In particular, we applaud their efforts to recruit potential trainers within academic institutions, government agencies, small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs) and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Ethiopia and South Africa. These types of enterprises recognize the value in adopting Free and Open Source software and have the opportunity of becoming leaders in Linux training in their respective countries and business sectors," said Jim Lacey, president and CEO of the Linux Professional Institute. "The ict@innovation (FOSSFA) project is excited to be partnering with the LPI to help increase the number of qualified and certified Linux Engineers and System Administrators in Africa. This partnership will go a long way in enhancing the promotion and use of FOSS solutions which will in effect lead to a wider adoption of FOSS. This we believe will have a positive impact in the development of the IT industry in the participating countries. We are looking at a much longer term engagement with the LPI," said Evans Ikua, FOSS Certification Manager, ict@innovation, FOSSFA. Registration for the exam labs in both Kenya and South Africa are open to all interested individuals and can be made in advance at events(a)lpi.org. Only LPIC-1 exams will be available (LPI-101 and 102). Please indicate preferred exam and time slot when registering for exam events (exams will be available from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Strathmore University--time slots are still being set for the exam lab in South Africa). To participate in the exam labs you must obtain an LPI ID at our registration area:http://www.lpi.org/eng/certification/register_now Each exam takes approximately 90 minutes to complete. Each exam is available at the promotional price of $ 95 USD. Following exam registration at events(a)lpi.org candidates will be contacted regarding payment details. In addition, candidates must bring their LPI ID and a government issued photo identification to the exam lab. The joint FOSSFA/InWEnt Linux training project is part of an ict@innovation program which aims at building capacities for African small and medium ICT enterprises to do business with Free and Open Source Software (http://www.ict-innovation.fossfa.net/) The ict@innovation program is also funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and the Open Society Initiative for Southern Africa (OSISA). A complete description of the FOSSFA "train-the-trainers" program can be found at: http://www.ict-innovation.fossfa.net/blog/%5Buser-raw% 5D/wanted-training-participants-first-regional-lpic-1-training-trainers The Linux Professional Institute is globally supported by the IT industry, enterprise customers, community professionals, government entities and the educational community. LPI's certification program is supported by an affiliate network spanning five continents and is distributed worldwide in multiple languages at more than 7,000 testing locations. Since 1999, LPI has delivered over 270,000 exams and 90,000 LPIC certifications around the world. # # # About the Linux Professional Institute: The Linux Professional Institute promotes and certifies essential skills on Linux and Open Source technologies through the global delivery of comprehensive, top-quality, vendor-independent exams. Established as an international non-profit organization in September 1999 by the Linux community, the Linux Professional Institute continues to demonstrate recognized global leadership in the certification of Linux professionals. LPI advances the Linux and Open Source movement through strategic partners, sponsorships, innovative programs and community development activities. LPI's major financial sponsors are Platinum Sponsors IBM, Linux Journal, Linux Magazine, Novell, SGI, and TurboLinux as well as Gold Sponsors, HP and IDG. Media Contacts: Evans Ikua, FOSS Certification Manager, ict@innovation, FOSSFA Tel: +254-722-955831, Email: ikua(a)fossfa.net Website: ict-innovation.fossfa.net Scott Lamberton Director of Communications Linux Professional Institute http://www.lpi.org slamberton(a)lpi.org +1-905-269-0862 -- Regards, Joe Murithi Njeru Zilojo Ltd. P.O. Box 39501-00623 Nairobi Kenya. T: +254-722-787725 E: joe.njeru(a)zilojo.com W: http://www.zilojo.com M: http://www.mobility.co.ke/zilojo Web . Retail . Travel

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Egypt plans Ushahidi platform to report sexual harassment
by Francis.Hook＠gmail.com 28 Oct '10

28 Oct '10

I have heared Egyptian men are something else when it comes to being lewd/lecherous/lascivious/etc :-) The Kenyan grown Ushahidi platform is being used to allow women in Egypt to report in real time (via tweets, SMS) any such incidents to help the police and identify hot spots where it might be unsafe for women to walk. http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20101025/ap_on_hi_te/ml_egypt_sexual_harassment

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"US and Russia face off over ICANN veto power
by alice＠apc.org 28 Oct '10

28 Oct '10

"US and Russia face off over ICANN veto power Kevin Murphy, October 6, 2010, 13:14:29 (UTC), Domain Policy The ruling body of the International Telecommunications Union this week kicked off a major policy-making meeting in Guadalajara, Mexico, and has already seen the US and Russia taking opposing stances over the future control of ICANN. A group of former Soviet nations, chaired by the Russian Federation's Minister of Communications, seems to have proposed that the ITU should give itself veto power over ICANN decisions. A proposal filed by the Regional Commonwealth in the field of Communications (RCC) calls for the ICANN Governmental Advisory Committee to be scrapped and replaced by an ITU group. Consideration should be given to the expediency of having the functions of GAC carried out by a specially-constituted group within ITU with the authority to veto decisions adopted by the ICANN Board of Directors. If it is so decided, the ITU Secretary-General should be instructed to consult ICANN on the matter. The proposal was first noted by Gregory Francis at CircleID. It says that the GAC is currently the only avenue open to governments to "defend their interests" but that it has "no decision-making authority and can do no more than express its wishes". It also notes that fewer than 50% of nations are members of the GAC, and that only 20% or fewer actually participate in GAC meetings. The proposal was apparently submitted to the ongoing ITU Plenipotentiary Conference but, in contrast to ICANN's policy of transparency, many ITU documents are only accessible to its members. A reader was kind enough to send me text extracted from the document. I've been unable to verify its authenticity, but I've no particular reason to believe it's bogus. The RCC was set up in 1991 to increase cooperation between telecommunications and postal operators in the post-Soviet era. Its board is comprised of communications ministers from a dozen nations. Its position on ICANN appears to be also held by the Russian government. Igor Shchegolev, its communications minister, is chair of the RCC board. At the Plenipotentiary on Tuesday, Shechegolev said (via Google Translate): We believe that the ITU is capable of such tasks to international public policy, Internet governance, its development and finally, protection of interests of countries in ICANN. Meanwhile, the US has committed itself to the multi-stakeholder model of internet governance as embodied by ICANN. The State Department's Philip Verveer told the conference: the ITU should be a place where the development of the Internet is fostered. The Internet has progressed and evolved in a remarkably successful way under the existing multi-stakeholder arrangements. Changes, especially changes involving inter-governmental controls, are likely to impair the dynamism of the Internet-something we all have an interest in avoiding. ICANN itself has no formal presence at the Plenipotentiary, after ITU secretary-general Hamadoun Toure turned down a request by ICANN president Rod Beckstrom for observer status. The conference carries on until October 22. It's likely that we haven't heard the last of the anti-ICANN rhetoric." Sent from my BlackBerry® smartphone from Zain Kenya

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kictanet Digest, Vol 41, Issue 86
by Yusuf Tajbhai 28 Oct '10

28 Oct '10

1. IT support personnel vacancy Kindly mail cv to yusmat(a)gmail.com On 10/27/10, kictanet-request(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke <kictanet-request(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> wrote: > 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. Making Intellectual Property Work for you (John Matogo) > > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > > Message: 1 > Date: Wed, 27 Oct 2010 15:34:58 +0000 > From: John Matogo <JMatogo(a)strathmore.edu> > To: "'kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke'" <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> > Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> > Subject: [kictanet] Making Intellectual Property Work for you > Message-ID: > <780ADD2EB8A088418E3695A4BF6B65F6090FD066(a)Thika.strathmore.local> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" > > Greetings, > We welcome you to join us on 4th November 2010 at 5.30pm to attend a public > lecture on Making Intellectual Property work for you. > This will take place at Strathmore University Auditorium (Madaraka). Entry > is free. > > We look forward to seeing you there. > > > Regards, > > John Matogo > Programme Manager > Enterprise Development Centre > Strathmore University > Email: jmatogo(a)strathmore.edu<mailto:jmatogo@strathmore.edu> > Mobile: 0722 813 533 > > > [Description: Description: cid:image001.png@01CB7605.E388D2A0] > > ________________________________ > > Strathmore University provides all-round education in an atmosphere of > freedom and responsibility. > This email and any files transmitted with it are intended solely for use by > the recipient(s) to whom it is addressed and may contain confidential > information. If you have received this email in error please notify the > sender immediately and permanently delete this email and/or any files > attached to it from your computer. Please note that any views or opinions > presented in this email are solely those of the author and do not > necessarily represent those of Strathmore University. The University accepts > no liability whatsoever for any loss or damages incurred, or suffered, > resulting, or arising, from the use of this email and/or its attachments. > The University warrants neither the integrity of the e-mail nor its freedom > from errors, viruses, interception or any other form of interference. > ............................................................................ > Website: www.strathmore.edu > > >

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Fw: Press Release_CTO-SoutherSudan_22Oct2010
by Shem Ochuodho 27 Oct '10

27 Oct '10

Invitation to the first ever Southern Sudan regional/international ICT/Telecom conference. For any further details, please use the contacts given in the attached media release. Looking forward to seeing you in Juba next month. Regards, Shem Shem J. Ochuodho, MSc (Eng), PhD, LLD (Hon) Senior Advisor Ministry of Telecom & Postal Services Government of Southern Sudan (GoSS), Juba Cell: +249-955-021-040/+256-477-232025/+254-734-137371 Skype: shem.ochuodho ----- Forwarded Message ---- From: Lasantha De Alwis <L.DeAlwis(a)CTO.int> To: juma stephen lugga <jumlug11(a)yahoo.com>; Shem Ochuodho <shemochuodho(a)yahoo.com> Cc: Samuel Fletcher <S.Fletcher(a)cto.int>; Rumana Bukht <R.Bukht(a)cto.int> Sent: Tue, 26 October, 2010 16:44:39 Subject: Press Release_CTO-SoutherSudan_22Oct2010 Dear Colleagues Please find attached the press release that was issued today in London. If you also could issue it from there (as well as from GOSS missions outside of Southern Sudan) that will help promote the event Regards Lasantha De Alwis Corporate Secretary & Senior Manager | Programmes Address: 64-66 Glenthorne Road Hammersmith, London W6 0LR Switchboard: Fax: Direct Line: +44 20 8600 3800 +44 20 8600 3819 +44 20 8600 3814 Email: Website: l.dealwis(a)cto.int http://www.cto.int Join your ICT Colleagues at CTO knowledge-sharing events. Follow us on: Please consider the environment before printing this e-mail. Let's think sustainability. The information in this email communication (inclusive of attachments) is confidential and privileged to the Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation (CTO) and the intended recipient(s). If you are not the intended recipient(s), please note that any use, disclosure, distribution or copying of this information or any part thereof is strictly prohibited and that the author accepts no liability for the consequences of any action taken on the basis of the information provided. If you have received this email in error, please notify the sender immediately by return email and then delete all instances of this email from your system. The Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation (CTO) will not accept responsibility for any consequences associated with the use of this email (including, but not limited to, damages sustained as a result of any viruses and/or any action or lack of action taken in reliance on it). From:Rumana Bukht Sent: 26 October 2010 14:39 To: Lasantha De Alwis Cc: Samuel Fletcher Subject: PressRelease_CTO-SoutherSudan_22Oct2010 Hi Lasantha, The attached has been sent out. Please could you also ask GoSS PR to distribute to their media contacts, for better coverage. Thanks & regards, Ruamna

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Bharti deal could boost some local outsourcing providers?
by Paul Kukubo 27 Oct '10

27 Oct '10

Listers http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/tech/ites/Bharti-splits-500-mn-Africa-d… <http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/tech/ites/Bharti-splits-500-mn-Africa-d…>Quoting from the Economics times of India link above.. “About 4,000 employees who currently handle Zain’s customer care operations in Africa will move to the rolls of these three companies. The partners will set up operations in each market which will sustain and build skills, capabilities and resources,” he added. Executives tracking the contract said local companies in Africa had not bid for the call centre deal although Spanco and possibly, Tech Mahindra, could partner with domestic firms there to deliver the service. " Interesting to keep our eyes on be prepared in the event of the opportunity. Paul Kukubo Chief Executive Officer, Kenya ICT Board PO Box 27150 - 00100 Nairobi, Kenya 12th Floor, Teleposta Towers Koinange Street Tel +254 20 2089061, +254 20 2211960 Fax: +254 20 2211962 website: www.ict.go.ke local content project: www.tandaa.co.ke, www.facebook.com/tandaakenya twitter:@tandaaKENYA BPO Project: www. doitinkenya.co.ke Digital Villages Project: www.pasha.co.ke personal contacts _______________ Cell: + 254 717 180001 skype: kukubopaul googletalk: pkukubo personal blog: www.paulkukubo.co.ke personal twitter: @pkukubo ____________________ Vision: Kenya becomes a top ten global ICT hub Mission: To champion and actively enable Kenya to adopt and exploit ICT, through promotion of partnerships, investments and infrastructure growth for socio economic enrichment

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