March 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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KENIC is wanting
by robert yawe 31 May '10

31 May '10

Hi, How safe is .ke if the servers have questionable security certificates, it seems we are taking this ctld issues very lightly. After attending ICANN I am now more informed about the importance of secure servers and the costs of lax dns issues. 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] [ke-internetusers] JKIA-Lack of wireless internet
by robert yawe 13 Apr '10

13 Apr '10

Wesley, They are called ISPs, you can take the donkey to the river but you cannot make it drink. Regards Robert Yawe KAY System Technologies Ltd Phoenix House, 6th Floor P O Box 55806 Nairobi, 00200 Kenya Tel: +254722511225, +254202010696 --- On Tue, 26/1/10, wesley kirinya <kiriinya2000(a)yahoo.com> wrote: From: wesley kirinya <kiriinya2000(a)yahoo.com> Subject: [ke-internetusers] JKIA-Lack of wireless internet To: "ke-users" <ke-internetusers(a)bdix.net> Date: Tuesday, 26 January, 2010, 15:46 *Sigh* I lack words on how to start this. I don't have to explain it. Can something be done ASAP so that JKIA can have free, fast WiFi Internet accessible everywhere (even from the toilets). Now, how can Kenya boast of broadband when the gateway to Africa (JKIA) has nothing to show of it. Imagine the very many passengers who use KQ (and other airlines) from all around Africa who pass by our airport: Company Directors, CEOs, CTOs, CFOs, ... Basically people who Kenya is trying to reach in order to attract investments in various sectors including IT. These are the same people going to invest in the rest of Africa. It's beyond my thinking why JKIA has never tapped into this even before the fibres came. It's been a couple of months since I was there. Perhaps someone who was there more recently can give us an update on the current situation. I sure hope it has changed. 8~( -----Inline Attachment Follows----- _______________________________________________ ke-internetusers mailing list ke-internetusers(a)bdix.net http://www.bdix.net/mailman/listinfo/ke-internetusers

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Ongeri Hurray on ICT Bus
by robert yawe 07 Apr '10

07 Apr '10

Hi, It seems that some sanity is coming into the education realm with the Hon. Minister Dr. Ongeri canceling the proposed ICT Bus project, I believe once bitten twice shy. The project was to cost Kes. 1.2 B with each bus costing Kes. 7 Million which equates to 171 buses that is roughly 24 buses per province this was surely another scan in the making. I remember the MP of Kisumu Hon. Shabbir raising the issue of the buses and getting dismissed as a self seeking technology Neanderthal, lets hope this is the beginning of sanity in the ICT arena, but if I was you I wouldn't hold my breath. I suspect that the concept of mobile computer labs was a thinking from the mobile library project but someone forgot that with a library the books are left behind. With Kes 7 million we could do much more than just a single bus with 20 computer that requires a driver, insurance, service, generators, and many other thinks. Here is my suggestion on how the 7 million could be better utilised to meet the objectives. - 20% to be used for physical facilities (stone & mortar) - Kes. 1.4 M - This can build 150 sq m of classroom space inclusive of electrical wiring & burger proofed windows. An average computer lab is 15 sq m which means we can build 10 labs and each can accommodate 20 screens/pcs. We could build even more labs if the Ministry if Housing provided the interlocking soil block making machines - 30% to be used for provision of power to the lab - Kes. 2.1 million we which we need to provide sufficient power. The computers will need to be low power consumers therefore we use TFT screens and cpu sharing devices that allow 1 computer to be used simultaneously by 4 or more students. With this our power requirement for each lab would be below 1,000 VA which can easily be supplied by a few solar panels and a battery bank. - 20% for the actual hardware - Kes. 1.4 M - DC powered computers, printers and GSM modem with a good proxy server to provide local caching. This will also include structured cabling which will be done by the graduats of the kazi kwa Vijani initiative where they will have been offered technical training. - 20% teacher training - Kes. 1.4 M, even if we have them certified in ICDL we shall be able to train 66 teachers which would provide enough computer teachers. - 10% well I leave you to decide what to do with that, note that there are no recurrent costs such as drivers, diesel, electricity costs (God does not charge for solar, yet). The 10 labs can be used by the schools during the day and could be made available to the community in the evenings and as digital villages over the weekends where content can be generated, yes local content (ask me for details). Now that I have spend the equivalent of 1 bus to create 10 centers why won't we actually do this, because I did not factor in the feasibility study costs, 30%, seminars and workshops 50%, sitting allowances 20% and well nothing else to include as the preliminary costs have already consumed the 7 million. Ongeri hurray but lets hope the money will not go to drinking water and writing materials for a bonding session. 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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Family Technology Survey?
by Gakiria 04 Apr '10

04 Apr '10

Dear All, Below a request for your attention Andrew ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Steven D'Agustino <dagustino(a)fordham.edu> Date: 30 March 2010 20:10 Subject: Family Technology Survey? To: ITFORUM(a)listserv.uga.edu Hello All! I am collaborating with a non-profit that gives computers to families for free and am looking for a family technology survey. Does anyone know of a good one? Thanks, Steve Steven D'Agustino, Ph.D. Director RETC - Center for Professional Development Fordham University 557 East Fordham Road Bronx, NY 10458 718-817-3498 ------------------------------------------------------------ For information about this list, including archives and how to unsubscribe, please go to the ITFORUM web site: http://it.coe.uga.edu/itforum/

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Re: [kictanet] Presentations from Connected Government...+ BPO eDiscussion Report
by Walubengo J 03 Apr '10

03 Apr '10

Kobia, I noted you mentioned BPO as one of the upcoming discussions at the Summit. I therefore take this opportunity to upload the summaries of the BPO discussions held mid last year. More specifically, there was heavy and pending Government interventions as copied below in the Executive summary. Maybe if the Permanent Secretaries can commit to implementing on some them during your meeting, then those of us not invited will begin to feel it wasnt after all purely pleasure at Leisure Lodge ;-) walu. ----begins--- Executive Summary A team of Researchers (BPO Researchers) were commissioned by IDRC to do a study titled: Development of a Business Process Outsourcing Industry in Kenya: Critical Success Factors. The aim of this study was “to undertake comprehensive research in the business process outsourcing (BPO) sub-sector in pioneer, emerging and mature markets to provide evidence and a deeper understanding of the imperatives for success in this industry to better inform Kenya’s policy decisions and investment choices”. The studies were conducted in two client countries, namely United Kingdom and the United States of America and four vendor countries, namely Kenya, South Africa, India and Mauritius. After the above study was completed, the Researchers had preliminary Results/Reports (Synthesis) that they felt needed to be discussed by Stakeholders with the aim of cross-checking and validating some of the preliminary conclusions. KICTAnet, a multi-stakeholder forum was chosen as the platform to subject the preliminary findings of the study to the Stakeholders. The Stakeholders discussed the Research Synthesised findings under various BPO themes that included: Policy, Legal and Institutional (Governance) Frameworks, Subsidies, Human capacity Issues, Youth & Gender issues and Strengths & Challenges facing the BPO sector. Notable feedback on the BPO Governance Frameworks was the lack of enabling legislation specifically the Data Protection and the Freedom of Information Acts. Lack of enforceable Standards for BPO Training and Operations in the industry was also cited as a barrier to provisioning high quality standards of service. Negative publicity, general insecurity and unreliable Utilities (power, road, telecommunication) presented institutional challenges that made it difficult to sell Kenya as a favourable BPO destination. With regard to Human Capacity, the lack of a standardized BPO curriculum, lack of a National Skill-set Register and little or no experience for the BPO Operators made Kenya's BPO labour market less competitive. Domestic "outsourcing" both from Government and Private Sector was proposed as the best way to demonstrate confidence while providing experience to the emerging BPO industry. The question of Subsidies for the sector was highly contentious with some participants pushing for an array of benefits - Tax-holidays, Utility and Training Subsidies, Government Contracts, amongst others. Those against subsidies argued that BPO is a sub-sector just like any other and therefore should not enjoy Government-subsidies at the exclusion of the others. The Youth and Gender discussion revealed that lack of clear, career-path progression meant that most youth in the BPO sector considered their jobs as a stop-gap measure to a better opportunity elsewhere. It was also observed the that Kenyan Labour law that afforded mothers 3months maternity leave meant that employers implicitly preferred male employees. Finally, participants discussed the Strengths and Challenges, noting the advent of the undersea cable as the biggest strength while Negative Publicity as the biggest weakness. ---ends--- walu. --- On Wed, 3/31/10, Kaburo Kobia <kkobia(a)ict.go.ke> wrote: From: Kaburo Kobia <kkobia(a)ict.go.ke> Subject: [kictanet] Presentations from Connected Government Summit 2010 To: jwalu(a)yahoo.com Cc: "KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions" <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> Date: Wednesday, March 31, 2010, 12:14 PM Dear all, Presentations from Connected Gov Summit 2010 are now available online. We are also taking questions from twitter and the Connected Gov website (click on Comments/Question and post your question or comment). Presentations include: - Opening speech by the Minister of Information and Communications Hon Samuel Poghisio - From reform to transformation by Emmanuel Lubembe Head Public Service Transformation Department - Transforming Company registry by Wanjuki Muchemi, Solicitor General - and several presentations from private sector. Today we expect to hear from more government departments on their digitization projects, some local SMEs and BPO companies. Please view the program here. Visit: www.ict.go.ke/connectedgov Track on twitter: #connectedgov Regards, -- Kaburo Kobia Kenya ICT Board Project Manager: Local Digital Content Kenya ICT Board Telposta Towers, 12th Floor, Kenyatta Avenue P.O Box 27150 - 00100 Nairobi, Kenya t: + 254-020-2093040 | m: + 254 (0)729466260 | w: www.ict.go.ke --------------------- The Kenya ICT Board Mission: To champion and actively enable Kenya to adopt and exploit ICT, through promotion of partnerships, investments and infrastructure growth for socio economic enrichment -----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: jwalu(a)yahoo.com Unsubscribe or change your options at http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/jwalu%40yahoo.com

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Kenya's Safaricom says to test 4G later in 2010
by Jevans Nyabiage 02 Apr '10

02 Apr '10

Has Safaricom fully achieved the benefits of 3G to start testing 4G? http://www.nation.co.ke/business/news/Kenyas%20Safaricom%20says%20to%20test… Jevans DISCLAIMER: The information contained in or accompanying this e-mail is intended for the use of the stated recipient only. It may contain confidential, proprietary or legally privileged information. No confidentiality or privilege is waived or lost by any mistransmission. If you receive this message in error, please immediately delete it and all copies of it from your system, destroy any hard copies of it and notify the sender. You must not, directly or indirectly, use, disclose, distribute, print, or copy any part of this message if you are not the intended recipient. Any views or opinions presented herein are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of the Nation Media Group. �To get all breaking news alerts send the word BREAK to 6667 or visit http://mobile.nation.co.ke to read news on your mobile phone.�

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New GSM Academy 2010
by Andrea Bohnstedt 01 Apr '10

01 Apr '10

Hey all, Maybe interesting for people in the mobile industry: *New GSM Academy 2010 with Certification by Grundig Academy Group and the German Chamber of Commerce* Rapidly expanding mobile networks in Africa’s increasingly competitive emerging markets generate substantial demand for qualified human resources. Responding to this, the TOP Business AG’s GSM Academy 2010 offers an advanced training that qualifies skilled technicians to become one of the best BSSoOperation and maintenance specialists throughout the mobile telecommunication world. More details on http://www.ratio-magazine.com/201003302617/Corporate-Press-Releases/Press-R… Regards, Andrea

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BRIDGE Overview report writer/consultant required: Gender and Climate Change Cutting Edge Programme]
by alice 31 Mar '10

31 Mar '10

For details please visit: http://www.siyanda.org/forumdocs/si20100331114116.doc ---------------------------------------- Dear all BRIDGE is currently recruiting an Overview Report Writer for the forthcoming /Cutting Edge Pack/ on Gender and Climate Change. The Pack is one of the key outputs from a pioneering new /Cutting Edge Programme/, which will offer an exciting and innovative approach to the synthesis and development of knowledge, thinking and good practice. The Programme will facilitate a collaborative multi-disciplinary approach to promoting effective, targeted policies on gender and climate change. This will happen through a range of activities, including online and face-to-face discussions, and network building. The report writer will be a crucial element in the success of the programme as she/he will work collaboratively with BRIDGE, an advisory group and lead advisor, and a broader community of practice to ensure the Programme process and the /Cutting Edge Pack/ itself promote and catalyse new, critical thinking on a range of issues related to gender and climate change. The overall goal of the programme is to to invigorate, capture and share debates on gender and climate change and inspire changes in policy and practice at the international, national and local levels so that we are better equipped to meet the challenges of climate change in the future. For more details please visit: http://www.siyanda.org/forumdocs/si20100331114116.doc Warm regards Georgina

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