December 2011 - KICTANet

DiploFoundation IGCBP 2012 Call for applications
by Grace Githaiga 05 Dec '11

05 Dec '11

Listers Kindly circulate to your networks. Rgds Grace ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- If you have the strength to survive, you have the power to succeed. Life is all about choices we make depending upon the situation we are in. Go forth and rule the World! From: gpaque(a)gmail.com Date: Mon, 5 Dec 2011 10:08:12 -0430 To: governance(a)lists.cpsr.org Subject: [governance] DiploFoundation IGCBP 2012 Call for applications Hi everyone, Please pass this information on to any interested colleagues or groups. Gracias, Ginger Call for applications: Internet Governance Capacity Building Programme 2012 Who owns the cloud? Is my data secure there? Who manages Internet domains and addresses, and how? What is network neutrality? How can states provide for Internet security without breaching our basic human rights - or can they? Can we have an Internet that is both safe and open? Diplo's Internet Governance Capacity Building Programme 2012 will give you a solid base from which to discuss these and other questions, and to work towards policy solutions for users, organisations, and governments. This online programme is designed to improve Internet policy and governance-related knowledge and skills for participants from both developed and developing countries, and to enhance their participation in the global decision-shaping debates on Internet governance. The call for applications for the 2012 Introduction to Internet Governance course is now open. Please visit the call for applications for more information and to apply (deadline: 1 February 2012). Ginger Ginger (Virginia) Paque Diplo Foundation www.diplomacy.edu/ig VirginiaP(a)diplomacy.edu Join the Diplo community IG discussions: www.diplointernetgovernance.org

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Re: [kictanet] [Skunkworks] <OT> : No Electricity, No Fuel, No Cooking gas! I need my hot coffee or need some answers.....
by Dennis Kioko 05 Dec '11

05 Dec '11

The biggest tragedy in Kenya is not the government, but we as the people. We support systems that do not work, and reward the same. A pal of mine says that she cannot purchase or rent a Penthouse suite in Nairobi - they always seem to leak and have rat infestations. In the US, she could cause such a purchase came with a warranty - point here is that even private sector will do sub standard work - seems to be more of the rule than an exception. As for Kenya Power, I don't know about mots areas, but where I live, a few months back we were guaranteed of a blackout if any form of precipitation happened to take place. Kenya Power did maintenance a few months ago and even in the recent strong rains in Nairobi, we have had power all through. I think blackouts nowadays are mostly maintenance and vandalism in our area. Had also talked to Kenya some people from Kenya Power HQ who informed me that the firm is on schedule to stabilise power supply through various methods including use of underground cables/insulated conductors. This though looks like will take several years to be rolled out within Nairobi. In areas under rural electification in Ukambani, I have seen them use the insulated conductors rather than the familiar bare conductors. Road construction is mostly a sham, with most roads lacking drainage, or having the drainage blocked by construction. Water logging weakens tarmac. On the same point, I am quite suspicious of the quality of Lot 3 of Thika road, by Shengli, someone should check this before its completed and results in a similar situation as the Milimani courts. Back to where I started. In the morning, I saw a matatu at the Tom Mboya Walk (joins Tom Mboya Street to Moi Avenue at the statue). The matatu was picking passengers next to a large City Council sign that read "No picking or dropping of Passengers here". People were boarding the matatu as normal. That is where Kenya's largest problem lies.

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Local Content
by Dennis Kioko 05 Dec '11

05 Dec '11

This animation was shared today, some hard work gone into it http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y8LcybdCNdA&feature=player_detailpage -- with Regards: blog.denniskioko.com <http://www.denniskioko.com/>

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Why is KRA (Customs) Application is Hard-Wired Microsoft?
by Walubengo J 04 Dec '11

04 Dec '11

I was at JKIA cargo this morning trying to get in some cargo. Ofcourse it is still a nightmare operation but eventually I got some Agent to help out and we sat down at his office to key the data into the Kenya Revenue (Simba System). For some reason, his Microsoft-Explorer was giving him some trouble so I told him to just try the Firefox instead. Believe it or not- the KRA system screamed at him and said "YOU CAN ONLY USE MICROSOFT INTERNET EXPLORER ver 6 AND ABOVE!!!!". What?? Folks, if this is not intimidation, tell me what is. Who in the 21st Century writes software ONLY for one platform? Software today should be read from your Windows/Linux/Android/Mac/etc/ Platforms. It should be accessible from your laptop, smart-phone, dump-phone,tv/etc. Now how comes a critical public system is ONLY accessible through Microsoft platform? I am not against Microsoft - I still use alot of it at a corporate level; HOWEVER, we cannot allow a Publicly Procured system to be tied to a single platform.(review procurement rules). I recall one Lister raising this issue 3years ago and I thought it had been addressed! Either the PS Ndemo + eGovt Sec, Dr. Getao helps us out or we task Steve Mutoro to open a file on this issue. Forcing clearing agents to BUY Microsoft products (when they can use a free one) to clear goods for customers is not a proper way of developing a country. walu.

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Invite: Leveraging Information for Prosperity
by Marie-Ann Kinyanjui 02 Dec '11

02 Dec '11

Dear Listers, It gives me great pleasure to announce that our very own Bitange Ndemo has been chosen to feature in a global Smarter Government briefing to talking about Kenya's experiences in using open data and information to deliver targeted services to citizens. If you would like to attend this event, please feel free to register here: http://events.unisfair.com/rt/ibm~opengov?code=salese (Embedded image moved to file: pic51175.gif) (Embedded image moved to file: pic10536.jpg) Fiscal and economic uncertainty is growing. Even as governments scramble to cut costs, they are seeking new recipes to kick-start new economic growth. They may already have one. (Embedded image moved to file: pic62518.gif) A new report on this issue by the IBM Institute for Business Value says that if we think about it differently, "opening up" to leverage information and intelligence might just give governments the opportunity to drive outcomes like innovation, jobs, new economic growth with citizens, while avoiding costs. But "open" can mean something different to each government around the world, and at each level of government. It's time to reset the perspective and "open" for outcomes. Join us on December 14, 2011 at 10:00 a.m. EST, in a webcast where you will hear the highlights from one of the authors. You also will hear from innovative leaders as they share the steps they took to "open up", the results they achieved and lessons they have learned and what they think needs to happen next. Their experiences will enrich the discussion and, we hope, stimulate your own creative actions. (Embedded image moved to file: pic29410.jpg) Please check the registration page for agenda and speaker updates. (Embedded image moved to file: pic08685.gif) Copyright IBM Corporation 2011. All rights reserved. IBM, the IBM logo, ibm.com and the Smarter Planet icon are trademarks of International Business Machines Corp., registered in many jurisdictions worldwide. Other product and service names might be trademarks of IBM or other companies. A current list of IBM trademarks is available on the Web at "Copyright and trademark information" at ibm.com/legal/copytrade.shtml. Other company, product, or service names may be trademarks or service marks of others.© Copyright IBM Corporation 2011. All Rights Reserved. Kind Regards, Marie-Anne (Kui) Kinyanjui External Relations Specialist IBM Growth Markets Unit, STG Mid-Markets Phone: +254 721 676543 (Embedded image moved to file: E-mail: MARIEKIN(a)ke.ibm.com pic57091.gif)IBM Find me on: (Embedded image moved to file: pic56534.jpg)LinkedIn: http://ke.linkedin.com/in/mkinyanjui (Embedded image moved to file: pic03229.jpg)Twitter: http://twitter.com/KuiKinyanjui

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Resolved: e-commerce; a matter of trust
by robert yawe 02 Dec '11

02 Dec '11

Hi, The issue was resolved promptly, I would like to than George Ikua for his inspiring presentation at the CIO100 Symposium on how social media is changing how business do business. "He who leaves by social media dies by social media" Regards Robert Yawe KAY System Technologies Ltd Phoenix House, 6th Floor P O Box 55806 Nairobi, 00200 Kenya Tel: +254722511225, +254202010696 ________________________________ From: Joshua Mwaniki -MiH IA <Joshua(a)mocality.com> To: "robertyawe(a)yahoo.co.uk" <robertyawe(a)yahoo.co.uk> Sent: Wednesday, 30 November 2011, 11:56 Subject: FW: [kictanet] e-commerce; a matter of trust Hi Robert I refer to the mail below. I'd like to apologize for the inconvenience. This is actually the first I am hearing of this. I did some basic follow up, and I am told there was a problem with the invoicing. If this was the situation, then I hope you understand that from out Finance departments point of view, they cannot release any payments without receiving any invoice. We have had situations previously that brought up some questions with auditing. If you were not appraised of this in good time, then kindly let me know, so that I can follow up with the responsible people. However, if there is anything else that you think came into play that I may not be aware about, kindly let me know. We strive to ensure that we build a business based on 'good relationships' and this situation is obviously not an example of this. Looking forward to hearing from you. -- Regards, Joshua Mwaniki Country Manager – Kenya |Mocality.com Block C (8), Saachi Plaza| Argwings KodheK Road. (Opp. Radar Security) |Kilimani,Nairobi. +254 733 55 44 88 | +254 701 114 119 Twitter: Mwaniki Skype: Mwaniki 10 From: Muchiri Nyaggah <muchiri(a)semacraft.com> Date: Wed, 30 Nov 2011 09:20:40 +0300 To: <joshua(a)mocality.com> Subject: Fwd: [kictanet] e-commerce; a matter of trust Fyi. Sent from my Android device ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: "robert yawe" <robertyawe(a)yahoo.co.uk> Date: Nov 30, 2011 9:07 AM Subject: [kictanet] e-commerce; a matter of trust To: <muchiri(a)semacraft.com> Cc: "KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions" <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> Hi, I think many of those promoting e-commerce and related solutions are doing the initiative a disservice by by being transparent and trustworthy actions that we keep us aware from fully exploiting the opportunities that keep presenting themselves. I recently interacted with a site called Mocallity both as a vendor and consumer of the their deals (a product similar to groupon) unfortunately the experiences have left me with a sour taste in my mouth. If anyone our there knows how to get in touch with the managers/owners of Mocality please forward this on to them before the issue blows out of proportion and rubbishes the gains we have made so far in e-commerce. Vendor - I used the service to promote a seminar I was ran about 2 months ago, the response was impressive as I got 11 registrations, unfortunately I am yet to receive the payments from Mocality even though they received payment from the participants on registration for the seminar. Things have gotten so scary now that they are not even responding to my emails Consumer issue 1 - I participated in one of the deals and bought tickets for ice skating, they send me confirmation by SMS but when I arrived at Panari to redeem the coupons they insisted that I bring printouts of the coupons. I wonder why send me the coupons details by SMS then still expect me to carry physical coupons. It would be like safaricom sending you a SMS confirming receipt of funds then sending you a cheque to bank by post. We need to either embrace technology wholly as Mama Mboga has or not at all. Consumer issue 2 - More recently I again participated in a deal by Mocality, I must be the sucker for pain, where I bought some glass storage bowls. After the deal closed it took them 3 days to finally deliver them to me but only after 5 phone calls, 10 emails and a post on their website otherwise it would have taken longer. Let us get it clear that e-commerce is commerce and in both cases you need a reliable supply chain system even if what you are supplying is a service. In addition you cannot maintain the brick on mortar mentality when dealing with an online business, in Mocalities case the customer service works from 8:30-4:30 Monday to Friday for both voice and email requests. I am generally an advocate of an industries self regulation but when it fails I will not hesitate to pull out the "sirikali tusaidie" trump card. Regards Robert Yawe KAY System Technologies Ltd Phoenix House, 6th Floor P O Box 55806 Nairobi, 00200 Kenya Tel: +254722511225, +254202010696 _______________________________________________ kictanet mailing list kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet Unsubscribe or change your options at http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/muchiri%40semacraft.com The Kenya ICT Action Network (KICTANet) is a multi-stakeholder platform for people and institutions interested and involved in ICT policy and regulation. The network aims to act as a catalyst for reform in the ICT sector in support of the national aim of ICT enabled growth and development. KICTANetiquette : Adhere to the same standards of acceptable behaviors online that you follow in real life: respect people's times and bandwidth, share knowledge, don't flame or abuse or personalize, respect privacy, do not spam, do not market your wares or qualifications.

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International Open Data Day
by Phares Kariuki 01 Dec '11

01 Dec '11

Come join us for a discussion on Open Data at the Business Lounge on the international open data day, this Saturday, 3rd December, from 9 am to 1 pm. Kenya is the first Country in sub-Saharan Africa and only the second in Africa to launch an open data portal. The opportunity for citizen engagement, government efficiency and for the developer community is huge. How can we take advantage of this opportunity? Come and: - Learn more about open data. - Find out how your local and national government could do more to release open data. - Engage local non-profits and companies in the uses of open data for the products and missions - Meet & network with tons of cool people in Nairobi - Voice your opinion & share your ideas with the people and media attending. - Find out about apps being created, and get to play around with them as well. - Help out with parts of the conceptualization, creation, design, advertisement and testing of apps. - Conduct an open tutorial sessions around using open data,like learning how to customize google maps to show the data you want to show. - Have lots and lots of fun. Thanks! -- Warm Regards, Phares Kaboro Kariuki

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"Nokia boss quits as regional office moves to Jo’Burg"
by Chris Foster 01 Dec '11

01 Dec '11

"Nokia boss quits as regional office moves to Jo’Burg" http://www.businessdailyafrica.com/Corporate+News/Nokia+boss+quits+as+regio… Seems a shame if this is confirmed to be true. From what I've seen, some of the sucess of Nokia can be connected to it being closely integrated in the region, not only as a sales force, but in pushing locally for appropriate products, marketing, policy and distribution. This seems particularly important in the mobile sector, given the need to be responsive to increasingly strong competition in the region, particularly from emerging Chinese firms. Nokia never had a huge workforce in Kenya, so I'm guessing this is not related to cost cutting, and as the article says, it seems to grow against the grain of other multinationals who are looking to become more connected locally into the Kenyan and regional market. Thanks Chris -- Christopher Foster PhD Researcher, Centre for Development Informatics (CDI) University of Manchester, UK Skype: cgfoster

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