April 2011 - KICTANet

Fwd: Google and Kenya ICT Board organize G-funze for teachers
by Paul Kukubo ICT Board 29 Apr '11

29 Apr '11

G-Funze by Google for Teachers > Google and the Kenya ICT Board want to bring the skill of search and sort to Kenyan teachers. Through a one-day event named G-Funze, Google and the Kenya ICT Boardwill show teachers how they can use Google to bring interactivity and knowledge to the classroom. The event will be offered free of charge, open to 500 ICT- literate teachers from Nairobi and its environs. > > Objectives and Benefits > > G-Funze hopes to benefit teachers by giving them skills that would make them not only more confident to use ICT in the classroom, but expose them to knowledge and information that can be passed on to their students. The objectives of G-Funze are to: > > a) Expose teachers to Google tools – Google Search, Google Apps and Google Earth > > b) Increase efficiency in internet search including search for web-pages, articles, photos, news, books > > c) Enhance communication and collaboration between teachers and their classrooms through Google Apps > > d) Demonstrate the value of Google Earth to bring any topic with a geographical context to life > > Structure > > Date: Friday April 29, 2011 > Venue: KICC > Time: 7:00 am – 5:00 pm > Entrance fee: FREE – workshops, refreshments, lunch and take-away materials sponsored by Google > Guest of Honor: PS Ministry of Education, PS Ministry of Information and Communications > > The day long event will be opened by the PS Ministry of Education and the PS of Ministry of Information and Communications. The opening will be followed by a key-note address by a Google education specialist visiting from San Francisco. This keynote will address the value that technology can bring to teaching and will feature specific local case studies. > > Participants will then split into three working streams and spend the rest of the morning and afternoon in focused, intensive workshops. The workshops streams are: > > 1. Google search: how to find quality information online > > 2. Google Earth, Maps and YouTube: Bringing subjects alive through visual tools > > 3. Google Apps: increasing productivity through Google’s communication and collaboration tools > > The interactive and information-rich day will end in plenary with a final session to discuss lessons learnt. > > Participants > > The organizers invite Kenyan high school teachers to participate in the event. Teachers should have access to computers and the Internet at their school and be ICT and internet literate (i.e. experience and understanding of using the internet) > > Partners > > In organizing G-Funze, Google and the Kenya ICT Board are honored to partner with the Teacher Service Commission (TSC) and Association of Head Teachers who will support the event by organizing and managing the invitation of teachers. > > A request has also been made to the Kenya Institute for Education (KIE) to work with Google to ensure the content is localized and relevant for Kenyan teachers. > > In addition, the event is supported by the Ministry of Education and Ministry of Information and Communications. > > Budget > > Google Kenya will cover all costs for hosting the event including meals, conference package and giveaways > >> Background >> > Kenya’s vision 2030 aims to build Kenya into a knowledge society. At the core of a vibrant knowledge society is universal access to information—and currently the most powerful tool for information dissemination is the Internet. The internet is often described as the most democratic technology offering information to anyone with access. In Kenya, access to the internet has increased tremendously since the first fiber optic under sea cable landed in Mombasa in 2009. At the end of 2010, the Communications Commission of Kenya (CCK)reported that 8.6 million Kenyans now have access to the internet. > > Among those with greater access to the internet are teachers and students. For teachers, the internet offers a variety of opportunities to support self-development and teaching in the classroom through access to information. Once universal access to information is achieved, what will separate the good from the great is the ability to efficiently search, sort and analyze the vast amounts of information made available. Being proficient in searching and sorting information is a key skill for Internet users. > > Contact > > For more information on G-Funze contact: > > Farzana Khubchandani > Country Marketing Manager, Google Kenya > email: farzanak(a)google.com > Mobile: 0732 629 393 | office: 020 360 1100 > > KaburoKobia > Project Manager Local Digital Content, Kenya ICT Board > email: kkobia(a)ict.go.ke > mobile: 0729466260 | office: 0202211961 > > > kenya ICT Board > Teleposta Towers, 12th Floor, Kenyatta Ave > P.O. Box 27150 - 00100 Nairobi, Kenya > t: + 254-020-2093040 | m: + 254 (0)729466260 | e: kkobia(a)ict.go.ke > > Visit: www.ict.go.ke > Become a fan: www.facebook.com/tandaakenya > Follow us on twitter: @tandaakenya > --------------------- > Our Vision: Kenya becomes a top 10 ICT hub > Our 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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Re: [kictanet] UCC attempts to block social networks
by bitange＠jambo.co.ke 29 Apr '11

29 Apr '11

Use of Kenyan Sim Cards may be the only option here. Bitange > Reporters Without Borders urges the Ugandan authorities to respect freedom > of expression and not obstruct online social networks and news media on > the eve of new opposition demonstrations. > It would be dangerous for the government to make unjustified use of > protection of national security as grounds for controlling information. > > The role of that Facebook and Twitter are playing in providing the public > with information about current developments is all the more important > given the restrictions that have been placed on journalists trying to > cover the demonstrations. > > Reporters Without Borders urges the Ugandan authorities to respect freedom > of expression and not obstruct online social networks and news media on > the eve of new opposition demonstrations. > It would be dangerous for the government to make unjustified use of > protection of national security as grounds for controlling information. > > The role of that Facebook and Twitter are playing in providing the public > with information about current developments is all the more important > given the restrictions that have been placed on journalists trying to > cover the demonstrations. > > The Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) tried to block access to social > networks on 14 April, when "Walk to Work" demonstrations were held in > several cities in protest against food and gasoline price hikes. In a > letter (copy attached) signed by Quinto Ojok (standing in for the > executive director), the UCC ordered 10 telecom companies "to block the > use of Facebook and Tweeter for 24 hours as of now, that is 14th April > 2011 at 3.30 pm." > > The grounds given for the order was "a request from the security agencies > that there is need to minimize the use of the media that may escalate > violence to the public in respect of the ongoing situation due to the > demonstration relating to 'Walk to Work'." > > UCC executive director Godfrey Mutabazi told Reuters yesterday that he was > ready to give fresh orders to block Facebook and Twitter locally if they > were used "to fan unrest." The day before, thousands of people took to the > streets to protest against the arrests of opposition leader Kizza Besigye > and other demonstrators, who were accused of inciting violence. > > Reached by telephone, Mutabazi told Reporters Without Borders he would cut > off access to Facebook and Twitter only if it had to be done to protect > the public. He said his statements should be seen as an appeal to Ugandans > to be take care not to use social networks to issue calls for hatred or > violence. "The freedom to live is more important than the freedom to > express oneself," he added. > > As a regulator, the UCC cannot block websites without help from Internet > services providers. The 14 April letter was sent to Broadband (U), Foris > Telecom Uganda and Infocom, with copies to Orange Uganda, Uganda Telecom, > MTN Uganda, Warid Telecom, Airtel Uganda, Africaonline Uganda and ZAfsat > Communications. Reporters Without Borders has told some of these companies > that it opposes social networks being disconnected in a unilateral and > abusive manner. > > The blocking that the UCC ordered on 14 April was not implemented by all > the companies concerned. Some requested clarification. Some said they got > the letter too late. And some simply refused to comply. MTN Uganda, one of > the leading ISPs, announced on Twitter on 15 April that it would not carry > out the order: "@MTNUGANDACARE: @StoneAtwine Our stand is clear. We are > not closing down FB or Twitter. Thanks." > > Some users nonetheless experienced disruptions for several hours. > Different information has been circulating about the ISPs involved. > > Local NGOs have accused the security forces of using excessive violence to > disperse demonstrators - charges rejected by the government. > > The Eastern Africa Journalists Association (EAJA) has condemned the > restrictions imposed by the government on journalists, who have been > denied access to hospitals and certain places linked to the > demonstrations. Around 10 journalists have been injured and have had > equipment damaged while covering the protests, which began on 11 April. An > armed forces spokesman apologized publicly. > > Several sources have separately said that a UCC directive has also banned > TV and radio stations from providing live coverage of the "Walk to Work" > protests. > > Reporters Without Borders is very worried about the restrictions that the > Ugandan government is imposing on freedom of expression. > > "The authorities must not confuse the event itself with coverage of the > event," Reporters Without Borders said. "When media cover demonstrations, > they are not taking part in them; they are simply doing their job of > reporting the news. The media must not be prevented from working and > journalists must not be obstructed." > > source Reporters sans Frontières > > A > on 14 April, when "Walk to Work" demonstrations were held in several > cities in protest against food and gasoline price hikes. In a letter (copy > attached) signed by Quinto Ojok (standing in for the executive director), > the UCC ordered 10 telecom companies "to block the use of Facebook and > Tweeter for 24 hours as of now, that is 14th April 2011 at 3.30 pm." > > The grounds given for the order was "a request from the security agencies > that there is need to minimize the use of the media that may escalate > violence to the public in respect of the ongoing situation due to the > demonstration relating to 'Walk to Work'." > > UCC executive director Godfrey Mutabazi told Reuters yesterday that he was > ready to give fresh orders to block Facebook and Twitter locally if they > were used "to fan unrest." The day before, thousands of people took to the > streets to protest against the arrests of opposition leader Kizza Besigye > and other demonstrators, who were accused of inciting violence. > > Reached by telephone, Mutabazi told Reporters Without Borders he would cut > off access to Facebook and Twitter only if it had to be done to protect > the public. He said his statements should be seen as an appeal to Ugandans > to be take care not to use social networks to issue calls for hatred or > violence. "The freedom to live is more important than the freedom to > express oneself," he added. > > As a regulator, the UCC cannot block websites without help from Internet > services providers. The 14 April letter was sent to Broadband (U), Foris > Telecom Uganda and Infocom, with copies to Orange Uganda, Uganda Telecom, > MTN Uganda, Warid Telecom, Airtel Uganda, Africaonline Uganda and ZAfsat > Communications. Reporters Without Borders has told some of these companies > that it opposes social networks being disconnected in a unilateral and > abusive manner. > > The blocking that the UCC ordered on 14 April was not implemented by all > the companies concerned. Some requested clarification. Some said they got > the letter too late. And some simply refused to comply. MTN Uganda, one of > the leading ISPs, announced on Twitter on 15 April that it would not carry > out the order: "@MTNUGANDACARE: @StoneAtwine Our stand is clear. We are > not closing down FB or Twitter. Thanks." > > Some users nonetheless experienced disruptions for several hours. > Different information has been circulating about the ISPs involved. > > Local NGOs have accused the security forces of using excessive violence to > disperse demonstrators - charges rejected by the government. > > The Eastern Africa Journalists Association (EAJA) has condemned the > restrictions imposed by the government on journalists, who have been > denied access to hospitals and certain places linked to the > demonstrations. Around 10 journalists have been injured and have had > equipment damaged while covering the protests, which began on 11 April. An > armed forces spokesman apologized publicly. > > Several sources have separately said that a UCC directive has also banned > TV and radio stations from providing live coverage of the "Walk to Work" > protests. > > Reporters Without Borders is very worried about the restrictions that the > Ugandan government is imposing on freedom of expression. > > "The authorities must not confuse the event itself with coverage of the > event," Reporters Without Borders said. "When media cover demonstrations, > they are not taking part in them; they are simply doing their job of > reporting the news. The media must not be prevented from working and > journalists must not be obstructed." > > source Reporters sans Frontières > > _______________________________________________ > 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/bitange%40jambo.co.ke > > 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. > > ---------------------------------------------- > This message has been scanned for viruses and > dangerous content by Jambo MailScanner, and is > believed to be clean. > --------------------------------------------- > "easy access to the world" > > ---------------------------------------------- This message has been scanned for viruses and dangerous content by Jambo MailScanner, and is believed to be clean. --------------------------------------------- "easy access to the world"

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Mobile Money: MJ (aka Michael Joseph) appointed first World Bank Fellow
by Chris Kiagiri 28 Apr '11

28 Apr '11

Kudos to the World Bank on its choice for its first Fellow to champion mobile money ... Source: http://blogs.worldbank.org/psd/bringing-mobile-money-to-the-world?cid=EXT_T… > Bringing mobile money to the world SUBMITTED BY MICHAEL JOSEPH<http://blogs.worldbank.org/psd/team/michael-joseph>ON MON, 2011-04-25 17:15 > > - [View]<http://blogs.worldbank.org/psd/bringing-mobile-money-to-the-world> > > > Editor's Note: Michael Joseph is the World Bank Group's first fellow and > was previously the CEO of Safaricom. > > Mobile money has gone viral. In Kenya there are now more than 15 million > mobile money users, which is equivalent to three in four adults<http://www.worldbank.org/kenya/keu>. > The company I was heading until last November, Safaricom<http://www.safariocom.co.ke/>has developed the world’s largest mobile money platform M-Pesa, which is > being used by more than 14 million Kenyans. Over the last three years the > growth of mobile money has been exponential. In December we reached a new > threshold when the equivalent of US$ 1 billion was transferred. This is more > than Western Union has transferred in all of 2010 globally! This has changed > the lives of Kenyans—it created new jobs, new businesses and new > opportunities for millions of people. > > Surely this can and must be replicated in other similar countries, many of > which have better starting conditions than we had in Kenya. We have a great > opportunity as the world is becoming more focused on financial inclusion > with even the G20 group of countries embracing this concept as one of its > objectives for this year. The World Bank has a unique and powerful position > in the financial community to achieve this goal. The Bank has the stature > and the relationship at senior government levels to influence the actions of > financial regulatory bodies so that suitable regulations may be drafted or > amended to allow for the introduction of mobile money. > > As the World Bank’s first Fellow<http://web.worldbank.org/WBSITE/EXTERNAL/NEWS/0,,contentMDK:22838723~pagePK…>, > my mission and personal goal is to prove that Safaricom’s M-Pesa is not a > one-off and that it can and must be replicated elsewhere so that the > benefits it has brought to the Kenyan population can be enjoyed and > experienced by other nations as well. > > In order to be successful, the World Bank Group and other development > partners need to be better organized. There is great fragmentation with a > long list of players (World Bank, IFC, CGAP, Gates, DFID, USAID to name a > few), all of which have the same or similar objectives, but with different > messages and agendas when talking to Governments, Bank Regulators, Operators > and Banks. Unless we change this approach, the realization of mobile money > will take much longer and therefore the benefits will not be felt by the > people we are targeting. > > Innovation and success only happens if there is a strong management > structure with clear and timely decision making. While in Washington two > weeks ago we made good progress. We decided on a common strategy to focus on > a selected group of core countries and established a “mobile money core > team” headed by Wolfgang Fengler<http://blogs.worldbank.org/africacan/blogs/wolfgang-fengler>, > the Lead Economist in Nairobi who has been working with me closely already > for several months. > > As a first step we will review the mobile money potential of a suggested > list of 16 countries (Indonesia, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Malaysia, Pakistan, > Philippines, Brazil, Mexico, Peru, Morocco, Ethiopia, Ghana, Nigeria, > Rwanda, South Sudan and Senegal as entry point to WAEMU). The analysis will > look at key factors for the implementation of mobile money such as bank and > mobile penetration, population disbursement and density, geographic size and > physical difficulty, population size, Government subsidies and/or social > payments, relationship with the respective Governments by the interested > parties, etc. In mid-May we’ll then make a decision on the top five or six > countries to be selected for immediate action and these countries would be > our initial targets starting July. In the meantime, it would be great to > hear from readers in the comments section about which of the 16 countries > have the best potential for a large-scale system of mobile money. > > The World Bank’s mission is to fight poverty. Mobile money can be a game > changer for the poor. I am excited to be part of this agenda and look > forward to working with the World Bank to help bring the benefits of mobile > money to many parts of the world. >

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Kiswahili rocks in GameVille
by robert yawe 28 Apr '11

28 Apr '11

Hi Listers, Over the Easter weekend I had the opportunity to watch my sons playing a number of video games and also got in some movie viewing. In the game x-men origins wolverine there is an entire level where the attackers are speaking in Kiswahili and the statements where accurate and related to the actions, I also watched a preview for a new movie "1 am number 4" and there was a number of times where Kenya was mentioned. I believe this is an area we can capitalise on, ball to you PS Ndemo and Kukubo. 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] Who is government - for laffs
by Nnenna Nwakanma 27 Apr '11

27 Apr '11

This is just a relief for you day: In the last few months in Côte d'Ivoire, we have had 1. The government 2. The State. The government were the one moving around in the country, controlling the army and the young patriots. Simply put, Gbagbo was the government. Alassane Ouattara, on the other hand, was the state. He speaks with the international community, orders international institutions and receives official correspondences that were marked "the Republic of Côte d'Ivoire". So he was the State. Folks called it "the Republic of Golf hotel" So workers wanted to know who was going to pay salaries! The State told us not pay taxes as yet, and the government said it needed the tax monies urgently. The government paid for December and half of February.. and ran out cash! Then things changed: the State took over power, and the government went into what was referred to as the "republic of Bunkerkistan". Thankfully, we now have the state and the government in one place. Salaries have gone through and by tomorrow, we will queue up for pay! Have a good day! > > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > > Message: 1 > Date: Wed, 27 Apr 2011 10:40:31 +0300 > From: "Eng. Wainaina Mungai" <wainaina.mungai(a)gmail.com> > To: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> > Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> > Subject: Re: [kictanet] Who is government? > Message-ID: <BANLkTinuRFZ8Zeji6=QwCP+mYjCs2N_Xqg(a)mail.gmail.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="windows-1252" > > Thanks for the timely reminder but?.I am referring to the part of government > that *collects tax *and spends it (in)/appropriately to address some > taxpayer's concerns such as roads, etc subsidies in times of hardship etc. > > > We are all government in an extrapolated sense...but let us focus on the *net > tax collector* rather than the net taxpayer. > > > > > -- Nnenna Nwakanma | Founder and CEO, NNENNA.ORG | Consultants Information | Communications | Technology and Events | for Development Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire (+225)| Tel: 225 27144 | Fax 224 26471 |Mob. 07416820 Accra, Ghana (+233) Tel: 0249561345 | http://www.nnenna.org | nnenna(a)nnenna.org Twitter - @nnenna | Skype - nnenna75 | nnennaorg.blogspot.com Your multi-lingual development and event partners across Africa.

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Fwd: [Afpif] African Peering and Interconnection Forum to be held 8 – 9 August in Accra, Ghana
by Michuki Mwangi 27 Apr '11

27 Apr '11

<Apologies for cross posting> Regional Interconnection to be Key Focus for Second Annual AfPIF Conference African Peering and Interconnection Forum to be held 8 – 9 August in Accra, Ghana GENEVA, SWITZERLAND and RESTON, VIRGINIA, USA – 21 April 2011 – The Internet Society, the world’s trusted source of Internet leadership, today announced details of the second African Peering and Interconnection Forum which will take place in Accra, Ghana on 8th and 9th August 2011. The Ghanaian National Information Technolgy Agency (NITA) will host the event. Commenting on the event, Michuki Mwangi Senior Manager for Access and Development at the Internet Society said: “Currently only 30 percent of West African countries have national Internet Exchange Points, a low percentage compared to East and Southern Africa. We hope that this event will serve as a platform to examine the related issues and to identify strategies to remove the barriers to implementation.” This event will address the key Interconnection opportunities and challenges in the Africa and provide participants with insights into maximising regional opportunities. Its theme: “Regional Interconnection: Outlining the business case”, aims to foster a robust discussion on cross-border interconnection approaches, economics and challenges. As a multi-stakeholder forum, the event will bring together a range key players such as; infrastructure providers, Service Providers, IXPs and regulators and will aim to build on the success of the inaugural AfPIF event held in Nairobi, Kenya in August 2010. This second AfPIF Conference is conceived as a non-profit event. The Internet Society welcomes additional international and regional sponsorship and support to help convene the AfPIF-2 event. For more information on sponsorship opportunities please contact the Internet Society at sponsorship(a)isoc.org. For more information about the event or to register, please visit: http://www.afpif.org About the Internet Society The Internet Society, the world’s trusted source of Internet leadership, is a non-profit organization founded in 1992 to provide leadership in Internet related standards, education, and policy. With offices in Washington, D.C., and Geneva, Switzerland, it is dedicated to ensuring the open development, evolution, and use of the Internet for the benefit of people throughout the world. More information is available at: http://www.isoc.org About NITA NITA is a public service institution established in 2008 as the Information Communication Technology (ICT) policy implementing arm of the Ministry of Communications and the agencies responsible for implementing Ghana’s IT policies. It also ensures the sustainable growth of ICT via research and development planning and technology acquisition strategies to facilitate Ghana’s prospect of becoming a technology-driven, knowledge-and value-based economy. More information is available at: http://www.nita.gov.gh _______________________________________________ Afpif mailing list Afpif(a)afpif.org http://lists.afpif.org/mailman/listinfo/afpif

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Re: [kictanet] UCC attempts to block social networks
by bitange＠jambo.co.ke 27 Apr '11

27 Apr '11

Stephen, We are a developing country. This means that we have not achieved the full efficiencies you see in the West. The Government has done more to the poor than you admit. When you Exaggerate your numbers you weaken your arguments and you make feel as if you do not know what you are talking about. There is no average income of Ksh. 5 million in Kenya. We are going through a very difficult time in the world today. Inflation did not inform the Government that it was on the way. Non of us would have expected the crisis in the middle east. The Government has acted and still working on more mitigation measures. You have to understand that the Government is going through inspite of the many problems. There is the implementation of the New Constitution, the drought, the IDPs etc. Our moral failure greatly contributes to corruption. We must fight the vice as a people. It has penetrated every aspect of our lifes including our religious establishment. Every Monday the combined Church offering banked in the country is in excess of Ksh. 5 billion which ends up in individual pockets. Does this not affect the poor? Let us find well reasoned ways of taking our country forward. Political reforms that are going on have far greater implications on all our social evils than any period before. Have a great day. Ndemo. > Thanks Andrea. You are so apt. Perhaps Dr. Ndemo needs to find time to > have a lesson or two from your argument. There is a clear difference > between the reaction of "real consumers" as Eng. Wainaina and other > minority middle to higher class Kenyans will argue - after affording 3 > seven-course meals daily - and millions of low income earners who survive > on a poor single meal a day would respond! When we argue from the comfort > of our Nairobi offices, we need to take a moment and ask for instance why > our domestic workers should pay for a loaf of bread as we do when we pay > them Sh5K and we we have an average income of Sh5M. Lets us not be > insensitive! You cant talk of ICT innovation on an empty stomach! Yes, > times are hard for governments people dont have to get to the streets - > but on inefficiencies, wastages and corruption that drive costs of living > - is there any (innovation) of a lamguage that govt understands better? > Would Mubarak and Gbagbo have left power through "innovations"? Anyway, > there must be a balance between consumer demands and governments > mitigation. Govts need to invest in serious commitments and communicate. > They should not spring surprises on poor masses as they live large and > expect poor people not to protest - in whatever best way that catches > their action! > > Good morning! > Sent from my BlackBerry® > > -----Original Message----- > From: Andrea Bohnstedt <andrea.bohnstedt(a)ratio-magazine.com> > Sender: kictanet-bounces+stephen=cofek.co.ke(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke > Date: Tue, 26 Apr 2011 21:21:59 > To: <stephen(a)cofek.co.ke> > Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions<kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> > Subject: Re: [kictanet] UCC attempts to block social networks > > _______________________________________________ > 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/stephen%40cofek.co.ke > > 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. > _______________________________________________ > 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/bitange%40jambo.co.ke > > 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. > > ---------------------------------------------- > This message has been scanned for viruses and > dangerous content by Jambo MailScanner, and is > believed to be clean. > --------------------------------------------- > "easy access to the world" > > ---------------------------------------------- This message has been scanned for viruses and dangerous content by Jambo MailScanner, and is believed to be clean. --------------------------------------------- "easy access to the world"

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Research Report: Empowering regulators to protect consumer rights in the ICT sector
by Edith Adera 27 Apr '11

27 Apr '11

Listers This may be of interest for those with major concerns for consumers in the telecommunication sector. For the full report see link below Good way to gauge the performance of regulators. Edith PS: The published book and policy brief will be out soon ============ The final research report from the project 'Empowering regulators to protect consumer rights in the ICT sector', is now available for download from this link http://link.wits.ac.za/projects/crrea.html for more details. This study was undertaken with the support of the International Development Research Centre of Canada (IDRC). Between 2009 - 2011, the LINK Centre at the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, and Balancing Act, London, undertook qualitative research into regulation to protect and empower consumers in the ICT sector. This project covered five countries - Ethiopia, Mauritius, Rwanda, Uganda and Zambia - all members of the Association of Regulators of Information and Communication for Eastern and Southern Africa (ARICEA). Research team members in each of the target countries summarised the current position in respect of ICT consumer protection regulation, conducted workshops and reported on the in-country research they undertook, and drafted regulatory action plans for agreement with the national regulatory authority. In addition, a summary of international best practice in ICT consumer protection regulation was produced. The following recommendations emerged from the final overall project research report. 1 STRENGTHEN CONSUMER PROTECTION IN THE LAW Governments should strengthen the provisions in the law that empower the regulator to protect consumer rights in the ICT sector. Regulators can also issue regulations that serve the same purpose and insist that operators publish consumer charters. 2 SURVEY CONSUMER PERCEPTIONS AND ISSUES Regulators should regularly survey consumer perceptions regarding the various service providers, and should publish the survey results on their websites and elsewhere. The results of these surveys should be one of the strongest grounds for regulatory intervention on behalf of consumers. 3 REGULATORY INTERVENTION Regulators should intervene more strongly to protect consumers by encouraging operators to improve their services, by requiring greater network coverage, and by intervening in respect of pricing and quality of service. 4 PRIORITISE KEY COMPLAINTS ISSUES Regulators need to identify, prioritise and respond to the key areas of complaints from ICT consumers in each of their countries, including such common problems as: lack of network coverage in certain (mainly rural) areas, frequent dropped calls, poor quality of service and excessive pricing. 5 PUBLICISE CHANNELS OF COMPLAINT Regulators need to undertake awareness campaigns to ensure that consumers know how to complain, and over what issues complaints are justified. The service provider should always be the first port of call, with the regulator acting as the complaints channel of last resort. The campaign could be carried by SMS messages from service providers, together with point-of-sale information provided on starter packs and recharge vouchers. 6 PUBLISH COMPARATIVE PRICING INFORMATION Regulators need to address confusion in respect of the pricing of the various packages and services offered. The publication of certain comparable benchmark data in a single location would greatly assist consumers to compare prices and empower them to choose the ICT services best suited to their needs at the most affordable price. 7 FOCUS ON MOBILE CUSTOMERS Regulators should give greater attention to the mobile sector, which makes up the overwhelming majority of ICT consumers in Africa. Regulators should exploit mobile as a channel of communications between regulators and service providers and their customers. 8 PRIORITISE RURAL CONSUMERS Regulators should give more attention to rural consumers, despite the challenges and additional costs of doing so, because they have less consumer awareness and customer empowerment, and because certain consumer issues such as poor network coverage and dropped calls disproportionately affect rural consumers. 9 INCREASE THE PROFILE OF THE REGULATOR Regulators need to increase their profile among ICT consumers, who have limited awareness of them and the importance of their work, using a variety of channels (including radio, television, community media, SMS, their websites, and the provision of point-of-sale information). Regulators should clarify their role and responsibilities, and claim greater credit for their achievements in defence of consumer rights. 10 UNDERTAKE GENERAL CONSUMER EDUCATION Regulators need to undertake general consumer education is required to increase understanding of how the ICT sector works, how consumers are affected, what the specific consumer issues are, and what their rights and expectations as ICT customers should be. The development of customer service charters, along with a means of ensuring their widespread dissemination, is a useful start. 11 INVESTIGATE SIM-SWAPPING Regulators should investigate exactly how widespread SIM-swapping and the use of multiple-SIM phones is, along with what incentivises consumers to engage in this (eg problems relating to network coverage or pricing differentials between on-net and off-net calls). Multiple SIM usage may undermine the ability of the market to punish operators with poor quality of service. Regulatory interventions to extend network coverage or to reduce mobile termination rates may be required. 12 REMAIN AWARE OF FUTURE TRENDS Regulators need to remain abreast of market developments and shifts in customer preferences and consumer patterns. As the ICT sector continues to evolve, so too should consumer protection regulation look ahead and be proactive. 13 SUPPORT CONSUMER GROUPS Regulators need to support the establishment of at least one consumer association which will defend the rights of ICT consumers, identify and publicise their issues, advance the cause of ICT consumers and interact effectively with the regulator. 14 SUPPORT FURTHER CONSUMER RESEARCH Regulators need ensure that effective regulatory and policymaking intervention is supported and underpinned by appropriate research into consumer protection and empowerment issues, both nationally and more generally. 15 STRENGTHEN REGULATORY AUTONOMY Regulators need to have greater independence, greater authority and autonomy for the separate regulatory functions (including that of consumer protection), supported by greater capacity building, to strengthen intervention and increase responsiveness in support of the protection of ICT consumers.

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.: EVENT :. CUSTOMER INTIMACY – WHAT BIG BRANDS DO THAT SMALL ONES IGNORE
by Eng. Wainaina Mungai 27 Apr '11

27 Apr '11

---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Caroline Kimutai <mhariricarole(a)gmail.com> Date: Wed, Apr 27, 2011 at 8:21 AM Subject: CUSTOMER INTIMACY – WHAT BIG BRANDS DO THAT SMALL ONES IGNORE To: "Eng. Wainaina Mungai" <wainaina(a)madeinkenya.org> Dear Listers, I trust you are well. In the mood of customer service, the Kenya Institute of Management has organised an interactive forum tomorrow *Thursday 28th April* at the *Laico Regency *from 5pm on customer service in Kenya. Entrance is *FREE*. We have invited three panelists and the discussion will be on the following: 1. Tenets of good customer intimacy – secrets from successful brands globally 2. Killer front offices – losing business before you even get it 3. One brand many faces – the challenge of unpredictable brands 4. Telling it like it is – introducing the new customer with high expectations 5. Brands in trouble - social media the double edged sword The discussions will be led by a panel of three key speakers comprising of: *1. **Dr. Peter N. Kiriri * Dr. Kiriri is an Associate Professor of Marketing at United States International University (USIU) and a consultant with Aspect Consulting and Training (ACT) on management issues locally and regionally. *2. **Dr. Havi Murungi* Dr Havi Murungi is a director of Havis, a design, research, and training firm. He has a BA in Design from the University of Nairobi, Kenya, MA in Graphic & Information Design, and PhD in Visual Communication both from De Montfort University, England. He has taught Design Management, Branding Strategy, and Information Design at the universities of Nairobi, Kenya, Brunel, England, and Pretoria, South Africa, respectively. He was the research director at Consumer Insight, a market research agency, between 2006 and 2010. 3. *Aaron* *Jones* Mr. Jones is the Founder and CEO of Jones Consulting, whose business is to improve the management skills of corporations and SME's throughout Kenya and eventually Africa. He holds a bachelors degree from Springfield College and a Masters from Anna Maria College in Massachusetts. He specializes in quality management, world class customer service and world class sales enhancement training. He has been Executive with Fortune 100 companies making revenues of between US$ 22 to 92 billion. He has travelled in the US, as well as North America, teaching service recovery as a Senior Business Analyst for International Profits Associates (IPA) out of Chicago. He has also experience in conducting business analysis for consulting firms, in North America. See you there! CK On 27 April 2011 00:13, Eng. Wainaina Mungai <wainaina(a)madeinkenya.org>wrote: > 5 out of 12 posts have raised complaints about Uchumi. This is not a matter > confined to a Store Manager. I do not shop there but I would just want to > have the option.... > > Stale bread/milk & incorrect pricing > > ---------------------------------------------- > > 1. JME > > 2. Sharon > > 3. Patrick K > > 4. Josephine > > 5. JME's friend (loyalty points) > > > > On Tue, Apr 26, 2011 at 11:32 PM, Alex Gakuru <gakuru(a)gmail.com> wrote: > >> Charles, >> >> I really think it would be a great if the list got a response from Uchumi? >> >> Thanks, >> >> >> On Tue, Apr 26, 2011 at 11:24 AM, Patrick K Kariuki <pkkariuki(a)gmail.com>wrote: >> >>> Josephine, >>> You have given a good point; in any case, there is a branch manager who >>> is always ready to take complaints and compliments. >>> I have been a loyal Uchumi Ngong Hyper since it was opened and I have >>> only had one incident of stale food item. I raised the complaint with the >>> manager and it was resolved with a lot of apologies. >>> >>> >>> On Tue, Apr 26, 2011 at 8:40 AM, JOSEPHINE NDIKWE <njokindikwe(a)yahoo.com >>> > wrote: >>> >>>> I have been a loyal customer to Uchumi and my only Issue is lack of >>>> proper price labels on products on the shelf's hence this leads to different >>>> prices at the Till. >>>> On the bread issue i think the easiest and quickest way to resolve this >>>> was to go back to the store and lodge the complaint and probably return the >>>> stale bread with the receipt. The particular shop manager would have >>>> resolved this and ensured his staff keep checking the freshness of the >>>> products on the shelf's. >>>> >>>> --- On *Sun, 4/24/11, gakuru(a)mwenyeji.com <gakuru(a)mwenyeji.com>* wrote: >>>> >>>> >>>> From: gakuru(a)mwenyeji.com <gakuru(a)mwenyeji.com> >>>> >>>> Subject: Re: [ke-internetusers] Uchumi is shamelessly cheating consumers >>>> To: "JME Simekha" <simekhajme(a)gmail.com>, pmutiso(a)gmail.com >>>> Cc: "jciano" <jciano(a)uchumi.com>, "Internet Users List" < >>>> ke-internetusers(a)bdix.net> >>>> Date: Sunday, April 24, 2011, 12:55 AM >>>> >>>> >>>> Mine just to urge Mr. Ciano to react to the claims. We have several >>>> hundreds of individual email adresses subscribed on this list. Multiply the >>>> number makes takes the message to thousands, whom forward to colleagues, >>>> friends and family and the thousands multiply. >>>> >>>> Whereas many corporates and politicians over-invest their trust on media >>>> blitz to counter adverse publicity, let us not forget the impersonal nature >>>> of media advertisements compared with the trust individuals place on an >>>> email message from someone that they trust and know they would not lie to >>>> them. >>>> >>>> It would, therefore, be unwise to ignore this complaint raised by ICAK >>>> Vice Chair. >>>> >>>> Regards, >>>> >>>> Alex >>>> Sent from my BlackBerry® smartphone provided by Airtel Kenya >>>> >>>> -----Original Message----- >>>> From: JME Simekha <simekhajme(a)gmail.com<http://mc/compose?to=simekhajme@gmail.com> >>>> > >>>> Sender: ke-internetusers-bounces(a)bdix.net<http://mc/compose?to=ke-internetusers-bounces@bdix.net> >>>> Date: Sun, 24 Apr 2011 07:20:22 >>>> To: <pmutiso(a)gmail.com <http://mc/compose?to=pmutiso@gmail.com>> >>>> Cc: Internet Users List<ke-internetusers(a)bdix.net<http://mc/compose?to=ke-internetusers@bdix.net>>; >>>> jciano<jciano(a)uchumi.com <http://mc/compose?to=jciano@uchumi.com>>; < >>>> ke-internetusers-bounces(a)bdix.net<http://mc/compose?to=ke-internetusers-bounces@bdix.net> >>>> > >>>> Subject: Re: [ke-internetusers] Uchumi is shamelessly cheating consumers >>>> >>>> _______________________________________________ >>>> ke-internetusers mailing list >>>> ke-internetusers(a)bdix.net<http://mc/compose?to=ke-internetusers@bdix.net> >>>> http://www.bdix.net/mailman/listinfo/ke-internetusers >>>> >>>> >>>> _______________________________________________ >>>> ke-internetusers mailing list >>>> ke-internetusers(a)bdix.net<http://mc/compose?to=ke-internetusers@bdix.net> >>>> http://www.bdix.net/mailman/listinfo/ke-internetusers >>>> >>>> >>>> _______________________________________________ >>>> ke-internetusers mailing list >>>> ke-internetusers(a)bdix.net >>>> http://www.bdix.net/mailman/listinfo/ke-internetusers >>>> >>>> >>> >>> >>> -- >>> *************************************** >>> Patrick Kingori Kariuki >>> ICT Consultant >>> >>> >>> "It takes 20 years to build a reputation and five minutes to ruin it. If >>> you think about that, you'll do things differently." -- Warren Buffett >>> >>> _______________________________________________ >>> ke-internetusers mailing list >>> ke-internetusers(a)bdix.net >>> http://www.bdix.net/mailman/listinfo/ke-internetusers >>> >>> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> ke-internetusers mailing list >> ke-internetusers(a)bdix.net >> http://www.bdix.net/mailman/listinfo/ke-internetusers >> >> > > > -- > "What other people think of me, is none of my business" > > > _______________________________________________ > ke-internetusers mailing list > ke-internetusers(a)bdix.net > http://www.bdix.net/mailman/listinfo/ke-internetusers > >

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Fwd: Winners Announced: V2030 ICT Innovation Awards
by Paul Kukubo ICT Board 26 Apr '11

26 Apr '11

Listers > > > Press release for immediate release > April 21, 2011 > Winners Announced: v2030 ICT Innovation Awards > > Eleven companies received a V2030 ICT Innovation Award at a ceremony held in Diani as part of the Kenya ICT Board's Connected Kenya Summit. The Kenya ICT Board and the Kenya Vision 2030 Delivery Secretariat invited companies that have developed solutions that drive economic growth and social development as outlined in Kenya's Vision 2030 to participate in the inaugural Vision 2030 ICT Innovation Awards. The Award is proudly co-sponsored by Accenture Development Partnerships (ADP). > > Over 170 companies participated in the online process. All applications were received on an online platform set up by the Kenya ICT Board that allowed applicants to create an account and fill out their application over time. Of the companies that participated in the Call for Applications, 82 successfully completed the process. > > The Kenya ICT Board convened a team of seven independent judges representing the ICT private sector, academia, public sector and civil society. The judges began their work on April 13 and reviewed each complete proposal against the criteria outlined in the call for applications. To ensure integrity in the process, Deloitte Consulting are auditing the review process. > > The winners are: > uzanunua.com > Sector: Wholesale and Retail Trade > Uzanunua.com enables Kenyans to buy and sell goods online. Payments to uzanunua are facilitated by local systems such as m-pesa, zap, yu cash. Online auction and classifieds website, uzanunua.com has since acquired 13,000 members and growing at 200% per annum. The platform is based on ebay and is easy to use and has 3,000 unique visitors per day and growing. Kenyans now have their online auction and classifieds site where they can shop from their place of comfort. > Mbetsa Innovations Ltd > Sector: Manufacturing > Morris Mbetsa, a young Kenyan invented an anti-theft device that uses SMS technology to both block and track car theft. The system brings the whole concept of vehicle security into one's hand thanks to the mobile phone; it enables car-owners to monitor their vehicle from a distance and even be able to completely stop the vehicle. Morris Mbetsa had just graduated from high school when he came up with this security device. The innovation is an entirely Kenyan designed GPRS tracking device.. > AGA KHAN UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL NAIROBI > Sector: Health Care Delivery > The Aga Khan University Hospital have used ICT to improve their services. They have used a combination of health management information systems (HMIS)and mobile phone technology to improve health care service delivery. With a central database accessible to their entire countrywide network branches, patients are served and monitored using the same file number whenever they visit any of Aga Khan Hospital branch. Electronic capturing of patient diagnosis has simplified reporting on the numbers encountered on particular diseases for a given period. > Websimba Ltd > Sector: Tourism > Websimba's Eat Out website and Eat Out Mobile site allows consumers to search for restaurants based on various criteria such as area location, type of cuisine and/or budget. Users are provided with the most comprehensive restaurant information including opening hours, photos, videos, customer reviews, menus, maps and details of any offers or special events. The end-user can reserve tables using the online booking engine or by calling our customer services advisors. For restaurants, the site provides a low cost online presence and allows better preparation as customers are pre-booking rather than walking in. > Ushahidi > Social Equity > Ushahidi is a non-profit technology company that specializes in developing free and open source software for crowdsourcing, visualization, and interactive mapping. Ushahidi started as an ad hoc group of technologists and bloggers hammering out software in a couple days, trying to figure out a way to gather more and better information about the post-election violence in Kenya in January 2008. It has since been used around the world for mapping instances of violence and disaster relief. > Horizon Contact Centers Ltd > Sector: Business Process Outsourcing/Offshoring > Horizon's HK_V2 Platform is a locally developed web based solution similar to a CRM which allows for integration with a soft phone to make outbound calls and update data real-time. Horizon designed and deployed the solution with a dynamic front end that can be customized to meet data requirements, ability to integrate it to a soft phone in order to initiate calls on preview mode from an existing database of contacts or manually inputted and a dynamic back end database. > MOBIKASH AFRIKA LIMITED > Secotr: Financial Services > MobiKash offers an all-in one independent mobile commerce and banking solution, which allows users to perform a wide range of financial transactions using their mobile phone. It works across all networks and a user can link up to fifteen bank accounts on a real time basis. It gives a user total control of their money anytime anywhere. > International Livestock Research Institute Sector: Agriculture > Index-based livestock insurance (IBLI) is a promising and exciting innovation in insurance design that allows the risk-management benefits of insurance to be made available to poor and remote clients. The IBLI product being piloted in Marsabit District aims to provide compensation to insured pastoralists in the event of livestock losses due to severe forage scarcity. Incorporating remotely-sensed vegetation data in its design, delivered via mobile ICT-based transactions platforms, and with experimental extension methods used to educate the remote pastoral herders, the IBLI product boasts many firsts in product development. > Space Kenya Networks LTD > Sector: Gender, Youth and Vulnerable Groups > Whive.com is a Social Media Tools Aggregator that offers a platform for SMS, Facebook, Twitter and Mobile Applications that are built for local use in Kenyan and African settings. Whive offers a variety of services. Whive differs from other platforms because they are localizing mobile applications to all Kenyan communities by making them available in local languages. Starting with Swahili, Sheng and English Whive is seeking to initially target the Kenyan youth with its classifieds application. These applications will also form a basis of lingual translation services of key Kenyan languages > Virtual Essence Ltd > Education and Training > MsingiPACK 2011 E-learning/E-revision Solution is a comprehensive digital supplement for upper primary classes under the New 8-4-4 Syllabus, based 100% on Local Content. The content has been generated originally by an Academic Task Force comprising of over 100 teachers, Education Consultants and Curriculum specialists. The tutorials are well structured and sequenced to form a Guided Learning Path while adequately covering everything that the K.I.E syllabus stipulates, including the newly revised Social Studies syllabus that is now based on the New Constitution of Kenya. The KCPE past papers in the programme have been digitized and fully automated under the copyright authority of Kenya National Examinations Council. With the MsingiPACK now available via Mobile Phones, there is value addition to this gadget. > ANNIVERSARY LAB > Housing and Urbanisation > Robert Mburu incorporates home-made gadgets like the touch switches among other bridge detectors to displays number of intruders on a digital display and repulses them with a discharge 10000 volts. The system is linked to a camera that takes over all electrical gadgets in the house including your TV set and records intrusion at instances, it comes with an 8hrs power back up,. The alert system is connected to the GSM Texts owner and if an SMS goes unread, it calls the owner of premise and if not available calls two other sets of numbers. The system can also take up commands and execute them when texted eg 'switch on lights'. > > For more information please contact: > Kaburo Kobia > Kenya ICT Board > Project Manager, Local Digital Content > e: kkobia(a)ict.go.ke > m: 0729466260 > About Kenya ICT Board > > The Kenya ICT Board was established by HE President Mwai Kibaki, as a state corporation under the State Corporations Act Cap. 446 on 19th February 2007. > > The Kenya ICT Board's mission is to champion and actively enable Kenya to adopt and exploit ICT, through promotion of partnerships, investments and infrastructure growth for socio economic enrichment. > > Its vision is that Kenya becomes a top ten global ICT hub by 2030. > > The Kenya ICT Board mandate is to: > Market: Positioning and promoting Kenya as an ICT destination (locally and internationally), especially promoting Business process Outsourcing (BPO) and Offshoring. > Advise: Advise the government on all relevant matters pertaining to the development and promotion of ICT industries in the country > Build Capacity: Providing government and other stakeholders with skills, capacity and funding for anchor implementation of ICT projects for development. > Manage Projects: Coordinating, directing and implementing anchor ICT projects in development. > > Contact > For more information or to book interviews please contact: > Kaburo Kobia > 0729466260 > > > Sincerely, > > > Kaburo Kobia > Project Manager, Local Digital Content > Kenya ICT Board > > This email was sent to pkukubo(a)ict.go.ke by kkobia(a)ict.go.ke | > Update Profile/Email Address | Instant removal with SafeUnsubscribe™ | Privacy Policy. > Kenya ICT Board | Telposta Towers, 12th Floor | Kenyatta Ave | P.o. box 27150-00100 | Nairobi | Kenya

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