September 2012 - KICTANet

Re: [kictanet] [Skunkworks] SAP and Kenya ICT Board Partner on Skills Develeopment
by Evans Ikua 21 Sep '12

21 Sep '12

Mwendwa, this is where we have a disconnect. To build onto what you have pointed out, the Government would do good to actively support the development of the capacity of local developers who can be able to extend and develop local or open source ERPs, and any other systems. My big question here to Paul is, how much money do we lose in forex buying SAP and all the other software licenses annually, as a country? Can we get figures of how much a standard SAP implementation costs? How many are there in the country? How much of that money stays in the country and how much goes to Germany? Aren't we better off investing in our own developer skills so that we can keep some of this money within the country (and maybe pay teachers better)? The reason why rich countries stay rich is because they have positive balances of payments. A poor country like Kenya has a negative balance of payments. This basically tells us that we need to import as little as possible, and export as much as possible. Then vision 2030 becomes easier to achieve. Countries like Malaysia, Brazil, UK and Germany have come to this realization. They know what is in their best business interest and so they actively support local developer capacities, as opposed to having software engineers whose work is just to install packaged software from shiny discs. Brain drain? When we have a situation like I have just mentioned above, the really good developers will never have an incentive to stay in a country where all they do is install software. They will soon emigrate to Germany (or Silicon Valley) where they can be employed by SAP to get involved in the exciting world where they can actually do the development. With open source, they would stay in Kenya and still get to develop exciting applications On Fri, Sep 21, 2012 at 11:50 AM, lordmwesh <lordmwesh(a)gmail.com> wrote: > This is a great debate, but we should not trivialize what the ICT > board is trying to do in helping build local SAP developers. Any > movement forward is welcomed. > > Although Great developers don't need any baby sitting, they will move > and work with any platform may it be proprietary closed or Free open > source. > > The debate of what software an enterprise should use should be decided > by the investors, after analysing all risks involved. > > SAP has seen an opportunity to develop local talent, great. > > Anybody who feels like me that local developers should also be taught > to integrate Open source ERPs should sponsor them too. A lot of talk > and no walk will not help anybody. > > Kudos KICTB, Any movement forward is welcomed. > ______________________ > Mwendwa Kivuva > For > Business Development > Transworld Computer Channels > Cel: 0722402248 > twitter.com/lordmwesh > transworldAfrica.com | Fluent in computing > kenya.or.ke | The Kenya we know > _______________________________________________ > Skunkworks mailing list > Skunkworks(a)lists.my.co.ke > ------------ > List info, subscribe/unsubscribe > http://orion.my.co.ke/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/skunkworks > ------------ > > Skunkworks Rules > http://my.co.ke/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=94 > ------------ > Other services @ http://my.co.ke > -- *---------------------------------------------------- Kind Regards, Evans Ikua,* lanetconsulting.com, lpi-eastafrica.org, ict-innovation.fossfa.net, Skype: @ikuae Cell: +254-722-955831

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CCK gets a new Board chairman
by Wambua, Christopher 21 Sep '12

21 Sep '12

Listers, CCK gets a new Board Chairman President Mwai Kibaki has appointed Mr. Ben N. Gituku Chairman of the CCK Board of Directors. The three-year appointment, effective September 14, was announced vide a Kenya Gazette notice dated September 19. Mr. Gituku takes over from Hon. Eng. Philip O. Okundi who left the CCK Board last month to pursue other personal interests. Mr. Gituku joined the CCK Board in February 2012. He has previously served on the Kenya Broadcasting Corporation and Kenya Pipeline Company boards. A professional marketer, Mr. Gituku spent most of his working life in the local media industry where he served in various capacities. He later left formal employment to pursue business interests in newspaper distribution and real estate development. An Ardent golfer, Mr. Gituku is married with four children- two boys and two girls. Christopher Wambua Manager/Communications Consumer and Public Affairs Division Communications Commission of Kenya P.O. Box 14448, NAIROBI 00800 KENYA

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Microsoft Official Statement
by Lavinniah Muthoni (Human Capital Synergies) 21 Sep '12

21 Sep '12

Please see below Microsoft's official company statement in response to the Open Source Vs Proprietary Software. The open source versus proprietary software debate is no longer relevant. Most customers today operate diverse environments and simply want their technology to work together well, hence the need to focus on interoperability. At Microsoft, we help customers optimize their existing IT infrastructure while also transitioning to new technologies. We help solve their interoperability challenges and find efficient and cost effective solutions for their mixed IT environments. Microsoft's commitment to 'openness' also supports developers and partners. We have built close partnerships with the PHP, Apache, and Linux open source communities. (According to the Linux Foundation<http://www.linuxfoundation.org/news-media/announcements/2012/04/linux-found…>, Microsoft is ranked as a top contributor to Linux.) Customers are at the heart of our approach. We enable customers to deploy and manage solutions in environments that integrate Microsoft and open source technologies. Multiple engineering teams at Microsoft actively participate in open source projects and share the common industry view that software users will continue to see a mixed IT and development environment for years to come Kind Regards, Lavinniah Muthoni | Public Relations & Events Manager | Microsoft East and Southern Africa | Phone +254 20 286 8245 | Mobile +254 735414028 | Fax +254 20 272 2999 | Office 7th Floor, I & M Bank Building, 2nd Ngong Avenue, Capital Hill, P.O. Box 64736, 00620 Nairobi, Kenya |

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Mobile operators now take the call rate battle to the highest power in the land
by Grace Githaiga 21 Sep '12

21 Sep '12

IN SUMMARYTwo weeks ago, officials from Airtel and Essar’s Yu sought the intervention of President Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga in the freeze of the Mobile Termination Rate (MTR).It was the second time that the two operators were seeking such intervention, the first was in June last year.The industry regulator, the Communications Commission of Kenya (CCK), also found itself in a dilemma, especially after the Consumer Federation of Kenya (Cofek) issued a warning that it would sue CCK if the regulator implemented a lower MTR before a fresh study is conducted.Both Mr Kibaki and Mr Odinga have indicated that they are keen on the implementation of the MTR after a study has been done, a view held by Safaricom and Telkom’s Kenya Orange in which the government has substantial shares.On June 8, 2011 Mr Odinga received a report from the taskforce on the Mobile Telephone Industry Business in Kenya. Among the key recommendations made by the taskforce were that CCK undertakes a review of the existing MTR glide path in consultation with operators.Six days before Mr Odinga received the taskforce’s report, Mr Kibaki had issued a directive to the CCK board freezing further cuts in the MTR.In appealing to the government, the operators were divided into two opposing camps. Airtel and Yu were pushing for a further reduction in MTR to enable them drive the price war home as a strategy aimed at grabbing more market share. Safaricom and Telkom Kenya were opposed to a reduction in MTR, aware that it could lead to an erosion in their market shares. http://www.businessdailyafrica.com/Corporate+News/Mobile+operators+now+take…

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Re: [kictanet] [Skunkworks] SAP and Kenya ICT Board Partner on Skills Develeopment
by Barrack Otieno 20 Sep '12

20 Sep '12

Many thanks Paul for your candid response, indeed we have local cases that we need to make more noise about i am thinking of Mkahawa that was worked on by Bernard Adongo of Nikohapa.com and Open Baraza developed by Dennis Gichangi and co of DeCIS, this guys are doing amazing work on the continent albeit quietly and i know you have been supportive in the background in any case you have been there as an entrepreneur, i just think we should do more to unearth success stories in Loki that is the only way we will develop solutions for our Kiosks and mama mbogas who contribute to 70 % of our economy. I think he government should create an enabling environment and promote this local success stories just as it supported Mpesa, mkesho mkodi and the great innovations that we have seen. On Thu, Sep 20, 2012 at 10:08 PM, Paul Kukubo <pkukubo(a)ict.go.ke> wrote: > Barrack > > The answer is self evident. CIOs are concerned with technology fit against > total cost of ownership. Mny open source systems are more expensive to > deploy that proprietary systems. And many of the vanilla (take it ouf of > the box and deploy) implementations are suited to certain organizations > because they force the said organization to align to best practice. > > Technology options these days are plenty. The issue is purpose strategy > project management, maintenance, scalability, interoperabilty and total > cost of onwnership. These are all very strategic rather than technical > issues. > > Even these open source system need to be written by someone. I have seen > plenty of usage of open source systems . I have not seen much origination > of open source systems whose code was then published back for others to > reuse in Kenya. We need to encourage more of it. And because code is > written again processes, we hope that we don't have a culture of writing > code against processes that are not good themselves otherwise you automate > inefficiency. > > Also, for many open source environment, certification is also required, > red hat etc. and even if there was no code certification, it would be > prudent to seek project management and other process management > certifications as a way of getting a culture of excellence to set in. > > There is room for both approaches. And there are other considerations > beyond code in terms of implementer pedigree. Many customers feel locked to > code that was developed by a few people who have since moved on and > abandoned it. They like the comfort of big company references. > > Our houses tell us a story, even in a country with architects and clear > laws we still have many buildings that make the cut. Imagine the world of > 'invisible software'. > > My thoughts > > Paul Kukubo > > On Thursday, September 20, 2012, Barrack Otieno wrote: > >> Hi Paul, >> >> I look forwad to an answer to my question while i understand the benefits >> of SAP and other ERPs that you and Walu correctly outline and having been >> involved in some local projects in end user training i am still concerned >> with the ultimate objective vis the Vision 2030 strategy that is mentioned >> at the beginning of the press release. I have raised this issue during SAP >> sponsored events but it is always laughed off, at one point i even >> challenged some of their representatives why the development work cannot be >> done locally but i never got any substantive answer should we invest in >> users or developers from a strategic angle as a country ? as it is we have >> too many users which is contributing to the unemployment problem and the >> best the guys can do is to be deployed elsewhere then we start the brain >> drain chorus which is no news to most of us, I would have loved to see the >> ICT board promote local success cases the Alliance Technologies with their >> ERP one and the Open Worlds and many others who are hitherto unknown yet >> they are employing Kenyans and doing amazing stuff for the local community. >> Anyway we need local solutions to local problems and the onus of building >> that community is on us in simple terms. >> >> On Thu, Sep 20, 2012 at 8:32 PM, Paul Kukubo <pkukubo(a)ict.go.ke> wrote: >> >> Areba >> >> This project is about jobs. 100 Kenyans will develop skills that are >> imediately required by the market. >> The installed base of SAP in Kenya is substantial from Nation Media >> Group, to Bidco, to many other large and medium sized business and some >> state corporations. This base is growing. >> >> The ICT Board intends to extend these partnerships to drive high talent >> development. This is the first. There are many areas and many projects that >> don't have the requisite skills and there are even more Kenyans who don't >> have jobs. Many parents will not agree to pay for a child to certify >> further once he is out of college. Indeed many can't afford it. >> >> Skinning this cat of ICT job creation requires many knives. >> >> Regards >> >> Paul KUKUBO >> CEO Kenya ICT Board >> >> >> >> On Thursday, September 20, 2012, Areba Collins [ @BrainiacKE ® ] wrote: >> >> I wonder how this bodes with the recent discussion about the Government >> 's Intention to go Open Source..... >> >> >> >> On Thu, Sep 20, 2012 at 4:26 PM, Paul Kukubo <pkukubo(a)ict.go.ke> wrote: >> >> >> >> Kenyan Government and SAP to expand skill set of local graduates >> >> Training aims at improving youth employability in the country’s robust >> ICT sector and is inline with vision 2030 >> >> >> >> Nairobi 20th September, 2012…The government of Kenya through the Kenya >> ICT Board and SAP has today announced a partnership that will see 100 >> bright but underprivileged studentsundergo training to become certified >> SAP Software engineers. >> >> Dubbed “SAP Skills for Africa”, the Programme commits to deliver >> professional training and certification to Kenyan university graduates. The >> programme will seek to substantially improve the employability of young, >> bright university >> >> Barrack O. Otieno >> +254721325277 >> +254-20-2498789 >> Skype: barrack.otieno >> http://www.otienobarrack.me.ke/ >> >> > > -- > Paul Kukubo > Chief Executive Officer, Kenya ICT Board > PO Box 27150 - 00100 > Nairobi, Kenya > > 12th Floor, Teleposta Towers Koinange Street > > Tel +254 20 2089061, +254 20 2211960 > Fax: +254 20 2211962 > website: www.ict.go.ke > local content project: www.tandaa.co.ke, www.facebook.com/tandaakenya > twitter:@tandaaKENYA > BPO Project: www. doitinkenya.co.ke > Digital Villages Project: www.pasha.co.ke > > > personal contacts > _______________ > > Cell: + 254 717 180001 > > > skype: kukubopaul > googletalk: pkukubo > personal blog: www.paulkukubo.co.ke > personal twitter: @pkukubo > > > ____________________ > Vision: Kenya becomes a top ten global ICT hub > > Mission: To champion and actively enable Kenya to adopt and exploit ICT, > through promotion of partnerships, investments and infrastructure growth > for socio economic enrichment > > _______________________________________________ > Skunkworks mailing list > Skunkworks(a)lists.my.co.ke > ------------ > List info, subscribe/unsubscribe > http://orion.my.co.ke/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/skunkworks > ------------ > > Skunkworks Rules > http://my.co.ke/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=94 > ------------ > Other services @ http://my.co.ke > -- Barrack O. Otieno +254721325277 +254-20-2498789 Skype: barrack.otieno http://www.otienobarrack.me.ke/

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Upgrade your current Apple Gadget to iOS 6
by Albert Mucunguzi 20 Sep '12

20 Sep '12

Here is a link to direct download links to the latest version of iOS. This version is compartible with iPhone (3GS, 4 or 4S), iPod touch (4G, 5G) or iPad (iPad 2 or New iPad). Enjoy. http://bit.ly/PK5TKf Message body -- Albert Mucunguzi Company URL:pctechmagazine.comPersonal Web:www.almuc.meBlog:almuc.me/blogTwitter:@albertmucFacebook:facebook.com/almucMessenger:albertmuc@hotmail.com

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Fellowship application for the ICANN meeting in Beijing
by alice＠apc.org 20 Sep '12

20 Sep '12

Dear all, The fellowship application round is now open for the ICANN meeting in Beijing in April 2013. (see the link:<http://www.icann.org/en/news/announcements/announcement-19sep12-en.htm>www.icann.org/en/news/announcements/announcement-19sep12-en.htm best alice

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Global Internet firm to set up hub in E. Africa
by awatila＠yahoo.co.uk 20 Sep '12

20 Sep '12

A European Internet infrastructure provider is planning to set up a network hub in East Africa in a move that may increase browsing speeds while lowering costs. http://www.nation.co.ke/business/news/Internet+firm+to+set+up+hub/-/1006/15… Alex Watila ICT Manager Kenya School of Law Langata-South Road, Karen alternative email address: awatila(a)yahoo.co.uk CDMA : +254(020)2103200 skype: awatila To call us free, sms to 4991: School of Law Telkom Wireless +254(020) 2699581,2699582, 2699583, 2699584, 2699585, 2699586 Tel +254 20 8890 044/94, 8891 399, 8891 200 Fax +254 20 8891 722 “You can visit KSL on the internet at www.ksl.ac.ke”

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Global Internet firm to set up hub in E. Africa
by Davis Onsakia 20 Sep '12

20 Sep '12

Dear all, ...A European Internet infrastructure provider is planning to set up a network hub in East Africa in a move that may increase browsing speeds while lowering costs............ More information on the link: http://www.nation.co.ke/business/news/Internet+firm+to+set+up+hub/-/1006/15… Best Regards, Davis M Onsakia "One doesn't discover new lands without consenting to lose sight of the shore for a very long time."

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Fwd: Come join me at Webinar: "Digital Literacy and Resources for African Educators & Community Leaders" on "This is my story..."
by Ali Hussein 20 Sep '12

20 Sep '12

Listers Apologies for cross-posting. This may be of interest:- Ali Hussein +254 773/713 601113 Sent from my iPhone® Begin forwarded message: > From: Richard C Close <events(a)i-am-the-story.ning.com> > Date: September 20, 2012 5:08:36 AM GMT+03:00 > To: "ali(a)hussein.me.ke" <ali(a)hussein.me.ke> > Subject: Come join me at Webinar: "Digital Literacy and Resources for African Educators & Community Leaders" on "This is my story..." > Reply-To: do-not-reply(a)i-am-the-story.ning.com > > > "This is my story..." > Home of "I am Africa.This is my story..." > > Richard C Close > Richard C Close has invited you to the event 'Webinar: "Digital Literacy and Resources for African Educators & Community Leaders"' on "This is my story..."! > > Dear Linkedin Colleague, > This an invite to watch our Community Development Digital Literacy webinar workshop for teachers in Uganda. Please pass it on to staff. No fee to attend. > Richard > > Time: October 6, 2012 from 3:30pm to 5:30pm > Location: Link: https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/972046466 > Organized By: Richard C Close CEO Chrysalis Campaign, Inc. > > Event Description: > Internet Methods and Resources for African Educators & Community Leaders > This webinar will provide educators and leaders with classroom methods, resources and simple techniques about how to find and use global educational resources. We will illustrate how Internet resources have transformed African youth and the role African teachers have in their communities. We will also show how we can move from educating people for jobs into a new engaged generation that “creates” jobs. > Oct 6, 2012 3:30 PM (Kampala, Uganda) Duration: 1 hour > Space is limited. > Reserve your Webinar Seat Now at: https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/972046466 > Requirements: No technical background is needed, we will explain how Internet “resources” and “collaboration” provides global advice and resources to transform Uganda. > You will learn how to: > > Find lessons with free content. > Make simple charts showing how to use web content in a lesson. > Help run community Project Based Learning to teach the community at the same time. > Find lesson content with only a few dollars a month, such as a cyber library with 10,000 educational web sites as textbooks. > Help youth to move from “education for jobs” into learning how into “training of to create new jobs.” > Train youth in using digital storytelling that can educate a community about how to change their town into a more productive and ethical place. > Find education experts and improve your teaching skills. > > What you will receive: > > Access to the “I am the story...” social community with: personal web pages with blogs, showcase for videos and pictures, the ability to make groups and a YouTube channel with stories. > Access to Certification program for Digital Storytelling centers and individuals. > Build your own Internet groups with blogs. > Certificates for completed stories. > Downloadable training materials. > Recorded link to the webinar. > > Speaker Bio: Richard Close, CEO-Servant, Chrysalis Campaign NGO that develops poverty learning centers, "I am Africa. This is my story..." portal with UNESCO and developer of the Global Learning Framework. Richard is an international speaker, developer of the Global Learning Framework and consultant to the learning industry for 20 years. > Training materials in "I am the story..." social network web site: http://i-am-the-story.ning.com > > Co-Presenter Uganda Team: > > Pastor Hassan Mubiru Disciples Christian Fellowship Mityana, Uganda-East Africa eMail : openheartnpv(a)gmail.com Website: http://dcfuganda.org/ > > > Event Sponsor www.BASCOM.com > > > See more details and RSVP on "This is my story...": > http://i-am-the-story.ning.com/events/event/show?id=6356984%3AEvent%3A24923… > About "This is my story..." > The African youth YouTube story telling campaign by Chrysalis Campaign, Inc and UNESCO PPN sponsored > 358 members > 301 photos > 50 videos > 65 discussions > 62 blog posts > > To control which emails you receive on "This is my story...", click here

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