November 2015 - KICTANet

Re: [kictanet] New Cabinet - Wish List ?
by Barrack Otieno 18 Jul '24

18 Jul '24

Listers, This is indeed good news. We have a lot of hope in Mucheru and Victor Kyalo industry veterans who have indeed worked their way through the trenches. Most importantly we hope to see the return of a multi stakeholder form of engagement in the sector which we have been yearning for in a while. I think as a sector we might need to prepare a wish list for our new leaders and most importantly commit to work with them towards achieving their mandate. The reshuffle is timely still it comes at the end of the year and will allow us to start 2016 on a new slate. Thank you Best Regards On 11/24/15, GG via kictanet <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> wrote: > +1 Grace. > > Sending them positive energy! And glad that the two were among the KICTANet > founders. > Rgds. > > --- Original Message --- > > From: "Grace Mutung'u (Bomu) via kictanet" <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> > Sent: 24 November 2015 22:35 > To: ggithaiga(a)hotmail.com > Cc: "Grace Mutung'u (Bomu)" <nmutungu(a)gmail.com> > Subject: Re: [kictanet] New Cabinet > > One of the issues (I think issue no.3) in the President's speech was > accessibility of leaders to wananchi. With Joe and Kyalo I think we shall > have better ears. > > Congratulations! > > May they pass the vetting. > > Regards, > On 24 Nov 2015 21:29, "Evans Ikua via kictanet" < > kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> wrote: > >> @Ngigi you are right. But in the current dispensation, a CS is still >> expected to be a technocrat, as opposed to the days of yore when minister >> was politician. So they will both be at home in their respective >> positions. >> Especially Victor as the accounting officer with his many years in >> government. That's the right position. >> >> Evans >> On Nov 24, 2015 9:17 PM, "Waithaka Ngigi" <ngigi(a)at.co.ke> wrote: >> >>> Evans, >>> >>> Joe Mucheru & Victor Kyalo are old hands in. KE ICT. Both have been >>> entrepreneurs and then at some point moved on to various ventures. So we >>> shouldn't go wrong ‎with either. >>> >>> However, what's the better fit? Mucheru at CS, Victor at PS or the other >>> way round? Victor CS, Mucheru PS? >>> >>> Waithaka Ngigi >>> >>> Alliance Technologies >>> www.at.co.ke >>> *From: *Evans Ikua via kictanet >>> *Sent: *Tuesday, November 24, 2015 8:50 PM >>> *To: *Ngigi Waithaka >>> *Reply To: *KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions >>> *Cc: *Evans Ikua >>> *Subject: *Re: [kictanet] New Cabinet >>> >>> Congrats Hon Joe! That's a great choice for the ICT industry. Well out >>> H.E. >>> >>> Ikua >>> On Nov 24, 2015 8:45 PM, "waudo siganga via kictanet" < >>> kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> wrote: >>> >>>> Congratulations to Joe Mucheru! >>>> >>>> _______________________________________________ >>>> kictanet mailing list >>>> kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke >>>> https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet >>>> >>>> Unsubscribe or change your options at >>>> https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/ikua.evans%40gmail.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. >>>> >>> >>> >> _______________________________________________ >> kictanet mailing list >> kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke >> https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet >> >> Unsubscribe or change your options at >> https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/nmutungu%40gmail.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. >> > -- Barrack O. Otieno +254721325277 +254-20-2498789 Skype: barrack.otieno http://www.otienobarrack.me.ke/

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Fwd:Defamatory Blog Publication by Moses Kuria & Demand For Apology
by Grace Mutung'u (Bomu) 20 Apr '17

20 Apr '17

Dear all, the suit between Muite & Others versus Moses Kuria, which I understand is proceeding to court, should be a very interesting one to watch. Hopefully it shall give some insights on content control vs freedom of expression. See below. ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Ngunjiri <ngunjiri(a)kikuyusforchange.com> Date: Mon, 10 Oct 2011 16:05:07 +0300 Subject: {K4c} Defamatory Blog Publication by Moses Kuria & Demand For Apology To: KC4 <kikuyusforchange(a)googlegroups.com> This will most probably interest some of us, and help all of us be careful about what we write on our blogs. --- Ngunjiri [image: Issa & Co Advocates] Our Ref: M/058/001/L**** **** Tuesday, October 4, 2011**** **** Moses Kuria**** P. O. Box 1838-00200 ‘*Advance copy by email*’**** *NAIROBI***** **** Dear Sir,**** **** *RE: DEFAMATORY PUBLICATION ***** ------------------------------ We have been instructed by our clients, Wambugu Ngunjiri, Paul Muite, Ndung’u Wainaina, Maina Kiai and Hassan Omar.**** **** Our instructions are that you published in your widely read blog the following words of and concerning our clients.**** **** *‘I have said Ocampo has no case. All he has are fake witnesses coached by Hassan Omar, Wambugu Ngunjiri, Paul Muite, Ndungu Wainaina, Njonjo Mue and Maina Kiai.’***** **** Your insinuations are unfounded and baseless and our clients’ professional respective standings, characters and reputations have been severely tarnished by your publication.**** **** Our instructions are to demand a retraction, an apology and an admission of liability on your part for the publication of the defamatory words. This we hereby do. We shall address the issue of the damages payable to our clients upon receipt of your apology and admission.**** **** *NOTE* that if you do not publish an apology and retraction on your blog within the next *Seven (7) Days* of the receipt of this letter we shall proceed to the law for redress at your risk as to costs. **** **** Yours faithfully,**** *ISSA & COMPANY ADVOCATES***** **** **** *MANSUR M. ISSA***** **** cc. Clients**** **** *Issa & Co Advocates* <info(a)issadvocates.co.ke>**** ------------------------------ 5th Floor, City House, Wabera Street P.O. Box *24210 - 00100*, Nairobi, Kenya *ph*: *+ 254 20 340 150 · * *fx*: *+ 254 20 340 151* *em*: *info(a)issadvocates.co.ke · ***** ------------------------------ *CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE:* This email and any attachments may contain information that is confidential, legally privileged and protected by law. Access by the intended recipient is authorized. Any liability (in negligence or otherwise) arising from any third party acting, or refraining from acting, or any information contained in this email is hereby excluded. If you are not the intended recipient, please notify the sender immediatelyand do not disclose the contents to any other person, use it for any purpose or store or copy the information in any medium.**** -- --- Fear makes men act even against their own interests- changing them from men of reason to blubbering fools. -- Grace L.N. Mutung'u (Bomu) Kenya Skype: gracebomu Twitter: GraceMutung'u (Bomu)

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Invitation to Media Reforms Discussion
by riva＠article19.org 29 Feb '16

29 Feb '16

Dear Colleagues, You are invited to a half-day discussion on media reforms this Thursday, 20th August from 8:30am - 12:30pm. The meeting will seek to: 1. Identify and analyse laws/policies that have been enacted in line with the Fifth Schedule of 2010 Constitution, teasing out their strengths and weaknesses in promoting Freedom of Expression and of the media 2. Identify and analyse laws/policies that have not been changed and hamper freedom of expression and of the media in Kenya 3. Examine existing institutional frameworks pointing out their strengths and weaknesses in promoting Freedom of Expression 4. Examine the impacts of non-media specific laws which effectively limit media freedom 5. Provide sound and effective policy recommendations on undertaking wholesome reforms Please find attached the concept note and confirm your availability with Tracey Ishmael (tracy(a)article19.org) or call +254727862230. Kind Regards, Riva From: "KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions" <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> To: riva(a)article19.org Cc: "Mose Karanja" <mosekaranja(a)gmail.com> Sent: Friday, August 14, 2015 6:23:30 AM Subject: [kictanet] Overhauled NetNeutrality Website The Global Net Neutrality Coalition has overhauled its website . Key takeaways: 1. A generally agreed upon definition of Net Neutrality in 17 languages; 2. An interactive map that shows the status of Net Neutrality around the globe; 3. A model policy framework developed by the Dynamic Coalition on Network Neutrality for crafting legislation and regulations; 4. Resources for global advocates fighting for a free and open Internet. The FCC in the US recently created the Open Internet Rule, the EU (28 countries) is almost there with the Digital Single Market and individual countries are busy debating this major issue on the future of Internet. I know some countries in Africa are busy on this too. However, despite there being a host of African partners in the thisisnetneutrality network (including KICTANet), none but two African countries have been featured citing ‘Research Pending’. This also happens with other indices like the Freedom House’s Internet Freedom Index and Amnesty’s. This is one area research institutions in Africa can fill up. Use the website and its resources to push for an open Internet! -- Mose Karanja +254 724 162536 | @Mose_Karanja PGP: 0x1529552F _______________________________________________ kictanet mailing list kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet Unsubscribe or change your options at https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/riva%40article19.org 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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Introducing Facebook Africa Public Policy Team to KICTANet
by Grace Githaiga 03 Dec '15

03 Dec '15

Dear Listers Greetings. I hope your week has started well. The topic of Net Neutrality has become an important global Internet Governance issue in the last two years, and has generated some interesting debates. In Kenya, Facebook has partnered with Airtel to offer users zero rated services, christened "free basics" which means that several websites have been selected (for lack of a proper word) to participate in the platform, where users access these websites for free. However, the same users cannot access any other website unless they pay for the data. Different positions depending on where their proponents stand have been shared. Please find one here by Nanjira Sambuli http://www.nation.co.ke/oped/blogs/free-internet-freedom-create/-/620/29756… and another by our own Mwendwa Kivuva http://www.circleid.com/posts/20151124_zero_rating_a_poisoned_chalice_for_t… Those for pro zero rated services have argued that it gives more users free access to the Internet, and that it is a genuine attempt to connect the unconnected. Those on the opposite side argue that zero rating stifles innovation, leads to customers lock-in, is anti competitive behavior, confuses the users on the true meaning of the Internet, denies users choice, and makes policy makers lazy in ensuring proper affordable internet is availed to the masses. Facebook's Head of Public Policy, Africa Ebele Okobi, and the Public Policy Manager, Africa Akua Gwekye have graciously agreed to respond to any queries the community has on zero rated services. The Process Please articulate your concerns and ask questions as we usually do when we have moderated debates. The facebook team will then look at the questions and respond to you on Wednesday Evening. Depending on how it goes, we can then see how to continue engaging with them. I think this is a great opportunity for the facebook team to unpackage free basics issue, and it is my hope that the debate will be exciting given the prominence members of the list have given the net neutrality debate. Over to you listers! And a very warm welcome to Ebele and Akua. WarmlyGrace

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Re: [kictanet] [isoc_ke] The pitfalls of Innovation moving faster than Regulation - The case of Safaricom and Lipisha (Mwendwa Kivuva)
by Matunda Nyanchama 03 Dec '15

03 Dec '15

Friends This is a good discussion. I read somewhere about the emergence of Toyota and its global dominance. Back in time, American auto companies (then the world's largest) failed to embrace ideas proposed by the founder of Toyota (I believe Toyoda is the name). He went ahead to do exactly what had found resistance in North America and the rest is history. ... It took these auto companies close to 20 years to even measure to the quality standards of the 'new comer' in their space. ... there is a similar story to be told of IBM (in reference to Microsoft, Apple, etc.) or Western Union (in reference to Bell companies) ... If I were Safaricom, I would seriously consider acquiring those companies with innovative solutions as a way of staying ahead; with its deep pockets and influence in the market, you can bet the company can lead the way if it desires so. ... smothering and suffocating others can only come to bite later on as innovation would always find its way into the market. my 2 cents worth.

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New Cabinet
by waudo siganga 02 Dec '15

02 Dec '15

Congratulations to Joe Mucheru!

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Pitfalls of the outgoing ICT CS and the lobbying power of Safaricom
by Mwendwa Kivuva 29 Nov '15

29 Nov '15

*http://www.nation.co.ke/news/The-intrigues-of-Uhuru-changes-to-the-Cabinet/-/1056/2976504/-/t1nhdc/-/index.html <http://www.nation.co.ke/news/The-intrigues-of-Uhuru-changes-to-the-Cabinet/…>* *IT AGENDA* ICT nominee Joe Mucheru brings in global visibility and a youth perspective which Mr Kenyatta wants as he pushes his youth and IT agenda that was crucial during his election campaign and which is expected to play a crucial role in the 2017 elections. Mr Mucheru previously headed Google Kenya’s office where he worked mainly with youthful Kenyans. Dr Fred Matiang'i, it is understood, was transferred to Education ministry to “save him from himself”. A hard worker who often delivered on his mandate and tough assignments given by the President such as resolving the deadly land dispute in Murang’a and lately the Waitiki saga in the Coast, Dr Matiang’i was, however, fast falling victim to land cartels that have for many years controlled business at Ardhi House. The ICT Secretary had been overseeing operations at the Lands ministry after Mrs Ngilu was forced out in March. Dr Matiang’i was also viewed as having created too many enemies within his previous Information docket. Apart from having frosty relations with the media, he also quickly fell out with major players such as giant telco Safaricom which complained that he was favouring Airtel in making key decisions. ______________________ Mwendwa Kivuva, Nairobi, Kenya "There are some men who lift the age they inhabit, till all men walk on higher ground in that lifetime." - Maxwell Anderson

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The pitfalls of Innovation moving faster than Regulation - The case of Safaricom and Lipisha
by Ali Hussein 28 Nov '15

28 Nov '15

Listers Did we miss this unfolding precedence setting battle? In brief:- Safaricom has been sued by two mobile money service providers for suspending their services through alleged intimidation. Lipisha Consortium Limited and Bitpesa Limited Friday went to court over termination of their services on November 12. The pair offers a platform for businesses that enables them to collect, process and integrate payments from customers and clients using mobile money. Read on:- http://www.nation.co.ke/business/Mobile-money-providers-sue-Safaricom-for-s… My questions and comments:- 1. Is Safaricom correct in shutting down a service without notice to protect its brand? Your guess here is as good as mine. 2. The legality or otherwise of bitcoins seems to be the main bone of contention here. Here's an opinion from Wikipedia on the treatment of bitcoins in various countries. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Legality_of_bitcoin_by_country 3. Did the CBK ask Safaricom to shut down the service or is Safaricom acting unilaterally because of point 1 above? 4. How do we protect the innovation ecosystem in the region from such happenings? This may well be a legitimate case of a startup that didn't do its homework regarding the regulatory framework in the space it chose to play in. According to Rosemary Kimwatu, a Legal Officer in the Tech Fin sector:- "The main problem Bitpesa faces is that cryptocurrency operate from an unrecognised payment system. The position by CBK on Bitcoins is that it's a currency that operates outside the purview of the normal payments system and can therefore not be monitored in regards to Money Laundering. A payment system/platform needs to work within a recognized payment system because then funds origination and destination can be tracked. Bitcoins however are not from the banking system so how will one know if someone is not using it to clean up illegally obtained funds?" Good and solid arguments. My only problem with that argument is that innovation is almost always ahead of regulation. And Safaricom, of all organizations should know better than to behave like this. I fully understand the situation they are in and I can imagine the legal heads at Safaricom working overtime to 'contain' a potential mine field situation that can contain its core Mpesa System. I however believe that a softer approach could have had a better effect. My humble opinion:- Safaricom needs a better approach than the ones they take handling potential Frenemies. The case of Equitel is still fresh in our minds. The narrative is going against them and they need to manage this. The current scenario paints them as a Bully intent on crushing any potential threat to their payment platform. They are better than this. However Rosemary has a different argument:- "The whole thing is bad for innovation but the battle should be with the regulator not Safaricom. It would be in everyone's interest if CBK was forced to deal with change but this won't happen if the Bitcoin guys fight Safaricom. They have to deal with it in the right way by facing the regulator head on and proving how secure their system is in regards to Anti Money Laundering (AML) by showing how it has been done in other countries." Can't argue with that.. 5. A few day ago I talked about the Angani issue. Here's another compelling issue to add on to our bucket list of helping and growing the Startup space in our region - Compliance with Regulation. It's become such a major component of institution building that we can't play 'Pata-Potea' (loosely translated as gambling) with it anymore. #TechRoundTable, are you listening? Ali Hussein Principal Hussein & Associates +254 0713 601113 / 0770906375 Twitter: @AliHKassim Skype: abu-jomo LinkedIn: http://ke.linkedin.com/in/alihkassim Blog: www.alyhussein.com "Discovery consists in seeing what everyone else has seen and thinking what no one else has thought". ~ Albert Szent-Györgyi Sent from my iPad

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Broadcasting and Telecommunications PS
by Ali Hussein 27 Nov '15

27 Nov '15

Listers This one is for the new CS of ICT and PS of ICT & Innovation. Congrats both of you. I know that you have the interest of the community and country at large. I would like to humbly request you to quickly bring the new PS of Broadcasting & Telecommunication into the community. His is an inbox over flowing with major issues that will affect us for years to come. I’d request (again, humbly) to bring him up to speed with such subjects as:- 1. Dominance in the Telco space 2. Net Neutrality 3. Kenya’s space in trailblazing Policy, Innovation and Regulation in the Global Arena. Lastly, we hope that you will reverse the almost non-existent engagement with the community perpetuated by the outgoing regime. You guys don’t need Karibu. You are a part of us. Thanks & Regards Ali Hussein ali(a)hussein.me.ke +254 713 601113 Twitter: @AliHKassim Skype: Abu-Jomo LinkedIn: http//ke.linkedin.com/in/alihkassim Blog: www.alyhussein.com

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How to destroy value and the Ecosystem at Silicon Savannah
by Ali Hussein 25 Nov '15

25 Nov '15

Listers I'm sure by now most of us have read about the goings on at Angani. There has been a very loud and noticeable silence on this list regarding this issue. I suspect mainly because many of us know the protagonists and possibly also (at least I'd like to believe) that this list has become more responsible on what we all write and share. However I think we must be very vocal for the right reasons. Through out all this unfolding events two key constituents seem to have been almost forgotten:- 1. The Customer 2. The Community (or ecosystem if you will) In my own small way, I'm standing to be counted for the above. https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/how-destroy-value-ecosystem-silicon-savannah… *Ali Hussein* *Hussein & Associates* Tel: +254 770 906375/ 713 601113 Twitter: @AliHKassim Skype: abu-jomo LinkedIn: http://ke.linkedin.com/in/alihkassim <http://ke.linkedin.com/in/alihkassim> Blog: www.alyhussein.com Any information of a personal nature expressed in this email are purely mine and do not necessarily reflect the official positions of the organizations that I work with.

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