August 2016 - KICTANet

Re: [kictanet] Taifa Laptop
by Ali Hussein 26 Aug '16

26 Aug '16

Waithaka I'm sure he didn't. To my point though is that I'm trying hard :-) to debunk the myth of Comparative Advantage (The theory of *comparative advantage* is an economic theory about the work gains from trade for individuals, firms, or nations that arise from differences in their factor endowments or technological prowess. In an economic model, an agent has a comparative advantage over another in producing a particular good if they can produce that good at a lower relative opportunity cost or autarky price, i.e. at a lower relative marginal cost prior to trade. One does not compare the monetary costs of production or even the resource costs (labor needed per unit of output) of production. Instead, one must compare the opportunity costs of producing goods across countries. The closely related *law* or *principle of comparative advantage* holds that under free trade, an agent will produce more of and consume less of a good for which they have a comparative advantage. This theory needs to be rebooted or patches added to it. I recommend we all read the HBR article - Pipelines, Platformsand the New Rules of Strategy. <https://hbr.org/2016/04/pipelines-platforms-and-the-new-rules-of-strategy> Excerpts:- Back in 2007 the five major mobile-phone manufacturers—Nokia, Samsung, Motorola, Sony Ericsson, and LG—collectively controlled 90% of the industry’s global profits. That year, Apple’s iPhone burst onto the scene and began gobbling up market share. By 2015 the iPhone *singlehandedly* generated 92% of global profits, while all but one of the former incumbents made no profit at all. How can we explain the iPhone’s rapid domination of its industry? And how can we explain its competitors’ free fall? Nokia and the others had classic strategic advantages that should have protected them: strong product differentiation, trusted brands, leading operating systems, excellent logistics, protective regulation, huge R&D budgets, and massive scale. For the most part, those firms looked stable, profitable, and well entrenched. Back to this issue of Taifa Laptops. My emphasis is that we now need to think about building ecosystems. The hardware is a matter of course. Consider it done! No discussions there! There really isn't any point competing on a field that is already gamed against us. We need to change the game to suit us. The notion that we need to follow the same path that others have to achieve success I'm afraid is the stuff of Dinosaurs - and we know what happened to them.... Our universities need to work hand in hand with industry and government to become the epicentre of innovation and progress in Africa generally and Kenya in particular. This starts with policy as you have already intimated. With the right policies, an unfair advantage (Yes, unfair advantage) we can move the needle much further than behaving in silos. That's what the Japanese and Koreans did. The only difference is that they did it in a world that wasn't as connected as we are today. That's both an advantage and disadvantage. The onus is on us to work on the advantages and mitigate the disadvantages. But before all the above can happen Kenyan Society must reboot itself for as long as we The People choose leaders who have no interest but their own and are bankrupt of ideas and ideals we will continue to think that The Taifa Laptop as it is currently configured is the best thing that happened to us since sliced bread. My two cowrie shells. *Ali Hussein* *Principal* *Hussein & Associates* Tel: +254 713 601113 Twitter: @AliHKassim Skype: abu-jomo LinkedIn: http://ke.linkedin.com/in/alihkassim <http://ke.linkedin.com/in/alihkassim> 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. On Fri, Aug 26, 2016 at 6:57 AM, Waithaka Ngigi <ngigi(a)at.co.ke> wrote: > Ali, > > I don't think Daktari, if I could speak for him, is saying that we start > with mediocre products. If anything, he says he's used the laptops and > bought a lot more others for students. And they work. > > If you were to rewind computer history, what did IBM say about the first > Apple Computer, Apple I.... a sub-standard toy that'll never amount to > anything‎. > > 30 yrs later, Apple trounced IBM to be come the most valuable tech > company. > > Not too long ago, what did BlackBerry say about the first Android Version > from a little unknown company that was eventually bought by Google? > > First generation products generally rely more on vision than outright > sheer performance. Yes, Taifa wouldn't beat Dell or apple today, but as the > Kenyan Nation let's buy into that vision‎. That's the least we can do for > Taifa! > > Waithaka Ngigi > > Alliance Technologies > www.at.co.ke > *From: *Ali Hussein via kictanet > *Sent: *Friday, August 26, 2016 5:53 AM > *To: *Ngigi Waithaka > *Reply To: *KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions > *Cc: *Ali Hussein; KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions > *Subject: *Re: [kictanet] Taifa Laptop > > Daktari > > I'm with you. Mine is to debunk the myth that we have to start from > mediocrity to grow our local industries. We don't have to use the same > legacy thinking of yesteryears. > > Local industry is critical for development even as we move even more > faster towards the utopia of the Information Age. Even the Americans are > realizing that the notion of outsourcing to China may be a short time > profit thing but not necessarily good for the country. However, there's a > deliberate effort to encourage this. Like *The* > Revitalize American Manufacturing and Innovation Act of 2013 > > https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Revitalize_American_ > Manufacturing_and_Innovation_Act_of_2013 > > Let's support local products and solutions. But let's also ensure we hold > ourselves to the highest standards possible. > > *Ali Hussein* > *Principal* > *Hussein & Associates* > +254 0713 601113 > > Twitter: @AliHKassim > > Skype: abu-jomo > > LinkedIn: http://ke.linkedin.com/in/alihkassim > > > "Discovery consists in seeing what everyone else has seen and thinking > what no one else has thought". ~ Albert Szent-Györgyi > > Sent from my iPad > > On 25 Aug 2016, at 10:57 PM, Bitange Ndemo <bndemo(a)bitangendemo.me> wrote: > > Ali, > I have actually used Taifa and I was impressed with the product. It was a > mistake that we killed Nyayo car because we ended up probing up the Proton > from Malaysia that was started exactly the same time. Some of the imported > computers are hopeless. I can show you several e-waste that we keep on > importing simply because it is imported. We have killed the textile > industry by wearing other people's used clothes yet an economist will tell > you that the price of a new product drops when supply increases. > > Ndemo. > > On Thu, Aug 25, 2016 at 10:28 PM, Ali Hussein via kictanet < > kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> wrote: > >> This notion that local equates or should be inferior harks us back to the >> Nyayo Car. We shouldn't expect mediocrity just because it's local. The days >> of comparative advantage and 'National Pride' for inferior products MUST >> end otherwise we will continue to lag behind as a contingent. >> >> Let's buy local yes. But let's continuously demand the highest standards. >> It is the only way to keep local industry alive. >> >> *Ali Hussein* >> *Principal* >> *Hussein & Associates* >> +254 0713 601113 >> >> Twitter: @AliHKassim >> >> Skype: abu-jomo >> >> LinkedIn: http://ke.linkedin.com/in/alihkassim >> >> >> "Discovery consists in seeing what everyone else has seen and thinking >> what no one else has thought". ~ Albert Szent-Györgyi >> >> Sent from my iPad >> >> On 25 Aug 2016, at 9:39 PM, Ahmed Mohamed Maawy via kictanet < >> kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> wrote: >> >> Its not that I am disputing that fact Dr. Ndemo. But the fact that they >> can pay extra to buy a foreign product gives that extra room for choice - >> in a free market choice is a must have. Having a free market is in some >> circumstances maybe even better for the development of our own products. >> Competition breeds efficiency in the long-run. >> >> I totally agree that we need to support Taifa as a product and make it >> scale. But again the consumer has the right to have a choice. Some kids go >> to University barely on loans that they can raise from family, if they >> could. Some just can not - and in my personal capacity having been one of >> those on that demographic I can feel what some of these kids can feel. >> >> It just means that we need to become better business people to market >> that product better. >> >> I believe Kenyans can be patriotic. All they need is a reason to be so. >> All they need is leadership. >> >> On Thu, Aug 25, 2016 at 9:33 PM, Bitange Ndemo <bndemo(a)bitangendemo.me> >> wrote: >> >>> Ahmed, >>> They did not but in Korea everybody had to use the local products. To >>> buy foreign, you had to pay extra. In fact even today only 1 in 10 cars on >>> the road that is not Korean. The point I am making is that our problems >>> emanate from the appetite of foreign goods. That is how we are not >>> creating jobs. Freedom even in the most free states is relative. Our >>> security now and in the future depends on what we do with unemployment. >>> >>> Ndemo. >>> >>> On Thu, Aug 25, 2016 at 9:23 PM, Ahmed Mohamed Maawy < >>> ultimateprogramer(a)gmail.com> wrote: >>> >>>> Agreed with you bwana Ndemo 100% >>>> >>>> But the point of all this is that the Koreans didn't come to force us >>>> to buy their units. >>>> >>>> On Thu, Aug 25, 2016 at 9:19 PM, Bitange Ndemo via kictanet < >>>> kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> wrote: >>>> >>>>> Michael, >>>>> I have bought six of Taifa Laptops for students who come to me for >>>>> help. They are happy with the product. I don't buy Taifa because it is >>>>> cheap. I buy to support the growth of light electronic manufacturing >>>>> industry in Kenya. We have bought garbage in form of tablets for many >>>>> years from Asia. We effectively supported Asians to go through the >>>>> learning curve. Today they dominate the sector. India is making the >>>>> industry a priority and estimates show it will top more than $ 900 billion >>>>> by 2020. >>>>> >>>>> Before we criticism these noble efforts we must look back and correct >>>>> our attitude. We supported Koreans perfect the Hyundai, Indians perfect >>>>> the Mahindra, Japanese perfect the Toyota Mark II and Chinese perfect their >>>>> electronic manufacturing capability. Kenya will not wake up one day and >>>>> produce a perfect product without going through a learning curve. JKUAt >>>>> has had to go through the learning curve since they produced their first >>>>> computer, Madaraka with the support of the Ministry of Information and >>>>> Communications. We have a collective responsibility to be part of the >>>>> solution to our perennial problems of unemployment. Without the local >>>>> market we cannot scale. Patriotism means we make certain sacrifices while >>>>> giving constructive criticisms. Africa will never get out of poverty by >>>>> being consumers of other people's products. Go buy Taifa and give some >>>>> advise on what they need to improve. It has warranty and personally I have >>>>> no problem with the lap top. >>>>> >>>>> Ndemo. >>>>> >>>>> On Thu, Aug 25, 2016 at 12:10 PM, Musya Michael via kictanet < >>>>> kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> wrote: >>>>> >>>>>> Anyone using this laptop? Experiences so far? >>>>>> >>>>>> http://www.the-star.co.ke/news/2016/08/22/parents-protest-jk >>>>>> uats-imposition-of-taifa-laptops-on-students_c1407693 >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> -- >>>>>> Regards, >>>>>> >>>>>> Michael Musya. >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. >>>>>> Philippians 4:13 >>>>>> >>>>>> _______________________________________________ >>>>>> 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/m >>>>>> ailman/options/kictanet/bndemo%40bitangendemo.me >>>>>> >>>>>> 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/m >>>>> ailman/options/kictanet/ultimateprogramer%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. >>>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> -- >>>> *Ahmed Maawy* >>>> Executive Director - SwahiliBox / M-Power (CBO) >>>> Curator - Global Shapers Mombasa Hub >>>> Ambassador - Open Knowledge >>>> Director - Startup Grind Mombasa >>>> Software Developer - AJ+ / EveryLayer >>>> (KE) +254 714 960 627 >>>> Skype: ultimateprogramer >>>> >>>> swahilibox.co.ke >>>> globalshapers.org >>>> www.okfn.org <http://okfn.org/> >>>> startupgrind.com >>>> ajplus.net >>>> www.everylayer.com >>>> >>> >>> >> >> >> -- >> *Ahmed Maawy* >> Executive Director - SwahiliBox / M-Power (CBO) >> Curator - Global Shapers Mombasa Hub >> Ambassador - Open Knowledge >> Director - Startup Grind Mombasa >> Software Developer - AJ+ / EveryLayer >> (KE) +254 714 960 627 >> Skype: ultimateprogramer >> >> swahilibox.co.ke >> globalshapers.org >> www.okfn.org <http://okfn.org/> >> startupgrind.com >> ajplus.net >> www.everylayer.com >> >> _______________________________________________ >> 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/m >> ailman/options/kictanet/info%40alyhussein.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/m >> ailman/options/kictanet/bndemo%40bitangendemo.me >> >> 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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Account Hacked
by Network of non- formal Educational institutions 25 Aug '16

25 Aug '16

Dear AllSorry for the mess that has been for the last few days. I am well my account was hacked and have now changed my password.Thank Jane

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Kenyan State to Regulate YouTube and Netflix
by Grace Mutung'u (Bomu) 25 Aug '16

25 Aug '16

And then this: “We have been looking at how to regulate over-the-top providers possibly through the 2016 ICT Policy document or through additional amendments to the Communications Act,” Wangusi said. The plan to regulate the streaming service comes a few months after another Government agency warned Netflix that it would block the service if it aired inappropriate content. http://www.standardmedia.co.ke/mobile/article/2000213158/kenyan-state-to-re…

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Re: [kictanet] Fwd: [global-nn] Clinton quietly amasses tech policy corps
by Ahmed Mohamed Maawy 24 Aug '16

24 Aug '16

Time for 2017 aspirants to borrow a leaf and make innovation part of the wider agenda.. :D Lets start with this practitioners bill first.. On 24 Aug 2016 10:06 p.m., "Ali Hussein via kictanet" < kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> wrote: Listers This might be of interest. *Ali Hussein* *Principal* *Hussein & Associates* +254 0713 601113 Twitter: @AliHKassim Skype: abu-jomo LinkedIn: http://ke.linkedin.com/in/alihkassim "Discovery consists in seeing what everyone else has seen and thinking what no one else has thought". ~ Albert Szent-Györgyi Sent from my iPad Begin forwarded message: *From:* Carolina Rossini <crossini(a)publicknowledge.org> *Date:* 24 August 2016 at 8:21:08 PM EAT *To:* "global-nn(a)lists.riseup.net" <global-nn(a)lists.riseup.net> *Subject:* *[global-nn] Clinton quietly amasses tech policy corps* *Reply-To:* Carolina Rossini <crossini(a)publicknowledge.org> *Clinton quietly amasses tech policy corps* By Margaret Harding McGill and Nancy Scola 08/23/2016 04:57 PM EDT Hillary Clinton's campaign has tapped a network of more than 100 tech and telecom advisers to craft a policy agenda that echoes many of Silicon Valley's top priorities, from knocking down laws that limit innovation to defanging so-called patent trolls, sources familiar with the effort told POLITICO. The breadth of her outreach to technology experts - not previously reported - marks yet another contrast with Donald Trump, who has offered few clues about who might have his ear on issues important to the tech sector, and whose positions on issues like immigration have alienated large segments of the industry. Even more than Barack Obama did eight years ago, Clinton conspicuously embraces Silicon Valley's view of the world and what it needs from Washington - a view that's often at odds with long-standing interest groups such as taxi unions and big cable companies. Clinton's tech advisers - divided into about a half-dozen working groups - provided input for the "technology and innovation" agenda <http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=f046f944849bcd48ffd4d434b6461eaf2db525364c5…> that she releasedJune 28, the sources said. The Democratic nominee's detailed approach includes a working group known as "rules of the road" to examine regulations standing in the way of innovation. Q. Todd Dickinson, a member of the group who served as director of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office under Bill Clinton, said Clinton's process marks a stark contrast with Trump. "For those of us who work in [patents], what's interesting, or maybe it's troubling, is that no one knows where the Trump campaign is," he said. "I knew who was advising the Romney campaign. There's just nobody working on these issues for Trump." Dickinson, who played a similar advisory role in Obama's White House bid, called Clinton's "drill-down" on tech and innovation issues "maybe even unprecedented." Steven Koltai, who served as a senior adviser for entrepreneurship to Hillary Clinton at the State Department, said the working groups allow the Clinton operation to "get maximum ideas [and] involvement from a wide range of all kinds of people." Koltai, who's part of a group centered on the "disruptive economy," said the process relies on collaborative digital tools like Google Hangouts. Trump's campaign did not return a request for comment. Clinton's tech agenda aligns closely with the views of the tech companies and activists who see innovation as a powerful force for economic and social good, but hamstrung by bureaucrats and entrenched industries. It would press local governments to change rules that "protect legacy incumbents," seek to curtail patent lawsuits and encourage cities to boost access to high-speed internet. The Democratic nominee's policy approach is probably good news for companies like Uber and Airbnb, which are battling local regulators; Apple and Amazon, which are fighting litigious patent holders; and Google, whose Fiber broadband project has faced resistance from telecom giants. Broadcasters and cable companies have complained <http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=f046f944849bcd48c30c8893317718d7b3743ccad69…> that Obama's appointees to the Federal Communications Commission routinely side with Google on issues such as net neutrality, broadband privacy and new regulations for cable set-top boxes. Clinton's pledge to defend net neutrality and her apparent interest in community-run broadband will probably prove similarly discouraging to incumbent Internet service providers, while her focus on the potential of "gig economy" companies is likely to be worrisome to taxi unions and the hotel industry. Like Obama, Clinton has avoided taking a strong stand in one area of intense interest to the tech industry: whether law enforcement should get easy access to encrypted communications. She has endorsed creating a commission <http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=f046f944849bcd488d450a6a8ce49105b02f9846fc6…> to study the encryption issue, a stance that leaves privacy advocates worried that law enforcement advocates would dominate the panel - but that was much less bombastic than Trump's call for consumers to boycott Apple during its encryption dispute this year with the FBI. The Clinton campaign's broader tech agenda, shaped by the network of advisers, has helped to allay the industry's fears that Clinton wasn't fully on board with the sector's policy priorities. Clinton caused jitters in the tech world last year for a speech in which she said the gig economy is "raising hard questions about workplace protections," a comment many took to mean she favored cracking down on the labor practices of the emerging sector. But her tech agenda stresses that, as president, she would reduce barriers to entry for upstart companies. The campaign has taken a big-tent approach to its selection of tech advisers, bringing in people with different views and interests. For example, the working group on regulations includes Jannie Lau, general counsel at InterDigital, which was part of a trade group that opposed legislation to crack down on patent trolls - thus running afoul of a longtime goal of major tech firms. But Clinton's tech platform sides squarely with patent reformers, saying, "The Obama Administration made critical updates to our patent system ... but costly and abusive litigation remains, which is why Hillary supports additional targeted rule changes." (Lau declined to comment.) Trump's handful of tech-related policy stances includes his calls for scaling back a high-skilled visa program that much of the industry relies on, as well as his pledges to force Apple to make its products in the U.S. And he has struggled to gain traction in Silicon Valley, even with Republicans. Among his few public supporters there is venture capitalist Peter Thiel, who spoke at the Republican convention in July but hasn't donated to Trump's campaign - and, The Wall Street Journal reported <http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=f046f944849bcd48a2c9bd5648ecba26fb8c164612b…> this week, doesn't plan to do so. Some of Clinton's proposals - with their focus on stopping government from stifling innovation - seem designed to capitalize on the region's libertarian leanings, which would normally offer at least an opening for the Republican candidate. The disruptive economy working group focuses on issues related to companies like Uber, which were repeatedly praised by GOP presidential candidates Jeb Bush and Marco Rubio <http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=f046f944849bcd48abbc739c7f30904e7c732862cda…>this year. In addition to Koltai, the group's members include Ari Wallach, a New York City entrepreneur who heads a firm called Synthesis Corp. that has consulted with the State Department; former Clinton White House aide Tripp Donnelly, now the CEO of RepEquity; and Lorraine Hariton, a former special representative for commercial and business affairs at State under Clinton. Hariton led two Silicon Valley startups, Beatnik and Apptera, a speech recognition company. Another working group is focused on broadband competition and deployment, an issue that has pitted giants like Comcast against municipalities and activists seeking better public access to high-speed internet. Among the group's members is Joanne Hovis, CEO of the Coalition for Local Internet Choice and a proponent of public-private partnerships for building out broadband networks. Clinton has said she wants to explore such arrangements as part of her effort to make affordable broadband accessible to all U.S. households by 2020. Jonathan Spalter, the chairman of wireless industry association Mobile Future, and Tom Power, a former White House official who is now with the industry group CTIA, are among the members of a working group devoted to wireless technologies, sources said. "As part of our policy development process we have engaged a diverse group of people from across the country including experts, practitioners, and other leaders as a way to make sure our technology and innovation policy agenda presents a clear and comprehensive vision for the country," Clinton campaign spokesman Tyrone Gayle said in a statement. A separate team of fewer than two dozen people is charged with studying the use of technology and data to improve the functioning of government institutions. Its leadership includes Sonal Shah, an economist who has spent time at Google's philanthropic arm and the Obama White House and who now heads a center at Georgetown University on social impact and innovation, and Peter Harrell, a veteran of both the Clinton State Department and the 2008 Obama campaign. That group's subteams are devoted to building better federal websites, transforming IT procurement rules and "evidence-based government," according to a source. As POLITICO previously reported <http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=f046f944849bcd48216cadfb87a0270fae8b6e1c865…>, two former State Department aides who served under Clinton - Alec Ross and Ben Scott - are playing key roles in managing the adviser network. Another important player, a source said, is Elana Berkowitz, a former State Department adviser on innovation who earlier served at the FCC, where she worked on its report on extending the reach of broadband across the U.S. The three are closely associated with Clinton's State Department initiatives on "Internet Freedom," aimed at ensuring that everyone around the world has the ability to roam freely on the internet, and "21st Century Statecraft," which emphasizes the use of digital tools like Twitter to engage with foreign citizens, not simply foreign leaders. "As president, Hillary will reach out to the tech community to partner with them, and bring the best of their ideas to Washington to help develop public policy that will lead to broad-based growth, reduce social and economic inequality, and secure American leadership on the global stage," Gayle said. Clinton's network of tech and telecom advisers - which includes donors who have maxed out with $5,400 donations in both the primary and general election portions of the campaign - are contributing their time to the campaign unpaid. *Li Zhou contributed to this report.* # # # # • # # # # *Carolina Rossini * Vice President, International Policy and Strategy + 1 (617) 697 9389 | skype: carolrossini | @carolinarossini PGP ID: 0xEC81015C *Public Knowledge* | @publicknowledge <https://twitter.com/publicknowledge> | www.publicknowledge.org 1818 N St. NW, Suite 410 | Washington, DC 20036 *Save the Date! The IP3 Awards - September 22nd!* https://www.eventbrite.com/e/13th-annual-ip3-awards-tickets-26519524612 _______________________________________________ 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/ultimateprogramer%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.

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Fwd: [global-nn] Clinton quietly amasses tech policy corps
by Ali Hussein 24 Aug '16

24 Aug '16

Listers This might be of interest. Ali Hussein Principal Hussein & Associates +254 0713 601113 Twitter: @AliHKassim Skype: abu-jomo LinkedIn: http://ke.linkedin.com/in/alihkassim "Discovery consists in seeing what everyone else has seen and thinking what no one else has thought". ~ Albert Szent-Györgyi Sent from my iPad Begin forwarded message: > From: Carolina Rossini <crossini(a)publicknowledge.org> > Date: 24 August 2016 at 8:21:08 PM EAT > To: "global-nn(a)lists.riseup.net" <global-nn(a)lists.riseup.net> > Subject: [global-nn] Clinton quietly amasses tech policy corps > Reply-To: Carolina Rossini <crossini(a)publicknowledge.org> > > Clinton quietly amasses tech policy corps > > By Margaret Harding McGill and Nancy Scola > > 08/23/2016 04:57 PM EDT > > Hillary Clinton's campaign has tapped a network of more than 100 tech and telecom advisers to craft a policy agenda that echoes many of Silicon Valley's top priorities, from knocking down laws that limit innovation to defanging so-called patent trolls, sources familiar with the effort told POLITICO. > > The breadth of her outreach to technology experts - not previously reported - marks yet another contrast with Donald Trump, who has offered few clues about who might have his ear on issues important to the tech sector, and whose positions on issues like immigration have alienated large segments of the industry. Even more than Barack Obama did eight years ago, Clinton conspicuously embraces Silicon Valley's view of the world and what it needs from Washington - a view that's often at odds with long-standing interest groups such as taxi unions and big cable companies. > > Clinton's tech advisers - divided into about a half-dozen working groups - provided input for the "technology and innovation" agenda that she releasedJune 28, the sources said. > > The Democratic nominee's detailed approach includes a working group known as "rules of the road" to examine regulations standing in the way of innovation. Q. Todd Dickinson, a member of the group who served as director of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office under Bill Clinton, said Clinton's process marks a stark contrast with Trump. > > "For those of us who work in [patents], what's interesting, or maybe it's troubling, is that no one knows where the Trump campaign is," he said. "I knew who was advising the Romney campaign. There's just nobody working on these issues for Trump." > > Dickinson, who played a similar advisory role in Obama's White House bid, called Clinton's "drill-down" on tech and innovation issues "maybe even unprecedented." > > Steven Koltai, who served as a senior adviser for entrepreneurship to Hillary Clinton at the State Department, said the working groups allow the Clinton operation to "get maximum ideas [and] involvement from a wide range of all kinds of people." Koltai, who's part of a group centered on the "disruptive economy," said the process relies on collaborative digital tools like Google Hangouts. > > Trump's campaign did not return a request for comment. > > Clinton's tech agenda aligns closely with the views of the tech companies and activists who see innovation as a powerful force for economic and social good, but hamstrung by bureaucrats and entrenched industries. It would press local governments to change rules that "protect legacy incumbents," seek to curtail patent lawsuits and encourage cities to boost access to high-speed internet. > > The Democratic nominee's policy approach is probably good news for companies like Uber and Airbnb, which are battling local regulators; Apple and Amazon, which are fighting litigious patent holders; and Google, whose Fiber broadband project has faced resistance from telecom giants. > > Broadcasters and cable companies have complained that Obama's appointees to the Federal Communications Commission routinely side with Google on issues such as net neutrality, broadband privacy and new regulations for cable set-top boxes. Clinton's pledge to defend net neutrality and her apparent interest in community-run broadband will probably prove similarly discouraging to incumbent Internet service providers, while her focus on the potential of "gig economy" companies is likely to be worrisome to taxi unions and the hotel industry. > > Like Obama, Clinton has avoided taking a strong stand in one area of intense interest to the tech industry: whether law enforcement should get easy access to encrypted communications. She has endorsed creating a commission to study the encryption issue, a stance that leaves privacy advocates worried that law enforcement advocates would dominate the panel - but that was much less bombastic than Trump's call for consumers to boycott Apple during its encryption dispute this year with the FBI. > > The Clinton campaign's broader tech agenda, shaped by the network of advisers, has helped to allay the industry's fears that Clinton wasn't fully on board with the sector's policy priorities. > > Clinton caused jitters in the tech world last year for a speech in which she said the gig economy is "raising hard questions about workplace protections," a comment many took to mean she favored cracking down on the labor practices of the emerging sector. But her tech agenda stresses that, as president, she would reduce barriers to entry for upstart companies. > > The campaign has taken a big-tent approach to its selection of tech advisers, bringing in people with different views and interests. For example, the working group on regulations includes Jannie Lau, general counsel at InterDigital, which was part of a trade group that opposed legislation to crack down on patent trolls - thus running afoul of a longtime goal of major tech firms. > > But Clinton's tech platform sides squarely with patent reformers, saying, "The Obama Administration made critical updates to our patent system ... but costly and abusive litigation remains, which is why Hillary supports additional targeted rule changes." (Lau declined to comment.) > > Trump's handful of tech-related policy stances includes his calls for scaling back a high-skilled visa program that much of the industry relies on, as well as his pledges to force Apple to make its products in the U.S. And he has struggled to gain traction in Silicon Valley, even with Republicans. Among his few public supporters there is venture capitalist Peter Thiel, who spoke at the Republican convention in July but hasn't donated to Trump's campaign - and, The Wall Street Journal reported this week, doesn't plan to do so. > > Some of Clinton's proposals - with their focus on stopping government from stifling innovation - seem designed to capitalize on the region's libertarian leanings, which would normally offer at least an opening for the Republican candidate. > > The disruptive economy working group focuses on issues related to companies like Uber, which were repeatedly praised by GOP presidential candidates Jeb Bush and Marco Rubio this year. In addition to Koltai, the group's members include Ari Wallach, a New York City entrepreneur who heads a firm called Synthesis Corp. that has consulted with the State Department; former Clinton White House aide Tripp Donnelly, now the CEO of RepEquity; and Lorraine Hariton, a former special representative for commercial and business affairs at State under Clinton. Hariton led two Silicon Valley startups, Beatnik and Apptera, a speech recognition company. > > Another working group is focused on broadband competition and deployment, an issue that has pitted giants like Comcast against municipalities and activists seeking better public access to high-speed internet. Among the group's members is Joanne Hovis, CEO of the Coalition for Local Internet Choice and a proponent of public-private partnerships for building out broadband networks. Clinton has said she wants to explore such arrangements as part of her effort to make affordable broadband accessible to all U.S. households by 2020. > > Jonathan Spalter, the chairman of wireless industry association Mobile Future, and Tom Power, a former White House official who is now with the industry group CTIA, are among the members of a working group devoted to wireless technologies, sources said. > > "As part of our policy development process we have engaged a diverse group of people from across the country including experts, practitioners, and other leaders as a way to make sure our technology and innovation policy agenda presents a clear and comprehensive vision for the country," Clinton campaign spokesman Tyrone Gayle said in a statement. > > A separate team of fewer than two dozen people is charged with studying the use of technology and data to improve the functioning of government institutions. Its leadership includes Sonal Shah, an economist who has spent time at Google's philanthropic arm and the Obama White House and who now heads a center at Georgetown University on social impact and innovation, and Peter Harrell, a veteran of both the Clinton State Department and the 2008 Obama campaign. > > That group's subteams are devoted to building better federal websites, transforming IT procurement rules and "evidence-based government," according to a source. > > As POLITICO previously reported, two former State Department aides who served under Clinton - Alec Ross and Ben Scott - are playing key roles in managing the adviser network. Another important player, a source said, is Elana Berkowitz, a former State Department adviser on innovation who earlier served at the FCC, where she worked on its report on extending the reach of broadband across the U.S. > > The three are closely associated with Clinton's State Department initiatives on "Internet Freedom," aimed at ensuring that everyone around the world has the ability to roam freely on the internet, and "21st Century Statecraft," which emphasizes the use of digital tools like Twitter to engage with foreign citizens, not simply foreign leaders. > > "As president, Hillary will reach out to the tech community to partner with them, and bring the best of their ideas to Washington to help develop public policy that will lead to broad-based growth, reduce social and economic inequality, and secure American leadership on the global stage," Gayle said. > > Clinton's network of tech and telecom advisers - which includes donors who have maxed out with $5,400 donations in both the primary and general election portions of the campaign - are contributing their time to the campaign unpaid. > > Li Zhou contributed to this report. > > > > > > # # # > # • # > # # # > Carolina Rossini > Vice President, International Policy and Strategy > + 1 (617) 697 9389 | skype: carolrossini | @carolinarossini > PGP ID: 0xEC81015C > Public Knowledge | @publicknowledge | www.publicknowledge.org > 1818 N St. NW, Suite 410 | Washington, DC 20036 > > Save the Date! The IP3 Awards - September 22nd! > https://www.eventbrite.com/e/13th-annual-ip3-awards-tickets-26519524612 > > > > >

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Government spokesman's statement on the ICT Practitioners Bill
by Tony White 24 Aug '16

24 Aug '16

http://www.nation.co.ke/news/Govt-urges-public-give-views-ICT-Practitioners… -- Tony White

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Exciting job opportunity at APC: Africa Policy Coordinator
by Emilar Vushe - Gandhi 24 Aug '16

24 Aug '16

APC is hiring! Leading internet policy work in Africa: APC Africa Policy Coordinator Contribute to building an open and free internet which promotes social justice by joining APC to coordinate its internet policy work in Africa. Main purpose of the job: The purpose of the position is to coordinate implementation of APC’s internet policy, internet rights, internet governance and networking activities in Africa. This includes coordination of research, capacity building, policy advocacy, research, outreach and network building activities. The Africa Policy Coordinator will also contribute to strengthening the relationship between APC and its members in the region. This is a full-time position. Start date: As soon as possible Deadline for applications: 2 September 2016 Reporting: She/he will report to APC Policy Programme Manager on policy-related matters and to APC’s Deputy Executive Director on network development, and work closely with APC’s Executive Director who is based in Africa. More information available here: https://www.apc.org/en/news/job-opportunity-apc-africa-policy-coordinator Regards, Emilar -- Emilar E. Gandhi Africa Policy Coordinator Communications and Information Policy Programme (CIPP) Association for Progressive Communications www.apc.org skype/twitter: emilarvushe

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Fwd: [NCSG-Discuss] AFRICA IGF RESCHEDULE
by Grace Mutung'u (Bomu) 24 Aug '16

24 Aug '16

FYI ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Wisdom Donkor <wisdom.dk(a)gmail.com> Date: 2016-08-24 0:59 GMT+03:00 Subject: [NCSG-Discuss] AFRICA IGF RESCHEDULE To: NCSG-DISCUSS(a)listserv.syr.edu Dear all, This is to inform the community that, due to potential scheduling conflict with another ICT related event and after consultation with the host it was agreed to slightly shift the dates of the AfIGF-2016 as follows: 1. Original Dates: 17 - 19 October 2016 2. New proposed Dates: 16 - 18 October 2016 The African Internet Governance Forum (AfIGF) will now be organized from 16-18 October 2016 in the beautiful province of eThekwini, KwaZulu Natal, DURBAN. Please take note of this slight shift and update your calendar accordingly. Best regards, -- *WISDOM DONKOR (S/N Eng.)* E-government and Open Government Data Platforms Specialist National Information Technology Agency (NITA)/ Ghana Open Data Initiative Project. ICANN Fellow / Member, UN IGF MAG Member, ISOC Member, Freedom Online Coalition (FOC) Member, Diplo Foundation Member, OGP Open Data WG Member, GODAN Memember, ITAG Member Email: wisdom_dk(a)hotmail.com wisdom.donkor(a)data.gov.gh wisdom.dk(a)gmail.com Skype: wisdom_dk facebook: facebook@wisdom_dk Website: www.nita.gov.gh / www.data.gov.gh www.isoc.gh / www.itag.org.gh -- Grace L.N. Mutung'u Nairobi Kenya Skype: gracebomu Twitter: @Bomu <http://www.diplointernetgovernance.org/profile/GraceMutungu> PGP ID : 0x33A3450F

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FW: Grab your spot at the 2nd Indo - Africa Summit, 1st - 3rd September 2016, KICC, Nairobi, Kenya
by Grace Githaiga 24 Aug '16

24 Aug '16

Dear Grace Have you registered for the Indo-Africa ICT Forum and Expo? If you are yet to, you need to do so now: REGISTER HERE The event takes place on 1st - 3rd September 2016 at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC), Nairobi, Kenya. Four Top Reasons to Attend the Expo: 1) Opportunity to Network: So far, we have confirmations from over 900 delegates and over 40 exhibitors from Africa and India. In addition, we have over 100 companies with interest in Business to Business Meetings (B2B). Whether you are seeking to buy, market, partner or get peer to peer review, the expo cater to your need. 2) High Level interactions: The host of the forum is Kenya, Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of ICT, Mr Joe Mucheru and Principal Secretary, ICT & Innovation, Eng Victor Kyalo. Top guests include India Honorable Minister of State for Communications, H.E. Mr. Manoj Sinha and Uganda Minister of State for ICT and National Guidance, H.E. Ms. Hon. Aidah Nantaba Erios. The Ministers will discuss policy interventions in the Minister Roundtable slotted for September, 1st. 3) Thought provoking discussions: Learn from our amazing speakers with key agenda items being: training, regulation in the telecom sector, Convergence of IT & Telecom, e-Health, e-Governance, e-education, e-finance, infrastructure, new technologies, standardization, spectrum auction & optimization, licensing & evolving needs of consumers & service providers. View draft program 4) Cutting Edge Technology: Do you want to have a share in the latest technology? The expo will showcase technological devices and techniques that employ the most current and high-level IT developments; in other words, technology that is at the frontiers of knowledge. Ways to Increase your Visibility Do you want your organization to get more visibility at the event? Be sure to check our sponsorship packages Come showcase your product or service to potential customers and relevant partners. Register to exhibit . View list of Indian companies who are exhibiting. Check the floor plan to see available booths. Don't miss our cocktail sessions that will be held in the evening, to network and learn from peers from around the world. The event is organized by the Government of India, in conjunction with IT & Telecom Summit in which the Kenya Ministry of ICT and ICT Authority are host partners. Other partners include India ICT Industry body NASSCOM and Telecom Equipment and Services Export Promotion Council (TEPC). For more information please visit Indo Africa ICT Expo 2016 website or download Event brochure Disclaimer: Kindly note that the exhibition is open to public while the conference/panel sessions are ONLY open to VIP's and Business to Business (B2B) meetings. For more information: ICT Authority Contacts: Sandra Tonui, sandra.tonui(a)ict.go.ke Event Organiser contacts: indoafrica(a)indoafrica.net Cellphone/calls: +254 733759618 OR +254776935100 Follow us on Twitter: @IndoAfricaExpo Hashtag:# IndoAfricaICTexpo Like us on Facebook: Indoafrica ICT expo Yours Sincerely, Robert Mugo, Ag. Chief Executive Officer ICT Authority Copyright © 2016. All Rights Reserved. ICT Authority, Telposta Towers, 12th Floor, Kenyatta Ave, P.O. Box 27150-00100, Nairobi, KenyaSafeUnsubscribe™ ggithaiga(a)hotmail.comForward this email | Update Profile | About our service providerSent by communications(a)ict.go.ke in collaboration withTry it free today

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Come discuss Blockchain & Other Emerging Tech at AITEC Summit Next Week.
by John Karanja 24 Aug '16

24 Aug '16

Good morning Listers, This year’s AITEC Banking & Mobile Money conference will introduce a new Blockchain session titled “Crypto-Currencies: Disruptive Banking”. As an AITEC subscriber, you get to enjoy a huge discount taking down the cost of the event ticket from $590 to $344.99. You will also get a free eCopy of our Report. The conference Chair will be Aly-Khan Satchu and the Guest of Honor will be Hon. Henry Rotich, Cabinet Secretary of the National Treasury of the Republic of Kenya. The two day conference also includes the following innovation sessions: - New Payment channels innovations. - Social Media banking innovations. - M-Akiba & Betting innovations. - Microfinance innovations. - Big Data innovations. - Fintech innovations. Don’t miss the opportunity to learn about how Blockchain is changing the Banking and Financial sector. *Get your Ticket Here. <http://bithub.co.ke/aitec/>* Kind regards, John

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