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Mentimeter for the National Anti-corruption Conference 2019.
by WANGARI KABIRU 24 Jan '19

24 Jan '19

Mentimeter for the National Anti-corruption Conference 2019. Hosted by Multi-sectoral. Initiative Against Corruption by KEPSA.Nairobi. Visit:www.menti.com 25/01/2019 Codes:Religious Sector: 432413Professional Sector: 186745Government Multi Agency: 634479Women Sector: 634479 May interest to add your views. Be blessed.Regards/Wangari --- Pray God Bless. 2013Wangari circa - "Being of the Light, We are Restored Through Faith in Mind, Body and Spirit; We Manifest The Kingdom of God on Earth".

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Kisumu turns to WhatsApp for better services
by Victor Kapiyo 24 Jan '19

24 Jan '19

Kisumu county is testing a county 'digital assistant' to provide information relating to different functions. I think its a good initiative by the county. See story below. Are there any innovative implementations of such or similar systems being implemented in other counties that listers may be aware of? I think it's a useful start, and they are taking in feedback and suggestions to improve the service. Hopefully, some of you might want to try it out and see what gives. I wouldn't mind having a similar Chatbots for eCitizen or iTax, whose numbers sometimes hardly go through. ____________ This week, the county has been testing an interactive WhatsApp platform that allows residents to get information promptly. All that one needs to do is to send the word “hello” from a WhatsApp account to +254 756 742 421. That message prompts the county digital assistant to release a drop-down menu that asks the user to select a code representing their area of interest. There is a separate code for government ministries, healthcare services, tourists sites, hotels and radio stations. “When you send the word “hello”, it gives you an automated “welcome” response and from there, you can get information on anything,” says Levit Nudi, one of the brains behind the platform. “It is very similar to USSD codes like *100# with the only major difference being that it's running on WhatsApp, which is not a common thing to find anywhere,” he said, adding that future plans include creating codes for information on county jobs, tenders, and other opportunities. https://www.businessdailyafrica.com/corporate/tech/Kisumu-turns-to-WhatsApp… *Victor Kapiyo* Partner | *Lawmark Partners LLP* *Suite No. 8, Centro House, Westlands, Nairobi | **Web: www.lawmark.co.ke <http://www.lawmark.co.ke> * ==================================================== *“Your attitude, not your aptitude, will determine your altitude” Zig Ziglar*

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Fwd: FW: REMINDER: Digital Democracy, Analogue Politics
by Riva Jalipa 23 Jan '19

23 Jan '19

Dear All, You might find this of interest. *From:* Rift Valley Forum <forum(a)riftvalley.net> *Sent:* 21 January 2019 16:48 *Subject:* REMINDER: Digital Democracy, Analogue Politics <https://riftvalley.us5.list-manage.com/track/click?u=bbe4bf6326e7666108dd11…> Trouble viewing? View in browser <https://mailchi.mp/c47072f3c764/reminder-digital-democracy-analogue-politic…> <https://riftvalley.us5.list-manage.com/track/click?u=bbe4bf6326e7666108dd11…> <https://riftvalley.us5.list-manage.com/track/click?u=bbe4bf6326e7666108dd11…> <https://riftvalley.us5.list-manage.com/track/click?u=bbe4bf6326e7666108dd11…> <https://riftvalley.us5.list-manage.com/track/click?u=bbe4bf6326e7666108dd11…> <https://riftvalley.us5.list-manage.com/track/click?u=bbe4bf6326e7666108dd11…> *Book Launch: Digital Democracy, Analogue Politics* 5pm - 7pm・Wednesday 23 January 2019 Rift Valley Institute・Seminar Room Laikipia Road ・Kileleshwa Nairobi REGISTER HERE <https://riftvalley.us5.list-manage.com/track/click?u=bbe4bf6326e7666108dd11…> >From the upheavals of recent national elections to the success of the #MyDressMyChoice feminist movement, digital platforms have already had a dramatic impact on political life in Kenya – one of the most electronically advanced countries in Africa. While the impact of the Digital Age on Western politics has been extensively debated, there is still little appreciation of how it has been felt in developing countries such as Kenya, where Twitter, Facebook, WhatsApp and other online platforms are increasingly a part of everyday life. On 23 January 2019, the Rift Valley Institute will launch *Digital Democracy, Analogue Politics: How the Internet Era is Transforming Kenya*, a book that presents a unique contribution to the debate on digital democracy. The book explores how traditionally marginalised groups, particularly women and people with disabilities have used digital spaces have allowed Kenyans to build new communities which transcend old ethnic and gender divisions. But the picture is far from wholly positive. Digital Democracy, Analogue Politics explores the drastic efforts being made by elites to contain online activism, as well as how ‘fake news’, a failed digital vote-counting system and the incumbent president's recruitment of Cambridge Analytica contributed to tensions around the 2017 elections. Reframing digital democracy from the African perspective, Nyabola’s ground-breaking work opens up new ways of understanding our current global online era. *Moderator* *TBC* *Speakers* Nanjala Nyabola *Author* *Discussants * Marylin Muthoni Kamuru Patrick Gathara This email was sent to jbraganza(a)taxjusticeafrica.net because it is subscribed to the RVI mailing list. Unsubscribe <https://riftvalley.us5.list-manage.com/unsubscribe?u=bbe4bf6326e7666108dd11…> · Update subscription preferences <https://riftvalley.us5.list-manage.com/profile?u=bbe4bf6326e7666108dd11e6f&…> · View in browser <https://mailchi.mp/c47072f3c764/reminder-digital-democracy-analogue-politic…> Rift Valley Institute · PO Box 52771 · GPO 00100 · Nairobi · Kenya *The Rift Valley Institute works in Eastern and Central Africa to bring local knowledge to bear on social, political and economic development.*

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[CofekDigest] #9: Govt Needs to Clarify Secrecy in Procurement and Deployment of NIIMS
by Consumers Federation of Kenya (Cofek) 23 Jan '19

23 Jan '19

Dear Sir/Madam, 1. Questions on the procurement and integrity of Kenya's identity system: http://www.cofek.co.ke/index.php/news-and-media/2359-questions-on-the-procur ement-and-integrity-of-kenya-s-identity-system 2. PM? Rise and rise of Dr Matiang'i, to Uhuru's key man at the helm: http://www.cofek.co.ke/index.php/news-and-media/2355-defacto-pm-rise-and-ris e-of-dr-matiang-i-to-coordinate-other-cs-es 3. Why decision to hand out firearms to private security guards is a bad idea: http://www.cofek.co.ke/index.php/news-and-media/2353-why-decision-to-hand-ou t-firearms-to-private-security-guards-is-a-bad-idea 4. Case on ownership of gas cylinders to be decided Friday, Jan 18: http://www.cofek.co.ke/index.php/news-and-media/2348-case-on-ownership-of-ga s-cylinders-to-be-decided-friday-jan-18 The 2nd Edition of The Kenya Consumer Summit & Expo will be held on November 20-22, 2019. The theme: "Harmonizing the Big Four Agenda and Consumer Protection". Partnership opportunities for Sponsors, Exhibitors and Speakers are open. Talk to us. Yours faithfully, Pjorn Muriuki Program Officer Consumers Federation of Kenya (Cofek) - Restoring Consumer Pride & Confidence _______________________________________________ CofekDigest mailing list CofekDigest(a)lists.cofek.co.ke http://mail.cofek.co.ke/mailman/listinfo/cofekdigest_cofek.co.ke Unsubscribe or change your options at %(user_optionsurl)s

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Invitation to innovation ecosystem vigil
by Nekesa Were 23 Jan '19

23 Jan '19

Good morning listers, Resilience is a word that is increasingly used regularly in innovation circles. How do we avoid failure when we’re surprised by events? Following the devastating Riverside Attack, Nairobi and Kenya has refused to fail. We are showing our resilience. Our hearts have been warmed by the support for each other throughout the innovation ecosystem. Many times we feel like competitors, but really we all serve a wider, greater mission; to make our society better today than it was yesterday. We would like to invite the innovation ecosystem to the iHub on Tuesday 22 January from 5.30pm - 7.30pm to meet in person and see how we are all doing, how we can better support each other, what we can learn together from the last week. This is an inclusive event. If you want to come, please come. If you are wondering if you should come, please come. *Please RSVP here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/innovation-ecosystem-vigil-tickets-55071623709 <https://www.eventbrite.com/e/innovation-ecosystem-vigil-tickets-55071623709>* Prior to this, join family and friends of I-DEV's Jason Spindler today, Monday, January 21st, what would have been his 41st birthday, at a place he loved— J’s on Muthangari from 7:30 until late. Also join the Cellulant family at CITAM Valley Road from 10.30am tomorrow, 22nd Tuesday, when they'll have a memorial service for the Six Brave Men. -- Warm Regards, Nekesa Were iHub <http://ihub.co.ke/> Too brief? Here's why. <http://emailcharter.org/> +254.722.625.633

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Fwd: [AfrICANN-discuss] Share Your Input on ICANN's Draft Strategic Plan for Fiscal Years 2021-2025
by Barrack Otieno 22 Jan '19

22 Jan '19

---------- Forwarded message --------- From: Bob Ochieng <omondibob(a)gmail.com> Date: Mon, 21 Jan 2019 16:22 Subject: [AfrICANN-discuss] Share Your Input on ICANN's Draft Strategic Plan for Fiscal Years 2021-2025 To: afrICANN Community List <africann(a)afrinic.net> *Dear all* Please click here [icann.org] <https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__www.icann.org_public-2…> to share your input to help shape the future of ICANN as it sets out long-term strategic objectives that reflect the ICANN mission and vision. The Public Comment will be open until *11 February 2019.* After this public comment period, ICANN org will revise the draft. A strategic planning session is scheduled at ICANN64 in Kobe to further refine the plan. Following ICANN64, the ICANN org will incorporate any last revisions to the draft Strategic Plan. The Board will then finalize and adopt the new FY21 - FY25 Strategic Plan. To learn more about the strategic planning process and to stay up-to-date on progress, please visit the ICANN Strategic Planning page [icann.org] <https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__www.icann.org_resource…> . Regards Bob. _______________________________________________ AfrICANN mailing list AfrICANN(a)afrinic.net https://lists.afrinic.net/mailman/listinfo/africann

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France fines Google nearly $57 million for first major violation of new European privacy regime
by Alice Munyua 21 Jan '19

21 Jan '19

Enforcement begins! -------------------------------- The outside of the Google offices in New York. (Mike Segar/Reuters) By Tony Romm January 21 at 10:30 AM Google has been fined nearly $57 million by French regulators for violating Europe’s tough new data-privacy rules, marking the first major penalty brought against a U.S. technology giant since the region-wide regulations took effect last year. France’s top data-privacy agency, known as the CNIL, said Monday that Google failed to fully disclose to users how their personal information is collected and what happens to it. Google also did not properly obtain users’ consent for the purpose of showing them personalized ads, the watchdog agency said. French regulators said Google’s business practices had run afoul of Europe's new General Data Protection Regulation. Implemented in 2018, the sweeping privacy rules commonly referred to as GDPR have set a global standard that has forced Google and its tech peers in Silicon Valley to rethink their data-collection practices or risk sky-high fines. The United States lacks a similar, overarching federal consumer privacy law, a deficiency in the eyes of privacy hawks that has elevated Europe as the world’s de facto privacy cop. Despite Google’s changes to its business practices, the CNIL said in a statement that “the infringements observed deprive the users of essential guarantees regarding processing operations that can reveal important parts of their private life since they are based on a huge amount of data, a wide variety of services and almost unlimited possible combinations.” In response, Google said it is “studying the decision to determine our next steps,” adding: “People expect high standards of transparency and control from us. We’re deeply committed to meeting those expectations and the consent requirements of the GDPR. “ French regulators began investigating Google on May 25 -- the day GDPR went into effect -- in response to concerns raised by two groups of privacy activists. They filed additional privacy complaints against Facebook and its subsidiaries, photo-sharing app Instagram and messenger service WhatsApp, in other EU countries. “We are very pleased that for the first time a European data protection authority is using the possibilities of GDPR to punish clear violations of the law," said Max Schrems, the leader of the nonprofit noyb.eu (None of Your Business). "It is important that the authorities make it clear that simply claiming to be complaint is not enough." Under Europe's data privacy law, tech giants including Google must give users a full, clear picture of the data they collect, along with simple, specific tools for users to consent to having their personal information harnessed. In both cases, France said that Google had erred. Full details about what Google does with users' personal information are "excessively disseminated across several documents," according to the CNIL. The lack of transparency is even more jarring to users, the watchdog said, because of the sheer volume of services Google operates -- including its maps service, YouTube and app store. Even though Google users can modify their privacy settings when they create an account, French regulators said it still isn't enough -- partly because the default setting is for Google to display personalized ads to users. Meanwhile, Google requires people who sign up to agree to its terms and conditions in full in order to create their accounts, a form of consent that the CNIL faulted because it requires users to agree to everything -- or not use the service at all. For Google, its fine in France marks only its latest headache in Europe. Regulators throughout the region repeatedly have investigated the search giant for its privacy practices, while EU watchdogs have scrutinized Google on antitrust grounds. In 2018, Google faced a much larger, record $5 billion fine for stifling competitors on Android, its smartphone operating system. https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/france-fines-google-nearly-57-m…

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British duo flees with Safaricom’s Sh120m debt
by S.M. Muraya 21 Jan '19

21 Jan '19

If the private sector is learning, maybe our public sector (for national security reasons) should prioritize engaging firms owned partially or fully by Kenyans who have no where to flee? https://www.businessdailyafrica.com/news/British-duo-flees-with-Safaricoms-… *British duo flees with Safaricom’s Sh120m debt* By GALGALLO FAYO | MONDAY, JANUARY 21, 2019 9:53 SUMMARY - Safaricom is now seeking permission to serve court papers on the elusive company through newspaper adverts. - Iphone Global systems, which has roots in the United Kingdom, is facing a Sh120 million ($1.2 million) claim from Safaricom. - The mobile firm says it has learnt that two of Iphone Global systems directors have filed bankruptcy proceedings in British courts. An international telecommunications firm that owes Safaricom SCOM • 23.40 ▼ 1.27% Sh120 million cannot be traced after folding up its local operations, the mobile phone company has told the court. Safaricom is now seeking permission to serve court papers on the elusive company through newspaper adverts. The mobile firm says it has learnt that two of Iphone Global systems directors have filed bankruptcy proceedings in British courts. The directors, Steven James Moran and Leslie Thompson, who are British nationals, are said to have left Kenya without Safaricom’s knowledge. Attempts to serve the company with court papers have, however, been futile since November after the firm closed its Nairobi office Safaricom and the UK firm, according to documents filed in court, have a relationship that dates back to 2006 when they entered into an agreement of terminating calls into each other’s networks. Iphone Global is licensed to provide voice over internet protocol (VOIP) services. The firm that terminated more calls into the other’s network was supposed to pay the difference, as per the agreement. Safaricom in the suit papers says the firm has defaulted on paying millions in outstanding bills. “Attempts to serve the defendant at its registered office, Ad Life plaza, 4th Floor, suite No 4E, Ring Road Kilimani, have been to naught as the defendant was not in occupation thereof and was said by the Ad Life plaza Manager to have never occupied any offices therein,” Safaricom told the court. The telecommunications firm further says its attempts to locate the company at Iphone Global Systems’ last address, Carbon House, at Westland’s Office Park, was futile as it was informed they were no longer tenants there. High Court Judge James Makau on Thursday allowed Safaricom to inform the company of the pending suit against it by placing an advertisement in a local daily newspaper. Safaricom pleaded with court for speedy determination of its claim to allow it join the bankruptcy proceedings in British courts. The firm further claims that it has traced property belonging to the two directors in the State of Florida, United States of America and that any delay will see the assets disposed, making it difficult for it to recover its claims. Iphone Global signed an agreement with Safaricom to interconnect their systems. The two firms agreed to every month harmonise the bills for calls that had been terminated across the systems, and the company that had placed more cross-network calls was to pay the difference. Iphone Global had always paid its bill on time until early 2017 when it started defaulting, leading to Safaricom terminating the cross network services in March, 2018.

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(WhatsApp) Bigtech v/s Governments (Global Case Studies)
by Patrick A. M. Maina 19 Jan '19

19 Jan '19

1. Power: Global big tech, like FB, are not elected institutions, yet they seem to have amassed enough power to take on *entire governments* - and this is getting worse; a. WhatsApp rejects Indian Gov request for traceability: https://gadgets.ndtv.com/apps/news/whatsapp-rejects-indian-governments-dema… b. WhatsApp pushing back on Anti-encryption laws (India / Australia): https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.ft.com/content/8adc2b8c-1a4a-11e9-9e64-d15… All these despite mounting evidence that the tool is / can be used to *amplify* criminal or subversion activities at a scale that can seriously destabilise most governments! 2. The platforms appear keen to prioritise technology and profits over human safety or human rights (especially when dealing with the global South). https://futurism.com/india-facebooks-whatsapp-violence/amp/ 3. The US tech platforms operate as pseudo "world government" entities rather than ordinary business entities. Aggressively imposing *their own* definition of "privacy", "free speech" and "democracy" upon others. There seems to be an assumed expectation of global cultural homogeneity irrespective of country-level or regional-level Context. American platforms don't seem overly concerned that their tools can be used to trigger civil wars, genocide or coups in fragile / immature democracies. This has led to what looks like credible fears that US Big Tech is turning into a tool for advancing US hegemony. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/0306396818823172 4. Even Europe (e.g France) is beefing up to indigenous cyber-defense infrastructure by building their own WhatsApp / Telegram clones for government use. https://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/france-whatsapp-security/amp/ When even industrialized *western* nations want to minimise reliance on (or control exposure to) US tech platforms, would it be wise for Kenya want to increase it? Once you are locked in, it will be very costly (if not impossible) to come out. Something for government officials to think about. Degradation of security and economic stability should not be the price we pay for "innovation"; Not all technology is beneficial to humanity and it is important to have assertive public-interest policies driven by holistic and strategic analysis of our unique local circumstances and needs. Have a nice weekend. Patrick A. M. Maina(Independent Public Policy Analyst - Indigenous Innovations)

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Fwd: [NRIs List] IGF Stocktaking: Deadline Extended to Monday 21 January
by Barrack Otieno 19 Jan '19

19 Jan '19

Listers, Might be of interest to those following the IGF process. Thank you Best Regards ---------- Forwarded message --------- From: Anja Gengo <anja.gengo(a)un.org> Date: Wed, Jan 16, 2019 at 1:58 PM Subject: [NRIs List] IGF Stocktaking: Deadline Extended to Monday 21 January To: igfregionals(a)intgovforum.org <igfregionals(a)intgovforum.org> Dear Colleagues, The IGF Secretariat would like to inform you that the deadline for submitting inputs to the IGF's annual stocktaking process is now EXTENDED until Monday 21 January. The Call for Inputs and submission guidance are available at the IGF website: *https://www.intgovforum.org/multilingual/content/igf-community-public-consultation-taking-stock-of-the-2018-work-programme-and-13th-igf-and* <https://www.intgovforum.org/multilingual/content/igf-community-public-consu…> All inputs received are already made public on the IGF's website: *https://www.intgovforum.org/multilingual/content/2018-2019-stocktaking-contributions* <https://www.intgovforum.org/multilingual/content/2018-2019-stocktaking-cont…> If you take a look at the list of currently received submissions, you will notice that the NRIs did not submit any. However, some of the stakeholders involved in the core organizing teams of some of the NRIs did (e.g. those involved in: Italian IGF, Swiss IGF, Ukraine national and Youth IGF, Youth India IGF). We are most thankful to these colleagues! The extension of deadline could be an opportunity for the NRIs to reflect on the IGF 2018 preparatory process and add suggestions for how the NRIs-IGF collaboration can be improved in this year. Thank you very much in advance! Best regards, Anja _______________________________________________ Igfregionals mailing list Igfregionals(a)intgovforum.org To unsubscribe or manage your options please go to http://intgovforum.org/mailman/listinfo/igfregionals_intgovforum.org -- Barrack O. Otieno +254721325277 +254733206359 Skype: barrack.otieno PGP ID: 0x2611D86A

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