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Mozilla working on kiswahili speech recognition
by Tony White 29 May '21

29 May '21

Hi All, An interesting development in speech recognition and text-to-speech for kiswahili: https://www.zdnet.com/article/mozilla-expands-effort-to-bring-kiswahili-to-… Cheers, -- Tony White

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Opportunity for a Senior Security Engineer
by Evans Ikua 26 May '21

26 May '21

We are looking for an experienced security engineer with about 5 - 10 (or more) years of industry experience to explore partnership opportunities. The ideal candidate would be a freelancer or one considering starting out in the coming days. Must have excellent sys admin skills and experience with leading security tools and technologies. If interested or know someone who would, kindly reach out to me on email or using the contacts below. -- *Kind Regards,Evans Ikua,* Cell: +254-722-955831 *----------------------------------------------------*

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Moderated discussion on Licensing and Shared Spectrum Framework for Community Networks for Kenya
by Mwendwa Kivuva 25 May '21

25 May '21

Dear Listers, KICTANet will hold a moderated discussion led on 27th and 28th May on the licensing and shared spectrum framework for community networks. Together with our partners, we formulated a Licensing and Shared Spectrum Framework for Community Networks for Kenya. The Communications Authority of Kenya has invited comments from all stakeholders, including members of the public, licensees utilizing spectrum resources, and government institutions on the proposed framework available on the Authority’s website direct download here. <https://ca.go.ke/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Licensing-and-Shared-Spectrum-F…> Community Networks are a way to bridge the connectivity gap when people come together to build and maintain the necessary infrastructure for Internet connection. Internet by the people, for the people. This licensing framework by CA will create a mechanism to attract existing community networks that have been operating outside the regulatory tent into the overall regulatory framework The framework proposes to integrate a new licensing category for community networks within the Unified Licensing Framework. The license will be exclusively for community-based organizations or other forms of non-profit collectives, limited to a sub-county. The community will be issued a ten-year license with the application fee and the annual operating fee set at Ksh. 1000 and Ksh. 5000 respectively. This is quite affordable compared to the lowest fee in the Network Facilities Provider Tier3 commercial license which pays an initial license fee of KShs. 200,000 and an operating fee of KShs. 160,000. The framework allows community networks to access the Universal Service Funds to support bottom-up digital skills help the growth of local initiatives, and also provide capacity-building initiatives within communities; While CA will help the communities negotiate discounted backhaul capacity for community networks, the framework also requires fiber-optic network operators to publish their pricing to ensure access, transparency, and non-discrimination in wholesale backhaul markets. Finally, the licensing frameworks gives recommendation on how license exempt spectrum (frequencies allocated for communication over the airwaves) can be utilised more effectively; - To review the Guidelines on the use of Radiofrequency Spectrum by Short Range Devices to amend EIRP limits for 2.4 & 5 GHz Wi-Fi for Point-to-Point and Point-to-Multipoint use. - To review options for lowering the barrier to use of other license-exempt bands for PtP and PtMP use, including 24 GHz and 60 GHz. - To expand the range of frequencies available for license-exempt use, especially in the 5-6 GHz bands. - To strengthen collaborations with service providers to foster standards and regulatory inclusion. - To expedite the commercial availability of geolocation database service and implement required mechanisms to make the TVWS spectrum available immediately to operators. - To establish an incubatory period for TVWS technologies. - To evaluate with regional regulators the feasibility of a common approach implementation of geolocation databases. - To develop a shared spectrum framework for underutilised IMT spectrum bands. - To review the spectrum fee framework, recognizing the need for significantly reduced fees for underserved areas This consultation process is meant to give stakeholders and the public an opportunity to comment on the proposed draft framework. The comments received will inform the adoption of the Licensing and Shared Spectrum Framework for Community Networks in Kenya. Any comments or memoranda should be sent to the email address: frequencyreturns(a)ca.go.ke or the official CA address before the close of day on 1st June 2021. KICTANet organized a webinar to introduce stakeholders and the public to the proposed draft framework. The webinar recording is available on YouTube here <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sSVv7VRtMdU&t=2s>. ______________________ Mwendwa Kivuva, Nairobi, Kenya https://www.linkedin.com/in/mwendwa-kivuva

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Fwd: A Career in Data Science: An IITPSA Western Cape Chapter Eventkic
by waudo siganga 21 May '21

21 May '21

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Seeking talented Research Managers for Consumer Protection and Interoperability Projects
by Grace Githaiga 20 May '21

20 May '21

Good morning Listers This might be of interest to some of you here. Rafe from Innovations for Poverty Action (IPA) is a member of this forum. Rgds GG From: Rafe Mazer <rmazer(a)poverty-action.org> Sent: 19 May 2021 9:04 PM To: Rafe Mazer <rmazer(a)poverty-action.org> Subject: Please Share Widely: Seeking talented Research Managers for Consumer Protection and Interoperability Projects Nairobi Colleagues, I hope you are all well and safe. I am writing to share that IPA is hiring a Research Manager for our Consumer Protection and our Interoperable Payments projects. This is a great opportunity for a mid-career talent with a knack and passion for research and data analysis. There will be lots of opportunities for leadership on projects with regulators, providers, and academics, and we will be conducting a wide range of in-the-field research, so this role is perfect for a hands-on person eager to quickly grow their profile and experience. The consumer protection position would be supervised by me, and the interoperable payments by my colleague Rebecca Rouse. We have created a single posting for these two positions, so we can consider applicants for both as needed: https://www.poverty-action.org/job/research-manager-consumer-protection-res… The position can be located in the US or any of IPA’s country offices—including Kenya, which is also our largest office globally. Would you mind sharing this with your networks or any candidates you think may be of interest? I am happy to answer questions from prospective applicants if helpful as well. Thank you in advance for the help finding new talent for our fast-growing team, Rafe Rafe Mazer Director - Consumer Protection Research Initiative Innovations for Poverty Action rmazer(a)poverty-action.org<mailto:rmazer@poverty-action.org>

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Invitation to Webinar : Towards a Licensing and Shared Spectrum Framework for Community Networks
by Mwara Gichanga 14 May '21

14 May '21

Greetings Listers, The Communications Authority of Kenya in collaboration with the Kenya ICT Action Network (KICTAnet), the Association of Progressive Communications (APC), and the University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, Scotland, and supported by the United Kingdom’s Digital Access Programme, would like to invite you to a virtual webinar on 'Towards a Licensing and Shared Spectrum Framework for Community Networks' The webinar will take place on Monday 17th May 2021 at 2:00 PM on Zoom. The webinar seeks to explore innovative approaches to licensing and dynamic spectrum access to enable the provision of affordable and sustainable internet access for remote, rural, and marginalized areas in Kenya. During the webinar, we will be presenting a draft Licensing and Shared Spectrum Framework for Community Networks, a framework developed in partnership with the Communications Authority of Kenya, Kenya ICT Action Network (KICTANet), the Association for Progressive Communications (APC), the University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, Scotland and supported by the United Kingdom’s Digital Access Programme. Please confirm your availability, at your earliest convenience, by registering your details using the Zoom link below: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_54LgP4mmT8Kfqj6gwTZG4g A meeting link will be shared after registration. We look forward to your participation. Warm regards, Mwara Gichanga KICTANet

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Fwd: [NRIs List] Paying tribute to Makane Faye
by Barrack Otieno 04 May '21

04 May '21

Listers, For those who new Mr. Makane Faye, the Coodinator of the Africa Internet Governnance Forum, there will be a Virtual memorial later today whose details are contained in the email below. Best Regards ---------- Forwarded message --------- From: Anriette Esterhuysen <anriette(a)apc.org> Date: Mon, May 3, 2021 at 12:05 PM Subject: [NRIs List] Paying tribute to Makane Faye To: MAG-public <Igfmaglist(a)intgovforum.org>, igfregionals < igfregionals(a)intgovforum.org>, African School on Internet Governance Alumni list <afrisig-alumni(a)lists.apc.org> Dear all Please find, attached, the programme of a virtual tribute to our colleague Makane Faye. It will take place tomorrow at 12 UTC. Anriette *The Global virtual event to pay tribute to Makane Faye* *Date:* 40th Day of the passing – Tuesday May 4th , 2021 *Time:* 12 UTC corresponding to 3PM Addis Ababa Time *Duration:* 2 Hours *Participants:* Open: by Zoom platform *Moderator:* M. Nassirou Ba, President ECA Staff Union/President FUNSA *Platform:* ZOOM LINK: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJwpcemvrzIpGda57j-CzvZg8inpXJs6tNx4 <https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJwpcemvrzIpGda57j-CzvZg8inpXJs6tNx4%20%20> *Interpretation:* French / English Anriette Esterhuysen - anriette@apc.org//anriette@gmail.com Chair, United Nations Internet Governance Forum Multistakeholder Advisory Groupwww.intgovforum.org Senior advisor global and regional internet governance Association for Progressive Communicationswww.apc.org//afrisig.org _______________________________________________ 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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icolo.io contributes to Kenya’s renewable energy grid with new Hybrid Solar System at its Data Centres
by Ali Hussein 03 May '21

03 May '21

Dear Listers This might be of interest. Kenya’s energy grid is more than 75% renewable, making it one of the most renewable grids in the World and icolo.io continues its commitment to the sustainability of our industry with the implementation of Solar Energy systems at our Nairobi and Mombasa Data Centres. The 400kW Solar Systems at NBO1 and MBA1 will support part of the power needs of each Data Centre which can deliver 825KW and 675kW of customer power (IT Load) respectively, thereby helping to manage our energy costs and minimize our carbon footprint. This forms part of the company’s sustainable Green Energy goals being implemented across all its campuses in Nairobi and Mombasa. Data Centers are energy-intensive infrastructure projects, and these systems help tap into clean renewable energy, these installations are equivalent to planting back 100 trees per week and reduces the data center 3,200 Kgs of CO2 emissions per week. “One of our greatest natural resources in Africa is the Sun and our investment in solar is a strategic part of our global vision to reduce the harmful effects of global warming and conserve the environment as we continue to scale our business” says Ranjith Cherickel, CEO of icolo.io. See the link for more information. icolo goes solar <https://www.linkedin.com/posts/alihkassim_solarenergy-carbonfootprint-green…> Regards *Ali Hussein* Digital Transformation 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.

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Unseen Eyes, Unheard Stories Report and Webinar
by David Indeje 29 Apr '21

29 Apr '21

[image: image.png] Dear Listers, This month, the Kenya ICT Action Network (KICTANet), ARTICLE 19 Eastern Africa, and Pollicy published the "Unseen Eyes, Unheard Stories: Surveillance, data protection, and freedom of expression in Kenya and Uganda during COVID-19" <https://www.kictanet.or.ke/mdocs-posts/unseen-eyes-unheard-stories-surveill…> report. It reviews reviews the national legal frameworks and practices that have enabled an extraordinary surveillance environment during the first year of the coronavirus pandemic in Kenya and Uganda. It documents and raises awareness about government and private sector surveillance measures and practices in both countries during this period and their human rights implications. During its launch, there was a webinar that provided highlights of the report. If you missed it, kindly use the link here <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pUn2NObQt6Y&ab_channel=KICTAnet>. *Kind Regards,* *David Indeje *

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Fwd: What factors determine inclusion and exclusion in national digital ID?
by Grace Mutung'u 27 Apr '21

27 Apr '21

Dear listers, You are all invited for this talk <https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwkdeivqT0iGtSP8X_pYdBzEkCW-1HAyg…>, hosted by CIPIT this coming Friday at 11.00am EAT. Please share widely. Many digital ID policy papers recommend that digital IDs be inclusive and call for governments to eliminate exclusion. But how do digital ID systems come to be inclusive or exclusive? Is it in the design of the projects or are there structural issues that contribute to exclusion? CIPIT will be having a public talk on inclusion and exclusion of National IDs. Come join *Teki Akuetteh-Falconer *from African Digital Rights Hub <https://cipit.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5983a8c72f6d3bdb21565d65d&…>, as she discusses on the ground experiences on inclusion and exclusion from three West African countries. She will be joined by *Yussuf Bashir* from Haki na Sheria Initiative Kenya <https://cipit.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5983a8c72f6d3bdb21565d65d&…> and, *Dorothy Mukasa* from Unwanted Witness <https://cipit.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5983a8c72f6d3bdb21565d65d&…> who will share nuanced experiences on how digital ID projects can include or exclude sections of society. *When: Apr 30, 2021* *Time: 11:00am - 12:30pm EAT* Register Here <https://cipit.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5983a8c72f6d3bdb21565d65d&…> https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwkdeivqT0iGtSP8X_pYdBzEkCW-1HAyg… We look forward to having you join us. -- Grace Mutung'u Skype: gracebomu @Bomu PGP ID : 807F57ACF469B0BB

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