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Fwd: [Idlelo2] FW: [ipr] WIPO: Winds of Change
by Judy Okite 27 Feb '07

27 Feb '07

FYI ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Ashraf Patel <AshrafP(a)osisa.org> Date: Feb 27, 2007 4:05 PM Subject: [Idlelo2] FW: [ipr] WIPO: Winds of Change To: idlelo2(a)fossfa.net -----Original Message----- From: owner-ipr(a)mailhost.soros.org [mailto:owner-ipr@mailhost.soros.org] On Behalf Of Vera Franz Sent: Saturday, February 24, 2007 1:38 PM To: ipr(a)mailhost.soros.org Subject: [ipr] WIPO: Winds of Change The reform of WIPO, which many of us had first discussed at the TACD Meeting in October 2003, made important progress here in Geneva yesterday: As part of the Development Agenda process, Member States agreed that WIPO will have to take into account access to knowledge concerns, such as the protection of the public domain and the control of anti-competitive practices. WIPO might finally abonadon its vision of a maximalist IP regime. More below, as well as at eff.org, eifl.net, cptech.org http://www.huffingtonpost.com/james-love/wipo-embraces-reform-on-i_b_419 51.html WIPO Embraces Reform on Intellectual Property Mission <http://www.huffingtonpost.com/james-love/wipo-embraces-reform-on-i_b_41 951.html> by JAMES LOVE Geneva: Today the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) concluded the first of a two-part review of proposals for a reform effort called the "development agenda." In doing so, WIPO and its member states have done something very positive, and surprising -- both because it signals important reforms, and because it happened with very strong support from all of the WIPO members, including the United States and members of Europe, delegations that usually take a hard line in global negotiations on intellectual property issues. <http://ad.doubleclick.net/jump/huffingtonpost/blog/politics;nickname=ja mes-love;entry_id=41951;United+States=1;European+Commission=1;Geneva=1;p tile=2;sz=300x250;abr=!ie4;abr=!ie5;abr=!ie6;ord=123456789?> The negotiations have just broken up. This is our statement on the outcome: Knowledge Ecology International Statement on WIPO Development Agenda negotiation The agreement on dozens of WIPO reforms was broader and more substantive than had been anticipated. Some of the measures signal important changes in this controversial UN body. WIPO members agreed to "consider the preservation of the public domain within WIPO's normative processes and deepen the analysis of the implication and benefits of a rich and accessible public domain." WIPO agreed to "promote measures that will help countries deal with IP related anticompetitive practices." "Norm-setting activities shall . . . take into account different levels of development" and "take into consideration a balance between costs and benefits." WIPO adopted an expanded mandate to undertake studies to assess the economic, social and cultural impact of intellectual property practices and norm setting activities. All of this signals a new tone and approach for WIPO. In a sense, WIPO is finally entering the new century, and responding to the growing demand for reforms, and a more balanced ! approach to intellectual property protection. In some areas, however, the agreement was quite limited. The cluster that included "access to knowledge," was quite thin, for example. In June, WIPO will look at a much more ambitious set of proposals, most of which were opposed by the United States or the European Commission in 2005. The June meeting, which is expected to be much more difficult, will look at topics such as proposed treaty on access to knowledge -- a startling departure from WIPO's longstanding efforts to focus largely on expanding the scope and enforcement of intellectual property rights. This week's negotiation went far better than almost anyone had anticipated, and many share the credit for the excellent outcome. The United States government had greatly moderated its positions and tone, and was credited by many delegates for its constructive and open approach to the negotiations on a topic for which the US is normally considered a hard-liner. Several European States, including for example the UK, Germany and Switzerland had worked hard to find ways to reaching consensus with key developing countries. Indian persistent efforts to engage the US and European negotiators was helpful and effective. Argentina and Brazil were among the countries that had pushed the hardest for the reform agenda. Chile's leadership on the issue of the public domain was key. The contributions from the Africa Group were excellent, including for example countries like South Africa. Very high marks were given to Trevor Clarke, the impressive Chair of the meeting, who hails from Barbado! s. Many non-government organizations (NGOs) and experts have labored long and hard on the development agenda negotiations, not all of which were able to attend this meeting, which comes after at least seven WIPO meetings where this topic has been discussed. The contributions of the (north and south, east and west) development, consumer, free software, library and public interest groups working on technology issues were very important, and it has been a pleasure to work with all of them. It is now time to turn our attentions to the June negotiations on the next group of proposals for the development agenda, which go much further, and present more controversy. It is also important to ensure that WIPO implements the new reforms. The first step is very important, but it is a long journey. Here are some quotes from others who are here: (Indian Delegate) "As a delegation we feel it is a very significant forward movement. The meeting concluded in a spirit of compromise and consensus. This augers well for future deliberation which may lead to the finalization of a development agenda for WIPO. It is imperative that the member states maintain this spirit in the next meeting of the PCDA." (Nigerian Delegate) "It has been a very long and tortuous route but we have at last come out of the tunnel into the brilliant prospects of implementing the Development Agenda in WIPO." Teresa Hackett (EIFL.NET) "The Chairman was breath of fresh air. After two years, it feels like things are moving forward. The public domain received unexpected attention, but it gave us the opportunity to talk about why WIPO should care about a rich and accessible public domain." Miriam M. Nisbet (American Library Association) "Despite some confusing and conflicting statements about the public domain, it has been gratifying to hear lively debates by the WIPO delegates that reinforce the importance of the topic." Ren Buchholz (Electronic Frontier Foundation) "WIPO made a refreshing amount of progress this week. The excellent Chair kept things moving and Member States seemed happy to be hard at work. However, it's critical that the spirit of this session is present at the June meeting. If certain countries obstruct fair consideration of the rest of the proposals -- and there are many -- we should not be surprised if this week's success suffers." David Tannenbaum (Yale Information Society Project) "It is disorienting to see such a breathtakingly good outcome come out of a process that was largely closed. The language is very general and it will be important to use these principles to guide current and future treaty negotiations." Cliffor Guimares (Brazilian Copyright Office) "The final results of the discussions of the Annex A are positive. Group B showed some flexibility in order to reach an agreement. . The African Group devoted a lot of effort to reaching agreement on technical assistance matters. Of course, Annex A comprises only part of the negotiation. Brazil hopes that the spirit of cooperation and goodwill displayed in PCDA3 is extended to PCDA4." Iryna Kuchma (eIFL) "It was my first participation at PCDA and it was a pleasure for me to see the progress in the Development agenda. As an Eastern European the only pity I have is that other East European countries don't realize that Development agenda will be as beneficial for them as for the Friends of Development." Malini Aisola (Knowledge Ecology International) "After many days of negotiations, I am glad that WIPO Member States were able to reach decisions on Annex A proposals. This is surely a favorable first result in the development agenda process. In order for the process to be completed, it is crucial that member states rise to the challenging task of reaching consensus on the remaining proposals in the June meeting. Witnessing the cooperation and collaboration of the nations at the PCDA has been a valuable experience for me." Eddan Katz (Yale Information Society Project) "This is an important moment for the recognition of the role of human development in innovation. agreement on these principles will help us move forward in promoting access to knowledge as a commitment for the whole world." (Senior member of the US delegation) "We sensed a different atmosphere on both sides this time". Vera Franz "With this week's meeting we are a step closer to making WIPO fit for the 21st century. Back in 2003 WIPO had argued that a meeting on open collaborative knowledge projects would fall outside the agency's mandate. With today WIPO has put these issues firmly on its agenda, acknowledging that in a healthy and competitive knowledge economy more IP is not always better. What is next? These changes will have to impact future norm-setting at the agency." Thiru Balasubramaniam (Knowledge Ecology International) "The Chair, Ambassador Trevor Clarke of Barbados, steered the helm of the Development Agenda process with judicious authority rejuvenating hopes that WIPO can mainstream public interest concerns into its core mandate. Kudos to Pakistan, Chile, India, Brazil, South Africa and the United States for their spirit of cooperation and goodwill It was refreshing to hear WIPO Member States laud the value of the public domain. Crunch time begins in June where proposals detailing an elaboration of a Treaty on Access to Knowledge and a Medical R&D Treaty will be discussed." <http://www.huffingtonpost.com/james-love/wipo-embraces-reform-on-i_b_41 951.html> _______________________________________________ Idlelo2 mailing list Idlelo2(a)fossfa.net http://mailman.dst.gov.za/mailman/listinfo/idlelo2 -- Judy Ann Okite, +254-721237507,+254-734252336 P.O. BOX 2228 00100, NAIROBI,KENYA. "Even if you are on the right track, you'll still get run over if you just sit there."

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Re: [kictanet] Will the new alliance against Celtel last?
by Florence Etta 27 Feb '07

27 Feb '07

CELTEL really ought to go ahead and consolidate a continental position across al the countries where they operate and have a first continental roaming/home rate arrangement to the chagrin of their competitors and the joy of thier customers. They should show us their true capitalist spirit and drive prices down and their banks accounts bursting with one stroke of genius! Imagine the scoop of joining Nigeria to the CELTEL EA network. Thats CAPITALISM right? Or have I missed soemthing? Cheers, FE Florence Etta P.O. Box 14285,00800 Westlands-Nairobi, Kenya Tel: Mobile + 254-733-621851 Terrestrial: + 254-20-7121506 Fax: + 254-20-7125732 Alternative Email:florence.etta@gmail.com ----- Original Message ---- From: "alice(a)apc.org" <alice(a)apc.org> To: feanywhere(a)yahoo.co.uk Sent: Tuesday, 27 February, 2007 9:04:06 AM Subject: [kictanet] Will the new alliance against Celtel last? Will the new alliance against Celtel last? When Celtel unveiled its single EA network there was a lot of trepidation in the communications sector on the implications of such a move. Talking heads and officious spectators immediately began wondering how the other two communications service providers in the Ugandan market, MTN and Uganda Telecom, would react. The decision to embrace East Africa, a first from Celtel, startled its competitors. The genius who came up with the idea deserves every bit of his pay cheque and more. No strategy will possibly have as far reaching results as this first from Celtel - who in Uganda were the pioneer mobile-phone service provider, although they squandered all the advantages of first entry with a premium pricing strategy - but that is a story for another day. The responses have been rapid and varied. MTN immediately commenced negotiations with Vodafone and Safaricom and presto, we have the three musketeers. The challenge posed by Celtel was sorted, or was it? Uganda Telecom, on the other hand, quickly signed a multimillion deal to sell Uganda's international gateway (256) to Gemtel, a Sudanese-based firm whose ownership is still being investigated by parliament. Before entering into an analysis of the merits and demerits of such a course of action, let us utilise the timeless lessons taught to us by our forefathers in Acholi folklore. There once was an able and robust hunter who chanced upon a baby leopard deserted by its mother. Nyaga, fascinated by the beautiful fur, carried the leopard home and commenced looking after it. Elders admonished Nyaga, women cautioned him on the folly of keeping something no human being had ever dared to keep, noting that the creature had long, sharp nails. To all this well-intentioned advice, Nyaga blocked his ears. In consequence, as the leopard grew bigger and bolder, one day in jest it wounded Nyaga. Niccolo Machevelli had nothing but disdain for mercenaries or auxiliaries in the defence of a principality. Similarly, auxiliaries leave the one who calls them in a lurch if they are defeated and in the power of the mercenaries if they win. It is through this prism that I choose to look at the response of the three musketeers to the challenge posed by Celtel. Yet even after painting such a grim scenario, we are yet to address the question of who the tiger in the alliance is or how long it will be sustained. Watmon Mike Kinyera via e-mail http://www.nationmedia.com/eastafrican/current/Opinion/opinion2602073. htm _______________________________________________ kictanet mailing list kictanet(a)kictanet.or.ke http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet Please unsubscribe or change your options at http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/feanywhere%40yahoo.co.uk ___________________________________________________________ New Yahoo! Mail is the ultimate force in competitive emailing. Find out more at the Yahoo! Mail Championships. Plus: play games and win prizes. http://uk.rd.yahoo.com/evt=44106/*http://mail.yahoo.net/uk

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Fwd: [UgaBYTES] From KTN2 Kenya Network of Telecentres-KENTEL
by chelimo kenneth 27 Feb '07

27 Feb '07

Note: forwarded message attached. --------------------------------- The fish are biting. Get more visitors on your site using Yahoo! Search Marketing.

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Ground laid for TEAMS roll out project
by alice＠apc.org 27 Feb '07

27 Feb '07

Ground laid for TEAMS roll out project By JOHN KORIR Plan for the implementation of the multi-billion East African Marine Systems popularly known as TEAMS have been finalised, Information and Communication Permanent Secretary Dr Bitange Ndemo said yesterday. Speaking at a Nairobi hotel during an Information Communication Technology (ICT) industry stakeholders meeting, Dr Ndemo said the new technology will link the East African Coastline to the rest of the world, saying the coastline is the only one in the African continent that remains unconnected by the submarine cable. The PS told participants thatthe preparatory process for laying the framework is in high gear with a special team appointed working round the clock to ensure the detailed plans and other basic elements are put in place before the implementation of the project begins. He said the TEAMS will be laid from Fujairah and Mombasa , linking Kenya to the rest of the world. The PS said the new technology is a major milestone in the economy of the country. "With the shrinking distances round the world, our dreams and aspirations in being part of the rest of the world will only be realzed when our communication infrastructure enables us to undertake business with the rest of the world in real time and cheaply," Ndemo said. Dr Ndemo said the government is keen to stimulate the investments in ICTs and particularly the deployment of high bandwidth fibre-optical backbone newtworks. He further said the government is continuously developing the framework that facilitate the deployment of the telecommunications facilities and services. The PS observed that the country stands to benefit immensely from the connectivity, saying consumers are constantly yearning for high speeds and broadband connectivity that can propel the growth of e-commerce as well as lowering the costs of telecommunication acccess. Dr Ndemo at the same time called on players in the industry to explore ways of adopting the principle of infrastructure sharing so that resources could be optimally used. He said there was need for those in the industry to make efficient use of existing network facilities and save on costs that in most cases become sunk, saying the principle of infrastructure sharing is a global initiative aimed at cutting costs on the part of the players

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Will the new alliance against Celtel last?
by alice＠apc.org 27 Feb '07

27 Feb '07

Will the new alliance against Celtel last? When Celtel unveiled its single EA network there was a lot of trepidation in the communications sector on the implications of such a move. Talking heads and officious spectators immediately began wondering how the other two communications service providers in the Ugandan market, MTN and Uganda Telecom, would react. The decision to embrace East Africa, a first from Celtel, startled its competitors. The genius who came up with the idea deserves every bit of his pay cheque and more. No strategy will possibly have as far reaching results as this first from Celtel - who in Uganda were the pioneer mobile-phone service provider, although they squandered all the advantages of first entry with a premium pricing strategy - but that is a story for another day. The responses have been rapid and varied. MTN immediately commenced negotiations with Vodafone and Safaricom and presto, we have the three musketeers. The challenge posed by Celtel was sorted, or was it? Uganda Telecom, on the other hand, quickly signed a multimillion deal to sell Uganda's international gateway (256) to Gemtel, a Sudanese-based firm whose ownership is still being investigated by parliament. Before entering into an analysis of the merits and demerits of such a course of action, let us utilise the timeless lessons taught to us by our forefathers in Acholi folklore. There once was an able and robust hunter who chanced upon a baby leopard deserted by its mother. Nyaga, fascinated by the beautiful fur, carried the leopard home and commenced looking after it. Elders admonished Nyaga, women cautioned him on the folly of keeping something no human being had ever dared to keep, noting that the creature had long, sharp nails. To all this well-intentioned advice, Nyaga blocked his ears. In consequence, as the leopard grew bigger and bolder, one day in jest it wounded Nyaga. Niccolo Machevelli had nothing but disdain for mercenaries or auxiliaries in the defence of a principality. Similarly, auxiliaries leave the one who calls them in a lurch if they are defeated and in the power of the mercenaries if they win. It is through this prism that I choose to look at the response of the three musketeers to the challenge posed by Celtel. Yet even after painting such a grim scenario, we are yet to address the question of who the tiger in the alliance is or how long it will be sustained. Watmon Mike Kinyera via e-mail http://www.nationmedia.com/eastafrican/current/Opinion/opinion2602073. htm

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Freedom of Information Bill Advances in Nigeria
by joseph kihanya 27 Feb '07

27 Feb '07

Dear All, Looks like we may only be fifth after all. Kihanya --- Justice Initiative <info(a)mail.justiceinitiative.org> wrote: > Date: Thu, 22 Feb 2007 21:08:45 -0500 (EST) > To: kihanyajn(a)yahoo.com > Subject: Freedom of Information Bill Advances in > Nigeria > From: "Justice Initiative" > <info(a)mail.justiceinitiative.org> > > For immediate release > > Contact: Maxwell Kadiri +234 803 304 0558 (Abuja) > David Berry +1 212 548 0385 (New York) > > FREEDOM OF INFORMATION BILL ADVANCES IN NIGERIA > > Following Adoption by Parliament, Bill Awaits > Presidential Signature > > Abuja, February 22, 2007The Open Society Justice > Initiative today > hailed the Nigerian Parliament's final approval of a > harmonized > freedom of information bill and called on President > Olusegun Obasanjo > to sign it into law quickly. > > The bill, if it becomes law, will guarantee > Nigerian citizens the > right to access government-held information. Nigeria > is set to become > just the fourth African nation with a freedom of > information law, > following South Africa, Uganda, and Angola. > > "This is a significant moment in Nigeria's > history," said Maxwell > Kadiri, a staff attorney with the Justice > Initiative's Abuja office. > "With President Obasanjo's signature, this new law > should set Nigeria > on the path to more open and more accountable > government." > > The bill has been pending in Parliament since 1999. > The Nigerian > House of Representatives approved one version of the > bill in 2004, > and the Senate unanimously approved a slightly > different version in > late 2006. The two versions were reconciled and > adopted by the full > Parliament yesterday. Now the bill requires the > assent of President > Obasanjo in order to become law. The Justice > Initiative and other > advocates expressed hope that this step would take > place without > delay. > > The bill's passage is a significant victory for > Nigeria's freedom of > information advocates, who have championed its > passage for over eight > years. It is also an impetus for other African > nations to enact > similar laws and for those nations that already have > freedom of > information laws to enforce them more vigorously. > > "This bill enables the Obasanjo administration to > claim as its > legacy the foundations of open and transparent > government in Nigeria. > President Obasanjo has always said he wants to > change the country for > the better and ensure the people's business is > done," said Kadiri. > "Through this bill, he can realize this ambition. We > look forward to > his signing it into law at the earliest possible > opportunity." > > The URL for this page is: > http://www.justiceinitiative.org/db/resource2?res_id=103632 > {http://www.justiceinitiative.org/db/resource2?res_id=103632} > > > > > -- > To unsubscribe from this list visit > http://www2.soros.org/newsletters/lists/?p=unsubscribe&uid=4e96a0eee7750a1d… > > To update your preferences visit > http://www2.soros.org/newsletters/lists/?p=preferences&uid=4e96a0eee7750a1d… > > > > -- > Powered by PHPlist, www.phplist.com -- > > ____________________________________________________________________________________ Expecting? Get great news right away with email Auto-Check. Try the Yahoo! Mail Beta. http://advision.webevents.yahoo.com/mailbeta/newmail_tools.html

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Senegal Lesson ( 2004 )
by Alex Gakuru 26 Feb '07

26 Feb '07

[USATODAY] "Outsourcing comes to Africa, bringing jobs and fake Parisian accents" Posted 7/10/2004 DAKAR, Senegal (AP) On the job, she's Dominique Mercier nattering in lilting French, working her headset eight hours a day, and hawking telephone services to Europeans. Come day's end, the accent drops, and Dominique's true identity stands revealed: Fatou Ndiaye, 32-year-old Senegalese college graduate, and one of thousands of operators dialing up the West from booming call centers in West Africa.... <http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/telecom/2004-07-10-outsource_x.htm> ------------------------------------------------------ /Alex --------------------------------- Need a quick answer? Get one in minutes from people who know. Ask your question on Yahoo! Answers.

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FW: PROGRAMME COORDINATOR, SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION INDICATORS PROGRAMME
by alice＠apc.org 26 Feb '07

26 Feb '07

PROGRAMME COORDINATOR, SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION INDICATORS PROGRAMME Location : Pretoria South Africa Country : South Africa Company : NEPAD Description : Responsibilities The New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) is the socio-economic programme of the African Union (AU). NEPAD’s Office of Science and Technology (OST) is the designated technical and administrative secretariat for the implementation of Africa’s Science and Technology Consolidated Plan of Action (CPA). Its mandate is to coordinate the implementation of the CPA and provide technical backstopping to the AU Commission and the African Ministerial Council on Science and Technology (AMCOST). NEPAD OST is launching a new programme to develop African science, technology and innovation indicators. The programme comprises of training workshops, national and regional surveys, establishing an observatory, and the production of an African Science and Innovation Outlook. These will be implemented through inter-governmental processes and activities by a network of carefully selected leading African and international organizations. Financial support for the programme is provided by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida). NEPAD OST seeks to recruit a coordinator for the new programme. Based in Pretoria South Africa, the coordinator will work under the guidance and direction of the Director of NEPAD OST. He or she will be responsible for provision of effective operational management and implementation of the programme. The incumbent’s main functions will include: (a) initiating, supervising and carrying out activities as outlined in the programme proposal agreed upon between NEPAD OST and Sida, and the work-plan to be approved by an inter-governmental committee of AMCOST; (b) Overseeing the preparation of relevant manual(s), training materials and background studies; (c) Developing guidelines and procedures for the organization and conduct of national and regional science, technology and innovation surveys; (d) Coordinating activities of a network of expert institutions, including organizing meetings and tele-conferences for the network; (e) Organizing national and regional training workshop on indicators and surveys; (f) Reviewing national surveys and preparing regional comparative analysis or synthesis of the surveys; (g) Preparing quarterly reports on the implementation of the programme; (h) Participating in international, regional and national meetings and providing expertise and inputs; (i) Ensuring that all members of the AU and international partners are frequently informed of activities of the programme; and (j) Developing new proposals and mobilizing financial resources for the implementation of the programme and related follow-up activities. Qualifications : Qualifications Applicants for the post must have a doctoral degree in natural sciences or science policy studies and proven ability to conduct research on science, technology and innovation policy issues. They must possess skills for extensive inter-agency and inter-governmental networking; proven experience in project formulation and management. They should also have excellent written and verbal communication skills. Ability to plan and delegate responsibility as well as to develop strategies to accomplish objectives and to lead a multidisciplinary team is necessary. The Successful applicant will be issued with a two years contract renewable subject to performance and availability of funds. Internationally competitive salary and benefits are offered. Contact Details Contact Person : NEPAD OST Telephone : Fax : +27128414414 E-mail : Science(a)nrf.ac.za Apply Online : Website : Reference : FJA-NEP-OST1 FORWARD TO A FRIEND "AfricaRecruit one of The New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD) big achievements for just 4 years" The Journey So Far NEPAD Secretariat June 2005 www.findajobinafrica.com www.africarecruit.com www.africadiaspora.com

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Transparency and Silence: A Survey of Access to Information Laws and Practices in 14 Countries
by alice＠apc.org 25 Feb '07

25 Feb '07

Transparency and Silence: A Survey of Access to Information Laws and Practices in 14 Countries by Helen Darbishire and Thomas Carson This report details the results of a study undertaken by the Open Society Justice Initiative and its partners to discover how government offices and agencies in 14 countries respond to specific requests for information. The purpose of the study was to explore the strategy of, and trends in, one specific aspect of transparency: the passage of laws on freedom of information (FOI), or public access to government information and records. This report documents how various countries did - or did not - honour the right of access to information. As part of the study, partners of the Justice Initiative in Latin America, Europe and Africa filed a total of 1,926 requests for information; the Justice Initiative and its partners then evaluated and analysed how the people who made requests were treated, how government offices and agencies responded, and the nature and quality of the responses to the requests. The report concludes with a number of specific suggestions to help countries imp! lement effective FOI laws and regulations. http://www.comminit.com/trends/ctrends2006/trends-321.html

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Blogger jailed for 'insulting' Islam
by Rebecca Wanjiku 24 Feb '07

24 Feb '07

Colleagues, An 'interesting' story here about an Egyptian blogger who has been jailed. Raises those nagging questions about just where we should stop as journalists in the exercise of our freedoms, and when authorities need to control what they term 'harmful' writings. But perhaps this should be of particular concern given that this wasn't a mainstream but an online missive by a blogger, which represents a growing interest by the state in what people do in what bloggers otherwise consider their private spaces in which they would want to freely express themselves with as minimal interference from authorities as possible. Wakabi ===== Blogger jailed for 'insulting' Islam Fri, 23 Feb 2007 An Egyptian blogger was sentenced to four years in jail on Thursday for insulting Islam and defaming President Hosni Mubarak, triggering condemnation from international human rights groups. A court in the Mediterranean costal city of Alexandria sentenced Abdel Karim Suleiman to three years for insulting Islam and to one year for defaming the president. This was the first time a blogger has been sentenced in Egypt for writings published on the Internet. Suleiman has been in custody since November 2006 and his trial started on 25 January. He denied all the charges. The 22-year-old blogger, also known by his pen name Karim Amer, was arrested after posting an entry on his blog lashing out at Cairo's Al-Azhar University the highest seat of learning in Sunni Islam. "I say to Al-Azhar and its university and its professors and preachers who stand against anyone who thinks differently to them: 'You are destined for the rubbish bin of history, where you will find no one to cry for you, and your regime will end like others have," he wrote. Despite worldwide appeals for his release, the court ruled that the young Muslim blogger should be jailed for posting a string of writings insulting Islam. "The Moharram Beik criminal court has sentenced the blogger after he created a website through which he attacked Islam," Judge Ayman Okkaz said. "On his site, he claimed that Islam incited terrorism, hatred and murder." The conviction was based on a series of vaguely worded articles in the penal code that forbid the spreading of false information, insulting Islam or other revealed religions, and "affronting the President of the Republic." Fellow blogger and rights activist Dalia Ziyada told AFP that Suleiman's defence team would lodge an appeal on Saturday. Crackdown on political bloggers Egypt recently launched a crackdown on political bloggers, who rose to prominence by challenging Mubarak's regime during the 2005 elections and more recently by highlighting cases of police brutality. Amnesty International lambasted the Egyptian judiciary for its unprecedented sanction against a blogger. "This sentence is yet another slap in the face of freedom of expression in Egypt," said Hassiba Hadj Sahraoui, Amnesty's Middle East and North Africa Deputy Programme Director, in a statement. "The Egyptian authorities must protect the peaceful exercise of freedom of expression, even if the views expressed might be perceived by some as offensive," she said, adding that Amnesty now considers Suleiman a prisoner of conscience. Sentence is a 'disgrace' The press freedom organisation Reporters without Borders called the sentence a "disgrace," noting that it would have a chilling effect on Egypt's vibrant blogging scene. "Suleiman's conviction and sentence is a message of intimidation to the rest of the Egyptian blogosphere, which had emerged in recent years as an effective bulwark against the regime's authoritarian excesses," a statement said. The sentiment was echoed by the New York-based Human Rights Watch, which saw the sentence as "a chilling precedent in a country where blogs have opened a window for free speech," said Middle East directior Sarah Lee Whitson. RSF also called on the United Nations to reject Egypt's request to host the 'Internet Governance Forum' in 2009. AFP visit our website at www.penplusbytes.net our blog is located at http://penplusbytes.blogspot.com/ --- --You are currently subscribed to penplusbytes as: rebeccawanjiku(a)yahoo.com --To unsubscribe send a blank email to leave-penplusbytes-352938B(a)dgroups.org Penplusbytes online list is hosted on Dgroups- a joint initiative of Bellanet, DFID, Hivos, ICA, IICD, OneWorld, UNAIDS ____________________________________________________________________________________ TV dinner still cooling? Check out "Tonight's Picks" on Yahoo! TV. http://tv.yahoo.com/

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SA government to switch to open source
by Bill Kagai 24 Feb '07

24 Feb '07

SA government to switch to open source http://www.tectonic.co.za/view.php?id=1377&s=news By *Staff Writer* 22 February, 2007 The South African Cabinet today announced that it had approved a free and open source strategy and that government would migrate its current software to free and open source software. At a Cabinet media briefing government said that it had "approved a policy and strategy for the implementation of free and open source software (FOSS) in government. In a statement the cabinet said "all new software developed for or by the government will be based on open standards and government will itself migrate current software to FOSS. This strategy will, among other things, lower administration costs and enhance local IT skills." "All the major IT vendors in the country have both supported the initiative and made contributions to the development of FOSS. Government departments will incorporate FOSS in their planning henceforth." Government plans to set up a FOSS project office by April this year. The office will be established by the department of ccience and technology, the CSIR and the State Information Technology Agency (Sita). Reuters writes that Themba Maseko told reporters the cabinet would use the open source Linux operating system in a bid to lower administration costs and enhance local IT skills. "This is going to be a long process... What this (open source) initiative is basically trying to streamline (is) our use and development of software in the country," Maseko said. Maseko said it was too early to provide timeframes for implementing Linux. South Africa joins governments in other emerging markets like Brazil, China, Spain, India and Malaysia in adopting open source software, with proponents of Linux arguing that the free software could help slash the cost of getting computers into schools, homes and community centres.

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contribution to Fiber discussion
by Michuki Mwangi 23 Feb '07

23 Feb '07

Something to learn from Bangladesh Click on the photos for full-sized versions: http://radio.woodynet.net/pics/index.php?photo=photos/2005/05.02-Dhaka/DSC0… http://radio.woodynet.net/pics/index.php?photo=photos/2005/05.02-Dhaka/DSC0… http://radio.woodynet.net/pics/index.php?photo=photos/2005/05.02-Dhaka/DSC0… http://radio.woodynet.net/pics/index.php?photo=photos/2005/05.02-Dhaka/DSC0… Those were taken in Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh. The good news is that a significant portion of what's being hauled out of the way of that big restaurant stove is fiber, rather than copper, and that there are seven competing fiber providers in the city, with very low prices and aggressive installation schedules. Regards, -- Michuki Mwangi KENIC

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you can lay your own cable.....
by Rebecca Wanjiku 23 Feb '07

23 Feb '07

Twenty years ago, countries in south Asia were faced with similar problems of connectivity that most of Africa faces today. That time, there was no government commitment, whether longsighted or myopic. Then, a group of individuals decided to lay the cable. They got minimal staff and divers to do the work and the connected most of the countries. For them, it was a question of meeting demand and providing it at an affordable cost. That time, no one had looked at issues their way but they knew of a future market. The story, was told by Brian Longwe- a reknowned ICT expert, and as he argued, the southern part of Asia is one of the most connected and has various cables, laid by individuals, companies and government consortia. Internet costs there as well as connectivity to other vital services have been considerably reduced. So what stops me and my friends from laying our own cable and selling it to willing buyers? Longwe asked Dr. Bitange Ndemo, Permanent Secretary at the ministry of Information and communication. Dr. Ndemo replied that there is nothing stopping any group from laying their own cable, provided they do not become a monopoly. There is no law blocking anybody from laying the cable. The government does not want to promote monopolies, he added. The debate took place at the workshop discussing the Optic Fibre Cable and the various models that the country may adopt to bridge the digital divide. The workshop was a conclusion of the two week-long online discussion on OFC. Rebecca Wanjiku, journalist, p.o box 33515, Nairobi.00600 Kenya. Tel. 254 720 318 925 blog:http://beckyit.blogspot.com/ ____________________________________________________________________________________ We won't tell. Get more on shows you hate to love (and love to hate): Yahoo! TV's Guilty Pleasures list. http://tv.yahoo.com/collections/265

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Kai vs Dr. Ndemo
by Rebecca Wanjiku 23 Feb '07

23 Feb '07

SPICING UP THE DEBATE When Kai Wulff, CEO , KDN and PS Ndemo are in one room discussing issues of internet connectivity, you can be assured of fireworks, but the common denominator is that they are concerned about reducing internet connectivity charges. They hold varied opinions on ownership and financing, and discussions are frank and honest, no holding back. It is hard to get bored when discussions start, it can only leave participant more informed of the varied opinions. For instance at the OFC workshop, PS Ndemo says that anybody can lay the cable so long as they are not a monopoly, that is, they must talk to other players in the sector. The PS notes if Kai wants to do it alone, then thats selfish. And Kai answers, I have talked to all of you but for two years no one wants to listen! So one may wonder, what is this heated debate all about? Its about OFC financing, ownership and operations, who allowed and who is not. For Kai, its about the service, let the guys laying the cable do their work, and all we do is promise them capacity that when the service is in Mombasa, they will get the business. In this model, one buys the services at competitive prices just like anywhere else in the world. It is a question of who offers the cheapest reliable service. Kai draws an analogy from supermarket business. If we can have OFC supermarkets in Mombasa, they can advertise their prices and services and if another one opens shop and has a better deal, then we can move there. Kai is simply opposed to Kenya laying the infrastructure, he wants others to come looking for business here. They lay the cable at their own cost, ours is just to give them the capacity. Loyalty is a good party if it serves both parties and will be bad if one is locked in a marriage one cant get out of, Kai said. His contention is that governments should be consumers not competitors to private sector in this field. But the PS has an alternative view, he argues that the government has taken the lead because the private sector is taking long. He told the meeting that one company had promised to lay the cable by 2009 and the government insisted that that would be too long, it should be done in a year. Out of 20 companies, the PS said, only Kai was complaining about the government. Thought the companies were not divulged, Kai just shook his head when the comment was made. The PS agreed that the government should be a consumer mainly but added that there is need for rural connectivity. He said that in many cases, private sector would be driven by profits and most of these rural areas do not have the profits. On the question of Telkom representing the government in TEAMS, Dr. Ndemo said that only happened because proper mechanisms had not been put in place. At the end of it, the PS invited Kai to his office so that they can discuss more issues affecting the sector. Dr. Ndemo argues that Kenya is willing to turn down international banks willing to invest in TEAMS because it is convinced that the Kenyan private sector has the financial might to back the cable investment. Dont let us down! the PS concluded. ____________________________________________________________________________________ Never miss an email again! Yahoo! Toolbar alerts you the instant new Mail arrives. http://tools.search.yahoo.com/toolbar/features/mail/

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Re: [kictanet] government to woo investors
by Jose' 23 Feb '07

23 Feb '07

We need more players in bandwidth provision considering more people are venturing into BPO business. The bandwith we are being offered now are throt cutting for small business who are trying to stay afloat. Kudus to the Ministry of Communications. Best Regards, Jose' Njuki-Imwe Ngunjiri || +254 722 336754 || ----- Original Message ---- From: Rebecca Wanjiku <rebeccawanjiku(a)yahoo.com> To: ngunjirijnr(a)yahoo.com Sent: Friday, February 23, 2007 4:22:45 PM Subject: [kictanet] government to woo investors In April/ May, the government will commence a spirited campaign aimed at wooing investors and maintaining the existing ICT investors by tendering for bandwidth supply from companies. Much of the bandwidth will be subsidized by the World Bank and will be provided to universities and Business Processing Outsourcing (BPO) organizations. The exercise is expected to kick off in July this year. Speaking at the OFC workshop, Permanent Secretary in the ministry of Information and Communication Bitange Ndemo said he had put down mechanisms at the treasury to ensure the process goes smoothly. Rebecca Wanjiku, p.o box 33515, Nairobi.00600 Kenya. Tel. 254 720 318 925 blog:http://beckyit.blogspot.com/ Food fight? Enjoy some healthy debate in the Yahoo! Answers Food & Drink Q&A. _______________________________________________ kictanet mailing list kictanet(a)kictanet.or.ke http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet Please unsubscribe or change your options at http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/ngunjirijnr%40yahoo.com ____________________________________________________________________________________ Any questions? Get answers on any topic at www.Answers.yahoo.com. Try it now.

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taxes to be slashed
by Rebecca Wanjiku 23 Feb '07

23 Feb '07

Good news to mobile phone campanies! The government is going to waive the excise duty and push connectivity to about 18 million subscribers. But dont hold your breadth! This was a proposal given by PS Ndemo to other arms of government that are concerned with collecting taxes. Ndemo said the government was committed to reducing taxes to ensure universal connectivity. The song about duty and other charges continues, but lets hope something is done soon. ____________________________________________________________________________________ Sucker-punch spam with award-winning protection. Try the free Yahoo! Mail Beta. http://advision.webevents.yahoo.com/mailbeta/features_spam.html

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government to woo investors
by Rebecca Wanjiku 23 Feb '07

23 Feb '07

In April/ May, the government will commence a spirited campaign aimed at wooing investors and maintaining the existing ICT investors by tendering for bandwidth supply from companies. Much of the bandwidth will be subsidized by the World Bank and will be provided to universities and Business Processing Outsourcing (BPO) organizations. The exercise is expected to kick off in July this year. Speaking at the OFC workshop, Permanent Secretary in the ministry of Information and Communication Bitange Ndemo said he had put down mechanisms at the treasury to ensure the process goes smoothly. Rebecca Wanjiku, p.o box 33515, Nairobi.00600 Kenya. Tel. 254 720 318 925 blog:http://beckyit.blogspot.com/ ____________________________________________________________________________________ Sucker-punch spam with award-winning protection. Try the free Yahoo! Mail Beta. http://advision.webevents.yahoo.com/mailbeta/features_spam.html

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deletion of outdated domains
by Rebecca Wanjiku 23 Feb '07

23 Feb '07

ICANN U-turn over outdated domainsNick Wilsdon According to Cnews, plans by ICANN to delete some of the more ‘outdated’ domain extensions in their index have been derailed. They had opened a public discussion in San Paulo with a view to removing these extensions, which ended last month. Top of their list of their list for deletion was the Russian .su (Soviet Union) extension and the former Yogoslav Republic’s .yu. However the public proceedings have been dogged by protests and threats of legal action from domain owners, less than happy at the prospect of loosing their domain, marketing and branding expenses. ICANN finally agreed to leave the extensions alone. This is not the first time ICANN have deleted an extension, Great Britain’s .gb, was replaced by .uk, East Germany’s .dd and Zaire’s .zr after the country became the Democratic Republic of the Congo. However supporters of the .yu and .su domains have pointed out that these extensions are far from obsolete, they have a healthy number of subscribers. There are currently 7′000 .su domains in circulation, with an additional 250 being sold each month. The .su domain has remained popular in Russia, despite it’s higher cost, because so many valuable one-word phrases and brands remain available. This news will certainly breath new life into these extensions and their continued growth will make it even harder, if not impossible for ICANN to close them in the future. Rebecca Wanjiku, journalist, p.o box 33515, Nairobi.00600 Kenya. Tel. 254 720 318 925 blog:http://beckyit.blogspot.com/ ____________________________________________________________________________________ 8:00? 8:25? 8:40? Find a flick in no time with the Yahoo! Search movie showtime shortcut. http://tools.search.yahoo.com/shortcuts/#news

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IGF- is it more than talk??
by Rebecca Wanjiku 23 Feb '07

23 Feb '07

Internet Governance Forum: Is It More Than Talk? By Monika Ermert for Intellectual Property Watch Multi-stakeholder dynamic coalitions of the UN Internet Governance Forum (IGF) are pushing to have privacy, intellectual property, open standards and freedom of expression on the agenda of the second meeting in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil next autumn. At a 13 February IGF stocktaking meeting in Geneva, several of the coalitions formed at the first IGF (in Athens in October-November 2006) presented short progress reports. Agenda-setting, the role of the coalitions, the IGF as a whole and the IGF output are still to be debated. IGF activists and organisers also look to New York where the new UN Secretary General has yet to make his first comments on Internet governance issues. The dynamic coalitions so far are the most visible and practical outcome of the IGF in preparation for the second IGF meeting in Rio. The 50-member IGF coalition on privacy sponsored by the governments of France, United Kingdom, companies like Microsoft and Cisco Systems, and data protection officials from various countries, met on Sunday before the meeting. According to Ralf Bendrath, expert in privacy policy at the University of Bremen, the Privacy Coalition will publish issue papers shortly on privacy and identity, privacy and development, and privacy and freedom of expression. An Italian government delegate announced a meeting for discussion on an Internet Bill of Rights this summer. The A2K@IGF Coalition, another large dynamic coalition, aims at coordinating participation and awareness of access to knowledge (A2K) activities at the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), including proposals for a Development Agenda and an Access to Knowledge Treaty at WIPO. One focus of the coalition is setting methodologies or best practice norms for the implementation of laws dealing with technological protection measures (TPMs) and digital rights management (DRM) restrictions, which have been shown to present serious impediments to access to knowledge and the free flow of information, said Robin Gross, executive director of IP Justice, which is instrumental in the coalition. Gross said coalition member Franklin Pierce College Law Center was for example checking on the effects of free trade agreements. Strong interest in the issue which was nearly untouched at the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) was shown by the growing partner list of the coalition. Ghana has joined the coalition and I think more countries will follow, said Gross. Key deliverables for Rio, according to Gross statement, are development of best practice norms for DRM technologies and anti-circumvention laws. Nitin Desai, senior UN official and IGF chair selected by former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, said with regard to IGFs role on intellectual property issues: We are very well designed in providing a space for discussion. The IGFs non-negotiating role might help to look for some common ground. Any resolution on a recommendation or official output naturally would have to be taken at the WIPO level, he said. IGF Executive Secretary Markus Kummer said, The IGF is a neutral environment to discuss these issues. Kummer also referred to another aspect of the IP problem that he said would stay with the IGF: the question of open and non-proprietary standards. The IGF was criticised during the stocktaking phase for relying only upon proprietary formats. There are no easy answers, said Kummer. The role of the IGF as a pure discussion forum - a neutral, non-binding and non-duplicative process as the EU presidency put it - was intensively discussed during the stocktaking meeting. While hailed as a liberation of the bounds of classical diplomacy by some, several governments and NGOs asked for a more formalised output. As for the results it is important to have some kind of written conclusion or concluding statement that could be a reference for the meeting, said the head of the Brazilian delegation. In fact, the mandate given to the IGF in paragraph 72 refers to the possibility to make recommendations. Without a more formal role accompanied by more dialogue between governments, we risk entering into a course whose result will be the lack of interest for the IGF process, he warned. Several civil society members as well as government delegates said they did not agree with Desais point of view that formal decisions or votes were made impossible by the non-member nature of the IGF. Ideas like rough consensus", messages from the IGF or other compromises were put on the table beside the recommendations mentioned in the 2005 Tunis WSIS agenda. But US business and many Western governments warn against a mission creep of the IGF. What the final agenda for Rio will look like had to be left very much open. Procedures for next steps still have to be cleared by the new UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon. The future of the IGF Advisory Committee that was tasked with the preparations and programming of the first IGF still is not clear. While he would recommend keeping the advisory group, Desai said, the final decision lies with him. An update on another hot issue, the so-called enhanced cooperation process also had been delayed, said Desai, because of the change in New York. Several governments urgently asked about the outcome of bilateral consultations Desai held over the last month. Enhanced cooperation was agreed upon by the WSIS as a complementary process to the IGF. Its target was - at least as some interpret it - better cooperation between governments and relevant organisations on Internet governance. Whether or not the management of Internet infrastructure resources should be placed more prominently on the IGF agenda was a second issue of debate at the stocktaking meeting. A strong appeal to tackle it came from the non-governmental Third World Network. The issues of root servers, domain name servers and Internet Protocol are among the most important issues in Internet governance, Riaz Tayob urged participants. If they are absent from the agenda, the core issues are absent. Tayob complained that while the IGF was mainly established because these issues had not been resolved, it had been kept off the agenda. Supporters of the current governance model should not try to preclude discussion, and the IGF should not be a party to such censorship, he said. Brazils representative recommended to at least invite Internet governance organisations like the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) or UN International Telecommunication Union to give an update at every IGF session. Patrik Faltstrom, former member of the Internet Architecture Board (IAB), said he personally would reject discussion on issues like root servers at the IGF as long as the questions to be answered were not more specified. While there might be aspects of the technical system that could be discussed at the IGF, so far questions had been very vague. In a way, Gross told Intellectual Property Watch, the infrastructure issue and the IP issue were related as both were facets of US attempts to have a certain control over the Internet. The IGF had to tackle both issues. The IGF should not, said Bendrath, shy away from the most controversial issues and be satisfied with simply being a multistakeholder-model accepted by everybody. Rebecca Wanjiku, journalist, p.o box 33515, Nairobi.00600 Kenya. Tel. 254 720 318 925 blog:http://beckyit.blogspot.com/ ____________________________________________________________________________________ No need to miss a message. Get email on-the-go with Yahoo! Mail for Mobile. Get started. http://mobile.yahoo.com/mail

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quick test - 20070222 3.45p.m -plse ignore
by John Walubengo 22 Feb '07

22 Feb '07

testing, testing... walu. ____________________________________________________________________________________ Expecting? Get great news right away with email Auto-Check. Try the Yahoo! Mail Beta. http://advision.webevents.yahoo.com/mailbeta/newmail_tools.html

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Stakeholder Workshop on Submarine Cable Provisioning: Friday 23rd Feb 2007- Jacaranda hotel
by alice＠apc.org 22 Feb '07

22 Feb '07

Dear all Please see below programme for tomorrows meeting and apologies for cross posting. --------------------------------------------------------------- 8:00-8:30: Registration- 8.30-8:45am: Introductions - Walu 8:45-9:15am: Background Info on Models for Provisioning of OFC (Private, Consortium & Open Access) *Walu 9:15-10:30 a.m: Brainstorming on Private-Sector Provisioned OFC *Walu/All *Critical Success Factors/Requirements expected of Regulator, Govt, consumers *Projected Impact on Stakeholders 10:30-11:00a.m.T/Break 11:00-11:45a.m: Brainstorming on the Consortium Provisioned OFC Walu/-All *Critical Success Factors/Requirements expected of Regulator, Govt, consumers *Projected Impact on Stakeholders 11:45-12:30p.m: Brainstorming on the Open Access Provisioned OFC *Walu/ALL *Critical Success Factors/Requirements expected of Regulator, Govt, Consumers *Projected Impact on Stakeholders 12:30p.m-12:45p.m: Brief by PS on TEAMs/EASsy -PS Ndemo 12:45p.m-1:15p.m: Wrap-up & Way Forward (Rapporteur and Brian Longwe) 1:15pm-Lunch and then Guest leave at their pleasure. Rebecca Wanjiku, journalist, p.o box 33515, Nairobi.00600 Kenya. Tel. 254 720 318 925 blog:http://beckyit.blogspot.com/

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OFC program for tommorrow
by Rebecca Wanjiku 22 Feb '07

22 Feb '07

Stakeholder Workshop on Submarine Cable Provisioning Friday 23rd Feb 2007- Jacaranda Hotel, Programme 8:00-8:30: Registration- 8.30-8:45am: Introductions - Walu 8:45-9:15am: Background Info on Models for Provisioning of OFC (Private, Consortium & Open Access) Walu 9:15-10:30 a.m: Brainstorming on Private-Sector Provisioned OFC Walu/All *Critical Success Factors/Requirements expected of Regulator, Govt, consumers *Projected Impact on Stakeholders 10:30-11:00a.m. T/Break 11:00-11:45a.m: Brainstorming on the Consortium Provisioned OFC Walu/-All *Critical Success Factors/Requirements expected of regulator, Govt, consumers *Projected Impact on Stakeholders 11:45-12:30p.m: Brainstorming on the Open Access Provisioned OFC -Walu/ALL *Critical Success Factors/Requirements expected of Regulator, Govt, Consumers Projected Impact on Stakeholders 12:30p.m-12:45p.m: Brief by PS on TEAMs/EASsy -PS Ndemo 12:45p.m-1:15p.m: Wrap-up & Way Forward (Rapporteur and Brian Longwe) 1:15pm-Lunch and then Guest leave at their pleasure. Rebecca Wanjiku, journalist, p.o box 33515, Nairobi.00600 Kenya. Tel. 254 720 318 925 blog:http://beckyit.blogspot.com/ ____________________________________________________________________________________ Never miss an email again! Yahoo! Toolbar alerts you the instant new Mail arrives. http://tools.search.yahoo.com/toolbar/features/mail/

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OFC program
by Rebecca Wanjiku 22 Feb '07

22 Feb '07

Stakeholder Workshop on Submarine Cable Provisioning Friday 23rd Feb 2007- Jacaranda Hotel, Programme 8:00-8:30: Registration- 8.30-8:45am: Introductions - Walu 8:45-9:15am: Background Info on Models for Provisioning of OFC (Private, Consortium & Open Access) Walu 9:15-10:30 a.m: Brainstorming on Private-Sector Provisioned OFC Walu/All *Critical Success Factors/Requirements expected of Regulator, Govt, consumers *Projected Impact on Stakeholders 10:30-11:00a.m. T/Break 11:00-11:45a.m: Brainstorming on the Consortium Provisioned OFC Walu/-All *Critical Success Factors/Requirements expected of regulator, Govt, consumers *Projected Impact on Stakeholders 11:45-12:30p.m: Brainstorming on the Open Access Provisioned OFC -Walu/ALL *Critical Success Factors/Requirements expected of Regulator, Govt, Consumers Projected Impact on Stakeholders 12:30p.m-12:45p.m: Brief by PS on TEAMs/EASsy -PS Ndemo 12:45p.m-1:15p.m: Wrap-up & Way Forward (Rapporteur and Brian Longwe) 1:15pm-Lunch and then Guest leave at their pleasure. Rebecca Wanjiku, journalist, p.o box 33515, Nairobi.00600 Kenya. Tel. 254 720 318 925 blog:http://beckyit.blogspot.com/ ____________________________________________________________________________________ Be a PS3 game guru. Get your game face on with the latest PS3 news and previews at Yahoo! Games. http://videogames.yahoo.com/platform?platform=120121

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training opportunity
by Rebecca Wanjiku 22 Feb '07

22 Feb '07

DATES: 19th March 23rd March or 26th March -30th March VENUE: Safari Park Hotel PRICE: Kshs. 69,500 per person What and Why? With a Quality Management System you demonstrate predictability of your internal operations and ability to meet customer requirements. An effective Quality Management System will help enhance customer satisfaction. Quality management is what organizations practice to ensure that their procedures conform to the customer's requirements. Moving away from ad hoc processes gives you an overview that makes your internal processes easier to manage, measure, and improve. It is the first step on a journey toward continual business improvement. Taking control of your processes for improve bottom-line An implemented and documented Quality Management System enables you to control your different internal processes as defined by your scope: You will increase your efficiency and minimize the risk that obligations to customers are not met. You have a foundation from which to gradually improve your internal processes and strengthen your organization's ability to meet strategic objectives. You can measure your management system against various international and industry standards through third party certification. Putting your customer first A company working according to a Quality Management System is a more efficient and effective company. In addition, you will see that staff responsibility, motivation, and commitment will improve. A certified Quality Management System is also increasingly a condition of contract. The certificate proves to customers that you have the necessary systems in place to fulfill your obligations to them. What standards can you be certified to? To get on the road to certification, you should begin by reading about: The international ISO 9001:2000 quality management standard applicable to any manufacturing or service industry. ISO 9000 Series ISO 9000 Series ISO 9001:2000 An ISO 9001:2000 certificate proves that your Quality Management System has been certified against a best practice standard and found compliant. Issued by a third party certification body/registrar, the certificate lets customers know they can trust that you have implemented the necessary internal processes to meet obligations. The internationally recognized ISO 9001:2000 standard is generic. It is not a product standard, but applicable to any manufacturing or service industry. Created by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), its objective is to set international requirements for Quality Management Systems. Upgraded version ISO 9001:2000 is the latest version of the standard, issued December 15, 2000. The new edition has combined 1994 editions of ISO 9001, ISO 9002, and ISO 9003. What is different? The new standard places more emphasis on continual improvement and customer satisfaction than the 1994 versions. It applies to the processes of an organization that influence quality. The major clauses in the new standard are: Quality Management System Management Responsibility Resource Management Product Realization Measurement, Analysis, and Improvement Where do I go from here? For third party certification, you need to implement an effective Quality Management System complying with the requirements of the standard. The first step is to get on the road to certification. Road to Certification Certification, or registration, to a standard is the outcome of a successful assessment by an independent third party like Ignite Consulting. After having decided on the management system you wish to implement, there are certain steps to get you started. Experience has shown that some simple tips, often seemingly trivial, have proven invaluable to companies seeking certification. As you set out, keep these in mind: Make sure you begin the process with the right attitude. Have a complete understanding of the concept set forth in the standard, and use the standard as a guide template to define your management system. Know what application and implications of the standard will mean to your company. Use the standard as a tool for improvement. Have an understanding of the risks and processes that affect your organization's ability to realize its business strategy. Select your partner (certification body/registrar) carefully. What steps should I follow? Below you will find 10 general steps that will take you down the road to certification: Assemble a team and define your strategy: The adoption of a management system needs to be the strategic decision of the whole organization. It is vital that your senior management is involved in the creation process. They decide the business strategy that an efficient management system should support. In addition, you need a dedicated team to develop and implement your management system. Determine training needs: Your team members responsible for implementing and maintaining the management system(s) will need to know the full details of the applicable standard(s). There is a wide range of courses, workshops, and seminars available designed to meet these needs. We provide a number of public and in-house training courses. Contact Ignite Consulting for more information. Obtain a standard: Obtain and read a copy of the standard to familiarize yourself with the requirements. Then you should decide if certification/registration to this standard makes good sense for your organization. Review literature and software: There is a large amount of published information available that is designed to assist you in understanding and implementing a standard. Review consultant options: Independent consultants will be able to advise you of a workable, realistic, and cost effective strategy plan for implementation. Develop a management systems manual: Your management systems manual should describe the policies and operations of your company. Through the manual, you will provide an accurate description of the organization and the best practice adopted to consistently satisfy customer expectations. Develop procedures: Procedures describe the processes of your organization, and the best practice to achieve success in those processes. These procedures should answer the following questions about each process: why who when where what how Implement your management system: Communication and training are key to a successful implementation. During the implementation phase, your organization will be working according to the procedures that were developed to document and demonstrate the effectiveness of the management system. Consider a pre-assessment: You can choose to have a preliminary evaluation of the implementation of your management system by a certification body/registrar. The purpose of this is to identify areas of non-conformance and allow you to correct these areas before you begin the accredited certification process. Receiving a non-conformance means that a particular area of your management systems is not compliant with the requirements of the standard. Select a certification body/registrar: Your business relationship with the certification body/registrar will be in place for many years, as your certification has to be maintained. In this age of corporate scrutiny, it is imperative to choose a certification body/registrar with a reputation beyond reproach. Why Ignite Consulting? All management system certificates are not equal. Ignite offers more than a ticket to trade. When partnering with us, you begin a journey toward business improvement, and ultimately business excellence. With the following qualities, we are well equipped to satisfy your organization's certification needs: We offer Risk Based Certification as the standard way of conducting all management system certification. With our risk-based approach to certification, you get more than just a certificate. Our auditors will also evaluate how your management system handles risks, i.e. identifying strengths, weaknesses, and improvement opportunities. We provide a "one stop shopping" concept by offering a range of both single and integrated certification services that enhance the effectiveness of the certification process. We have partners all over the world that can provide local service to you. Our consultants and partners speak your language and know your local needs, customs, and market. For more information access www.igniteconsulting.co.ke or call us on 254-20-3673250-9 -- Catherine Murai Ignite Consulting & Investment Limited EDEN SQUARE 7th Floor, Chiromo Road, Westlands P.O. Box 15568 00100 GPO Nairobi, Kenya Tel: 254-20-3673250-9 Fax: 254-20-3673231 Email: njeri.murai(a)igniteconsulting.co.ke URL: www.igniteconsulting.co.ke Professional, Life Skills Coaching, Value Added Training on Conformity and Compliance, Business Management, Organizational Development and Facilitation. Rebecca Wanjiku, journalist, p.o box 33515, Nairobi.00600 Kenya. Tel. 254 720 318 925 blog:http://beckyit.blogspot.com/ ____________________________________________________________________________________ Sucker-punch spam with award-winning protection. Try the free Yahoo! Mail Beta. http://advision.webevents.yahoo.com/mailbeta/features_spam.html

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direct contact
by Rebecca Wanjiku 22 Feb '07

22 Feb '07

for those interested in this, please contact them directly, its easier.... Informationen zum Abbestellen des Newsletters finden Sie ganz unten. Press release, February 21, 2007 ************************************************** Berlin, Germany / Nairobi, Kenya - The first African Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Summit "Access and Inclusion for TVET in Africa through new ICT-based solutions" will take place in conjunction with this year's eLearning Africa, the annual pan-African conference on ICT for Development, Education and Training. The Summit will be held on 28 May 2007 in Nairobi. The African TVET Summit will bring together TVET experts, policy makers and practitioners to share experiences, discuss strategies, and implement mechanisms for the promotion and sustainability of best practice. Innovative ICT-based TVET initiatives will be identified by a panel of experts in the field and their developers will have the opportunity to present their work at the Summit. The panel will designate one TVET project as the "African Educational ICT Landmark Project" and it will receive support until the next Summit in 2008, when another landmark initiative will be selected. Discussions and plenaries will investigate how eLearning can be used effectively in technical vocational education and training, how ICT-based training can help bridge the gap between theory and practice, and which best-practice cases from other backgrounds can serve as role models. The event will provide insight into the current status of eLearning in TVET and enable participants to exchange experience. The African TVET Summit is supported by the Kenyan Ministry for Education, the UNESCO International Centre for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (UNESCO-UNEVOC), the UNESCO Regional Office for Education in Africa (UNESCO/BREDA), the Commonwealth of Learning, the German Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training and the organisers of the eLearning Africa conference, ICWE and Hoffmann & Reif Consultants. Regularly updated information on the Summit and the eLearning Africa conference programme can be found at www.eLearning-Africa.com. eLearning Africa 2007 takes place from May 28 to 30, 2007, under the patronage of the Hon. Prof. George Saitoti, Minister for Education, Kenya. It is the largest pan-African conference with a focus on ICT for development, education and training on the Continent. It is organised by ICWE GmbH and Hoffmann & Reif Consultants to establish and link a network and community of decision makers from governments and administrations with universities, schools, governmental and private training providers, industry, and important partners in development cooperation. Each year a different African country will serve as the venue. ***************************************** Notes for editors eLA - eLearning Africa, 2nd International Conference on ICT for Development, Education and Training, May 28 - 30, 2007 Organisers: ICWE GmbH, www.icwe.net, Hoffmann & Reif Consultants, www.hoffmann-reif.com Contact: ICWE GmbH, Tel.: +49-30-327 6140 info(a)elearning-africa.com, www.eLearning-Africa.com Press contact: Beate Kleessen ICWE GmbH Leibnizstraße 32 10625 Berlin, Germany Tel.: +49-30-327 61420 Fax: +49-30-324 9833 press-service(a)icwe.net www.icwe.net ____________________________________________________________________________________ Don't pick lemons. See all the new 2007 cars at Yahoo! Autos. http://autos.yahoo.com/new_cars.html

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Re: [kictanet] eLearning Africa 2007 Launches the TVET Summit
by Jose' 22 Feb '07

22 Feb '07

Wow! This is so great.How do we go about getting identified by the panel of experts? Please send them over to our Kimathi Information Centre.this is a very good opportunity to expose our craving eastlands youth to show case how there lives have been transformed by the centre. My number is desplayed down. "Innovative ICT-based TVET initiatives will be identified by a panel of experts in the field and their developers will have the opportunity to present their work at the Summit." Best Regards, Jose' Njuki-Imwe Ngunjiri || +254 722 336754 || ----- Original Message ---- From: Rebecca Wanjiku <rebeccawanjiku(a)yahoo.com> To: ngunjirijnr(a)yahoo.com Sent: Wednesday, February 21, 2007 10:54:46 PM Subject: [kictanet] eLearning Africa 2007 Launches the TVET Summit Informationen zum Abbestellen des Newsletters finden Sie ganz unten. Press release, February 21, 2007 ************************************************** Berlin, Germany / Nairobi, Kenya - The first African Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Summit "Access and Inclusion for TVET in Africa through new ICT-based solutions" will take place in conjunction with this year's eLearning Africa, the annual pan-African conference on ICT for Development, Education and Training. The Summit will be held on 28 May 2007 in Nairobi. The African TVET Summit will bring together TVET experts, policy makers and practitioners to share experiences, discuss strategies, and implement mechanisms for the promotion and sustainability of best practice. Innovative ICT-based TVET initiatives will be identified by a panel of experts in the field and their developers will have the opportunity to present their work at the Summit. The panel will designate one TVET project as the "African Educational ICT Landmark Project" and it will receive support until the next Summit in 2008, when another landmark initiative will be selected. Discussions and plenaries will investigate how eLearning can be used effectively in technical vocational education and training, how ICT-based training can help bridge the gap between theory and practice, and which best-practice cases from other backgrounds can serve as role models. The event will provide insight into the current status of eLearning in TVET and enable participants to exchange experience. The African TVET Summit is supported by the Kenyan Ministry for Education, the UNESCO International Centre for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (UNESCO-UNEVOC), the UNESCO Regional Office for Education in Africa (UNESCO/BREDA), the Commonwealth of Learning, the German Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training and the organisers of the eLearning Africa conference, ICWE and Hoffmann & Reif Consultants. Regularly updated information on the Summit and the eLearning Africa conference programme can be found at www.eLearning-Africa.com. eLearning Africa 2007 takes place from May 28 to 30, 2007, under the patronage of the Hon. Prof. George Saitoti, Minister for Education, Kenya. It is the largest pan-African conference with a focus on ICT for development, education and training on the Continent. It is organised by ICWE GmbH and Hoffmann & Reif Consultants to establish and link a network and community of decision makers from governments and administrations with universities, schools, governmental and private training providers, industry, and important partners in development cooperation. Each year a different African country will serve as the venue. ***************************************** Notes for editors eLA - eLearning Africa, 2nd International Conference on ICT for Development, Education and Training, May 28 - 30, 2007 Organisers: ICWE GmbH, www.icwe.net, Hoffmann & Reif Consultants, www.hoffmann-reif.com Contact: ICWE GmbH, Tel.: +49-30-327 6140 info(a)elearning-africa.com, www.eLearning-Africa.com Press contact: Beate Kleessen ICWE GmbH Leibnizstraße 32 10625 Berlin, Germany Tel.: +49-30-327 61420 Fax: +49-30-324 9833 press-service(a)icwe.net www.icwe.net Klicken Sie auf die folgende URL, um sich von diesem Newsletter abzumelden oder Ihre Einstellungen zu ändern: http://nl.webmart.de/abo.cfm?K=3122361&E=239643605 _______________________________________________ secretariat mailing list secretariat(a)kictanet.or.ke http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/secretariat This message was sent to: rebeccawanjiku(a)yahoo.com Unsubscribe or change your options at http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/secretariat/rebeccawanjiku%40yahoo.com Need Mail bonding? Go to the Yahoo! Mail Q&A for great tips from Yahoo! Answers users._______________________________________________ kictanet mailing list kictanet(a)kictanet.or.ke http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet Please unsubscribe or change your options at http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/ngunjirijnr%40yahoo.com ____________________________________________________________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Everyone is raving about the all-new Yahoo! Mail beta. http://new.mail.yahoo.com

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Re: [kictanet] E-Centre in Eastlands-Kimathi Estate
by Jose' 22 Feb '07

22 Feb '07

That will be a great opportunity for exposure for the centre to appear in the magazine. I am not a journalist but I love reading alot of books.I am a mobile phone technician working with a Nokia Authorized dealer shop on Koinange street.I am having the centre run with two other directors,who we all work on part time.The youth we trained run the centre and we get update after every hour on how the centre is doing. Yes its a business venture for the youth and its profitable.Fully self sustaining its self.Fully fledged one stop youth E-centre.Comp Games,newspapers,books and very soon an entertainment game centre fully fledged with X-boxes,Ps-games and TFT 21" television sets.Self funding venture run by the youth,for the youth,in benefit of the who community.We train the older folks on how to send emails and how to use the computers. At the moment,we are partnering with Kenya Police to actually train them in return for security.They guard the centre,and we train them for free.We haven't rolled it out fully but currently,we are having a pilot pro gramme of training two Police men for the next three months.If we succeed,we shall have up to 30 Policemen get trained with us.(We have trained ourselves to see an opportunity out of every adversity with now the current insecurity in our area.) Our plan is to roll it out the E-learning centres,by franchising with having it in every estate in Eastlands run by the youth but owned by Kimathi Information Centre.Whereby,we shall be training the youth,who in turn we shall supply computers to them. "Please call me thank you" I need to tell you more. or again log on to www.kimathiinformationcentre.com if I have left some issues out.My number is just beside my name below. Best Regards, Jose' Njuki-Imwe Ngunjiri || +254 722 336754 || ----- Original Message ---- From: munyiva ritah <rmunyiva(a)yahoo.com> To: ngunjirijnr(a)yahoo.com Sent: Thursday, February 22, 2007 8:34:58 AM Subject: Re: [kictanet] E-Centre in Eastlands-Kimathi Estate Tell me jose' as in more about the centre. Am a journalist, are you one? Can give some mileage on the project in some magazine-Business Post. Is it a business venture for youth...in eastlands what exactly is it? --- Jose' <ngunjirijnr(a)yahoo.com> wrote: > True that Ritah, > we partnering with local organized youth groups in > Easlands to train them and give them a chance to > learn how to run such a centre. > > Jericho Estate popularly know to as "JERII" watch > out for an e-learning centre soon. > > Hope Ya'all shall find time to come. > > Best Regards, > Jose' Njuki-Imwe Ngunjiri || +254 722 336754 || > > ----- Original Message ---- > From: munyiva ritah <rmunyiva(a)yahoo.com> > To: ngunjirijnr(a)yahoo.com > Sent: Wednesday, February 21, 2007 3:20:01 PM > Subject: Re: [kictanet] E-Centre in > Eastlands-Kimathi Estate > > Cool idea on the E-centre, maybe we could get more > of > this in Eastlands. > Ritah > --- Judy Okite <judyokite(a)gmail.com> wrote: > > > This is soo cool...Jose, > > > > I need to link up with you of the > list...please.... > > > > Kind Regards, > > > > On 2/21/07, Jose' <ngunjirijnr(a)yahoo.com> wrote: > > > > > > Checkout, > > > > > > www.kimathiinformationcentre.com > > > > > > some of the pages are still under construction > > like the forum,chat and > > > guest book pages.Oh! also the donation page :-) > > > > > > We reach out to the Easltands community with > free > > ICT lessons > > > also we are a one stop E-centre. > > > > > > We are in the process of organizing a youth > > symposium that will focus on > > > preparing youth in creating business > > proposals,business plans and how to > > > apply for loans and in particular the Youth > loan. > > > > > > All keep y'all posted > > > > > > Best Regards, > > > Jose' Njuki-Imwe Ngunjiri || +254 722 336754 || > > > > > > ----- Original Message ---- > > > From: John Walubengo <jwalu(a)yahoo.com> > > > To: ngunjirijnr(a)yahoo.com > > > Sent: Tuesday, February 20, 2007 7:45:48 PM > > > Subject: Re: [kictanet] Sasanet not working? > > > > > > well, am not a subscriber to them - i got > jittery > > when > > > their registration form had too many of what I > > thought were > > > personal questions without equivalent > > demonstration of how > > > they would secure my data... > > > > > > Nway, I just checked their website and it is up > > and > > > running...so what do you mean when you say they > > are no > > > longer working? > > > > > > walu. > > > > > > --- Alex Gakuru <alex.gakuru(a)yahoo.com> wrote: > > > > > > > Wouldn't you be curious to find out a very > > popular free > > > > internet-based www.sasanet.co.ke is now no > > longer > > > > working? I wonder why? > > > > > > > > /Alex > > > > > > > > Mike Theuri <mike.theuri(a)gmail.com> wrote: > Alex, > > > > > > > > Thank you for sharing the blog on the > > anti-consumer > > > > setting in the country. The blog has very > useful > > > > information that is not being shared with > Kenyan > > > > consumers and it is key that consumer rights > are > > upheld. > > > > Your blog out to be brought to more attention > of > > key > > > > stakeholders in ICT and to consumers alike. > > > > > > > > Yes, the Ministry and CCK are best placed to > > > > authoritatively comment on such an issue. > > However I > > > > believe that what AT&T is discontinuing is the > > ability to > > > > use a "call back" number from Kenya to the US. > > It is very > > > > likely that the call back numbers which are > 0800 > > numbers > > > > are no longer profitable for AT&T especially > > given that > > > > they cost as high as $3/min. Technically they > > are > > > > supposed to be cheaper to use than if one was > to > > "call > > > > back" the US direct from any other country be > it > > Kenya or > > > > the UK. However with AT&T's rate to call the > US > > from > > > > Kenya as high as it is and with local > providers > > beating > > > > their tariffs they may have opted to drop this > > service. > > > > What this might do, is it might leave AT&T US > > based > > > > customers unable to call the US using their > AT&T > > calling > > > > cards for what would otherwise be exorbitant > > prices. > > > > > > > > The wording of the AT&T notice on the lack of > no > > future > > > > support for calls originating from Kenya > wasn't > > very > > > > clear and after some digging around it appears > > that it > > > > referred to users of AT&T who utilize call > back > > services > > > > while traveling overseas, it might just be due > > to stiff > > > > competition now that VOIP has been deregulated > > and > > > > tariffs have fallen (though not low enough) > and > > that no > > > > one in their right mind would be willing to > pay > > $3+ per > > > > minute for a call to the US when for a > extremely > > small > > > > fraction one could make the same phone call at > a > > lower > > > > rate. > > > > > > > > Even then the tariffs in general are not fair > > enough for > > > > Kenyan consumers and it is an uphill battle to > > enforce > > > > changes when some of the largest tax payers > > happen to be > > > > communication providers. It is unthinkable > that > > the > > > > government would do much to jeopardize a large > > and steady > > > > tax revenue stream to save the honorable > > consumer. > > > > Increasingly huge profits in a formerly > > depressed and now > > > > recovering economy like ours raise the > question > > whether > > > > the consumer is getting a fair deal. It is > akin > > to oil > > > > companies making several times over some > nations > > GDP in > > > > profits and claiming that they are struggling > > themselves > === message truncated ===> _______________________________________________ > kictanet mailing list > kictanet(a)kictanet.or.ke > http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > > Please unsubscribe or change your options at http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/rmunyiva%40yahoo.com ____________________________________________________________________________________ Any questions? Get answers on any topic at www.Answers.yahoo.com. Try it now. _______________________________________________ kictanet mailing list kictanet(a)kictanet.or.ke http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet Please unsubscribe or change your options at http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/ngunjirijnr%40yahoo.com ____________________________________________________________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Everyone is raving about the all-new Yahoo! Mail beta. http://new.mail.yahoo.com

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Executive Summary of comments KICTANet Freedom of Information Discussions
by alice＠apc.org 22 Feb '07

22 Feb '07

Dear all Below is an executive summary of the discusions on the freedom of information policy that took lace last week. Prepared and submitted by J. Kihanya. best regards alice ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------The Freedom of Information Policy as drafted and put out for discussion bythe Ministry of Information and Communications was greeted with approval andlauded as a great step towards achieving one of the most fundamental rightsthat underpins all other rights in Kenya.The discussion was not very high but a consensus emerged from the variouspresenters that the following should guide the policy direction. a.. The right to information is the bedrock of all other human rights. The United Nations recognized this in 1946 when the General Assembly resolved:"Freedom of Information is a fundamental human right and the touchstone forall freedom. In its most basic form, a right to information ensures thepeople of a democracy: they have the right to demand and receive informationfrom their government and place an additional obligation on the governmentto pro-actively disclose key information to the public. It also allowscitizens to secure information from private bodies where it is necessary forthe protection or exercise of their rights. It is an excellent tool in thefight against corruption and provides a mechanism for deepening the public'sengagement in development activities and to meaningfully engage andparticipate in democracy. a.. The right must be considered within a broader human rights framework. a.. The right to know should be indicated as a right that is enforceableby the public. It should be a freedom that should not be derogated from bygovernment which must allow for its full enjoyment. a.. That the legislation that emanates from the debate should seek toprotect the free flow of information through e-government and the creationof accountability. a.. That the costs that may be charged on accessing information frompublic bodies should be minimal if at all. a.. That journalists and hence the media should be exempted from payingthe costs that relate to access to information. a.. That the timelines provided under the policy for the access toinformation viz. 15 days are too long and should be reduced. a.. That the practice and culture of secrecy under the Official SecretsAct should be changed if the policy is to allow for the effective use oflegislation. a.. Those private bodies should be required to protect personal data. a.. That the public and private bodies should be required t=o seek onlysuch personal information that is relevant under the circumstances and thatthat which is unnecessary or may cause discrimination should not be requiredof a citizen. a.. That all public bodies should be subjected to the FOI legislationirrespective of the fact that they are run in partnerships with developmentpartners, or not. a.. That when national security is used as a limitation on FOIlegislation, it must be precisely that and not imagined embarrassment to thegovernment. a.. That pro-active publication must take root and e-government used formost or all public pronouncements within a strict timeframe. a.. That the right should extend to all citizens and should not be viewedas a tool only for the media. a.. That all organizations that have the capacity or are directly involvedwith contact with the public and that affect the rights of the public shouldbe designated as organizations that the FOI legislation can affect. a.. A Data protection policy for social cultural and economic reasons mustbe put in place to cater for development concerns.The discussion underscored that the right to know is one that has beendeemed important and has been given to citizens in over 80 jurisdictionsaround the world and that Kenya should join South Africa and Uganda on thisfront in Africa if only to keep pace with especially Sough Africa ondevelopment paths.

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Re: [kictanet] E-Centre in Eastlands-Kimathi Estate
by Jose' 22 Feb '07

22 Feb '07

True that Ritah, we partnering with local organized youth groups in Easlands to train them and give them a chance to learn how to run such a centre. Jericho Estate popularly know to as "JERII" watch out for an e-learning centre soon. Hope Ya'all shall find time to come. Best Regards, Jose' Njuki-Imwe Ngunjiri || +254 722 336754 || ----- Original Message ---- From: munyiva ritah <rmunyiva(a)yahoo.com> To: ngunjirijnr(a)yahoo.com Sent: Wednesday, February 21, 2007 3:20:01 PM Subject: Re: [kictanet] E-Centre in Eastlands-Kimathi Estate Cool idea on the E-centre, maybe we could get more of this in Eastlands. Ritah --- Judy Okite <judyokite(a)gmail.com> wrote: > This is soo cool...Jose, > > I need to link up with you of the list...please.... > > Kind Regards, > > On 2/21/07, Jose' <ngunjirijnr(a)yahoo.com> wrote: > > > > Checkout, > > > > www.kimathiinformationcentre.com > > > > some of the pages are still under construction > like the forum,chat and > > guest book pages.Oh! also the donation page :-) > > > > We reach out to the Easltands community with free > ICT lessons > > also we are a one stop E-centre. > > > > We are in the process of organizing a youth > symposium that will focus on > > preparing youth in creating business > proposals,business plans and how to > > apply for loans and in particular the Youth loan. > > > > All keep y'all posted > > > > Best Regards, > > Jose' Njuki-Imwe Ngunjiri || +254 722 336754 || > > > > ----- Original Message ---- > > From: John Walubengo <jwalu(a)yahoo.com> > > To: ngunjirijnr(a)yahoo.com > > Sent: Tuesday, February 20, 2007 7:45:48 PM > > Subject: Re: [kictanet] Sasanet not working? > > > > well, am not a subscriber to them - i got jittery > when > > their registration form had too many of what I > thought were > > personal questions without equivalent > demonstration of how > > they would secure my data... > > > > Nway, I just checked their website and it is up > and > > running...so what do you mean when you say they > are no > > longer working? > > > > walu. > > > > --- Alex Gakuru <alex.gakuru(a)yahoo.com> wrote: > > > > > Wouldn't you be curious to find out a very > popular free > > > internet-based www.sasanet.co.ke is now no > longer > > > working? I wonder why? > > > > > > /Alex > > > > > > Mike Theuri <mike.theuri(a)gmail.com> wrote: Alex, > > > > > > Thank you for sharing the blog on the > anti-consumer > > > setting in the country. The blog has very useful > > > information that is not being shared with Kenyan > > > consumers and it is key that consumer rights are > upheld. > > > Your blog out to be brought to more attention of > key > > > stakeholders in ICT and to consumers alike. > > > > > > Yes, the Ministry and CCK are best placed to > > > authoritatively comment on such an issue. > However I > > > believe that what AT&T is discontinuing is the > ability to > > > use a "call back" number from Kenya to the US. > It is very > > > likely that the call back numbers which are 0800 > numbers > > > are no longer profitable for AT&T especially > given that > > > they cost as high as $3/min. Technically they > are > > > supposed to be cheaper to use than if one was to > "call > > > back" the US direct from any other country be it > Kenya or > > > the UK. However with AT&T's rate to call the US > from > > > Kenya as high as it is and with local providers > beating > > > their tariffs they may have opted to drop this > service. > > > What this might do, is it might leave AT&T US > based > > > customers unable to call the US using their AT&T > calling > > > cards for what would otherwise be exorbitant > prices. > > > > > > The wording of the AT&T notice on the lack of no > future > > > support for calls originating from Kenya wasn't > very > > > clear and after some digging around it appears > that it > > > referred to users of AT&T who utilize call back > services > > > while traveling overseas, it might just be due > to stiff > > > competition now that VOIP has been deregulated > and > > > tariffs have fallen (though not low enough) and > that no > > > one in their right mind would be willing to pay > $3+ per > > > minute for a call to the US when for a extremely > small > > > fraction one could make the same phone call at a > lower > > > rate. > > > > > > Even then the tariffs in general are not fair > enough for > > > Kenyan consumers and it is an uphill battle to > enforce > > > changes when some of the largest tax payers > happen to be > > > communication providers. It is unthinkable that > the > > > government would do much to jeopardize a large > and steady > > > tax revenue stream to save the honorable > consumer. > > > Increasingly huge profits in a formerly > depressed and now > > > recovering economy like ours raise the question > whether > > > the consumer is getting a fair deal. It is akin > to oil > > > companies making several times over some nations > GDP in > > > profits and claiming that they are struggling > themselves > > > and offering the best prices possible. Price > regulation > > > in the industry is something that should be > looked into > > > to further to try and strike a fair balance > between > > > consumers needs and investors return on equity. > > > > > > Mike > > > > > > On 2/18/07, Alex Gakuru <alex.gakuru(a)yahoo.com> > wrote: > > > Mike: > > > > > > Although this is a consumer issue, you may > notice we have > > > quite some domestic wars with the prevailing > > > anti-consumer setting, > http://ictconsumer.blogspot.com/ > > > for example. > > > > > > By engaging foreign networks, I am afraid the > ICT > > > Consumers Association of Kenya could be > considered acting > > > ultra vires thus the Ministry of Information and > > > Communications, CCK, and perhaps also Foreign > Affairs are > > > best suited to comment. > > > > > > Would a provocative question, like "why has a > private US > > > telco unilaterally cut-off communication from > Kenya to > > > the US jeopardizing both a basic human right and > the > > > national outsourcing strategy" earn a quick > response from > > > government? > > > > > > rgds, > > > > > > Alex > > > > > > Mike Theuri <mike.theuri(a)gmail.com> wrote: As > an after > > > thought, this may mean calls dialed through > this number > > > which by itself is a very expensive option and > which may > > > reflect the effects of voip and lowered costs of > > > international calls: > === message truncated ===> _______________________________________________ > kictanet mailing list > kictanet(a)kictanet.or.ke > http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > > Please unsubscribe or change your options at http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/rmunyiva%40yahoo.com ____________________________________________________________________________________ Cheap talk? Check out Yahoo! Messenger's low PC-to-Phone call rates. http://voice.yahoo.com _______________________________________________ kictanet mailing list kictanet(a)kictanet.or.ke http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet Please unsubscribe or change your options at http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/ngunjirijnr%40yahoo.com ____________________________________________________________________________________ Don't get soaked. Take a quick peak at the forecast with the Yahoo! Search weather shortcut. http://tools.search.yahoo.com/shortcuts/#loc_weather

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eLearning Africa 2007 Launches the TVET Summit
by Rebecca Wanjiku 21 Feb '07

21 Feb '07

Informationen zum Abbestellen des Newsletters finden Sie ganz unten. Press release, February 21, 2007 ************************************************** Berlin, Germany / Nairobi, Kenya - The first African Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Summit "Access and Inclusion for TVET in Africa through new ICT-based solutions" will take place in conjunction with this year's eLearning Africa, the annual pan-African conference on ICT for Development, Education and Training. The Summit will be held on 28 May 2007 in Nairobi. The African TVET Summit will bring together TVET experts, policy makers and practitioners to share experiences, discuss strategies, and implement mechanisms for the promotion and sustainability of best practice. Innovative ICT-based TVET initiatives will be identified by a panel of experts in the field and their developers will have the opportunity to present their work at the Summit. The panel will designate one TVET project as the "African Educational ICT Landmark Project" and it will receive support until the next Summit in 2008, when another landmark initiative will be selected. Discussions and plenaries will investigate how eLearning can be used effectively in technical vocational education and training, how ICT-based training can help bridge the gap between theory and practice, and which best-practice cases from other backgrounds can serve as role models. The event will provide insight into the current status of eLearning in TVET and enable participants to exchange experience. The African TVET Summit is supported by the Kenyan Ministry for Education, the UNESCO International Centre for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (UNESCO-UNEVOC), the UNESCO Regional Office for Education in Africa (UNESCO/BREDA), the Commonwealth of Learning, the German Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training and the organisers of the eLearning Africa conference, ICWE and Hoffmann & Reif Consultants. Regularly updated information on the Summit and the eLearning Africa conference programme can be found at www.eLearning-Africa.com. eLearning Africa 2007 takes place from May 28 to 30, 2007, under the patronage of the Hon. Prof. George Saitoti, Minister for Education, Kenya. It is the largest pan-African conference with a focus on ICT for development, education and training on the Continent. It is organised by ICWE GmbH and Hoffmann & Reif Consultants to establish and link a network and community of decision makers from governments and administrations with universities, schools, governmental and private training providers, industry, and important partners in development cooperation. Each year a different African country will serve as the venue. ***************************************** Notes for editors eLA - eLearning Africa, 2nd International Conference on ICT for Development, Education and Training, May 28 - 30, 2007 Organisers: ICWE GmbH, www.icwe.net, Hoffmann & Reif Consultants, www.hoffmann-reif.com Contact: ICWE GmbH, Tel.: +49-30-327 6140 info(a)elearning-africa.com, www.eLearning-Africa.com Press contact: Beate Kleessen ICWE GmbH Leibnizstraße 32 10625 Berlin, Germany Tel.: +49-30-327 61420 Fax: +49-30-324 9833 press-service(a)icwe.net www.icwe.net Klicken Sie auf die folgende URL, um sich von diesem Newsletter abzumelden oder Ihre Einstellungen zu ändern: http://nl.webmart.de/abo.cfm?K=3122361&E=239643605 _______________________________________________ secretariat mailing list secretariat(a)kictanet.or.ke http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/secretariat This message was sent to: rebeccawanjiku(a)yahoo.com Unsubscribe or change your options at http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/secretariat/rebeccawanjiku%40yahoo.com ____________________________________________________________________________________ Sucker-punch spam with award-winning protection. Try the free Yahoo! Mail Beta. http://advision.webevents.yahoo.com/mailbeta/features_spam.html

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Questions whether open source software can covert the software world?
by alice＠apc.org 21 Feb '07

21 Feb '07

>From Panos ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- For many people in developing countries, commercial software packages are not an option because they are expensive, do not come in local languages and cannot be shared or adapted. Advocates of the Free and Open Source Software (FOSS) movement argue that the tools of information and communication should be in the public domain. But commercial software companies say they spend huge sums of money on research and development, and need to recoup their investments. This latest media briefing on the information society explores how these opposing views can be reconciled in the interests of millions of potential software users in the developing world. Visit: http://www.panos.org.uk/PDF/reports/wsistoolkit5.pdf

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Fw: [DigAfrica] African VoIP Markets: Answers to pressing question
by alice＠apc.org 21 Feb '07

21 Feb '07

>From Balancing Act: ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ African telcos are having to react either to price pressure from the grey market or newly legal VoIP service providers. The impact of VoIP on international prices is only the beginning: in newly legal VoIP markets, the arbitrage opportunity is moving to the national level. Many operators are seeking to remain competitive by simply offering cheaper prices to their customers, either through a specific VoIP service offering or to all customers. But in any price war with the grey market there is only way one for prices to go: downwards. But VoIP is the precursor of much larger changes for operators and they need to create new strategies to remain in the game in more competitive markets: Price cutting cannibalises existing income but also increases volumes: in other words, increased volumes may cover income losses from higher rates. Do you know what has happened to the traffic volumes of those carriers who have lowered prices? A small number of African countries have more or less legalised VoIP for a new generation of VoIP service providers. Further countries are in the queue to do the same and some countries have an anomalous use of VoIP for certain carriers. Do you know which these countries are and how it will affect your business? There has been much talk of NGN networks but for nearly all carriers this is a much more complicated process of transition. Do you know where you are in that transition process and where your competitors have got to? A number of African carriers have convinced themselves that "triple play" is one strategy to combat leakage of customers to the new VoIP service providers. You might think that these carriers have got a clearly defined strategy. But do you know what the rates and market potential is for a service like this that includes VoIP? African VoIP Markets is a 170 page report with 28 tables that looks at all aspects of VoIP in the region. Can you answer the questions facing your business? go to: http://www.balancingact-africa.com/voipmarks.html

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Re: [kictanet] Sasanet not working?
by Jose' 21 Feb '07

21 Feb '07

Hi Walu, What Alex is expressing is the free sms service that sasanet gives.Everything else is up and running except the free sms service thats why we use it. I copied and pasted this from the site FYI "Due to a system upgrade that is currently in progress, the Sasanet Free sms service and purchase of sms credits are temporarily unavailable. Please check back again later." We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience caused, but strive to continually improve our service to you. Best Regards, Njuki-Imwe ----- Original Message ---- From: John Walubengo <jwalu(a)yahoo.com> To: ngunjirijnr(a)yahoo.com Sent: Tuesday, February 20, 2007 7:45:48 PM Subject: Re: [kictanet] Sasanet not working? well, am not a subscriber to them - i got jittery when their registration form had too many of what I thought were personal questions without equivalent demonstration of how they would secure my data... Nway, I just checked their website and it is up and running...so what do you mean when you say they are no longer working? walu. --- Alex Gakuru <alex.gakuru(a)yahoo.com> wrote: > Wouldn't you be curious to find out a very popular free > internet-based www.sasanet.co.ke is now no longer > working? I wonder why? > > /Alex > > Mike Theuri <mike.theuri(a)gmail.com> wrote: Alex, > > Thank you for sharing the blog on the anti-consumer > setting in the country. The blog has very useful > information that is not being shared with Kenyan > consumers and it is key that consumer rights are upheld. > Your blog out to be brought to more attention of key > stakeholders in ICT and to consumers alike. > > Yes, the Ministry and CCK are best placed to > authoritatively comment on such an issue. However I > believe that what AT&T is discontinuing is the ability to > use a "call back" number from Kenya to the US. It is very > likely that the call back numbers which are 0800 numbers > are no longer profitable for AT&T especially given that > they cost as high as $3/min. Technically they are > supposed to be cheaper to use than if one was to "call > back" the US direct from any other country be it Kenya or > the UK. However with AT&T's rate to call the US from > Kenya as high as it is and with local providers beating > their tariffs they may have opted to drop this service. > What this might do, is it might leave AT&T US based > customers unable to call the US using their AT&T calling > cards for what would otherwise be exorbitant prices. > > The wording of the AT&T notice on the lack of no future > support for calls originating from Kenya wasn't very > clear and after some digging around it appears that it > referred to users of AT&T who utilize call back services > while traveling overseas, it might just be due to stiff > competition now that VOIP has been deregulated and > tariffs have fallen (though not low enough) and that no > one in their right mind would be willing to pay $3+ per > minute for a call to the US when for a extremely small > fraction one could make the same phone call at a lower > rate. > > Even then the tariffs in general are not fair enough for > Kenyan consumers and it is an uphill battle to enforce > changes when some of the largest tax payers happen to be > communication providers. It is unthinkable that the > government would do much to jeopardize a large and steady > tax revenue stream to save the honorable consumer. > Increasingly huge profits in a formerly depressed and now > recovering economy like ours raise the question whether > the consumer is getting a fair deal. It is akin to oil > companies making several times over some nations GDP in > profits and claiming that they are struggling themselves > and offering the best prices possible. Price regulation > in the industry is something that should be looked into > to further to try and strike a fair balance between > consumers needs and investors return on equity. > > Mike > > On 2/18/07, Alex Gakuru <alex.gakuru(a)yahoo.com> wrote: > Mike: > > Although this is a consumer issue, you may notice we have > quite some domestic wars with the prevailing > anti-consumer setting, http://ictconsumer.blogspot.com/ > for example. > > By engaging foreign networks, I am afraid the ICT > Consumers Association of Kenya could be considered acting > ultra vires thus the Ministry of Information and > Communications, CCK, and perhaps also Foreign Affairs are > best suited to comment. > > Would a provocative question, like "why has a private US > telco unilaterally cut-off communication from Kenya to > the US jeopardizing both a basic human right and the > national outsourcing strategy" earn a quick response from > government? > > rgds, > > Alex > > Mike Theuri <mike.theuri(a)gmail.com> wrote: As an after > thought, this may mean calls dialed through this number > which by itself is a very expensive option and which may > reflect the effects of voip and lowered costs of > international calls: > > Kenya 0-800-2201-15 (608) > > On 2/18/07, Mike Theuri <mike.theuri(a)gmail.com> wrote: > Does anyone know why the below might be the case ? AT&T > printed this in small print on bills sent to customer in > January. Considering > that AT&T is the largest telco in the US this is a > serious issue : > > International Call Origination: > Effective March 1, 2007, our International Call > Origination service will change. Current access > numbers for calls originating internationally > will change. Please visit att.com/dialing-guide > to print the new dialing-guide for your reference; > or call the number on your bill to order a new > dialing guide. Calls from Kenya to US will > no longer be supported. International to > international calling from St. Martin will no > longer be supported. Also, International > service will be expanded to over 60 additional > countries. To find out rates and countries where > we provide service, please visit > att.com/intl-rates. > > > > > _______________________________________________ > kictanet mailing list > kictanet(a)kictanet.or.ke > http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > > Please unsubscribe or change your options at > http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/alex.gakuru%40yahoo.com > > > --------------------------------- > The fish are biting. > Get more visitors on your site using Yahoo! Search > Marketing. > > _______________________________________________ > kictanet mailing list > kictanet(a)kictanet.or.ke > http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > > Please unsubscribe or change your options at > http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/mike.theuri%40gmail.com > > > > _______________________________________________ > kictanet mailing list > kictanet(a)kictanet.or.ke > http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > > Please unsubscribe or change your options at > http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/alex.gakuru%40yahoo.com > > > --------------------------------- > Sucker-punch spam with award-winning protection. > Try the free Yahoo! Mail Beta.> _______________________________________________ > kictanet mailing list > kictanet(a)kictanet.or.ke > http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > > Please unsubscribe or change your options at http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/jwalu%40yahoo.com ____________________________________________________________________________________ Finding fabulous fares is fun. Let Yahoo! FareChase search your favorite travel sites to find flight and hotel bargains. http://farechase.yahoo.com/promo-generic-14795097 _______________________________________________ kictanet mailing list kictanet(a)kictanet.or.ke http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet Please unsubscribe or change your options at http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/ngunjirijnr%40yahoo.com ____________________________________________________________________________________ We won't tell. Get more on shows you hate to love (and love to hate): Yahoo! TV's Guilty Pleasures list. http://tv.yahoo.com/collections/265

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Re: [kictanet] E-Centre in Eastlands-Kimathi Estate
by Jose' 21 Feb '07

21 Feb '07

Thanx Judy, Yeah its n awesome centre. How is the website? out of 10?let me know what y'all find it.Is it opening fast at your end?Am being told that in some places it aint opening I wonder why :-( Give me a call we shall organize a mtg.It will be exciting to show what we do through empowering the youth. Best Regards, Jose' Njuki-Imwe Ngunjiri || +254 722 336754 || ----- Original Message ---- From: Judy Okite <judyokite(a)gmail.com> To: ngunjirijnr(a)yahoo.com Sent: Wednesday, February 21, 2007 2:52:08 PM Subject: Re: [kictanet] E-Centre in Eastlands-Kimathi Estate This is soo cool...Jose, I need to link up with you of the list...please.... Kind Regards, On 2/21/07, Jose' <ngunjirijnr(a)yahoo.com> wrote: Checkout, www.kimathiinformationcentre.com some of the pages are still under construction like the forum,chat and guest book pages.Oh! also the donation page :-) We reach out to the Easltands community with free ICT lessons also we are a one stop E-centre. We are in the process of organizing a youth symposium that will focus on preparing youth in creating business proposals,business plans and how to apply for loans and in particular the Youth loan. All keep y'all posted Best Regards, Jose' Njuki-Imwe Ngunjiri || +254 722 336754 || ----- Original Message ---- From: John Walubengo < jwalu(a)yahoo.com> To: ngunjirijnr(a)yahoo.com Sent: Tuesday, February 20, 2007 7:45:48 PM Subject: Re: [kictanet] Sasanet not working? well, am not a subscriber to them - i got jittery when their registration form had too many of what I thought were personal questions without equivalent demonstration of how they would secure my data... Nway, I just checked their website and it is up and running...so what do you mean when you say they are no longer working? walu. --- Alex Gakuru < alex.gakuru(a)yahoo.com> wrote: > Wouldn't you be curious to find out a very popular free > internet-based www.sasanet.co.ke is now no longer > working? I wonder why? > > /Alex > > Mike Theuri <mike.theuri(a)gmail.com> wrote: Alex, > > Thank you for sharing the blog on the anti-consumer > setting in the country. The blog has very useful > information that is not being shared with Kenyan > consumers and it is key that consumer rights are upheld. > Your blog out to be brought to more attention of key > stakeholders in ICT and to consumers alike. > > Yes, the Ministry and CCK are best placed to > authoritatively comment on such an issue. However I > believe that what AT&T is discontinuing is the ability to > use a "call back" number from Kenya to the US. It is very > likely that the call back numbers which are 0800 numbers > are no longer profitable for AT&T especially given that > they cost as high as $3/min. Technically they are > supposed to be cheaper to use than if one was to "call > back" the US direct from any other country be it Kenya or > the UK. However with AT&T's rate to call the US from > Kenya as high as it is and with local providers beating > their tariffs they may have opted to drop this service. > What this might do, is it might leave AT&T US based > customers unable to call the US using their AT&T calling > cards for what would otherwise be exorbitant prices. > > The wording of the AT&T notice on the lack of no future > support for calls originating from Kenya wasn't very > clear and after some digging around it appears that it > referred to users of AT&T who utilize call back services > while traveling overseas, it might just be due to stiff > competition now that VOIP has been deregulated and > tariffs have fallen (though not low enough) and that no > one in their right mind would be willing to pay $3+ per > minute for a call to the US when for a extremely small > fraction one could make the same phone call at a lower > rate. > > Even then the tariffs in general are not fair enough for > Kenyan consumers and it is an uphill battle to enforce > changes when some of the largest tax payers happen to be > communication providers. It is unthinkable that the > government would do much to jeopardize a large and steady > tax revenue stream to save the honorable consumer. > Increasingly huge profits in a formerly depressed and now > recovering economy like ours raise the question whether > the consumer is getting a fair deal. It is akin to oil > companies making several times over some nations GDP in > profits and claiming that they are struggling themselves > and offering the best prices possible. Price regulation > in the industry is something that should be looked into > to further to try and strike a fair balance between > consumers needs and investors return on equity. > > Mike > > On 2/18/07, Alex Gakuru < alex.gakuru(a)yahoo.com> wrote: > Mike: > > Although this is a consumer issue, you may notice we have > quite some domestic wars with the prevailing > anti-consumer setting, http://ictconsumer.blogspot.com/ > for example. > > By engaging foreign networks, I am afraid the ICT > Consumers Association of Kenya could be considered acting > ultra vires thus the Ministry of Information and > Communications, CCK, and perhaps also Foreign Affairs are > best suited to comment. > > Would a provocative question, like "why has a private US > telco unilaterally cut-off communication from Kenya to > the US jeopardizing both a basic human right and the > national outsourcing strategy" earn a quick response from > government? > > rgds, > > Alex > > Mike Theuri < mike.theuri(a)gmail.com> wrote: As an after > thought, this may mean calls dialed through this number > which by itself is a very expensive option and which may > reflect the effects of voip and lowered costs of > international calls: > > Kenya 0-800-2201-15 (608) > > On 2/18/07, Mike Theuri < mike.theuri(a)gmail.com> wrote: > Does anyone know why the below might be the case ? AT&T > printed this in small print on bills sent to customer in > January. Considering > that AT&T is the largest telco in the US this is a > serious issue : > > International Call Origination: > Effective March 1, 2007, our International Call > Origination service will change. Current access > numbers for calls originating internationally > will change. Please visit att.com/dialing-guide > to print the new dialing-guide for your reference; > or call the number on your bill to order a new > dialing guide. Calls from Kenya to US will > no longer be supported. International to > international calling from St. Martin will no > longer be supported. Also, International > service will be expanded to over 60 additional > countries. To find out rates and countries where > we provide service, please visit > att.com/intl-rates. > > > > > _______________________________________________ > kictanet mailing list > kictanet(a)kictanet.or.ke > http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > > Please unsubscribe or change your options at > http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/alex.gakuru%40yahoo.com > > > --------------------------------- > The fish are biting. > Get more visitors on your site using Yahoo! Search > Marketing. > > _______________________________________________ > kictanet mailing list > kictanet(a)kictanet.or.ke > http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > > Please unsubscribe or change your options at > http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/mike.theuri%40gmail.com > > > > _______________________________________________ > kictanet mailing list > kictanet(a)kictanet.or.ke > http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > > Please unsubscribe or change your options at > http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/alex.gakuru%40yahoo.com > > > --------------------------------- > Sucker-punch spam with award-winning protection. > Try the free Yahoo! Mail Beta.> _______________________________________________ > kictanet mailing list > kictanet(a)kictanet.or.ke > http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > > Please unsubscribe or change your options at http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/jwalu%40yahoo.com ____________________________________________________________________________________ Finding fabulous fares is fun. Let Yahoo! FareChase search your favorite travel sites to find flight and hotel bargains. http://farechase.yahoo.com/promo-generic-14795097 _______________________________________________ kictanet mailing list kictanet(a)kictanet.or.ke http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet Please unsubscribe or change your options at http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/ngunjirijnr%40yahoo.com It's here! Your new message! Get new email alerts with the free Yahoo! Toolbar. _______________________________________________ kictanet mailing list kictanet(a)kictanet.or.ke http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet Please unsubscribe or change your options at http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/judyokite%40gmail.com -- Judy Ann Okite, +254-721237507 P.O. BOX 2228 00100, NAIROBI,KENYA. "Even if you are on the right track, you'll still get run over if you just sit there." _______________________________________________ kictanet mailing list kictanet(a)kictanet.or.ke http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet Please unsubscribe or change your options at http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/ngunjirijnr%40yahoo.com ____________________________________________________________________________________ Want to start your own business? Learn how on Yahoo! Small Business. http://smallbusiness.yahoo.com/r-index

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Re: [kictanet] Sasanet not working?
by Jose' 21 Feb '07

21 Feb '07

I think they are just maintaining there systems.I use the Sasanet not only to send free sms' but also store my names in their address book this is one way of making your mind at ease when Mathira's crew do the "needful" to your "Hallo Moto!" phone. Lets give them a chance.we wait.Patience is a virtue. Best Regards, Jose' Njuki-Imwe Ngunjiri ----- Original Message ---- From: Judy Okite <judyokite(a)gmail.com> To: ngunjirijnr(a)yahoo.com Sent: Wednesday, February 21, 2007 2:46:43 PM Subject: Re: [kictanet] Sasanet not working? In simpler English, Sasanet gives its subscribers an opportunity to send 10 sms's free to the local network(celtel or safcom)a total of 90 characters...then an advert takes up the rest of the characters,to make 160(a norm sms). For this service to be provided..sasanet fully depends on the sposnsors(adverts),like any other business definately you cannot give your clients the real reason as to why the services are not available.........but there are no sponsors...as per now to support the free sms......if any one one has been using this services,frequently,then you can agree that it has been an ON/OFF...kind of service...but since its free why make noise? just keep checking till it works......So there's no need to panic, it has nothing to with AT&T or something fishy,reading between the lines..... Kind Regards, On 2/21/07, Jose' <ngunjirijnr(a)yahoo.com> wrote: Hi Walu, What Alex is expressing is the free sms service that sasanet gives.Everything else is up and running except the free sms service thats why we use it. I copied and pasted this from the site FYI "Due to a system upgrade that is currently in progress, the Sasanet Free sms service and purchase of sms credits are temporarily unavailable. Please check back again later." We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience caused, but strive to continually improve our service to you. Best Regards, Njuki-Imwe ----- Original Message ---- From: John Walubengo <jwalu(a)yahoo.com> To: ngunjirijnr(a)yahoo.com Sent: Tuesday, February 20, 2007 7:45:48 PM Subject: Re: [kictanet] Sasanet not working? well, am not a subscriber to them - i got jittery when their registration form had too many of what I thought were personal questions without equivalent demonstration of how they would secure my data... Nway, I just checked their website and it is up and running...so what do you mean when you say they are no longer working? walu. --- Alex Gakuru <alex.gakuru(a)yahoo.com> wrote: > Wouldn't you be curious to find out a very popular free > internet-based www.sasanet.co.ke is now no longer > working? I wonder why? > > /Alex > > Mike Theuri <mike.theuri(a)gmail.com> wrote: Alex, > > Thank you for sharing the blog on the anti-consumer > setting in the country. The blog has very useful > information that is not being shared with Kenyan > consumers and it is key that consumer rights are upheld. > Your blog out to be brought to more attention of key > stakeholders in ICT and to consumers alike. > > Yes, the Ministry and CCK are best placed to > authoritatively comment on such an issue. However I > believe that what AT&T is discontinuing is the ability to > use a "call back" number from Kenya to the US. It is very > likely that the call back numbers which are 0800 numbers > are no longer profitable for AT&T especially given that > they cost as high as $3/min. Technically they are > supposed to be cheaper to use than if one was to "call > back" the US direct from any other country be it Kenya or > the UK. However with AT&T's rate to call the US from > Kenya as high as it is and with local providers beating > their tariffs they may have opted to drop this service. > What this might do, is it might leave AT&T US based > customers unable to call the US using their AT&T calling > cards for what would otherwise be exorbitant prices. > > The wording of the AT&T notice on the lack of no future > support for calls originating from Kenya wasn't very > clear and after some digging around it appears that it > referred to users of AT&T who utilize call back services > while traveling overseas, it might just be due to stiff > competition now that VOIP has been deregulated and > tariffs have fallen (though not low enough) and that no > one in their right mind would be willing to pay $3+ per > minute for a call to the US when for a extremely small > fraction one could make the same phone call at a lower > rate. > > Even then the tariffs in general are not fair enough for > Kenyan consumers and it is an uphill battle to enforce > changes when some of the largest tax payers happen to be > communication providers. It is unthinkable that the > government would do much to jeopardize a large and steady > tax revenue stream to save the honorable consumer. > Increasingly huge profits in a formerly depressed and now > recovering economy like ours raise the question whether > the consumer is getting a fair deal. It is akin to oil > companies making several times over some nations GDP in > profits and claiming that they are struggling themselves > and offering the best prices possible. Price regulation > in the industry is something that should be looked into > to further to try and strike a fair balance between > consumers needs and investors return on equity. > > Mike > > On 2/18/07, Alex Gakuru <alex.gakuru(a)yahoo.com> wrote: > Mike: > > Although this is a consumer issue, you may notice we have > quite some domestic wars with the prevailing > anti-consumer setting, http://ictconsumer.blogspot.com/ > for example. > > By engaging foreign networks, I am afraid the ICT > Consumers Association of Kenya could be considered acting > ultra vires thus the Ministry of Information and > Communications, CCK, and perhaps also Foreign Affairs are > best suited to comment. > > Would a provocative question, like "why has a private US > telco unilaterally cut-off communication from Kenya to > the US jeopardizing both a basic human right and the > national outsourcing strategy" earn a quick response from > government? > > rgds, > > Alex > > Mike Theuri <mike.theuri(a)gmail.com > wrote: As an after > thought, this may mean calls dialed through this number > which by itself is a very expensive option and which may > reflect the effects of voip and lowered costs of > international calls: > > Kenya 0-800-2201-15 (608) > > On 2/18/07, Mike Theuri <mike.theuri(a)gmail.com > wrote: > Does anyone know why the below might be the case ? AT&T > printed this in small print on bills sent to customer in > January. Considering > that AT&T is the largest telco in the US this is a > serious issue : > > International Call Origination: > Effective March 1, 2007, our International Call > Origination service will change. Current access > numbers for calls originating internationally > will change. Please visit att.com/dialing-guide > to print the new dialing-guide for your reference; > or call the number on your bill to order a new > dialing guide. Calls from Kenya to US will > no longer be supported. International to > international calling from St. Martin will no > longer be supported. Also, International > service will be expanded to over 60 additional > countries. To find out rates and countries where > we provide service, please visit > att.com/intl-rates. > > > > > _______________________________________________ > kictanet mailing list > kictanet(a)kictanet.or.ke > http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > > Please unsubscribe or change your options at > http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/alex.gakuru%40yahoo.com > > > --------------------------------- > The fish are biting. > Get more visitors on your site using Yahoo! Search > Marketing. > > _______________________________________________ > kictanet mailing list > kictanet(a)kictanet.or.ke > http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > > Please unsubscribe or change your options at > http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/mike.theuri%40gmail.com > > > > _______________________________________________ > kictanet mailing list > kictanet(a)kictanet.or.ke > http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > > Please unsubscribe or change your options at > http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/alex.gakuru%40yahoo.com > > > --------------------------------- > Sucker-punch spam with award-winning protection. > Try the free Yahoo! Mail Beta.> _______________________________________________ > kictanet mailing list > kictanet(a)kictanet.or.ke > http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > > Please unsubscribe or change your options at http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/jwalu%40yahoo.com ____________________________________________________________________________________ Finding fabulous fares is fun. Let Yahoo! FareChase search your favorite travel sites to find flight and hotel bargains. http://farechase.yahoo.com/promo-generic-14795097 _______________________________________________ kictanet mailing list kictanet(a)kictanet.or.ke http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet Please unsubscribe or change your options at http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/ngunjirijnr%40yahoo.com TV dinner still cooling? Check out "Tonight's Picks" on Yahoo! TV. _______________________________________________ kictanet mailing list kictanet(a)kictanet.or.ke http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet Please unsubscribe or change your options at http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/judyokite%40gmail.com -- Judy Ann Okite, +254-721237507 P.O. BOX 2228 00100, NAIROBI,KENYA. "Even if you are on the right track, you'll still get run over if you just sit there." _______________________________________________ kictanet mailing list kictanet(a)kictanet.or.ke http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet Please unsubscribe or change your options at http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/ngunjirijnr%40yahoo.com ____________________________________________________________________________________ Don't get soaked. Take a quick peak at the forecast with the Yahoo! Search weather shortcut. http://tools.search.yahoo.com/shortcuts/#loc_weather

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E-Centre in Eastlands-Kimathi Estate
by Jose' 21 Feb '07

21 Feb '07

Checkout, www.kimathiinformationcentre.com some of the pages are still under construction like the forum,chat and guest book pages.Oh! also the donation page :-) We reach out to the Easltands community with free ICT lessons also we are a one stop E-centre. We are in the process of organizing a youth symposium that will focus on preparing youth in creating business proposals,business plans and how to apply for loans and in particular the Youth loan. All keep y'all posted Best Regards, Jose' Njuki-Imwe Ngunjiri || +254 722 336754 || ----- Original Message ---- From: John Walubengo <jwalu(a)yahoo.com> To: ngunjirijnr(a)yahoo.com Sent: Tuesday, February 20, 2007 7:45:48 PM Subject: Re: [kictanet] Sasanet not working? well, am not a subscriber to them - i got jittery when their registration form had too many of what I thought were personal questions without equivalent demonstration of how they would secure my data... Nway, I just checked their website and it is up and running...so what do you mean when you say they are no longer working? walu. --- Alex Gakuru <alex.gakuru(a)yahoo.com> wrote: > Wouldn't you be curious to find out a very popular free > internet-based www.sasanet.co.ke is now no longer > working? I wonder why? > > /Alex > > Mike Theuri <mike.theuri(a)gmail.com> wrote: Alex, > > Thank you for sharing the blog on the anti-consumer > setting in the country. The blog has very useful > information that is not being shared with Kenyan > consumers and it is key that consumer rights are upheld. > Your blog out to be brought to more attention of key > stakeholders in ICT and to consumers alike. > > Yes, the Ministry and CCK are best placed to > authoritatively comment on such an issue. However I > believe that what AT&T is discontinuing is the ability to > use a "call back" number from Kenya to the US. It is very > likely that the call back numbers which are 0800 numbers > are no longer profitable for AT&T especially given that > they cost as high as $3/min. Technically they are > supposed to be cheaper to use than if one was to "call > back" the US direct from any other country be it Kenya or > the UK. However with AT&T's rate to call the US from > Kenya as high as it is and with local providers beating > their tariffs they may have opted to drop this service. > What this might do, is it might leave AT&T US based > customers unable to call the US using their AT&T calling > cards for what would otherwise be exorbitant prices. > > The wording of the AT&T notice on the lack of no future > support for calls originating from Kenya wasn't very > clear and after some digging around it appears that it > referred to users of AT&T who utilize call back services > while traveling overseas, it might just be due to stiff > competition now that VOIP has been deregulated and > tariffs have fallen (though not low enough) and that no > one in their right mind would be willing to pay $3+ per > minute for a call to the US when for a extremely small > fraction one could make the same phone call at a lower > rate. > > Even then the tariffs in general are not fair enough for > Kenyan consumers and it is an uphill battle to enforce > changes when some of the largest tax payers happen to be > communication providers. It is unthinkable that the > government would do much to jeopardize a large and steady > tax revenue stream to save the honorable consumer. > Increasingly huge profits in a formerly depressed and now > recovering economy like ours raise the question whether > the consumer is getting a fair deal. It is akin to oil > companies making several times over some nations GDP in > profits and claiming that they are struggling themselves > and offering the best prices possible. Price regulation > in the industry is something that should be looked into > to further to try and strike a fair balance between > consumers needs and investors return on equity. > > Mike > > On 2/18/07, Alex Gakuru <alex.gakuru(a)yahoo.com> wrote: > Mike: > > Although this is a consumer issue, you may notice we have > quite some domestic wars with the prevailing > anti-consumer setting, http://ictconsumer.blogspot.com/ > for example. > > By engaging foreign networks, I am afraid the ICT > Consumers Association of Kenya could be considered acting > ultra vires thus the Ministry of Information and > Communications, CCK, and perhaps also Foreign Affairs are > best suited to comment. > > Would a provocative question, like "why has a private US > telco unilaterally cut-off communication from Kenya to > the US jeopardizing both a basic human right and the > national outsourcing strategy" earn a quick response from > government? > > rgds, > > Alex > > Mike Theuri <mike.theuri(a)gmail.com> wrote: As an after > thought, this may mean calls dialed through this number > which by itself is a very expensive option and which may > reflect the effects of voip and lowered costs of > international calls: > > Kenya 0-800-2201-15 (608) > > On 2/18/07, Mike Theuri <mike.theuri(a)gmail.com> wrote: > Does anyone know why the below might be the case ? AT&T > printed this in small print on bills sent to customer in > January. Considering > that AT&T is the largest telco in the US this is a > serious issue : > > International Call Origination: > Effective March 1, 2007, our International Call > Origination service will change. Current access > numbers for calls originating internationally > will change. Please visit att.com/dialing-guide > to print the new dialing-guide for your reference; > or call the number on your bill to order a new > dialing guide. Calls from Kenya to US will > no longer be supported. International to > international calling from St. Martin will no > longer be supported. Also, International > service will be expanded to over 60 additional > countries. To find out rates and countries where > we provide service, please visit > att.com/intl-rates. > > > > > _______________________________________________ > kictanet mailing list > kictanet(a)kictanet.or.ke > http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > > Please unsubscribe or change your options at > http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/alex.gakuru%40yahoo.com > > > --------------------------------- > The fish are biting. > Get more visitors on your site using Yahoo! Search > Marketing. > > _______________________________________________ > kictanet mailing list > kictanet(a)kictanet.or.ke > http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > > Please unsubscribe or change your options at > http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/mike.theuri%40gmail.com > > > > _______________________________________________ > kictanet mailing list > kictanet(a)kictanet.or.ke > http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > > Please unsubscribe or change your options at > http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/alex.gakuru%40yahoo.com > > > --------------------------------- > Sucker-punch spam with award-winning protection. > Try the free Yahoo! Mail Beta.> _______________________________________________ > kictanet mailing list > kictanet(a)kictanet.or.ke > http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > > Please unsubscribe or change your options at http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/jwalu%40yahoo.com ____________________________________________________________________________________ Finding fabulous fares is fun. Let Yahoo! FareChase search your favorite travel sites to find flight and hotel bargains. http://farechase.yahoo.com/promo-generic-14795097 _______________________________________________ kictanet mailing list kictanet(a)kictanet.or.ke http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet Please unsubscribe or change your options at http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/ngunjirijnr%40yahoo.com ____________________________________________________________________________________ TV dinner still cooling? Check out "Tonight's Picks" on Yahoo! TV. http://tv.yahoo.com/

3 2

AT&T to no longer support calls originating from Kenya
by Mike Theuri 21 Feb '07

21 Feb '07

Does anyone know why the below might be the case ? AT&T printed this in small print on bills sent to customer in January. Considering that AT&T is the largest telco in the US this is a serious issue : International Call Origination: Effective March 1, 2007, our International Call Origination service will change. Current access numbers for calls originating internationally will change. Please visit att.com/dialing-guide to print the new dialing-guide for your reference; or call the number on your bill to order a new dialing guide. Calls from Kenya to US will no longer be supported. International to international calling from St. Martin will no longer be supported. Also, International service will be expanded to over 60 additional countries. To find out rates and countries where we provide service, please visit att.com/intl-rates.

4 6

Accountability Statement
by Wainaina Mungai 21 Feb '07

21 Feb '07

"What Kibaki has doen with your money" http://www.communication.go.ke/development/default.asp ....an interesting read! --- Wainaina Mungai http://www.madeinkenya.org SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

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Re: [kictanet] Sasanet
by Mike Theuri 21 Feb '07

21 Feb '07

Perhaps there is more than meets the eye considering their site seems to be up and running per a visual inspection ? Is there more behind the scenes that might not be obvious ? On 2/19/07, Alex Gakuru <alex.gakuru(a)yahoo.com> wrote: > > Wouldn't you be curious to find out a very popular free internet-based > www.sasanet.co.ke is now no longer working? I wonder why? > > /Alex > > *Mike Theuri <mike.theuri(a)gmail.com>* wrote: > > Alex, > > Thank you for sharing the blog on the anti-consumer setting in the > country. The blog has very useful information that is not being shared with > Kenyan consumers and it is key that consumer rights are upheld. Your blog > out to be brought to more attention of key stakeholders in ICT and to > consumers alike. > > Yes, the Ministry and CCK are best placed to authoritatively comment on > such an issue. However I believe that what AT&T is discontinuing is the > ability to use a "call back" number from Kenya to the US. It is very likely > that the call back numbers which are 0800 numbers are no longer profitable > for AT&T especially given that they cost as high as $3/min. Technically they > are supposed to be cheaper to use than if one was to "call back" the US > direct from any other country be it Kenya or the UK. However with AT&T's > rate to call the US from Kenya as high as it is and with local providers > beating their tariffs they may have opted to drop this service. What this > might do, is it might leave AT&T US based customers unable to call the US > using their AT&T calling cards for what would otherwise be exorbitant > prices. > > The wording of the AT&T notice on the lack of no future support for calls > originating from Kenya wasn't very clear and after some digging around it > appears that it referred to users of AT&T who utilize call back services > while traveling overseas, it might just be due to stiff competition now that > VOIP has been deregulated and tariffs have fallen (though not low enough) > and that no one in their right mind would be willing to pay $3+ per minute > for a call to the US when for a extremely small fraction one could make the > same phone call at a lower rate. > > Even then the tariffs in general are not fair enough for Kenyan consumers > and it is an uphill battle to enforce changes when some of the largest tax > payers happen to be communication providers. It is unthinkable that the > government would do much to jeopardize a large and steady tax revenue stream > to save the honorable consumer. Increasingly huge profits in a formerly > depressed and now recovering economy like ours raise the question whether > the consumer is getting a fair deal. It is akin to oil companies making > several times over some nations GDP in profits and claiming that they are > struggling themselves and offering the best prices possible. Price > regulation in the industry is something that should be looked into to > further to try and strike a fair balance between consumers needs and > investors return on equity. > > Mike > > On 2/18/07, Alex Gakuru <alex.gakuru(a)yahoo.com> wrote: > > > > Mike: > > > > Although this is a consumer issue, you may notice we have quite some > > domestic wars with the prevailing anti-consumer setting, > > http://ictconsumer.blogspot.com/ for example. > > > > By engaging foreign networks, I am afraid the ICT Consumers Association > > of Kenya could be considered acting ultra vires thus the Ministry of > > Information and Communications, CCK, and perhaps also Foreign Affairs are > > best suited to comment. > > > > Would a provocative question, like "why has a private US telco > > unilaterally cut-off communication from Kenya to the US jeopardizing both a > > basic human right and the national outsourcing strategy" earn a quick > > response from government? > > > > rgds, > > > > Alex > > > > *Mike Theuri <mike.theuri(a)gmail.com>* wrote: > > > > As an after thought, this may mean calls dialed through this number > > which by itself is a very expensive option and which may reflect the effects > > of voip and lowered costs of international calls: > > > > Kenya 0-800-2201-15 (608) > > > > On 2/18/07, Mike Theuri <mike.theuri(a)gmail.com> wrote: > > > > > > Does anyone know why the below might be the case ? AT&T printed this > > > in small print on bills sent to customer in January. Considering > > > that AT&T is the largest telco in the US this is a serious issue : > > > > > > International Call Origination: > > > Effective March 1, 2007, our International Call > > > Origination service will change. Current access > > > numbers for calls originating internationally > > > will change. Please visit att.com/dialing-guide > > > to print the new dialing-guide for your reference; > > > or call the number on your bill to order a new > > > dialing guide. Calls from Kenya to US will > > > no longer be supported. International to > > > international calling from St. Martin will no > > > longer be supported. Also, International > > > service will be expanded to over 60 additional > > > countries. To find out rates and countries where > > > we provide service, please visit > > > att.com/intl-rates. > > > > > > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > > kictanet mailing list > > kictanet(a)kictanet.or.ke > > http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > > > > Please unsubscribe or change your options at > > http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/alex.gakuru%40yahoo.com > > > > > > ------------------------------ > > The fish are biting. > > Get more visitors<http://us.rd.yahoo.com/evt=49679/*http://searchmarketing.yahoo.com/arp/spon…>on your site using Yahoo! > > Search Marketing. > > > > _______________________________________________ > > kictanet mailing list > > kictanet(a)kictanet.or.ke > > http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > > > > Please unsubscribe or change your options at http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/mike.theuri%40gmail.com > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > kictanet mailing list > kictanet(a)kictanet.or.ke > http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > > Please unsubscribe or change your options at > http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/alex.gakuru%40yahoo.com > > > ------------------------------ > Sucker-punch spam with award-winning protection. > Try the free Yahoo! Mail Beta. > > > _______________________________________________ > kictanet mailing list > kictanet(a)kictanet.or.ke > http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > > Please unsubscribe or change your options at > http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/mike.theuri%40gmail.com >

3 2

advice if I can place my opinion
by Jose' 21 Feb '07

21 Feb '07

please advice if I can post my opinions because I am getting a bounced mail always. Best Regards, Jose' Njuki-Imwe Ngunjiri || +254 722 336754 || ____________________________________________________________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Everyone is raving about the all-new Yahoo! Mail beta. http://new.mail.yahoo.com

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DAY 5... How would users update their data ? and WHAT IS THE WAY FORWARD
by joseph kihanya 21 Feb '07

21 Feb '07

Dear all, Any last views...before we close today's and the entire discussion prior to the meeting on tuesday?... regards Kihanya ____________________________________________________________________________________ Finding fabulous fares is fun. Let Yahoo! FareChase search your favorite travel sites to find flight and hotel bargains. http://farechase.yahoo.com/promo-generic-14795097

4 3

Kenya Telecentre Network Workshop
by chelimo kenneth 20 Feb '07

20 Feb '07

Dear All, The First Kenya Telecentre Network workshop takes place from 21-23rd February, 2007 at Busia Trailer Inn Hotel in western Kenya. The workshop is being facilitated jointly by Ugunja Community Resource Centre (www.ugunja.org) a rural based resource centre in Siaya district, Kenya Telecentre Network and Ugabytes Initiative (www.ugabytes.org) . Ugabytes initiative based in Uganda is the telecentre network support organization in East and Central Africa. It is affiliated to the international network support organization www.telecentre.org a project of IDRC based in Canada. The theme of the workshop is using telecentres to bridge the digital divide between rural and urban communities in Kenya. The workshop has received substantive support from other organizations mainly from Microsoft International which has expressed interest in empowering rural communities with ICTs using telecentres as access points to disadvantaged communities in Kenya. The workshop will be a follow up of East Africa and Africa Leaders Telecentre forums held in Uganda (October,2006) and Benin (November) respectively. Among deliberations expected will be on internet connectivity and ISPs in rural areas, sustainability and management of telecentres, women,youth and ICTs,ICT policy and government involvement etc. Participants will be drawn from various models of telecentres (resource and information centres) based in rural and slum communities across the country . Ken Chelimo National Coordinator, Kenya Telecentre Network --------------------------------- Check out the all-new Yahoo! Mail beta - Fire up a more powerful email and get things done faster.

1 0

Reliance to build submarine cable to rival EASSy
by Rebecca Wanjiku 20 Feb '07

20 Feb '07

some food for thought before the friday meeting........ Reliance to build submarine cable to rival EASSy By A CORRESPONDENT The EastAfrican Reliance Corporation, one of India's largest information technology firms, says that it will construct a submarine cable along the eastern Africa seaboard by 2009. The fibre optic cable, the company said recently, will link South Africa and Kenya, and also serve Tanzania, Mauritius, Mozambique and Madagascar as well as some land-locked countries. The cable link will be laid down by Reliance subsidiary, Flag Telecom Last December, Reliance announced that it would invest $1.5 billion to put up the world s most extensive Internet access network through submarine cables covering more than 60 countries. News of the latest plans to lay a cable along the eastern seaboard are likely to cause a certain level of alarm among the partner states involved with the controversy-prone East African Submarine Cable System (EASSy) cable. By last December, only 12 countries out of the targeted 23 stretching from South Africa to the Sudan had pledged support to the project. Proponents of an eastern seaboard fibre optic cable say that it would lower Internet slashing bandwidth costs by as much as a third, and spur the development of outsourcing centres along the eastern coast to compete with similar centres in Asia. Valued at $300 million, EASSy itself is planned to run from Mtunzini in South Africa to Port Sudan in Sudan, with landing points in six countries, and connected to at least five landlocked countries. The thinking is that these countries will subsequently no longer have to rely on expensive satellite systems to carry voice and data services. The project, to be funded largely by the World Bank and the Development Bank of Southern Africa, was initiated on January 2003. Since inception, however, the EASSy project which is now expected to be completed by the end of 2008 has been dogged by disagreements over financing and access among partner states, with Kenya opting to sit the project out. Kenyan officials were reportedly particularly peeved by South African efforts to control the project, reports indicated. Last September, Kenya announced that it would seek funding to finance its own undersea cable running from Mombasa to Fujairah in the Gulf of Oman in a bid to accelerate the emergence of the country a business outsourcing centre. The cable, Nairobi said, would be made available to any interested party along the way. Analysts say that the announcement by Reliance, by introducing a third player, could change the dynamics somewhat, raising the possibility that the Kenyan government may seek a partnership with the Indian multinational to counter-balance the South African-led EAS http://www.nationmedia.com/eastafrican/current/News/News1902078.htm _______________________________________________ secretariat mailing list secretariat(a)kictanet.or.ke http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/secretariat This message was sent to: rebeccawanjiku(a)yahoo.com Unsubscribe or change your options at http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/secretariat/rebeccawanjiku%40yahoo.com ____________________________________________________________________________________ It's here! Your new message! Get new email alerts with the free Yahoo! Toolbar. http://tools.search.yahoo.com/toolbar/features/mail/

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FOI meeting Tuesday feb 20
by Rebecca Wanjiku 19 Feb '07

19 Feb '07

just a reminder that the meeting on FOI at KSMS will take place tommorrow please plan to attend KICTANet will present a report of the just concluded list discussion ____________________________________________________________________________________ Get your own web address. Have a HUGE year through Yahoo! Small Business. http://smallbusiness.yahoo.com/domains/?p=BESTDEAL

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TYCO WINS CONTRACT TO BUILD KENYAN GOVT’S FIBRE CABLE
by Rebecca Wanjiku 19 Feb '07

19 Feb '07

more background info for the friday meeting....... TYCO WINS CONTRACT TO BUILD KENYAN GOVTS FIBRE CABLE Communication in Kenya is to set for a major revolution, following the start of an undersea fibre optic link to the rest of the world through Fujairah in the Gulf of Oman. American company Tyco last week won a contract to undertake a marine survey that should be ready in two months, at a cost of Sh187 million. The Government will invite bids any time from now for a financial arranger who will design a plan to raise money for the project, tentatively expected to be complete by early next year. The contract will be awarded competitively by April this year. The Government, through Telkom Kenya, is working with Dubai-based Etisalat, a telecoms company, to build the cable. The private sector will be invited to either buy shares, or to prove its capacity to raise funds through plans worked out by the financial arranger. Information and Communication minister Mutahi Kagwe says fast-tracking the East African Marine System (Teams) will ensure that Kenya does not lag behind in information and communication technology (ICT). "The East African coast is the only one without a fibre optic cable. We are racing against time," he said. The cost of data transmission would come down, leading to lower cost of communication. The price of a megabyte is expected to plunge from a high of Sh490,000 (US$7,000) to Sh14,000 (US$200). All East Africa countries are part of the project, while Ethiopia wants to join them. The project was conceived by the Kenya Government after it became evident that a similar one from South Africa to Port Sudan, popularly called East Africa Sub-Marine Cable System (EASSY) would not take off. Kenya declined to sign the EASSY project protocol, citing inclusion of the New Partnership for Africa Development (Nepad) into the programme without specifying its mandate. Also, Kenya opposed Nepad's attempts to own the project, saying the group should not be involved as that would negate its noble concepts. The country also took issue with non-involvement of the private sector as it would be difficult to implement the protocol without it, once it was signed. But Kenya will not pull out of EASSY. It will remain a key participant and use it as back-up should there be any breakdown of Teams project. "We decided to work on a parallel project after it became difficult to make decisions on the EASSY one. The latter had too many players, some of whom were coming in every other day. But we will be involved in the project...The more the cables, the better. That will induce competition, which will bring down the prices". (SOURCE: The Nation) _______________________________________________ secretariat mailing list secretariat(a)kictanet.or.ke http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/secretariat This message was sent to: rebeccawanjiku(a)yahoo.com Unsubscribe or change your options at http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/secretariat/rebeccawanjiku%40yahoo.com ____________________________________________________________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Everyone is raving about the all-new Yahoo! Mail beta. http://new.mail.yahoo.com

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NCC DEMANDS US$150M FOR 3G LICENCE IN NIGERIA
by alice＠apc.org 19 Feb '07

19 Feb '07

>From Balancing Act ---------------------------------------------------------------------- NCC DEMANDS US$150M FOR 3G LICENCE IN NIGERIA The Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC) has placed a reserve price of US$150 million on its Third Generation (3G) licence that it plans to issue in seven categories through public auction from April 2, this year. NCC's Head of Public Affairs, Dave Imoko, disclosed in Abuja that the licence to be offered include universal access, digital mobile, fixed wireless access, and metropolitan fibre cable network licenses. Other spectrum on the card were the national carrier and the private network link licenses. He explained that bidders have up to Feb. 16, to submit their letters of interest, but warned that companies applying for the licence must have no link whatsoever. Imoko said the adoption of the auction process in the issuance of the licence was to ensure fairness and promote competition among existing telecommunication operators in the country. The issuance of the 3G licence has been limited to existing GSM operators and is expected to enhance the quality of GSM services and reduce tariffs on subscribers. The spectrum blocks to be made available for auction include the 40MHz of spectrum within the 2GHz band. The Commission, according to him, would offer the spectrum as four paired blocks of 10 MHz. Spectrum pairs, he added, would be separated by a 90MHz duplex spacing. "Blocks will be allocated as follows, Block A:1920-1930MHz paired with 2110-2120 MHz, Block B: 1930-1940MHz, paired with 2120-2130MHz, Block C: 1940-1950, paired with 2130-2140MHz and Block D: 1950-1960MHz paired with 2140-2150MHz." The statement added that "Spectrum will be allocated on a service and technology neutral basis without the specification of guard bands. Licensees will be required to co-ordinate spectrum use to avoid interference. "However, applicants according to the notice will not be required to submit financial or technical plans in the pre-qualification process, except details of company ownership structure and confirmation of compliance with the rules of the auction. "To participate in the auction, a bidder must be a limited liability company incorporated in Nigeria and must not be involved with any other bidder. "A Consortia according to the statement may bid for a licence subject to the requirement that they include a Nigerian telecommunications licensee. Bidders will also be required to lodge a $15million dollars (i.e.10% of Reserve Price) Intention to Bid Deposit with the Commission. The auctioning process will commence on the second of April following the receipt of the expression of interest on February 16, while issue of information memorandum a week later. (SOURCE: This Day)

1 0

Balancing Act Top Story: THE AFRICAN LAKES SALE – QUESTIONS BEGIN TO PILE UP
by alice＠apc.org 19 Feb '07

19 Feb '07

>From Balancing Act TOP STORY: THE AFRICAN LAKES SALE – QUESTIONS BEGIN TO PILE UP _____________________________________________________________________ The sale of African Lakes (the owner of pan-African ISP Africa Online) has had more twists and turns than a Grand Prix race-track. Everyone involved – those selling the company and the two potential buyers – probably only agree on one thing: the sale ought to have been done by now. Russell Southwood looks at the lengthening number of questions emerging from this deal not yet done. On 28 January 2007 in issue 340 we announced erroneously that African Telecoms Company (ATC) had secured 52.66% of African Lakes and increased its offer to £18.50 a share, giving the deal a total value of GBP5.04 million. So in one corner you have African Telecoms Company, a grouping that includes Richard Bell, Kenyan ISP Wananchi, several local Kenyan investors and the US Schneider Media and Holding Group. And in the other corner is South African incumbent telco Telkom that is trying to put together a regional acquisitions strategy that will equip it to face a competitive future. True to form, it refused to say what it was doing: “The reports linking Telkom SA as a bidder for Africa Online are speculative and Telkom will not comment on media speculation”. Telkom had made no public offer at this point despite having been in discussion since an earlier point in 2006. The African Lakes Board did not recommended the ATC offer on the basis that it could obtain more money for shareholders from another bidder, the as-yet-unnamed Telkom. In the third corner is African Lakes that is chaired by David Montgomery, whose main claim to fame has been cutting the cost base of the UK’s Mirror Newspapers after the death of Robert Maxwell. ATC thought it had secured victory because it had acquired an “irrevocable” on the shares of one of the key shareholders, RAB Capital (18.9% of the total shareholding at that point). On 8 February ATC formally issued notice of its increased offer. The offer expires on 23 February. This triggered two things: a frantic scramble by ATC and African Lakes to sign up shareholders to their cause and the need for the somewhat indecisive Telkom to issue a public bid. In its 12 February press release announcing the Telkom bid African Lakes said it had “received strong support for it from shareholders holding more than 60% of the voting rights of the Company. Unfortunately the Panel ruled on Friday that of this number shareholders holding 18.9% of the voting rights cannot have their support counted in favour of the Telkom disposal as their voting rights have passed to ATC as a consequence of them accepting the ATC Offer prior to the Board concluding its negotiations for the Telkom Disposal. Furthermore, attempts by these shareholders to have their acceptances withdrawn were also deemed invalid under the conditions of the ATC Offer”. The Telkom offer was for what was claimed would be £25 per share, valuing the deal at £9.72m. But it emerged on 15 February that as it would only be buying what must be the controlling Africa Online Company – Africa Online (Mauritius) - it would not be dealing with the historic liabilities of African Lakes as a company. These would be dealt with using the cash from the deal and shareholders would be paid on liquidation of the African Lakes Company. Shareholders were assured that the offer figure of £25 a share had been based on a company audit of liabilities. On the same day it issued a correction saying an audit of liabilities had not been completed. Indeed a review of liabilities had only been started. The fight to gain shareholder acceptances was clearly getting tight as on 14 February African Lakes issued a notice saying that it had exercised various share options and issued more share to T Hoare Nominees, Lesley Davey and Paul West: the latter two are both senior Managers of African Lakes and Board members. Furthermore it issued shares to African Lakes employee, George Ezzat. On being rung by a member of the ATC consortium, it is alleged that Ezzat was unaware that the shares had been issued to him. This has been a dense and often complicated struggle for the company and in the interests of comprehension we have sought to summarise events above. But the number of questions that need answering just keeps getting longer: - If there is no audit of African Lakes’ liabilities, how can the company say with any confidence what the final outcome price of the Telkom offer will be to its shareholders? - What were the circumstances in which shares were issued to George Ezzat? Why (as alleged) did Ezzat know nothing about this share option issue when asked about it by an ATC shareholder? Why were additional share options granted during what was clearly an offer period when at least two offers were being publicly discussed? - It is not clear what number of subscribers Africa Online has but it is certain that it has fewer than the figures named in the last publicly available documents. What is the number and what is the Average Revenue Per User? It is one thing for a group of private investors to take a risk of this magnitude but how does a publicly quoted company like Telkom think that it will make a return on the purchase price? What expertise does Telkom have to run a pan-African retail ISP in competitive environments? What has been the success of its existing pan-African connectivity sales operations? Africa Online has the potential to become a pan-African player in the new competitive landscape that includes both voice and data. But it will need determined and experienced management capable of investing more than the purchase price to take it from where it is now to a successful future. Faced with these two potential buyers, who would you choose to carry out this task? ____________________________________________________________________

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Day 4: What Data should be exempted from the Act (access) &
by joseph kihanya 19 Feb '07

19 Feb '07

Dear All, Thank you for all your comments over the last 3 days. Today's theme is veru crucial in that FOI as a right is limited for certain public policy/interest considerations in almost all jurisdictions.The question is how many(how far should they go) of these restrictions should we have and why? The list under the policy are; National security Privacy Confidentiality Public safety Decision making processes Article 19 has under this heading in its Principles of FOI said; PRINCIPLE 4. LIMITED SCOPE OF EXCEPTIONS Exceptions should be clearly and narrowly drawn and subject to strict harm and public interest tests All individual requests for information from public bodies should be met unless the public body can show that the information falls within the scope of the limited regime of exceptions. A refusal to disclose information is not justified unless the public authority can show that the information meets a strict three-part test. The three-part test the information must relate to a legitimate aim listed in the law; disclosure must threaten to cause substantial harm to that aim; and the harm to the aim must be greater than the public interest in having the information. No public bodies should be completely excluded from the ambit of the law, even if the majority of their functions fall within the zone of exceptions. This applies to all branches of government (that is, the executive, legislative and judicial branches) as well as to all A complete list of the legitimate aims which may justify non-disclosure should be provided in the law. This list should include only interests which constitute legitimate grounds for refusing to disclose documents and should be limited to matters such as; law enforcement, privacy, national security, commercial and other confidentiality, public or individual safety, and the effectiveness and integrity of government decision-making processes. Exceptions should be narrowly drawn so as to avoid including material which does not harm the legitimate interest. They should be based on the content, rather than the type, of the document. To meet this standard exceptions should, where relevant, be time-limited. For example, the justification for classifying information on the basis of national security may well disappear after a specific national security threat subsides. Refusals must meet a substantial harm test It is not sufficient that information simply fall within the scope of a legitimate aim listed in the law. The public body must also show that the disclosure of the information would cause substantial harm to that legitimate aim. In some cases, disclosure may benefit as well as harm the aim. For example, the exposure of corruption in the military may at first sight appear to weaken national defence but actually, over time, help to eliminate the corruption and strengthen the armed forces. For non-disclosure to be legitimate in such cases, the net effect of disclosure must be to cause substantial harm to the aim. Overriding public interest Even if it can be shown that disclosure of the information would cause substantial harm to a legitimate aim, the information should still be disclosed if the benefits of disclosure outweigh the harm. For example, certain information may be private in nature but at the same time expose high-level corruption within government. The harm to the legitimate aim must be weighed against the public interest in having the information made public. Where the latter is greater, the law should provide for disclosure of the information. Let us have your views Kihanya ____________________________________________________________________________________ Looking for earth-friendly autos? Browse Top Cars by "Green Rating" at Yahoo! Autos' Green Center. http://autos.yahoo.com/green_center/

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OFC meeting on February 23
by Rebecca Wanjiku 19 Feb '07

19 Feb '07

hi, i am glad that you are planning to come for the OFC meeting at the jacaranda this friday, please fwd your confirmation for logistic purposes, some people have confirmed, so theres no need to reconfirm am waiting for that email. Rebecca Wanjiku, journalist, p.o box 33515, Nairobi.00600 Kenya. Tel. 254 720 318 925 blog:http://beckyit.blogspot.com/ ____________________________________________________________________________________ Cheap talk? Check out Yahoo! Messenger's low PC-to-Phone call rates. http://voice.yahoo.com

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WIRELESS NET NEUTRALITY [Tim Wu]
by Alex Gakuru 17 Feb '07

17 Feb '07

WIRELESS NET NEUTRALITY: CELLULAR CARTERFONE AND CONSUMER CHOICE IN MOBILE BROADBAND [SOURCE: Tim Wu, Professor, Columbia University School of Law] Over the next decade, regulators will spend increasing time on the conflicts between the private interests of the wireless industry and the publics interest in the best uses of its spectrum. This report examines the practices of the wireless industry with an eye toward understanding their influence on innovation and consumer welfare. In many respects, the mobile wireless market is and remains a wonder. Thanks to both policy and technological innovations, devices that were science fiction thirty years ago are now widely available. Over the last decade, wireless mobile has been an infant industry, attempting to achieve economies of scale. That period is over: today, in the United States, there are over 200 million mobile subscribers, and mobile revenues are over $100 billion. As the industry and platform mature, the wireless industry warrants a new look. This report finds a mixed picture. The wireless industry, over the last decade, has succeeded in bringing wireless telephony at competitive prices to the American public. Yet at the same time, we also find the wireless carriers aggressively controlling product design and innovation in the equipment and application markets, to the detriment of consumers. In the wired world, their policies would, in some cases, be considered simply misguided, and in other cases be considered outrageous and perhaps illegal. Four areas warrant particular attention: 1) Network attachments, 2) Product design and feature clipping, 3) Discrimatory broadband services, and 4) Application stall. http://www.newamerica.net/publicati \n \n---------------------------------------------------------- \n WWWhatsup NYC \nhttp://pinstand.com - http://punkcast.com \n---------------------------------------------------------- \n \n \n \n\n \n __._,_.___\n \n \n \n \n Messages in this topic (1)\n \n \n \n Reply (via web post)\n | \n \n Start a new topic \n \n \n \n \n Messages \n | ",1] ); //-->ons/policy/wireless_net_neutrality ---------------------------------------------------------- WWWhatsup NYC http://pinstand.com - http://punkcast.com ---------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------- Need Mail bonding? Go to the Yahoo! Mail Q&A for great tips from Yahoo! Answers users.

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Fw: [COMO Alliance] Oxford Media Law Fellowship
by Florence Etta 16 Feb '07

16 Feb '07

FYI. Sorry for cross posting. Cheers, FE Subject: Oxford Media Law Fellowship Dear Friends, Please see attached and circulate... The time allocated for the process is quite tight! "The closing date is no later than 5.00 pm on the 2nd March. Applications received after this time will not be considered. Please quote reference CX07002 in all correspondence. FAX or e-mail applications will not be accepted. Short-listed candidates will be asked to attend an interview around mid-date." "Mid-date" seems to be mid March! Thanx, Best wishes, David _______________________________________________ COMO_Alliance mailing list COMO_Alliance(a)lists.asc.upenn.edu http://lists.asc.upenn.edu/mailman/listinfo/como_alliance ___________________________________________________________ How much free photo storage do you get? Store your holiday snaps for FREE with Yahoo! Photos http://uk.photos.yahoo.com

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Day 5: How would users update their data ? and WHAT IS THE WAY FORWARD
by joseph kihanya 16 Feb '07

16 Feb '07

Dear All, I am posting this out before Day 5 (tomorrow). It may be that we can take comments on both Day 4 and 5, just as we may take comments on any of the earlier days. No comments are in yet on Day 4. The question of the correction of data held by public bodies and sometimes by private bodies is one that generates interest considering that wrong entries may cause one to suffer hardship or miss on entitlements. Consider the case of retirees and a pension scheme or that of a medical case file.In the latter case, in an emergency, would it be crucial that all your details, including allergies, blood types etc, be absolutely CORRECT? Lets have some views. Kihanya ____________________________________________________________________________________ We won't tell. Get more on shows you hate to love (and love to hate): Yahoo! TV's Guilty Pleasures list. http://tv.yahoo.com/collections/265

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Wirelessweek: It�s All Mobile Now
by Alex Gakuru 16 Feb '07

16 Feb '07

Strange with shillings 1.4 million one WiMAX base station is up and running? ..... Adaptix announced the pricing and availability of its compact mobile base stations and mobile terminals for mobile WiMAX. The companys BX-3000 series of base stations are priced starting at $19,995 for a single-sector configuration, with three-sector configurations starting at $39,995. Adaptix also announced that its BX-3000 base station and San Francisco-300 mobile terminal participated in the recent WiMAX Forum interoperability PlugFest. < http://www.wirelessweek.com/article/CA6379821.html > /Alex --------------------------------- We won't tell. Get more on shows you hate to love (and love to hate): Yahoo! TV's Guilty Pleasures list.

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meetings, please note
by Rebecca Wanjiku 15 Feb '07

15 Feb '07

the ministry is organising FOI workshop on 20th at KSMS registration is thro info(a)information.go.ke the OFC meeting will be held at Jacaranda hotel on 23rd confirmation is thro rebeccawanjiku(a)yahoo.com during this meeting, PS Ndemo will be there to answer questions regarding TEAMS, EASSy, FLAG or any other questions that one may have, starts at 8.30 am to 2pm hope this makes it clear, becky ____________________________________________________________________________________ Never miss an email again! Yahoo! Toolbar alerts you the instant new Mail arrives. http://tools.search.yahoo.com/toolbar/features/mail/

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Re: [kictanet] OFC meeting, friday 23rd
by Jose' 15 Feb '07

15 Feb '07

Where is the venue of the meeting? Best Regards, Jose' Njuki-Imwe Ngunjiri || +254 722 336754 || ----- Original Message ---- From: Rebecca Wanjiku <rebeccawanjiku(a)yahoo.com> To: ngunjirijnr(a)yahoo.com Sent: Thursday, February 15, 2007 8:34:08 AM Subject: [kictanet] OFC meeting, friday 23rd just to let you know that the OFC meeting was changed from the earlier date (22nd) because the PS was not available then, please note in its next friday, 23rd, Rebecca Wanjiku, journalist, p.o box 33515, Nairobi.00600 Kenya. Tel. 254 720 318 925 blog:http://beckyit.blogspot.com/ Have a burning question? Go to Yahoo! Answers and get answers from real people who know._______________________________________________ kictanet mailing list kictanet(a)kictanet.or.ke http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet Please unsubscribe or change your options at http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/ngunjirijnr%40yahoo.com ____________________________________________________________________________________ Expecting? Get great news right away with email Auto-Check. Try the Yahoo! Mail Beta. http://advision.webevents.yahoo.com/mailbeta/newmail_tools.html

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FOI--- how good is it??
by Rebecca Wanjiku 15 Feb '07

15 Feb '07

Kihanya, thanks for the background, some thoughts on some of the questions raised, Right to verses freedom I think it should be freedom of information because in legal terms, the two terms are different. Though am not a lawyer, I read about the positive rights (right to) and the negative rights (freedoms) Now, governments are quick to obey the negative rights as opposed to positive rights. For instance, we can all go and demonstrate about our freedom from torture or detention without trial and the government will easily heed to our demands, (I guess so) But what about other recognized rights like the right to water? Can the government be compelled to honour our right to water, i think the main objective of the FOI should be to protect e-government and accountability but the bill talks about charging a minimal fee to those accessing information, what will happen to those people out of town, it talks about photocopying and perusal charges, but what about provision of such information in electronic format, do we still pay?? and will it serve the overall objective?? Thats my take on it Rebecca Wanjiku, journalist, p.o box 33515, Nairobi.00600 Kenya. Tel. 254 720 318 925 blog:http://beckyit.blogspot.com/ ____________________________________________________________________________________ Now that's room service! Choose from over 150,000 hotels in 45,000 destinations on Yahoo! Travel to find your fit. http://farechase.yahoo.com/promo-generic-14795097

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Day 3: What Policies should inform the FOI?
by joseph kihanya 15 Feb '07

15 Feb '07

Dear Rose, Indeed. FOI is all about each and every individual's right.In some countries it even extends to non-citizens. The contextualization is important. Kihanya ____________________________________________________________________________________ Any questions? Get answers on any topic at www.Answers.yahoo.com. Try it now.

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OFC meeting, friday 23rd
by Rebecca Wanjiku 15 Feb '07

15 Feb '07

just to let you know that the OFC meeting was changed from the earlier date (22nd) because the PS was not available then, please note in its next friday, 23rd, Rebecca Wanjiku, journalist, p.o box 33515, Nairobi.00600 Kenya. Tel. 254 720 318 925 blog:http://beckyit.blogspot.com/ ____________________________________________________________________________________ TV dinner still cooling? Check out "Tonight's Picks" on Yahoo! TV. http://tv.yahoo.com/

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Re: [kictanet] Day 3: What Policies should inform the FOI?
by joseph kihanya 15 Feb '07

15 Feb '07

Dear Dorcas, Indeed. The ICT policy does not mention data protection as a key issue at all. The IC Bill 2006 only mention data protection at section 58,62 and 62 but then only making it an offence to "hack" into protected systems. Nothing about.....deliberate disclosures/ sale..etc of data...how long it should be kept etc. Australia has Data protection/Privacy laws on this see ( a bit old but a good summary) http://www.efa.org.au/Issues/Privacy/privacy.html Kenya will soon require to legislate on this. It may be that the FOI policy may only mention this obliquely as it would require that a separate Bill deals with this issue. Kihanya ----- Original Message ---- From: Dorcas Muthoni <dmuthoni(a)gmail.com> To: kihanyajn(a)yahoo.com Sent: Wednesday, February 14, 2007 7:52:31 PM Subject: Re: [kictanet] Day 3: What Policies should inform the FOI? Hi Kihanya, Want to draw a poniter to a related matter as is being dealt in a different country. Please see the link below. http://searchsecurity.techtarget.com/originalContent/0,289142,sid14_gci1242… Walu had mentioned something related: the protection of consumer data by private companies too. It is important that this is captured. Sorry, cannot find the actual mail on the thread but sure he can relate it. Muthoni On 2/14/07, John Walubengo <jwalu(a)yahoo.com> wrote: Thanx Kihanya for your efforts. Indeed this is a fairly un-convential topic in that it has no obvious or immediate financial connotations - hence the slower responses... But back to my contribution. I think the policy informing the Freedom Of Information bill should look towards empowering the citizens through facilitating their access to knowledge/information. We need to think through how our collective data regarding our heritage, history, social and economic transactions can be harnessed and made to serve the common good. I know this bill has tended to create controversy because it has often been looked at in the narrow terms of the Govt vs the Media i.e. Media seeks info visa-vis Govt sits on Info. True, this could be one of the issues but it should not limit our scope because the bill should be a reflection of broader policy issues that touch on different data sitting on various platforms such as (Private) Media Broadcasters, Mobile service providers, ISPs, eBankers, etc. How for example can KTN be asked to share (or sell) their valuable film clips to the Kenya Archives dept? How can the East African Standard avail their 100years+ data to the public? When or Why should Safaricom/Celtel divulge the SMS transcript of a certain subscriber to the Police, to the Media or the Private Investigator? What kind of data security standards and practices should we place for critical and national data stores such as KRA, KPA, Immigration, etc? What of the Certification Authority (CA) providers that are likely to play a cenral role in a future eCommerce environment, how will they collect, protect and avail their data? So I think these are some of the Policy issues that need to be thrashed out in the process of coming up with the final FOI bill. walu. --- joseph kihanya <kihanyajn(a)yahoo.com> wrote: > Dear All, > > I trust we may now move on to day 3. Those with comments > still on day 1 and 2 can still do so. > The themes were... > > Day 1: Why Freedom of Information (FOI) Act? > Day 2: What are the current modalities for accessing data > held by Data Handlers (Govt or Private Sector)? > > > Today's topic really looks as to waht should be the basic > reasoning behind the FOI policy and hence law. > > The principles listed hereunder have been recognized by > Article 19 ( an international organizatioin dealing with > freedomm of te press and related issues) as what should > guide the FOI laws(policy). > > PRINCIPLE 1. Maximum disclosure > > That the law should seek this as its underpinning > philosophy. > > PRINCIPLE 2. Obligation to publish > > That there should be an obligation to publish and > requests should be for non-crucial/ essential / bulky > information. > > PRINCIPLE 3. Promotion of open government > > That the law should promote / recognise the importance > of open government. > > PRINCIPLE 4. Limited scope of exceptions > > That the exceptions should be clear , precise and > allowable in a democratic society/ i,e should not take > away what the law seeks to grant. > > PRINCIPLE 5. Processes to facilitate access > > Clear processes for request should exist. > > PRINCIPLE 6. Costs > > These should be kept at a minimum for the public has > already paid for the creation of the information through > taxation. > > PRINCIPLE 7. Open meetings > > Other than informnation, there should bea promotion of > open dialogue at decsion making level. > > PRINCIPLE 8. Disclosure takes precedence > > The tests that are to be applied by the commssioner and > the appeal tribunal should seek disclosre unless the > exceptions and the public interest demand otherwise. > > PRINCIPLE 9. Protection for whistleblowers > > That those who disclose information that is in the public > interest, inspite of the exceptions should not be > victimised/ should be protected. > > > Lets go! > > Kihanya > > > > ____________________________________________________________________________________ > Finding fabulous fares is fun. > Let Yahoo! FareChase search your favorite travel sites to > find flight and hotel bargains. > http://farechase.yahoo.com/promo-generic-14795097 > > _______________________________________________ > kictanet mailing list > kictanet(a)kictanet.or.ke > http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > > Please unsubscribe or change your options at > http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/jwalu%40yahoo.com > ____________________________________________________________________________________ Get your own web address. Have a HUGE year through Yahoo! Small Business. http://smallbusiness.yahoo.com/domains/?p=BESTDEAL _______________________________________________ kictanet mailing list kictanet(a)kictanet.or.ke http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet Please unsubscribe or change your options at http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/dmuthoni%40gmail.com _______________________________________________ kictanet mailing list kictanet(a)kictanet.or.ke http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet Please unsubscribe or change your options at http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/kihanyajn%40yahoo.com ____________________________________________________________________________________ Cheap talk? Check out Yahoo! Messenger's low PC-to-Phone call rates. http://voice.yahoo.com

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Re: [kictanet] Day 3: What Policies should inform the FOI?
by joseph kihanya 15 Feb '07

15 Feb '07

Hi, Thanks Walu. Between my Intro and your post I think that is the summary for the day! Alex, I am making a comment on your post too. Oh well, day 4 approaches. All the three days themes are open to all until friday when I must summarise al comments to present on Tuesday 20th . Kihanya ----- Original Message ---- From: John Walubengo <jwalu(a)yahoo.com> To: kihanyajn(a)yahoo.com Sent: Wednesday, February 14, 2007 3:42:08 PM Subject: Re: [kictanet] Day 3: What Policies should inform the FOI? Thanx Kihanya for your efforts. Indeed this is a fairly un-convential topic in that it has no obvious or immediate financial connotations - hence the slower responses... But back to my contribution. I think the policy informing the Freedom Of Information bill should look towards empowering the citizens through facilitating their access to knowledge/information. We need to think through how our collective data regarding our heritage, history, social and economic transactions can be harnessed and made to serve the common good. I know this bill has tended to create controversy because it has often been looked at in the narrow terms of the Govt vs the Media i.e. Media seeks info visa-vis Govt sits on Info. True, this could be one of the issues but it should not limit our scope because the bill should be a reflection of broader policy issues that touch on different data sitting on various platforms such as (Private) Media Broadcasters, Mobile service providers, ISPs, eBankers, etc. How for example can KTN be asked to share (or sell) their valuable film clips to the Kenya Archives dept? How can the East African Standard avail their 100years+ data to the public? When or Why should Safaricom/Celtel divulge the SMS transcript of a certain subscriber to the Police, to the Media or the Private Investigator? What kind of data security standards and practices should we place for critical and national data stores such as KRA, KPA, Immigration, etc? What of the Certification Authority (CA) providers that are likely to play a cenral role in a future eCommerce environment, how will they collect, protect and avail their data? So I think these are some of the Policy issues that need to be thrashed out in the process of coming up with the final FOI bill. walu. --- joseph kihanya <kihanyajn(a)yahoo.com> wrote: > Dear All, > > I trust we may now move on to day 3. Those with comments > still on day 1 and 2 can still do so. > The themes were... > > Day 1: Why Freedom of Information (FOI) Act? > Day 2: What are the current modalities for accessing data > held by Data Handlers (Govt or Private Sector)? > > > Today's topic really looks as to waht should be the basic > reasoning behind the FOI policy and hence law. > > The principles listed hereunder have been recognized by > Article 19 ( an international organizatioin dealing with > freedomm of te press and related issues) as what should > guide the FOI laws(policy). > > PRINCIPLE 1. Maximum disclosure > > That the law should seek this as its underpinning > philosophy. > > PRINCIPLE 2. Obligation to publish > > That there should be an obligation to publish and > requests should be for non-crucial/ essential / bulky > information. > > PRINCIPLE 3. Promotion of open government > > That the law should promote / recognise the importance > of open government. > > PRINCIPLE 4. Limited scope of exceptions > > That the exceptions should be clear , precise and > allowable in a democratic society/ i,e should not take > away what the law seeks to grant. > > PRINCIPLE 5. Processes to facilitate access > > Clear processes for request should exist. > > PRINCIPLE 6. Costs > > These should be kept at a minimum for the public has > already paid for the creation of the information through > taxation. > > PRINCIPLE 7. Open meetings > > Other than informnation, there should bea promotion of > open dialogue at decsion making level. > > PRINCIPLE 8. Disclosure takes precedence > > The tests that are to be applied by the commssioner and > the appeal tribunal should seek disclosre unless the > exceptions and the public interest demand otherwise. > > PRINCIPLE 9. Protection for whistleblowers > > That those who disclose information that is in the public > interest, inspite of the exceptions should not be > victimised/ should be protected. > > > Lets go! > > Kihanya > > > > ____________________________________________________________________________________ > Finding fabulous fares is fun. > Let Yahoo! FareChase search your favorite travel sites to > find flight and hotel bargains. > http://farechase.yahoo.com/promo-generic-14795097 > > _______________________________________________ > kictanet mailing list > kictanet(a)kictanet.or.ke > http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > > Please unsubscribe or change your options at > http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/jwalu%40yahoo.com > ____________________________________________________________________________________ Get your own web address. Have a HUGE year through Yahoo! Small Business. http://smallbusiness.yahoo.com/domains/?p=BESTDEAL _______________________________________________ kictanet mailing list kictanet(a)kictanet.or.ke http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet Please unsubscribe or change your options at http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/kihanyajn%40yahoo.com ____________________________________________________________________________________ No need to miss a message. Get email on-the-go with Yahoo! Mail for Mobile. Get started. http://mobile.yahoo.com/mail

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Day 3: What Policies should inform the FOI?
by joseph kihanya 14 Feb '07

14 Feb '07

Dear All, I trust we may now move on to day 3. Those with comments still on day 1 and 2 can still do so. The themes were... Day 1: Why Freedom of Information (FOI) Act? Day 2: What are the current modalities for accessing data held by Data Handlers (Govt or Private Sector)? Today's topic really looks as to waht should be the basic reasoning behind the FOI policy and hence law. The principles listed hereunder have been recognized by Article 19 ( an international organizatioin dealing with freedomm of te press and related issues) as what should guide the FOI laws(policy). PRINCIPLE 1. Maximum disclosure That the law should seek this as its underpinning philosophy. PRINCIPLE 2. Obligation to publish That there should be an obligation to publish and requests should be for non-crucial/ essential / bulky information. PRINCIPLE 3. Promotion of open government That the law should promote / recognise the importance of open government. PRINCIPLE 4. Limited scope of exceptions That the exceptions should be clear , precise and allowable in a democratic society/ i,e should not take away what the law seeks to grant. PRINCIPLE 5. Processes to facilitate access Clear processes for request should exist. PRINCIPLE 6. Costs These should be kept at a minimum for the public has already paid for the creation of the information through taxation. PRINCIPLE 7. Open meetings Other than informnation, there should bea promotion of open dialogue at decsion making level. PRINCIPLE 8. Disclosure takes precedence The tests that are to be applied by the commssioner and the appeal tribunal should seek disclosre unless the exceptions and the public interest demand otherwise. PRINCIPLE 9. Protection for whistleblowers That those who disclose information that is in the public interest, inspite of the exceptions should not be victimised/ should be protected. Lets go! Kihanya ____________________________________________________________________________________ Finding fabulous fares is fun. Let Yahoo! FareChase search your favorite travel sites to find flight and hotel bargains. http://farechase.yahoo.com/promo-generic-14795097

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SU: Kenyan Anti-Corruption Campaigner Accepts Canadian Fellowship: International Development Research Centre
by harry＠africanedevelopment.org 14 Feb '07

14 Feb '07

harryhare (harry(a)africanedevelopment.org) has sent you a site! "Kenyan Anti-Corruption Campaigner Accepts Canadian Fellowship" - Kenyan Anti-Corruption Campaigner Accepts Canadian Fellowship: International Development Research Centre http://www.idrc.ca/en/ev-109139-201-1-DO_TOPIC.html You can see my other favorites here: http://harryhare.stumbleupon.com Thanks, harryhare --- StumbleUpon lets you discover great sites with a single click. Give it a try at: http://www.stumbleupon.com/start.php?friend=2292570&emailcode=yr92pmukdexch…

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Day 3: What Policies should inform the FOI?
by joseph kihanya 14 Feb '07

14 Feb '07

Dear All, We are really in need of views.....Any views. Kihanya ____________________________________________________________________________________ We won't tell. Get more on shows you hate to love (and love to hate): Yahoo! TV's Guilty Pleasures list. http://tv.yahoo.com/collections/265

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OFC meeting
by Rebecca Wanjiku 14 Feb '07

14 Feb '07

RE: FACE TO FACE DISCUSSION Pursuant to the successful online discussion on Optic Fibre Cable(s), KICTANET has organised a face to face meeting on February 23, 2007. The meeting will be a follow-up to the online discussion and meant to facilitate discussions on areas that may not have been well covered in the online forum. The online forum was calculated to encourage stakeholder input to the OFC debate, analyze the advantages and the concerns of the various sectors. There were contributions from government, private sector as well as academia. The discussions were divided into five themes; Why OFC?, existing business models for OFC provisioning, existing/appropriate regulatory models for OFC, best model (business and regulatory) for East African, projected impact on stakeholders, reconciling stakeholder Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Information and Communication Dr. Bitange Ndemo will be present to answer any lingering questions or clarifications on the issues discussed. The meeting will be held at the Jacaranda Hotel, Westlands from 8.30 am to 2pm Please plan to attend because your opinion counts. Confirm attendance to Rebecca Wanjiku- rebeccawanjiku(a)yahoo.com Rebecca Wanjiku, journalist, p.o box 33515, Nairobi.00600 Kenya. Tel. 254 720 318 925 blog:http://beckyit.blogspot.com/ ____________________________________________________________________________________ Don't get soaked. Take a quick peak at the forecast with the Yahoo! Search weather shortcut. http://tools.search.yahoo.com/shortcuts/#loc_weather

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Re: [kictanet] Day 1: Why Freedom of Information (FOI) Act? AND Day 2: What are the current modalities for accessing data
by Rebecca Wanjiku 14 Feb '07

14 Feb '07

there are no laws guarding issues such as chief or police asking for your ID, they say they want to know if one is kenyan or not or if one is a wanted criminal or not... the closest we came to dealing with this as i can recall is the IPPG document which said one does not have to walk with the ID, it was however not made law and therefore no mechanism for enforcement. going to sheria house for info.....hmm that is debatable in regard to confidentiality, i think we have a right to est who owns what, but again this is subject to abuse, the case of logbook information given by times tower suffices, crooks were using the information provided to forge logbooks and sell non existent vehicles, so there need for information that can be supplied, maybe minimal information should be provided and like in the Google/Earthlink case, they should define what is minimal information....to make sure we all secure somehow.. about the speeches being posted on respective websites, that will reduce the amount of requests and make sure all ministries update their websites.... ----- Original Message ---- From: Alex Gakuru <alex.gakuru(a)yahoo.com> To: rebeccawanjiku(a)yahoo.com Sent: Tuesday, February 13, 2007 6:22:19 PM Subject: Re: [kictanet] Day 1: Why Freedom of Information (FOI) Act? AND Day 2: What are the current modalities for accessing data This is slightly long contribution and I hope no information overload again... Q: When the police, Chief, etc ask for one's ID, does it expose the individual to tribal discrimination? Q: When one asks Sheria House for registered companies returns, does it breach corporate confidentiality (along the way "babyteleas") ? Q: Is one entitled to archived/historical data within 30 days, for example, the names of all chiefs that served, say, Makadara since independence? Q: Foreign entities operating in government offices, e.g. Maji House, Research Centres, etc must equally be subjected to disclose research information they are collecting.... - "National Interests" must be better defined to safeguard against past abuses. - All government speeches must be published at their respective ministries 'websites within 24 hrs - Companies must disclose personal information collected, the purposes and the uses made - otherwise discriminatory consumer profiling will defeat the spirit of this policy. -------- sorry in case below overloads------ A recent US example on consumer concerns regarding "Information Society, Users Profiling, Privacy and Individual Freedoms" ACLU slams final San Francisco Wi-Fi contract Civil liberties protection group claims the contract EarthLink and Google signed with the city fails to provide ample protection against data collection By Stephen Lawson, IDG News Service February 07, 2007 The ACLU has turned up the political heat on EarthLink and Google's plan for Wi-Fi in San Francisco, telling the city's Board of Supervisors that the proposed contract doesn't have enough privacy or free speech protections. The ACLU of Northern California said in a letter to the supervisors on Tuesday that both EarthLink's paid service and Google's free offering would fall short of most of the group's recommendations on collection and sharing of personal data and possible tracking of users. Among other things, there are no limits on what kind of information EarthLink can or will collect, and terms for the Google service call for requiring "minimal" information on login without defining "minimal," the letter said. In addition to privacy concerns, the group is worried that knowing information is being collected will cause users to limit what they say and do on the Internet. The city and EarthLink agreed on a contract last month, and EarthLink is confident the closely watched project will get off the ground with deployment of a proof-of-concept network starting in April, said company spokesman Jerry Grasso. But the proposal has been under fire since before the contract was completed, and some members of the board have said a municipally owned system would be better for the city. EarthLink negotiated the deal with the city and would build and operate the network, bringing Google in as a tenant providing the free, slower service. Some critics have warned that San Francisco could be giving a virtual monopoly on citywide Wi-Fi to private companies without ensuring user privacy or complete coverage. The ACLU said a municipal Wi-Fi network should let users opt in or out of any service that collects data on what they look at or search for on the Internet, or their e-mail messages. There are no provisions for that in the paid or free service terms, it said. EarthLink can only save location information for 60 days, but there's no limit to how long it can store personal protected information and no limit to how long Google can store any information, the ACLU said. Users of the EarthLink service can opt out of receiving marketing materials, but EarthLink has free reign to share personal information with partner companies that help it deliver or promote the service. Both service providers can hand over users' personal information for law enforcement or national security reasons without a warrant or notification of the user, though they would require "court-ordered documentation" before doing so. If information is sought for a civil suit, EarthLink or Google would have to tell the user first. EarthLink's Grasso declined to comment on the ACLU's letter, saying EarthLink has not seen it. Google and city representatives could not immediately be reached for comment. http://www.infoworld.com /article/07/02/07/Hnaclusfwifi _1.html?source=rss&url=http:/ /www.infoworld.com/article/07 /02/07/Hnaclusfwifi_1.html joseph kihanya <kihanyajn(a)yahoo.com> wrote: Dear all, These is a Summary of the two days posts. Day 1 That FOI should be framed as a right not a freedom. That FOI should seek to protect e-government/ promote accountability That if FOI is through e-government, should it not be at no cost? That FOI will allow for a flow of information thereby eliminating rumours. That the periods of access under the policy are too longi.e 15 and 30 days, the later being after appeal on refusal Day 2 That the current environment for access to information is dictated byb the Official Secrets Act which is understood in government service? that all information is secret.Case in point ICT policy. Thata policy on access( protection) to data held by the private sector is required. ************************* This has come from the two posts which is greatly appreciated by yours truly. The comments are few. The days are going by and it may be that extensions on these tow important themes would have to be extended to tomorrow with the addition of DAY 3's THEME. Does anyone have an idea as to how debate may be stimulated further.The Policy document understandably is not very sassy.....law most times is not...but there must be a way.... Anybody? Also ,Please somebody comment on the Bolivia story.....public interests group persons? Kihanya P.S.I will introduce theme for day 3 tomorrow. ____________________________________________________________________________________ Sucker-punch spam with award-winning protection. Try the free Yahoo! Mail Beta. http://advision.webevents.yahoo.com/mailbeta/features_spam.html _______________________________________________ kictanet mailing list kictanet(a)kictanet.or.ke http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet Please unsubscribe or change your options at http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/alex.gakuru%40yahoo.com Everyone is raving about the all-new Yahoo! Mail beta. _______________________________________________ kictanet mailing list kictanet(a)kictanet.or.ke http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet Please unsubscribe or change your options at http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/rebeccawanjiku%40yahoo.com ____________________________________________________________________________________ Expecting? Get great news right away with email Auto-Check. Try the Yahoo! Mail Beta. http://advision.webevents.yahoo.com/mailbeta/newmail_tools.html

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Day 1: Why Freedom of Information (FOI) Act? AND Day 2: What are the current modalities for accessing data
by joseph kihanya 13 Feb '07

13 Feb '07

Dear all, These is a Summary of the two days posts. Day 1 That FOI should be framed as a right not a freedom. That FOI should seek to protect e-government/ promote accountability That if FOI is through e-government, should it not be at no cost? That FOI will allow for a flow of information thereby eliminating rumours. That the periods of access under the policy are too longi.e 15 and 30 days, the later being after appeal on refusal Day 2 That the current environment for access to information is dictated byb the Official Secrets Act which is understood in government service? that all information is secret.Case in point ICT policy. Thata policy on access( protection) to data held by the private sector is required. ************************* This has come from the two posts which is greatly appreciated by yours truly. The comments are few. The days are going by and it may be that extensions on these tow important themes would have to be extended to tomorrow with the addition of DAY 3's THEME. Does anyone have an idea as to how debate may be stimulated further.The Policy document understandably is not very sassy.....law most times is not...but there must be a way.... Anybody? Also ,Please somebody comment on the Bolivia story.....public interests group persons? Kihanya P.S.I will introduce theme for day 3 tomorrow. ____________________________________________________________________________________ Sucker-punch spam with award-winning protection. Try the free Yahoo! Mail Beta. http://advision.webevents.yahoo.com/mailbeta/features_spam.html

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Summarised THEMES- FOI POLICY DAY 1 AND 2
by joseph kihanya 13 Feb '07

13 Feb '07

Dear all, These are the revised thematic guides for the days courtesy of Walu( Thanks a lot guy!). Day 1 issues/ theme continues today( The background info is included again for ease of reference) and contributions on day 2 are welcome. Day 1: Why Freedom of Information (FOI) Act? Day 2: What are the current modalities for accessing data held by Data Handlers (Govt or Private Sector)? Day 3: What Policies should inform the FOI? Day 4: What Data should be exempted from the Act (access) & Why? Day 5: How would users update their data Day 6: Way Forward. ************************************************************************************************************************************ DAY ONE( 1) Background Info What is FOI? Freedom of information is a fundamental right that the United Nations in a resolution in 1946 declared to be the touchstone of all freedoms. It is generally a right of any individual to access information held by government. Is it a right? Why Access? Why freedom? There are many terms used in relation to this. Freedom of Information Right to Know Right of Access to information Right to information They are referring to the same thing and the important point is that they can be interchanged but require that one be selected for use in a particular jurisdiction for consistency. Which one should Kenya Use? The Moderator will use FOI in this first mail. How would FOI help in a country like Kenya? Arguments exist for and against FOI laws. Arguments for. I. It makes government more accountable. II. Increases public participation. III. Promotes human rights. IV. Allows for good decision making V. Protects privacy VI. Makes private companies more accountable. VII. Promotes health VIII. Strengthens the economy IX. Protects the environment What are the arguments against FOI? What are your views on the principles of FOI Laws? What do they mean essentially? Does the policy agree with these principles? PRINCIPLE 1. Maximum disclosure PRINCIPLE 2. Obligation to publish PRINCIPLE 3. Promotion of open government PRINCIPLE 4. Limited scope of exceptions PRINCIPLE 5. Processes to facilitate access PRINCIPLE 6. Costs PRINCIPLE 7. Open meetings PRINCIPLE 8. Disclosure takes precedence PRINCIPLE 9. Protection for whistleblowers What are / should be the Objectives FOI Legislation? Vision Does this capture the intent of the right/ freedom optimally? Mission Does this optimally capture the implementation/purpose of the right/ freedom? Introduction (Entrenching Openness?) Do the introductions in the following paragraphs reflect this? How should they read? Paragraphs 1.1- 3.2.3 My comments; This is policy and resultant Bill/ Act may be the most important thing to happen to our democracy since independence! I feel honoured to be part of this debate. ************************************************************************************************************** DAY TWO(2) What are your thoughts on the current modalities / Existing Framework for managing information held by public/ private organizations. Is is known? Does it serve a purpose? What purpose should it primarily serve? Should the dat be protected? Accessible? By whom? for what reason? How long should data be held? Lets go. Kihanya ____________________________________________________________________________________ Don't get soaked. Take a quick peak at the forecast with the Yahoo! Search weather shortcut. http://tools.search.yahoo.com/shortcuts/#loc_weather

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Re: [kictanet] calling media
by joseph kihanya 13 Feb '07

13 Feb '07

Dear Becky, I hear you. The FOI is sometimes viewed as an elitist right That only journalists and scientists/researchers are to use it) However, consisder a situation today if you were not allowed to ask questions and get answers BY RIGHT ( as published by government in the daily papers in the last two weeks on the RVF in Kenya)? Remember the controversy on the spread of SARS.....in the Far East...was a lack of info not a key issue? This is how basic this right when enacted would entail..... proactive publication in the public interest. More views please. Kihanya ----- Original Message ---- From: Rebecca Wanjiku <rebeccawanjiku(a)yahoo.com> To: kihanyajn(a)yahoo.com Sent: Monday, February 12, 2007 8:13:58 PM Subject: [kictanet] calling media the FOI bill affects the media sector more than any other, can the media practioners please fwd their contributions....... Kanja?????? it may be important to discuss these issues before going too far (read ICT debate and the whole question of cross ownership) the earlier we raise them, the better, somebodyyyy?????? Rebecca Wanjiku, journalist, p.o box 33515, Nairobi.00600 Kenya. Tel. 254 720 318 925 blog:http://beckyit.blogspot.com/ Finding fabulous fares is fun. Let Yahoo! FareChase search your favorite travel sites to find flight and hotel bargains. _______________________________________________ kictanet mailing list kictanet(a)kictanet.or.ke http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet Please unsubscribe or change your options at http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/kihanyajn%40yahoo.com ____________________________________________________________________________________ We won't tell. Get more on shows you hate to love (and love to hate): Yahoo! TV's Guilty Pleasures list. http://tv.yahoo.com/collections/265

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Re: [kictanet] FOI discussion
by Rebecca Wanjiku 13 Feb '07

13 Feb '07

please contribute if you have anything to say about the FOI bill coz even after the one week meetings and imputs to the ICT policy document, the media is opposed to sections of the draft bill that relate to cross ownership, we have all the time to discuss these things online before the meeting, i think thats one thing ICTs give us, to move from the more traditional insistence of face to face meetings, i believe the forum will be an opportunity to present to the PS what the media stakeholders will have discussed in form of a report, those present will have an opportunity to discuss from the floor and those who will not make it can make their presentations online.... ----- Original Message ---- From: Midafrica <media(a)midafricanet.co.ke> To: rebeccawanjiku(a)yahoo.com Sent: Tuesday, February 13, 2007 7:25:16 AM Subject: Re: [kictanet] stakeholders workshop During the preparations/drafting of the ICT policy, there were several stakeholders workshops, with a major one week workshop held in Mombasa. After this major workshop a team later went to Mombasa again to draft and fine tune the ICT policy document, and incorporating suggestions,amendments and inputs from stakeholders. This was one of the most inclusive exercise, that I can recall. Micugu ----- Original Message ----- From: Rebecca Wanjiku To: media(a)midafricanet.co.ke Sent: Tuesday, February 13, 2007 7:06 AM Subject: [kictanet] stakeholders workshop even with the stakeholders workshop, there is need for those online to identify issues for discussion, the one day forum may not give media stakehlders a chance to read the document that day, it will be assumed they have read. i think for the few media practioners online, they can identify such issues on behalf of others, thats what mainly happens in other discussions like the just concluded discussion on OFC, i hope we can discuss it before that day, regards ----- Original Message ---- From: "bitange(a)jambo.co.ke" <bitange(a)jambo.co.ke> To: rebeccawanjiku(a)yahoo.com Sent: Monday, February 12, 2007 8:54:33 PM Subject: Re: [kictanet] calling media For your information, there shall be a stakeholder meeting on February 20, 2007 at the Kenya School of Monetary Studies starting at 8am till 5 pm. You have to register before Feb 16 by at info(a)information.go.ke. Regards Bitange Ndemo. > I suggest a stakeholders' workshop to go through the document. Not all > stakeholders are online,and may not be in a position to participate in > this online discussion. > > Micugu > ----- Original Message ----- > From: Rebecca Wanjiku > To: media(a)midafricanet.co.ke > Sent: Monday, February 12, 2007 8:13 PM > Subject: [kictanet] calling media > > > the FOI bill affects the media sector more than any other, > can the media practioners please fwd their contributions....... > Kanja?????? > it may be important to discuss these issues before going too far (read > ICT debate and the whole question of cross ownership) > the earlier we raise them, the better, > > somebodyyyy?????? > > > > Rebecca Wanjiku, > journalist, > p.o box 33515, > Nairobi.00600 > Kenya. > > Tel. 254 720 318 925 > > blog:http://beckyit.blogspot.com/ > > > > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ > Finding fabulous fares is fun. > Let Yahoo! FareChase search your favorite travel sites to find flight > and hotel bargains. > > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ > > > _______________________________________________ > kictanet mailing list > kictanet(a)kictanet.or.ke > http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > > Please unsubscribe or change your options at > http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/media%40midafricanet.co.ke > ---------------------------------------------- > This message has been scanned for viruses and > dangerous content by Jambo MailScanner, and is > believed to be clean. > --------------------------------------------- > "easy access to the world" > > _______________________________________________ > kictanet mailing list > kictanet(a)kictanet.or.ke > http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > > Please unsubscribe or change your options at > http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/bitange%40jambo.co.ke ---------------------------------------------- This message has been scanned for viruses and dangerous content by Jambo MailScanner, and is believed to be clean. --------------------------------------------- "easy access to the world" _______________________________________________ kictanet mailing list kictanet(a)kictanet.or.ke http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet Please unsubscribe or change your options at http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/rebeccawanjiku%40yahoo.com Don't get soaked. Take a quick peak at the forecast with theYahoo! Search weather shortcut. _______________________________________________ kictanet mailing list kictanet(a)kictanet.or.ke http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet Please unsubscribe or change your options at http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/media%40midafricanet.co.ke _______________________________________________ kictanet mailing list kictanet(a)kictanet.or.ke http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet Please unsubscribe or change your options at http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/rebeccawanjiku%40yahoo.com ____________________________________________________________________________________ Need Mail bonding? Go to the Yahoo! Mail Q&A for great tips from Yahoo! Answers users. http://answers.yahoo.com/dir/?link=list&sid=396546091

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stakeholders workshop
by Rebecca Wanjiku 13 Feb '07

13 Feb '07

even with the stakeholders workshop, there is need for those online to identify issues for discussion, the one day forum may not give media stakehlders a chance to read the document that day, it will be assumed they have read. i think for the few media practioners online, they can identify such issues on behalf of others, thats what mainly happens in other discussions like the just concluded discussion on OFC, i hope we can discuss it before that day, regards ----- Original Message ---- From: "bitange(a)jambo.co.ke" <bitange(a)jambo.co.ke> To: rebeccawanjiku(a)yahoo.com Sent: Monday, February 12, 2007 8:54:33 PM Subject: Re: [kictanet] calling media For your information, there shall be a stakeholder meeting on February 20, 2007 at the Kenya School of Monetary Studies starting at 8am till 5 pm. You have to register before Feb 16 by at info(a)information.go.ke. Regards Bitange Ndemo. > I suggest a stakeholders' workshop to go through the document. Not all > stakeholders are online,and may not be in a position to participate in > this online discussion. > > Micugu > ----- Original Message ----- > From: Rebecca Wanjiku > To: media(a)midafricanet.co.ke > Sent: Monday, February 12, 2007 8:13 PM > Subject: [kictanet] calling media > > > the FOI bill affects the media sector more than any other, > can the media practioners please fwd their contributions....... > Kanja?????? > it may be important to discuss these issues before going too far (read > ICT debate and the whole question of cross ownership) > the earlier we raise them, the better, > > somebodyyyy?????? > > > > Rebecca Wanjiku, > journalist, > p.o box 33515, > Nairobi.00600 > Kenya. > > Tel. 254 720 318 925 > > blog:http://beckyit.blogspot.com/ > > > > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ > Finding fabulous fares is fun. > Let Yahoo! FareChase search your favorite travel sites to find flight > and hotel bargains. > > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ > > > _______________________________________________ > kictanet mailing list > kictanet(a)kictanet.or.ke > http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > > Please unsubscribe or change your options at > http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/media%40midafricanet.co.ke > ---------------------------------------------- > This message has been scanned for viruses and > dangerous content by Jambo MailScanner, and is > believed to be clean. > --------------------------------------------- > "easy access to the world" > > _______________________________________________ > kictanet mailing list > kictanet(a)kictanet.or.ke > http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > > Please unsubscribe or change your options at > http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/bitange%40jambo.co.ke ---------------------------------------------- This message has been scanned for viruses and dangerous content by Jambo MailScanner, and is believed to be clean. --------------------------------------------- "easy access to the world" _______________________________________________ kictanet mailing list kictanet(a)kictanet.or.ke http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet Please unsubscribe or change your options at http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/rebeccawanjiku%40yahoo.com ____________________________________________________________________________________ Need Mail bonding? Go to the Yahoo! Mail Q&A for great tips from Yahoo! Answers users. http://answers.yahoo.com/dir/?link=list&sid=396546091

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Mobile Satellite Internet Solutions
by Alex Gakuru 13 Feb '07

13 Feb '07

Visit the link at the end to view pictures of the trucks... Press a button on the Magellan MSS and 3 to 7 minutes later your computer(s) will be browsing the Internet at high-speed. The Magellan MSS (Mobile Satellite System) is manufactured by Ground Control as a self-contained, automatic pointing, wireless hotspot, mobile satellite Internet system that requires little or no training to operate. Simply park your Vehicle/Truck/RV/Trailer, touch a button, and the dish will deploy and lock on signal automatically. As long as you have a view of the southern sky, you can connect 1 or all of your computers to the mobile network. Broadband download speeds average between 400 to 2000 Kbps and upload speed between 50 and 500 Kbps.... < http://www.groundcontrol.com/prod_ig2500_001.htm > Thanks /Alex --------------------------------- We won't tell. Get more on shows you hate to love (and love to hate): Yahoo! TV's Guilty Pleasures list.

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calling media
by Rebecca Wanjiku 12 Feb '07

12 Feb '07

the FOI bill affects the media sector more than any other, can the media practioners please fwd their contributions....... Kanja?????? it may be important to discuss these issues before going too far (read ICT debate and the whole question of cross ownership) the earlier we raise them, the better, somebodyyyy?????? Rebecca Wanjiku, journalist, p.o box 33515, Nairobi.00600 Kenya. Tel. 254 720 318 925 blog:http://beckyit.blogspot.com/ ____________________________________________________________________________________ Expecting? Get great news right away with email Auto-Check. Try the Yahoo! Mail Beta. http://advision.webevents.yahoo.com/mailbeta/newmail_tools.html

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Re: [kictanet] OPEN SOURCE SOFTWARE ALREADY LOADED WITH EMADDO
by charles nduati 12 Feb '07

12 Feb '07

Hi Sang, I thank you for congratulating us on the emaddo, I want to inform you all that being a research institution, by year end certain parts will be really manufactured in kenya. Above all, we already have school management software , library and e- learning open source softwares we can buddle together with maddo for schools. Just place your emaddo order with us and see Charles CHARLES N. NDUATI BUSINESS MANAGER JKUAT ENTERPRISES LTD JOMO KENYATTA UNIVERSITY OF AGRICULTURE AND TECHNOLOGY JUJA MAIN CAMPUS, THIKA P. O. BOX 79324-00200 NAIROBI, KENYA TEL: 254-067-52420 OR 254-067-52711 FAX: 254-067-52438 MOBILE:254-722728815 EMIAL:charlesnduati2002@yahoo.co.uk www.jkuat.ac.ke ----- Original Message ---- From: Mr. Barnabas Sang <bksang(a)education.go.ke> To: charlesnduati2002(a)yahoo.co.uk Sent: Thursday, 8 February, 2007 1:02:50 PM Subject: Re: [kictanet] adopt a school Alex, I totally agree with you considering that only 35% of secondary schools do not have commercial power, the rest should be e-enabled. Approximately 10% of the Primary Schools do have electricity. Comprehensive Secondary Education ICT Strategy (Sub-set of National ICT Strategy for Education and Training Developed in 2005 under the Kenya Education Sector Support Programme - KESSP) can be developed through multi-stakeholder forum like the one Walu moderated on the OFC (critical for much wanted connectivity for education institutions). Regards B.K.S. ----- Original Message ----- From: Alex Gakuru To: bksang(a)education.go.ke Sent: Thursday, February 08, 2007 11:49 AM Subject: Re: [kictanet] adopt a school I thank and really encourage everyone helping to make the Internet for Everyone a reality in Kenya. Collectively, it appears we may actually make National ICT policy target of all secondary to have access to the internet in 2 years and 10 months (by 2010). Nice job Walu, at least no keyboards or monitors got smashed:-) Alex "Mr. Barnabas Sang" <bksang(a)education.go.ke> wrote: Muthoni, Thanks for the highlights on FOSS/FLOSS, which the education sector have been following for the last three years. During the last one year, we have been evaluating and inquiring for proponents of FOSS/FLOSS to come forth with a concrete proposal that will ensure government get a solution that will provide the features and advantages you have highlighted (perhaps another call made here). By the way, for the 142 Schools to be equipped by March, all bidders are expected (mandatory feature) to have dual boot to both Open Source OS (Ubuntu or equivalent) and Windows OS. The challenge is that we are yet to see bidders with enough capacity to handle this kind of deployment in our schools. There is lots of potential on FOSS/FLOSS. Statistic in Europe and Asia indicate to us the direction education institutions are taking in order to ensure TCO and ROI on ICT in education investments are justified. I got a CD from your stand in the ongoing ICT for Development Expo which is quite informative (productwise). Missing though is the e-learning platforms like moodle, which could interest enterprises and institutions of higher learning. Otherwise, Thanks, will take note of your advice on issues you've touched. Kind regards Sang ----- Original Message ----- From: Dorcas Muthoni To: bksang(a)education.go.ke Sent: Wednesday, February 07, 2007 8:35 PM Subject: Re: [kictanet] adopt a school I believe that Free and Open Source Software (FOSS/FLOSS) can a play significant role on the software acquisition frontier, capacity building, security (no viruses) and CUTTING COSTS. We surely do not need discounts on software to make e-centers/ digital schools a reality. Muthoni On 2/7/07, Mr. Barnabas Sang <bksang(a)education.go.ke> wrote: Numbers are no longer an issue taking into consideration the current momentum of e-leaders in our amidst: Early Childhood Development (ECD) Centers - 29,500 Primary Schools - 19,890 Secondary Schools - 4,125 Tertiary - 3,200 ICT as an means.... The challenge is to increased access to Secondary Education which currently stand at 60% transition (i.e. percentage of class eight graduates to Secondary education). Big question then is, Does ICT provide answers to such an issue? Yes.... Thus need for prioritization of ICTs targeting Secondary Schools and Community Learning Centers to allow youth out of formal schooling to access Secondary Education. Research also indicates that PC presence in schools, especially in Primary, have some influence on grade performance (sciences and mathematics). Primary schools with ICT infrastructure can benefit from huge knowledge-base and variety of digital content (largely Universal) available. For digital villages and e-schools to succeed, the following have to be prioritized: Content: appropriate content which supplements or complement current curriculum. Thanks to Mr. Sammy Kirui (Telkom) for identifying this need in ICT for Development Expo speech. This is the number one case: Without appropriate content, ICT becomes a luxury and hence no school management committees can justify ICT in education investment. Will there be some significant change in school performance after investment? Can school retention of students (against dropouts or transfers) be sustained? Will the syllabi be better delivered than is the case now? Capacity building: yes digital content can be in place and infrastructure and all software we need to have envisaged e-institutions. Without training to manage the resources and utilized them, the investment will be run down within no time. Challenges of security (antivirus: experience we are observing in the NEPAD e-Schools), malfunctioning of hardware (physiological differences of our landscape - dust, heat, wind/ power access and physical security) and social threats of Internet introduced in our schools. Definitely, training is key. follow-up training is critical as well. ICT Integration: This is an activity that involves integration of ICT in each subject area, making ICT a media for instruction, tool for delivery and channel for information access. e.g. if you're a biology teacher, we expect you to take students to a computer lab twice a week to teach some topics which require animation for better comprehension. If one teaches Kiswahili, we expect some lesson in "Ngeli na sentensi..." to be done in the lab... using Swahili version of software... This is what will demystify ICT from being a preserve for tech teachers to being a tool for every teacher every student rather than for computer students. ICT Infrastructure access: the Numbers, yes, 30,000 Schools as indicated would require some resources. For an e-school to be effective, assuming two students will share a PC in our schools, a 45 Student stream class would use 25 PCs per lab. If the school is three streams, then you require a minimum of two labs. To have sharing of materials and resources done effectively and efficiently, a LAN is definitely required. National and Regional ICT Support Centers: to act as institutions where issues are resolved as they arise in our e-institutions. Could it be content? Repair? Training follow-up? Replacement etc. Support centre should provide some helpdesk services. Connectivity comes to add value to all interventions, especially when an e-institutions realize they have content that require others to access or they would require access to shared resources in some portal. In some cases, Internet might be supplementary to the above key points. Yes, we know Internet is a resource where the learner and info-seekers would benefit. It still lies with having content (appropriate content and security), capacity building (on sites, portals) and Sustainable connectivity options. Thanks to Kai and others who're sounding an alarm for provision of this treasured resource to our esteem education institutions (for Free!). With launch of various products by service providers in the recent past, it is expected that connectivity will be available in most parts of our country / continent! (CEO Safaricom and CEO Celtel -> ICT for Dev Expo quotes). I will be more observant to see demos of these products in a few e-institutions. Thanks to PS InfoCom and all of you working to make eMado (Madaraka) PC a reality. I hope we have other players thinking on content (especially for e-education/e-learning) for various target groups; that will indeed make the eMado attractive. Kind regards, B. K. Sang ICT Department Ministry of Education P O Box 30040-00100 Nairobi ----- Original Message ----- From: Alex Gakuru To: bksang(a)education.go.ke Cc: David Owino Sent: Wednesday, February 07, 2007 5:51 PM Subject: Re: [kictanet] adopt a school Whoaa... 30,000 Kenya schools? Gakuru Kai Wulff <kai.wulff(a)kdn.co.ke> wrote: Hello, we are willing to ADOPT the connectivity to all the schools for free! Kai ----- Original Message ----- From: Rebecca Wanjiku To: kai.wulff(a)kdn.co.ke Sent: Wednesday, February 07, 2007 15:09 Subject: [kictanet] adopt a school Adopting Schools It all started with "Adopt a light", an ambitious city lighting project. Now, Manu Chandaria, industrialist cum philanthropist wants to apply the same concept in ICTs. Speaking at the ICT for Development Expo opening ceremony on February 7, Chandaria challenged Kenyans to adopt schools and make sure they can access computers. "You can change the face of your village school. Just go there and donate a computer. You can change the face of Kenya," Chandaria said. He also disclosed that he will finance a digital training centre in Mariakani. The centre will be expected to act as a base to establish digital villages in coastal area. One digital village will cost approximately shs 140,000 (USD 2000). ends Rebecca Wanjiku, journalist, p.o box 33515, Nairobi.00600 Kenya. Tel. 254 720 318 925 blog:http://beckyit.blogspot.com/ Get your own web address. Have a HUGE year through Yahoo! Small Business. _______________________________________________ kictanet mailing list kictanet(a)kictanet.or.ke http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet Please unsubscribe or change your options at http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/kai.wulff%40kdn.co.ke _______________________________________________ kictanet mailing list kictanet(a)kictanet.or.ke http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet Please unsubscribe or change your options at http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/alex.gakuru%40yahoo.com We won't tell. Get more on shows you hate to love (and love to hate): Yahoo! TV's Guilty Pleasures list. _______________________________________________ kictanet mailing list kictanet(a)kictanet.or.ke http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet Please unsubscribe or change your options at http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/bksang%40education.go.ke _______________________________________________ kictanet mailing list kictanet(a)kictanet.or.ke http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet Please unsubscribe or change your options at http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/dmuthoni%40gmail.com _______________________________________________ kictanet mailing list kictanet(a)kictanet.or.ke http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet Please unsubscribe or change your options at http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/bksang%40education.go.ke____… kictanet mailing list kictanet(a)kictanet.or.ke http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet Please unsubscribe or change your options at http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/alex.gakuru%40yahoo.com TV dinner still cooling? Check out "Tonight's Picks" on Yahoo! TV. _______________________________________________ kictanet mailing list kictanet(a)kictanet.or.ke http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet Please unsubscribe or change your options at http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/bksang%40education.go.ke____… kictanet mailing list kictanet(a)kictanet.or.ke http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet Please unsubscribe or change your options at http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/charlesnduati2002%40yahoo.co… ___________________________________________________________ How much free photo storage do you get? Store your holiday snaps for FREE with Yahoo! Photos http://uk.photos.yahoo.com

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FOI--- how good is it??
by joseph kihanya 12 Feb '07

12 Feb '07

Dear Becky, Indeed you are right. The Right/ Freedom debate is one that rages in legal circles.We may not settle it here, unfortunately, save to say that a consensus should emerge on whether it should be stated / and implemented as a right( preferable- and in keeping with its basic tenet- than as a a freedoom.it really sometimes is just sematics as freedoms and rights are subject to exceptions-due to the cometiting nature of other rights/freedomse.g. right to expression versus right to reputation. Civil and political rights also get precedence in most jurisdictions over social and economic rights. Access clauses/ implementation AND Costs are issues too that indeed need to be tackled.See Day 3 / Principle 6 On a serious side of FOI see... http://politics.guardian.co.uk/foi/story/0,,1170196,00.html Any more views...?Anyone? Kihanya ----- Original Message ---- From: Rebecca Wanjiku <rebeccawanjiku(a)yahoo.com> To: kihanyajn(a)yahoo.com Sent: Monday, February 12, 2007 1:16:45 PM Subject: [kictanet] FOI--- how good is it?? Kihanya, thanks for the background, some thoughts on some of the questions raised, Right to verses freedom I think it should be freedom of information because in legal terms, the two terms are different. Though am not a lawyer, I read about the positive rights (right to) and the negative rights (freedoms) Now, governments are quick to obey the negative rights as opposed to positive rights. For instance, we can all go and demonstrate about our freedom from torture or detention without trial and the government will easily heed to our demands, (I guess so) But what about other recognized rights like the right to water? Can the government be compelled to honour our right to water, i think the main objective of the FOI should be to protect e-government and accountability but the bill talks about charging a minimal fee to those accessing information, what will happen to those people out of town, it talks about photocopying and perusal charges, but what about provision of such information in electronic format, do we still pay?? and will it serve the overall objective?? Thats my take on it Rebecca Wanjiku, journalist, p.o box 33515, Nairobi.00600 Kenya. Tel. 254 720 318 925 blog:http://beckyit.blogspot.com/ Don't be flakey. Get Yahoo! Mail for Mobile and always stay connected to friends. _______________________________________________ kictanet mailing list kictanet(a)kictanet.or.ke http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet Please unsubscribe or change your options at http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/kihanyajn%40yahoo.com ____________________________________________________________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Everyone is raving about the all-new Yahoo! Mail beta. http://new.mail.yahoo.com

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Re: [kictanet] DDOS attack on Root Servers
by Kagwe James 12 Feb '07

12 Feb '07

Just thought it's not wise to broadcast information about physical location for root servers. May trigger physically attacks. Just a thought......... Regards, James Kagwe -----Original Message----- From: kictanet-bounces+jkagwe=aforbes.co.ke(a)kictanet.or.ke [mailto:kictanet-bounces+jkagwe=aforbes.co.ke@kictanet.or.ke] On Behalf Of Nick Wambugu Sent: Friday, February 09, 2007 1:09 PM To: Kagwe James Subject: Re: [kictanet] DDOS attack on Root Servers Thanks Mich, the information is quite good as security is one of the major concern nowadays. Also to informs guys that we got these servers hosted at KIXP/TESPOK. Thanks, Nick. On Fri, 2007-02-09 at 10:50 +0300, Michuki Mwangi wrote: > FYI, > > Communiqué from RIPE about massive DDos attack again root servers that > happened on 6th Feb 2007: > > http://www.ripe.net/news/global-root-server.html > > In the press: > > http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/I/INTERNET_ATTACKS?SITE=WIRE&SECTION=H… > > It is worth noting that Kenya is host to two Root Servers namely F-Root > and J-Root in addition to serving .COM,.NET and .KE Root zones locally. > In essence adding resilience to the local Internet infrastructure and > making it independent of the external disruptions. > > Best regards, > -- All what I can is what i can and do..... God give I strength.... _______________________________________________ kictanet mailing list kictanet(a)kictanet.or.ke http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet Please unsubscribe or change your options at http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/jkagwe%40aforbes.co.ke

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FOI and journalists
by Rebecca Wanjiku 12 Feb '07

12 Feb '07

It may be presumed that the main object of the FOI was to improve accountability and flow of information as well as answer critics who have complained about govt red tape and lack of information from the govt. Govt spokesperson Alfred Mutua will also tout it as a remedy to those journalists peddling rumours and defending themselves by saying govt officials were not available for comment or could not release the information But a cursory glance at the bill will reveal that it does not make special exemptions for journalists who in many cases need this government information. For instance, the bill provides that requests for information shall be dealt with within 15 days and if 30 days lapse without any response, then it shall be deemed the info was denied. How many newspapers can wait for 15 days before publishing a story or verifying derived from investigative work?? Are there any journalists in the house???? Can you champion your cause??? Rebecca Wanjiku, journalist, p.o box 33515, Nairobi.00600 Kenya. Tel. 254 720 318 925 blog:http://beckyit.blogspot.com/ ____________________________________________________________________________________ Need Mail bonding? Go to the Yahoo! Mail Q&A for great tips from Yahoo! Answers users. http://answers.yahoo.com/dir/?link=list&sid=396546091

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Online Discussion on the Draft Freedom of Information Policy by INFOCOM - JANUARY 2007
by joseph kihanya 12 Feb '07

12 Feb '07

Dear all, I have been requested to moderate the discussion on the above policy document. I have drawn greatly from previous discussions and especially from the OFC provsioning one that ended last week. I trust I will be up to it as we all shall. The ground rules shall remain as those appertaining to the list discussions. Please submit all your views. A draft programme of the 5 day discussion is attached. The second attachment in relation to a case in point makes interesting reading.It is drawn from a course offered by Oxford University. Day one (1) begins hereunder. ************************************************************************************************************************ Draft Freedom of Information (FOI) Policy Review and thematic analysis. Day 1. Background Info What is FOI? Freedom of information is a fundamental right that the United Nations in a resolution in 1946 declared to be the touchstone of all freedoms. It is a right that is not to be found standing on its own under international law. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights 1948 subsumes the right under the right of freedom of expression. Freedom of expression also inclused the right to receive and impart information. The International Covennant on Civil and Political Rights also subsumes the right under the right to freedom of expression. The African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights recognises the right as free standing. Kenya is party to all three (3) of the sited international law documents. The Kenyan Constitution at section 79 also subsumes the right under the right to free expression. The rejected draft Constitution for the first time recognised the right as free standing and would have required that FOI law be passed within six (6)months of the adoption/coming into force of the new constitution. Only THREE (3) countries in Africa have an FOI legislation. South Africa, Uganda and Angola. Nigeria or Kenya may become the FOURTH allowing success of pending parliamentary procedures. African and Commonwealth governments have collectively and separately agreed on principles of FOI laws.See www.humanrightsinitiative.org It is generally a right of any individual to access information held by government. Is it a right? Why Access? Why freedom? There are many terms used in relation to this. Freedom of Information Right to Know Right of Access to information Right to information They are referring to the same thing and the important point is that they can be interchanged but require that one be selected for use in a particular jurisdiction for consistency. Which one should Kenya Use? The Moderator will use FOI in this first mail. How would FOI help in a country like Kenya? Arguments exist for and against FOI laws. Arguments for. I. It makes government more accountable. II. Increases public participation. III. Promotes human rights. IV. Allows for good decision making V. Protects privacy VI. Makes private companies more accountable. VII. Promotes health VIII. Strengthens the economy IX. Protects the environment What are the arguments against FOI? A case in point ? (To be provided by moderator - see attachment) Useful websites on FOI? www.unhcr.ch www.humanrightsinitiative.org www.foiadvocates.net www.freedominfo.org www.cfoi.org.uk What are the principles of FOI Laws? What do they mean essentially? Who has agreed to these principles? Should Kenya agree to these principles? Does the policy agree with these principles? Contributions based on these headings are welcome. PRINCIPLE 1. Maximum disclosure PRINCIPLE 2. Obligation to publish PRINCIPLE 3. Promotion of open government PRINCIPLE 4. Limited scope of exceptions PRINCIPLE 5. Processes to facilitate access PRINCIPLE 6. Costs PRINCIPLE 7. Open meetings PRINCIPLE 8. Disclosure takes precedence PRINCIPLE 9. Protection for whistleblowers What are / should be the Objectives FOI Legislation? Vision Does this capture the intent of the right/ freedom optimally? Mission Does this optimally capture the implementation/purpose of the right/ freedom? Introduction (Entrenching Openness?) Do the introductions in the following paragraphs reflect this? How should they read? Paragraphs 1.1 1.2. 1.3 1.4. 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 1.9 1.10 1.11 3.1.1 3.1.2 3.2.1 3.2.2 3.2.3. ********************************************************************************************************************** LETS GO! Joseph Kihanya ____________________________________________________________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Everyone is raving about the all-new Yahoo! Mail beta. http://new.mail.yahoo.com

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Re: [kictanet] Idlelo2 Digest, Vol 13, Issue 7
by Judy Okite 10 Feb '07

10 Feb '07

Prof. Derek, I do share in your grief!! Bottom line,we cannot afford to despise our "humble begginings"(M$)but that does not mean that we remain there? is it about the money? or the software ? if M$ can afford to pay guys to make noise,then we can change that to reality with action......You get all this with FOSS: the firewalls-free, Webservers-free, databases-free, Openoffice-free, so much FREE and it is more secure operating system not that it is just free and yet,For those who need support,then they can buy Foss Enterprise softwares (much cheaper)and get the support......besides why buy a clone worth Ksh 21,000 and and a licence worth the same amount.....how does this work for a common mwananchi? How do I afford all this? at this rate we will NEVER be able to fight PIRACY. For all the kenyan FOSS user's we may have to setup a forum and air out our experiences and state why guys need to see this REALITY!! and stop using FOSS under the table..................e.g for the locally assembled systems' plse let's insist on Dual boot(M$ & Linux),It could be a start........... A request to the PS : Before the government of Kenya,makes any decision on software's,can both sides of the coin be given an opportunity?? I am not shunning M$,its just that I cannot afford it,I cannot customise it.....etc Kind Regards, On 2/8/07, idlelo2-request(a)fossfa.net <idlelo2-request(a)fossfa.net> wrote: > > Send Idlelo2 mailing list submissions to > idlelo2(a)fossfa.net > > To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit > http://mailman.dst.gov.za/mailman/listinfo/idlelo2 > or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to > idlelo2-request(a)fossfa.net > > You can reach the person managing the list at > idlelo2-owner(a)fossfa.net > > When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific > than "Re: Contents of Idlelo2 digest..." > > > Today's Topics: > > 1. Re: Permanant Secretary of Kenya speaks about negotiating for > cheaper development tools (John Walubengo) > 2. Re: Permanent Secretary of Kenya speaks about negotiating > forcheaper development tools (PROF. HENRY M. THAIRU) > 3. Re: Permanant Secretary of Kenya speaks about negotiating for > cheaper development tools (Jonah Munyua) > 4. Re: Permanant Secretary of Kenya speaks about negotiating for > cheaper development tools (Dorcas Muthoni) > > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > > Message: 1 > Date: Wed, 7 Feb 2007 01:59:30 -0800 (PST) > From: John Walubengo <jwalu(a)yahoo.com> > Subject: Re: [Idlelo2] Permanant Secretary of Kenya speaks about > negotiating for cheaper development tools > To: dkeats(a)uwc.ac.za, Idlelo <idlelo2(a)fossfa.net> > Message-ID: <442956.64301.qm(a)web56604.mail.re3.yahoo.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1 > > Derek, > > my take on this is two-fold: > 1. FOSS does lack the might(economic, political, marketing, > etc) to demonstrate its huge benefit. > 2. FOSS need not mean 'NOT MICROSOFT'. > > I wish to further comment on point 2. in that the current > realities in KE and most of the world really is that the > desk-top is largely M$ and we shouldn't really mourn too > much about that - after all, it does pay the bills for a > large number Kenyans who have created careers around M$. > > A preferred strategy to deal with the omni-present M$ would > be one whereby we are co-existing but with a long-term view > to become omni-present. And this brings us back to FOSS > limitations - point 1 above- we just don't have the dollar > might to pull it off. > > Currently, a lot is happening in .KE regarding ICTs. And > in most cases, including this morning's Grand Opening > Ceremony of the ICT Expo at Kenyatta Int. Conf. Center, M$ > sits on th e high-table. Why? because we in FOSS seem to > lack the might and probably the incentives to pull strings > at high-levels...M$ has the budget to do it. FOSS doesn't > and at the end of the day, it is all about $$. > > Using this might M$ is set to burn their costly OS on every > PC that the Kenya Govt is set to assemble for Computers in > Kenyan schools. Where's Open-source in this long-term > game-plan? I did hint to the Project Manager's about OS on > these computers, but hey, you need more than hints, you > need a sustained, almost full-time job of pushing the > idea/agenda. I believe M$ has a clear budget to pay their > people to sing their tune, on a sustainable basis. We > don't. > > Finally, I would repeat: I prefer FOSS, but if M$ comes > along I can use it as well. At least upto and when FOSS > does wake up in a sustained, coherent way. And I think the > PS Min of Info has to work with what is visible, sustained > and available. M$ in .KE is simply being more visible than > FOSS and we have had to work with it in a co-existent sort > of a way... > > walu. > > --- Derek Keats <dkeats(a)uwc.ac.za> wrote: > > > > > I am writing this from the 1st International Conference > > in Computer > > Science and Informatics (COSCIT 2007), in Nairobi Kenya. > > In the opening > > session, Dr. B. Ndemo, Permanant Secretary in the Kenyan > > Ministry of > > Information & Communication, gave a speech about ICT in > > Kenya. He spent > > quite a bit of time talking about negotiating a deal with > > Microsoft to > > make their software cheaper for Kenyans, including > > developer tools so > > that Kenyans could become software developers. The local > > Microsoft > > representative was in the audience, naturally. Members of > > the Microsoft > > "technical officer" team follow politicians and policy > > makers around > > like flies follow sick dogs. She left when the Permanant > > Secretary left. > > Apparently, a meeting of many of the computer scientists > > in Kenya was > > not important enough for her; certainly not as important > > as being > > visible to the Permanant Secretary. > > > > When the Permanant Secretary made this pronouncement > > about these > > negotiations, completely ignoring all that is happening > > in Kenya with > > respect to FOSS, I was shocked and saddened. I wanted to > > ask why waste > > time removing impediments to creating Kenyan software > > developers, when > > with FOSS we can start immediately. There is nothing to > > negotiate, the > > tools are as good or better than the tools for Windows, > > and there are no > > barriers to innovation. Java, C, C++, C# Python, .NET, > > PHP, BASIC, and > > most other environments are available on GNU/Linux. Why > > do Kenyans need > > to waste their money getting permission from Microsoft to > > use these > > languages for training software developers? This mystery > > that is only > > explainable by the constant lobbying pressure from the > > "technical > > officers" and their like. There is absolutely no rational > > basis for it. > > > > The minister is implicitly saying that it is right for > > Kenya to pay > > money to Microsoft and create a long-term dependence on > > them, thus using > > the Kenyan taxpayer's money to create development > > opportunities in > > Redmond Washington, an area of the world that really > > needs dollars from > > Kenya. It is clear that Dr. Ndemo does not understand > > that innovation > > happens faster when barriers are as few as they can > > reasonably be. With > > Free Software, this is the case. With propriteary tools, > > barriers have > > to be negotiated, and this limits and inhibits > > innovation. > > > > I wanted to show the Permanant Secretary my Ubuntu > > desktop, equipped > > with Free Software development tools for which I need > > neither permission > > nor to pay license fees to use, and which I can use > > immediately, no > > negotiation required. The Permanant Secretary clearly > > just doesn't get > > it. Unfortunately, the session did not have a question > > peroid, and he > > left along with the Microsoft lap dog (er, I mean > > representative) before > > I could use my own keynote space to show him what Free > > Software can do. > > > > So Kenyans active in FOSS, you have a responsibility, > > this man is in > > need of some educating. Please make an appointment, go > > see him. Show him > > what you are accomplishing with software Freedom. We need > > to find a way > > to balance the lobbying power of Microsoft, so that truth > > and logic have > > a reasonable chance of prevailing. > > > > cheers > > Derek > > > > > All Email originating from UWC is covered by disclaimer > > > http://www.uwc.ac.za/portal/uwc2006/content/mail_disclaimer/index.htm > > > > > _______________________________________________ > > Idlelo2 mailing list > > Idlelo2(a)fossfa.net > > http://mailman.dst.gov.za/mailman/listinfo/idlelo2 > > > > > > > > ____________________________________________________________________________________ > Do you Yahoo!? > Everyone is raving about the all-new Yahoo! Mail beta. > http://new.mail.yahoo.com > > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 2 > Date: Wed, 7 Feb 2007 19:00:16 +0300 > From: "PROF. HENRY M. THAIRU" <hmthairu(a)wananchi.com> > Subject: Re: [Idlelo2] Permanent Secretary of Kenya speaks about > negotiating forcheaper development tools > To: <dkeats(a)uwc.ac.za>, "'Idlelo'" <idlelo2(a)fossfa.net> > Message-ID: <003201c74ad1$223b9960$0600010a@prof> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="windows-1250" > > Dear Derek. > It is good to hear your very clear voice again. We are impressing on the > PS > on the importance of FOSS. Nobody needs permission to use these tools. > Thank > you for this letter. > Henry Thairu > > -----Original Message----- > From: idlelo2-bounces+hmthairu=wananchi.com(a)fossfa.net > [mailto:idlelo2-bounces+hmthairu=wananchi.com@fossfa.net] On Behalf Of > Derek > Keats > Sent: Wednesday, February 07, 2007 9:44 AM > To: Idlelo > Subject: [Idlelo2] Permanant Secretary of Kenya speaks about negotiating > forcheaper development tools > > > I am writing this from the 1st International Conference in Computer > Science and Informatics (COSCIT 2007), in Nairobi Kenya. In the opening > session, Dr. B. Ndemo, Permanant Secretary in the Kenyan Ministry of > Information & Communication, gave a speech about ICT in Kenya. He spent > quite a bit of time talking about negotiating a deal with Microsoft to > make their software cheaper for Kenyans, including developer tools so > that Kenyans could become software developers. The local Microsoft > representative was in the audience, naturally. Members of the Microsoft > "technical officer" team follow politicians and policy makers around > like flies follow sick dogs. She left when the Permanant Secretary left. > Apparently, a meeting of many of the computer scientists in Kenya was > not important enough for her; certainly not as important as being > visible to the Permanant Secretary. > > When the Permanant Secretary made this pronouncement about these > negotiations, completely ignoring all that is happening in Kenya with > respect to FOSS, I was shocked and saddened. I wanted to ask why waste > time removing impediments to creating Kenyan software developers, when > with FOSS we can start immediately. There is nothing to negotiate, the > tools are as good or better than the tools for Windows, and there are no > barriers to innovation. Java, C, C++, C# Python, .NET, PHP, BASIC, and > most other environments are available on GNU/Linux. Why do Kenyans need > to waste their money getting permission from Microsoft to use these > languages for training software developers? This mystery that is only > explainable by the constant lobbying pressure from the "technical > officers" and their like. There is absolutely no rational basis for it. > > The minister is implicitly saying that it is right for Kenya to pay > money to Microsoft and create a long-term dependence on them, thus using > the Kenyan taxpayer's money to create development opportunities in > Redmond Washington, an area of the world that really needs dollars from > Kenya. It is clear that Dr. Ndemo does not understand that innovation > happens faster when barriers are as few as they can reasonably be. With > Free Software, this is the case. With propriteary tools, barriers have > to be negotiated, and this limits and inhibits innovation. > > I wanted to show the Permanant Secretary my Ubuntu desktop, equipped > with Free Software development tools for which I need neither permission > nor to pay license fees to use, and which I can use immediately, no > negotiation required. The Permanant Secretary clearly just doesn't get > it. Unfortunately, the session did not have a question peroid, and he > left along with the Microsoft lap dog (er, I mean representative) before > I could use my own keynote space to show him what Free Software can do. > > So Kenyans active in FOSS, you have a responsibility, this man is in > need of some educating. Please make an appointment, go see him. Show him > what you are accomplishing with software Freedom. We need to find a way > to balance the lobbying power of Microsoft, so that truth and logic have > a reasonable chance of prevailing. > > cheers > Derek > > > -- > No virus found in this incoming message. > Checked by AVG Free Edition. > Version: 7.5.432 / Virus Database: 268.17.29/673 - Release Date: 2/6/2007 > 5:52 PM > > > > -- > No virus found in this outgoing message. > Checked by AVG Free Edition. > Version: 7.5.432 / Virus Database: 268.17.29/673 - Release Date: 2/6/2007 > 5:52 PM > > > > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 3 > Date: Wed, 7 Feb 2007 08:30:59 -0800 (PST) > From: Jonah Munyua <jonah_bits(a)yahoo.com> > Subject: Re: [Idlelo2] Permanant Secretary of Kenya speaks about > negotiating for cheaper development tools > To: idlelo2(a)fossfa.net > Message-ID: <946250.46064.qm(a)web35301.mail.mud.yahoo.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" > > Derek, > > I am saddened by the Permanent Secretary's proclamation. It is evident > that Microsoft has been stalking and hijacking all ICT events in Kenya. To > them what matters is not what the stakeholders have to say rather what the > government says and thats why the representative left as soon as the PS made > his speech. > > Being a software developer using FOSS i understand the revolution that it > can bring to this country and the developing world at large. Microsoft > Products require expensive PC's to run them. I thus see no logic in trying > to get Microsoft to lower the cost of their Softwares as there will still be > the inhibiting cost of acquiring the PC's. > > It is unfortunate that even the local universities are not taking FOSS > with the seriousness it requires. Computer literacy courses in Kenya are > geared towards Microsoft products and thus the current scenario where very > few users know that they can use FOSS to achieve what they can on MS > products. > > The government is putting unnecessary effort and collaboration with MS to > fight piracy of MS products. To me these efforts should be geared towards > the promotion of FOSS. > > I wish that these sentiments from the PS will serve as a calling to all > FOSS users and advocates in Kenya to intensify the campaign for FOSS in > Kenya. > > Regards > > > --------------------------------- > Finding fabulous fares is fun. > Let Yahoo! FareChase search your favorite travel sites to find flight and > hotel bargains. >

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adopt a school
by Rebecca Wanjiku 10 Feb '07

10 Feb '07

Adopting Schools It all started with Adopt a light, an ambitious city lighting project. Now, Manu Chandaria, industrialist cum philanthropist wants to apply the same concept in ICTs. Speaking at the ICT for Development Expo opening ceremony on February 7, Chandaria challenged Kenyans to adopt schools and make sure they can access computers. You can change the face of your village school. Just go there and donate a computer. You can change the face of Kenya, Chandaria said. He also disclosed that he will finance a digital training centre in Mariakani. The centre will be expected to act as a base to establish digital villages in coastal area. One digital village will cost approximately shs 140,000 (USD 2000). ends Rebecca Wanjiku, journalist, p.o box 33515, Nairobi.00600 Kenya. Tel. 254 720 318 925 blog:http://beckyit.blogspot.com/ --------------------------------- Get your own web address. Have a HUGE year through Yahoo! Small Business.

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Re: [kictanet] DDOS attack on Root Servers
by Michuki Mwangi 09 Feb '07

09 Feb '07

FYI, Communiqué from RIPE about massive DDos attack again root servers that happened on 6th Feb 2007: http://www.ripe.net/news/global-root-server.html In the press: http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/I/INTERNET_ATTACKS?SITE=WIRE&SECTION=H… It is worth noting that Kenya is host to two Root Servers namely F-Root and J-Root in addition to serving .COM,.NET and .KE Root zones locally. In essence adding resilience to the local Internet infrastructure and making it independent of the external disruptions. Best regards, -- Michuki Mwangi KENIC

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African Lakes - Kenyan Investors and Entrepreneurs are gettign screwed by Telkom South Africa and the self seeking Board of African Lakes's Chairman - David Montgomery
by alice＠apc.org 09 Feb '07

09 Feb '07

(Apologies for cross posting) From: Richard Bell <Richard(a)Bell.co.ke> Date: Thu, 8 Feb 2007 20:01:31 +0300 To: <mucheru(a)wananchi.com> Subject: FW: African Lakes - Kenyan Investors and Entrepreneurs are gettign screwed by Telkom South Africa and the self seeking Board of African Lakes's Chairman - David Montgomery You can send it to anyone else as well. We need as much publicity as we can get. First prize would be a statement from some government department indicating that they don't want South African firms simply marching into Kenya. Could Ndemo help? R -------------------------------------- Subject: African Lakes - Kenyan Investors and Entrepreneurs are getting screwed by Telkom South Africa and the self seeking Board of African Lakes's Chairman - David Montgomery Long time. Anyway we're in the process of getting screwed by Telkom South Africa and the Board of African Lakes. I'm attaching copies of the latest two announcements that went out (the juicy bits are in yellow). I'm also attaching a file that contains an exchange of emails that shows just how unreasonable the company are being (although this on can't be released verbatim since its supposed to be confidential). > http://www.londonstockexchange.co.uk/LSECWS/IFSPages/MarketNewsPopup.aspx?id > 1402054&source=RNS > > http://www.londonstockexchange.co.uk/LSECWS/IFSPages/MarketNewsPopup.aspx?id > 1402307&source=RNS > > Basically we are getting screwed and the only way that we can win now is > to > create sufficient bad publicity for Telkom South Africa that is scares > them > off. > > There follows some more background showing what Telkom South Africa have > been up to in other markets. "Does Kenya really want this thousand pound > bully boy taking over Kenya's Internet Industry?" > > Any chance you can get a piece into next week's East African. I am on > Email, can be called on +254 733 617 186 and up till tomorrow on my UK > Mobile + 44 7772 251 772. am ready to go on the record and am happy to be > quoted. > > Kind Regards, > Richard Bell > > PS. If you are in any doubts about whether the African Lakes' Chairman > David Montgomery is a shyster, just put in a call to Private Eye in > London. > They'll give you chapter and verse > > ======================================= > http://www.tag.org.za/tagad.jpg > > ============================== > http://whenrealitybites.blogspot.com/2007/01/telkom-faces-r2bn-bill-after-la > wsuit.html > > ================================== > > Telkom faces R2bn bill after lawsuit > > November 23, 2006By Thabiso Mochiko Johannesburg > > Telkom faces more than R2 billion in damages and legal fees after it lost > a > five-year legal battle against US-based computer software supplier > Telcordia. Telkom's costs, which have been estimated by Telcordia at > between > R2 billion and R2.5 billion, represent more than 20 percent of this > financial year's annual profit of R9.3 billion. > > > Telkom's shares dropped 3.7 percent to close at R130 yesterday. The Top 40 > index gained 0.38 percent. Telcordia's lawyer, Lennard Cowan, said > yesterday > that the two companies would now start negotiating the settlement, which > would amount to about R2.5 billion, including legal costs. He said the > negotiations were unlikely to be finalised before the end of December. > > > The group executive for legal services, Anton Klopper, said Telkom was > studying the judgment and evaluating "options regarding the protection of > its rights". "The consequence of the judgment is, among other things, that > the parties will return to and continue with the arbitration proceedings > as > they were prior to Telkom's review application to the high court," said > Klopper. He said the arbitrator had made an interim award that only > addressed certain aspects of the case. This had been effectively upheld by > the judgment of the supreme court of appeal. > > > The remainder of the matter would be dealt with at the upcoming > arbitration > proceedings. Two years ago Telkom estimated its contingent liabilities > from > the Telcordia matter to be $47 million (R340 million at yesterday's > exchange > rate). Telkom said in this year's annual report that in the 2001 financial > year, it had written off R119 million of this investment. It incurred > expenditure of R594 million up to March 2002. > > > Cowan said it was not clear whether Telcordia would set up shop again in > South Africa as it had opened a local office specifically for the Telkom > contract. The appeal court's judgment upheld a 2002 decision by an > international arbitrator, but overturned a 2003 judgment by the Pretoria > high court. The battle started five years ago when Telkom cancelled a > contract with Telcordia, claiming that the state-of-the-art software > applications ordered had not been delivered. > > > Telcordia then lodged a case with an international arbitrator, claiming > $130 > million plus interest at a rate of 15.5 percent a year for money > outstanding > and damages. Telkom reacted by making counterclaims against Telcordia > worth > about $331 million, including for a refund of money already paid to the US > company. The appeal court did not uphold this claim. Telcordia received a > partial ruling in September 2002 from an international arbitrator chosen > by > the two companies. The arbitrator accepted Telcordia's interpretation of > the > contract. But Telkom refused to accept this and applied to the Pretoria > high > court to review the judgment and set aside the partial award. In 2003 the > court ruled in favour of Telkom. But Telcordia then took the matter to the > appeal court, which said the high court had dealt with the matter as an > appeal and not a review, and therefore upheld the international court > award. > This meant Telcordia could recover damages from Telkom because it had > breached the agreement. > > > In this year's annual report, Telkom claimed that it had been approached > by > Telcordia's representatives to consider certain settlement proposals. - > With > additional reporting by Sapa > > > ========================================= > Press > > Telkom has also attracted attention for improperly conducting itself in > contract dispute with Telcordia resulting in a decision from the Supreme > Court of Appeal against its favour in which the Judge described Telkoms > legal team as conducting "verbal manipulation". [3] > > On the 19th January 2007, a full page advertisement was taken out in The > Mail and Guardian, a national South African newspaper. Money for the ad > was > donated by dissatisfied South African individuals and businesses. The page > is used as a public outcry, detailing some of the things Telkom has done > in > hopes of bringing more attention to the current situation in South > Africa's > telecoms industry. The effort was organised by the Telecoms Action Group, > TAG > > ------ End of Forwarded Message > >

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events and conferences
by Rebecca Wanjiku 08 Feb '07

08 Feb '07

if you have any events left out, please fwd to me, Conferences and events International Outsourcing Conference 28 February - 02 March 2007 Country: Nigeria City: Abuja ICANN meeting, Lisbon, Portugal, March 25-29, 2007 AITEC Uganda Exhibition & Conference 18-20 April 2007 Country: Uganda City: Kampala The African CDMA Forum 23-25 April 2007 Country: South Africa City: Johannesburg AITEC Kenya Exhibition & Conference 08-10 May 2007 Country: Kenya City: Nairobi East African Contact Centre Showcase 24-25 May 2007 Country: Kenya City: Nairobi AITEC Ghana Exhibition & Conference 20-22 June 2007 Country: Ghana City: Accra ICANN Meeting June 26-30, 2007 San Juan, Puerto Rico The African VoIP Forum, East Africa 26-28 June 2007 Country: Kenya City: Nairobi African BPO & Contact Centre Conference, Kenya 24-26 July 2007 Country: Kenya City: Nairobi AITEC Tanzania Exhibition & Conference 08-09 August 2007 Country: Tanzania City: Dar Es Salaam African VoIP Forum, West Africa 22-24 August 2007 Country: Nigeria City: Lagos ACT 8: The African Computing & Telecommunications Summit 04-07 September 2007 Country: South Africa City: Cape Town The African BPO & Contact Centre Conference, Mauritius 26-28 September 2007 Country: Mauritius City: The African Banking Technology Conference 17-19 October 2007 Country: Nigeria City: Lagos The African Satellite & Wireless Broadband Conference, East Africa - 2007 23-25 October 2007 Country: Kenya City: Nairobi The African Satellite & Wireless Broadband Conference, West Africa - 2007 12-14 November 2007 Country: Nigeria City: Lagos The Africa-Europe ICT Summit 16-20 July 2008 Country: United Kingdom City: London Rebecca Wanjiku, journalist, p.o box 33515, Nairobi.00600 Kenya. Tel. 254 720 318 925 blog:http://beckyit.blogspot.com/ ____________________________________________________________________________________ Finding fabulous fares is fun. Let Yahoo! FareChase search your favorite travel sites to find flight and hotel bargains. http://farechase.yahoo.com/promo-generic-14795097

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Re: [kictanet] Day 10 of 10: Reconciling Stakeholder Interests
by Eric Osiakwan 08 Feb '07

08 Feb '07

This sounds like a modern day sermon...... If we cant realise this then we loose the opportunity to leverage the last frontier in Societal strength which is the multi-stakeholder power. Eric here ---------- Original Message ---------------------------------- From: <alice(a)apc.org> Reply-To: Kenya ICT Action Network - KICTANet <kictanet(a)kictanet.or.ke> Date: Tue, 6 Feb 2007 09:09:30 +0300 >Sounds like utopia but realisable. In this day and age, no one sector can >deliver the complexities of sustainable development alone. Therefore, >partnerships between government, businesses, civil society and media (what >is referred to as multi stakeholder partnerships) have become a growing >feature world wide. Additionally, the interactions of ICTS with development >and poverty reduction goals are so complex that a range of resources and >competencies need to be brought together to create solutions to specific >challenges. One of the reasons that the UN WSIS process adopted multi >stakeholder process and now others like the ITU are following. >Kenya ICt Action network is based on this philosophy and one of the lessons >we have learnt is that diversity is a reality and it is important to >understand different values, encourage dialogue and integrate views into >joint solutions. And I believe that with the amount of discussions, e-mail >reading, listening, etc we are all in a position to understand and reconcile >our various interests to shape/build consensus. > > >alice > > > >----- Original Message ----- >From: "Michael Joseph" <MJoseph(a)Safaricom.co.ke> >To: <alice(a)apc.org> >Sent: Tuesday, February 06, 2007 7:25 AM >Subject: Re: [kictanet] Day 10 of 10: Reconciling Stakeholder Interests > > >>I think you have done a good job in summing up the objectives of the >> various participants and stakeholders. I think all the objectives can >> and should be met if all parties understood each other's key objectives >> and operating environments (including an understanding of the costs to >> achieve them). I think we have progressed a great deal in the last 4 >> years with operators, the regulator and the Government beginning to >> understand and appreciate each other roles. >> >> To improve matters, more honest dialog with each other in an environment >> where no one is superior to the other, where the "big whips" are packed >> away, and hopefully a new framework in terms of the new ICT bill where >> the roles and expectations of each stakeholder is clearly spelt out. >> >> Sounds like Utopia but that that's my opinion. >> >> Regards, >> >> Michael >> >> CEO >> Safaricom Limited >> >> -----Original Message----- >> From: kictanet-bounces+mjoseph=safaricom.co.ke(a)kictanet.or.ke >> [mailto:kictanet-bounces+mjoseph=safaricom.co.ke@kictanet.or.ke] On >> Behalf Of John Walubengo >> Sent: Monday, February 05, 2007 7:03 PM >> To: Michael Joseph >> Subject: [kictanet] Day 10 of 10: Reconciling Stakeholder Interests >> >> <<<I must stay that the previous theme 'Projected Impact of >> OFC on Stakeholders' has been quite turbulent. We did >> recieve about 20 postings on this theme(during 4 calender >> days) and it has been a challenge trying to sieve through >> them in order to create a brief and reasonable account of >> the issues, proposals and predictions. In the interest of >> moving forward, I would wish to introduce the next theme >> and but will provide the summary of issues in the final >> report.>>>. >> >> In general, the Operators have an obligation to maximize >> profit for their shareholders by virtue of having taken a >> risk and committed funds into a particular line of business >> (OFC included). The Consumer on the other hand will always >> want services at the lowest cost possible (including free >> services). The Regulator is mandated - in part - to >> provide a level playing field for the Operators and a >> protection mechanism for Consumers. Finally, the >> Government's main role would be to improve the livelihoods >> of its citizens e.g. providing essential services, >> conducive policy, legislative and regulatory environment >> for all the stakeholders. >> >> Indeed, the above brings out the automatic tensions that >> come to play because each stakeholder wants to pursue their >> interests which in most cases would be in conflict. E.g. >> Private sector would naturally follow the lowest path to >> profit e.g. charge highly, concentrate in high-income zones >> and recoup their investments in the shortest time possible. >> Nothing illegal with that, but if the Government >> intervention is lacking in such a situtation, then certain >> parts of society (citizenry) would be excluded from >> accessing some of the (essential) services provided by the >> Businesses. On the other hand, forcing Business to provide >> these services to low income communities, or forcing them >> to under-price without compensatory schemes (incentives) >> would be the quickest way to run down the business (denying >> Govts Tax Revenues). >> >>>From the previous theme, it was evident that the current >> status and relationships, particularly between Consumers >> and Operators is not too healthy. Similarly, the existing >> relationship between Govt and the Regulator came into >> question and various models and frameworks for improving on >> these was proposed. Infact, if all things remain constant >> and the OFC was delivered tomorrow, I suspect that the >> tensions between the stakeholders may go a notch higher, >> possibly compouded by intense Operator(with OFC access) vs >> Operator(without OFC access) wars. >> >> How then can these wars be pre-empted? What are the top >> three things, each Stakeholder (Operators, Regulators, >> Consumers and Govt) should do in order to provide a win-win >> situation for everybody in the new OFC dispensation? Two >> days on this conclusive phase...start talking along this >> theme keeping in mind some Netiquette as recommended by the >> list administrator. >> >> walu. >> >> >> >> >> ________________________________________________________________________ >> ____________ >> Never Miss an Email >> Stay connected with Yahoo! Mail on your mobile. Get started! >> http://mobile.yahoo.com/services?promote=mail >> >> _______________________________________________ >> kictanet mailing list >> kictanet(a)kictanet.or.ke >> http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet >> >> Please unsubscribe or change your options at >> http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/mjoseph%40safaricom.co.ke >> The information in this email and any attachments is confidential and may >> be legally privileged. It is intended only for the use of the named >> addressee. >> Emails are susceptible to alteration and their integrity cannot be >> guaranteed. Safaricom Limited does not accept legal responsibility for the >> contents of this email if the same is found to have been altered or >> manipulated. >> The contents and opinions expressed in this email are solely those of the >> author and do not necessarily represent those of Safaricom Limited. >> Safaricom Limited disclaims any liability to the fullest extent >> permissible by law for any consequences that may arise from the contents >> of this email including but not limited to personal opinions, malicious >> and/or defamatory information and data/codes that may compromise or damage >> the integrity of the recipient's information technology systems. >> If you are not the intended recipient please notify the sender and >> immediately delete this email from your system. >> >> _______________________________________________ >> kictanet mailing list >> kictanet(a)kictanet.or.ke >> http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet >> >> Please unsubscribe or change your options at >> http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/alice%40apc.org > > >_______________________________________________ >kictanet mailing list >kictanet(a)kictanet.or.ke >http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > >Please unsubscribe or change your options at http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/ kictanet/eric%40afrispa.org > -- Eric M.K Osiakwan Executive Secretary AfrISPA (www.afrispa.org) Tel: + 233.21.258800 Fax: + 233.21.258811 Cell: + 233.244.386792 Handle: eosiakwan Snail Mail: Pmb 208, Accra-North Office: BusyInternet - 42 Ring Road Central, Accra-North Blog: http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/eric/ Slang: "Tomorrow Now" --

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Fwd: Kenya Telecentre Network Workshop
by chelimo kenneth 08 Feb '07

08 Feb '07

Note: forwarded message attached. --------------------------------- Food fight? Enjoy some healthy debate in the Yahoo! Answers Food & Drink Q&A.

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Fwd: Gorbachev wades into piracy row
by Alex Gakuru 07 Feb '07

07 Feb '07

"Glasnost" open source community. If you anybody would like to have free Ubuntu Desktop installed, see link below http://www.billowsbpo.co.ke/ubuntu.html. Linux has never been this simple and so safe, and it is all free. (so no advertising here) Ubuntu - "Linux for Human Beings" Asante Bw. PS for the freedom of information, I foresee its my uses Gakuru Alex Gakuru <alex.gakuru(a)yahoo.com> wrote: [BBC Online] Gorbachev wades into piracy row Former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev has urged Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates to intercede in a computer piracy case against a Russian headteacher. The plea came in an open letter published on Mr Gorbachev's website. Microsoft representatives in Russia brought the case against Alexander Ponosov, accused of running pirated software on school computers. Russian President Vladimir Putin has also criticised the prosecution of Mr Ponosov, in Perm, east of Moscow. Mr Gorbachev's letter, on the website run by his charitable foundation, said "many people in Russia regard this scandalous case as trumped-up, launched on the initiative of Microsoft corporation to set a precedent". 'Show mercy' "We have great respect for the work of Microsoft's programmers... and are in no way casting doubt on the principle of punishment for intellectual property violations. "However, in this case we ask you to show mercy and withdraw your complaint against Alexander Ponosov," the letter read. Mr Gorbachev said that under Russian criminal law the teacher could face "imprisonment in Siberian camps". The Perm region lies in the Ural Mountains, between Moscow and Siberia. Microsoft accuses the teacher of knowingly using pirated Windows software in the school and causing the company losses put at 266,000 roubles ($10,000; £5,000). Mr Ponosov says he is innocent, that the software had been pre-installed and he did not know it was unlicensed when he obtained the computers. At his news conference on 1 February, President Putin said investigators should "go after the distributors, not the users". "It's ridiculous to just arrest a chap for using computers," he said. < http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/6332441.stm > rgds, Alex Gakuru --------------------------------- Cheap Talk? Check out Yahoo! Messenger's low PC-to-Phone call rates. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] __._,_.___ Messages in this topic (1) Reply (via web post) | Start a new topic Messages | Files | Photos | Links | Database | Polls | Members | Calendar Change settings via the Web (Yahoo! ID required) Change settings via email: Switch delivery to Daily Digest | Switch format to Traditional Visit Your Group | Yahoo! Groups Terms of Use | Unsubscribe Recent Activity 1 New Members Visit Your Group SPONSORED LINKS Kenya safaris Kenya travel Kenya phone card Corporate culture Kenya tanzania safari Yahoo! HotJobs Find the right one Search for jobs across the web Yahoo! Mail Get on board You're invited to try the all-new Mail Beta. Yahoo! Groups Start a group in 3 easy steps. Connect with others. . __,_._,___ --------------------------------- Don't be flakey. Get Yahoo! Mail for Mobile and always stay connected to friends.

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adopt a school
by Rebecca Wanjiku 07 Feb '07

07 Feb '07

Adopting schools It all started with Adopt a light, an ambitious city lighting project. Now, Manu Chandaria, industrialist cum philanthropist wants to apply the same concept in ICTs. Speaking at the ICT for Development opening ceremony, Chandaria challenged Kenyans to adopt schools and make sure they can access computers. You can change the face of your village school. Just go there and donate a computer. You can change the face of Kenya, Chandaria said. He also disclosed that he will finance a digital training centre in Mariakani. The centre will be expected to act as a base to establish digital villages in coastal area. One digital village will cost approximately shs 140,000 (USD 2000). Rebecca Wanjiku, journalist, p.o box 33515, Nairobi.00600 Kenya. Tel. 254 720 318 925 blog:http://beckyit.blogspot.com/ ____________________________________________________________________________________ Get your own web address. Have a HUGE year through Yahoo! Small Business. http://smallbusiness.yahoo.com/domains/?p=BESTDEAL

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yote yawezekana na ICTs
by Rebecca Wanjiku 07 Feb '07

07 Feb '07

Yote yawezekana na ICT. In 1982, Kenya was holding a major conference seeking to bridge the missing link in telephone connectivity. Twenty five years down the line, another major conference- seeking to bridge the digital divide between the rural and urban areas. The ongoing expo, dubbed ICTs for Development, is bringing together people from all sectors and is geared towards improving connectivity and business prospects in rural areas. Information and Communication minister Mutahi Kagwe presided over the opening ceremony and reiterated the governments commitment to improve connectivity and boost business prospects in both rural and urban areas. To underline the governments commitment, Kagwe pointed at the fast tracking of multiple Optic Fibre Cable (OFC) i.e. TEAMS, EASSy and FLAG. The minister promised to speed up implementation of the ICT policy though the draft bill is yet to be published in the Kenya Gazette. Regarding telephone connectivity, the ministry wants to raise the number of users from the current 7.5 m lines to 23 million and raise the number of internet users from the current 1.5 million to 5 million. He commended the print media for highlighting ICTs issues but argued that the media could even play a bigger role. The ministry is organizing an ICT road show that will visit all major towns in the country, and the 210 constituencies. While the minister was quick to challenge the private sector to demystify e-commerce to ordinary men and women, he forgot to mention lack of proper legislation would hamper e-commerce in the country. As the private sector explains about e-commerce as the vehicle to economic recovery, there is need to explain that the same government that is touting ICTs as the savior to our economy is the same government that is dragging its feet on legislation. Whether it is the Attorney Generals responsibility or the ministrys the public assumes they all sing from the same hymn book and they all appreciate the role of ICTs. Yes, yote yawezekana na ICTs! Ends Rebecca Wanjiku, journalist, p.o box 33515, Nairobi.00600 Kenya. Tel. 254 720 318 925 blog:http://beckyit.blogspot.com/ --------------------------------- Get your own web address. Have a HUGE year through Yahoo! Small Business.

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Fwd: [Idlelo2] Permanant Secretary of Kenya speaks about negotiating for cheaper development tools
by Bill Kagai 07 Feb '07

07 Feb '07

---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Derek Keats <dkeats(a)uwc.ac.za> Date: Feb 7, 2007 9:44 AM Subject: [Idlelo2] Permanant Secretary of Kenya speaks about negotiating for cheaper development tools To: Idlelo <idlelo2(a)fossfa.net> I am writing this from the 1st International Conference in Computer Science and Informatics (COSCIT 2007), in Nairobi Kenya. In the opening session, Dr. B. Ndemo, Permanant Secretary in the Kenyan Ministry of Information & Communication, gave a speech about ICT in Kenya. He spent quite a bit of time talking about negotiating a deal with Microsoft to make their software cheaper for Kenyans, including developer tools so that Kenyans could become software developers. The local Microsoft representative was in the audience, naturally. Members of the Microsoft "technical officer" team follow politicians and policy makers around like flies follow sick dogs. She left when the Permanant Secretary left. Apparently, a meeting of many of the computer scientists in Kenya was not important enough for her; certainly not as important as being visible to the Permanant Secretary. When the Permanant Secretary made this pronouncement about these negotiations, completely ignoring all that is happening in Kenya with respect to FOSS, I was shocked and saddened. I wanted to ask why waste time removing impediments to creating Kenyan software developers, when with FOSS we can start immediately. There is nothing to negotiate, the tools are as good or better than the tools for Windows, and there are no barriers to innovation. Java, C, C++, C# Python, .NET, PHP, BASIC, and most other environments are available on GNU/Linux. Why do Kenyans need to waste their money getting permission from Microsoft to use these languages for training software developers? This mystery that is only explainable by the constant lobbying pressure from the "technical officers" and their like. There is absolutely no rational basis for it. The minister is implicitly saying that it is right for Kenya to pay money to Microsoft and create a long-term dependence on them, thus using the Kenyan taxpayer's money to create development opportunities in Redmond Washington, an area of the world that really needs dollars from Kenya. It is clear that Dr. Ndemo does not understand that innovation happens faster when barriers are as few as they can reasonably be. With Free Software, this is the case. With propriteary tools, barriers have to be negotiated, and this limits and inhibits innovation. I wanted to show the Permanant Secretary my Ubuntu desktop, equipped with Free Software development tools for which I need neither permission nor to pay license fees to use, and which I can use immediately, no negotiation required. The Permanant Secretary clearly just doesn't get it. Unfortunately, the session did not have a question peroid, and he left along with the Microsoft lap dog (er, I mean representative) before I could use my own keynote space to show him what Free Software can do. So Kenyans active in FOSS, you have a responsibility, this man is in need of some educating. Please make an appointment, go see him. Show him what you are accomplishing with software Freedom. We need to find a way to balance the lobbying power of Microsoft, so that truth and logic have a reasonable chance of prevailing. cheers Derek All Email originating from UWC is covered by disclaimer http://www.uwc.ac.za/portal/uwc2006/content/mail_disclaimer/index.htm _______________________________________________ Idlelo2 mailing list Idlelo2(a)fossfa.net http://mailman.dst.gov.za/mailman/listinfo/idlelo2

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Re: [kictanet] Day 10 of 10: Reconciling Stakeholder Interests
by Lucy Kimani 06 Feb '07

06 Feb '07

Walu: "What are the top three things, each Stakeholder (Operators, Regulators, Consumers and Govt) should do in order to provide a win-win situation for everybody in the new OFC dispensation?" In my humble opinion and this is of course from a consumer perspective I would list priorities as follows: 1)As was pointed out the Operators, Regulators and Govt have been working closely for the past 4 years, clearly missing was the consumer in this relationship, and this needs to change. I am glad the current discussions have highlighted the need to include the consumer as an important stakeholder in all policy making etc. 2)The consumer association that is yet to be registered for reasons not clear to me needs to be a reality -- The consumer needs a face, so there is an entity to negotiate, partner, and hold the various bodies accountable on behalf of consumers, and the consumers need to know they have an entity that will address their concerns. 3)I am confident I speak for many consumers when I say that we are all looking for quality and affordable telecommunciation services so whatever model the OFC adopts needs to ensure the consumer gets closer to achieving these objectives. LK > <<<I must stay that the previous theme 'Projected Impact of > OFC on Stakeholders' has been quite turbulent. We did > recieve about 20 postings on this theme(during 4 calender > days) and it has been a challenge trying to sieve through > them in order to create a brief and reasonable account of > the issues, proposals and predictions. In the interest of > moving forward, I would wish to introduce the next theme > and but will provide the summary of issues in the final > report.>>>. > > In general, the Operators have an obligation to maximize > profit for their shareholders by virtue of having taken a > risk and committed funds into a particular line of business > (OFC included). The Consumer on the other hand will always > want services at the lowest cost possible (including free > services). The Regulator is mandated - in part - to > provide a level playing field for the Operators and a > protection mechanism for Consumers. Finally, the > Government's main role would be to improve the livelihoods > of its citizens e.g. providing essential services, > conducive policy, legislative and regulatory environment > for all the stakeholders. > > Indeed, the above brings out the automatic tensions that > come to play because each stakeholder wants to pursue their > interests which in most cases would be in conflict. E.g. > Private sector would naturally follow the lowest path to > profit e.g. charge highly, concentrate in high-income zones > and recoup their investments in the shortest time possible. > Nothing illegal with that, but if the Government > intervention is lacking in such a situtation, then certain > parts of society (citizenry) would be excluded from > accessing some of the (essential) services provided by the > Businesses. On the other hand, forcing Business to provide > these services to low income communities, or forcing them > to under-price without compensatory schemes (incentives) > would be the quickest way to run down the business (denying > Govts Tax Revenues). > >>From the previous theme, it was evident that the current > status and relationships, particularly between Consumers > and Operators is not too healthy. Similarly, the existing > relationship between Govt and the Regulator came into > question and various models and frameworks for improving on > these was proposed. Infact, if all things remain constant > and the OFC was delivered tomorrow, I suspect that the > tensions between the stakeholders may go a notch higher, > possibly compouded by intense Operator(with OFC access) vs > Operator(without OFC access) wars. > > How then can these wars be pre-empted? What are the top > three things, each Stakeholder (Operators, Regulators, > Consumers and Govt) should do in order to provide a win-win > situation for everybody in the new OFC dispensation? Two > days on this conclusive phase...start talking along this > theme keeping in mind some Netiquette as recommended by the > list administrator. > > walu. > > > > > ____________________________________________________________________________________ > Never Miss an Email > Stay connected with Yahoo! Mail on your mobile. Get started! > http://mobile.yahoo.com/services?promote=mail

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Internet Society (ISOC) will be forming Regional Policy Advisory Groups
by alice＠apc.org 06 Feb '07

06 Feb '07

If you are interested, please send an email to: rpag-africa(a)isoc.org ar --------------------------------------------------------------------------- http://www.isoc.org/pubpolpillar/RPAG.shtml ISOC to form regional policy advisory groups Call for Expressions of Interest The Internet Society (ISOC) will be forming Regional Policy Advisory Groups (RPAGs) to assist realize one of its key goals, that of further internationalizing its public policy work. An RPAG will be created for each region and will assist ISOC tailor its public policy activities at a regional and global level. The Regional Policy Advisory Groups will comprise a small number of experienced and articulate policy advisor volunteers. The RPAGs' role will be, inter alia, to actively work within ISOC and to provide advice as to the formation of ISOC policy programs and activities in region, identify and engage with influential thinkers and public policy makers as needed, contribute to shaping and supporting the focus and formation of the ISOC Regional Bureaus, and to promote and pursue the policy goals of the Internet Society as per the Strategic Operating Plan (www.isoc.org/isoc/mission/) The Regional Policy Advisory Groups will be managed by ISOC's Policy Director. Each RPAG will comprise individuals selected by the Internet Society from within each region and appointed for a year. The advisory nature of the RPAGs must be emphasized and the RPAGs themselves will have no particular legal standing, etc. The RPAGs will be supported via electronic means, with conference calls and meetings as needed. The RPAGs may be asked to represent ISOC interests’ vis-à-vis policy makers and influencers, and to support, as agreed, Chapter and Bureau activities. Those interested in being considered for a position on a Regional Policy Advisory Group should be recognized policy leaders and be committed to, and comfortable articulating, the principles, values and vision of the Internet Society. The Regional Policy Advisory Groups will be established on a staggered basis. We are currently seeking expressions of interest for two regions, Africa and North America. If you are interested in being considered for either, please respond to the appropriate e-mail address below with CV and cover note: rpag-africa(a)isoc.org rpag-northamerica(a)isoc.org

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Fw: Invitation to a Free Public Lecture on "Global Economic Prospects 2007: Managing the Next Wave of Globalization" on 8th February 2007 at KICC, Aberdares Rm @10.am
by alice＠apc.org 06 Feb '07

06 Feb '07

Global Economic Prospects 2007: Managing the Next Wave of Globalization Presented by the Lead Author Richard Newfarmer Economic Advisor, Trade Department, World Bank Thursday, 8th February, 2007, 10.00am ? 12.00noon Aberdares Room, KICC Imagine a world where developing countries are the key drivers behind global economic growth, where about half or more of the purchasing power of the global economy stems from the developing world, a world where the number of people living on less than $1 a day has fallen from 1.1 billion now to 550 million in 2030. These are the key messages of the Global Economic Prospects 2007: Managing the Next Wave of Globalization?a publication that has a lot of relevance to Kenya?s medium term development strategy, Vision 2030.=

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VRFY TST 1
by Odhiambo WASHINGTON 06 Feb '07

06 Feb '07

VRFY TST. cheers - wash +----------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+ Odhiambo Washington . WANANCHI ONLINE LTD (Nairobi, KE) | wash () WANANCHI ! com . 1ere Etage, Loita Hse, Loita St., | GSM: (+254) 722 743 223 . # 10286, 00100 NAIROBI | GSM: (+254) 733 744 121 . (+254) 020 313 985 - 9 | +---------------------------------+------------------------------------------+ "Oh My God! They killed init! You Bastards!" --from a /. post

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quick test - 20070206 5.15p.m
by John Walubengo 06 Feb '07

06 Feb '07

plse ignore...if O.K. Otherwise I did send a message 30min ago and it hasn't popped up. walu. ____________________________________________________________________________________ Need Mail bonding? Go to the Yahoo! Mail Q&A for great tips from Yahoo! Answers users. http://answers.yahoo.com/dir/?link=list&sid=396546091

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Fwd: REF: CONTRACT: N°410.2 SUPPORT TO ICT SECTOR IN EAST AFRICA - MAURITIUS, MADAGASCAR AND KENYA
by Bill Kagai 06 Feb '07

06 Feb '07

---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Patrice J. Ferriere <pferrier(a)intnet.mu> Date: Feb 6, 2007 3:23 PM Subject: REF: CONTRACT: N°410.2 SUPPORT TO ICT SECTOR IN EAST AFRICA - MAURITIUS, MADAGASCAR AND KENYA To: billkagai(a)gmail.com Sir, Our company has been short-listed by the CDE to carry out the project as referred to above. This project aims at improving the ICT sector of the concerned countries by reinforcing their management capacities, by generalizing the access to freeware use and by creating a flow of partnerships with European companies of the same sector. The project consist selecting in each country from three to five companies of the ICT sector, in analysing them and bringing them some additional training as regards to marketing and sales. Moreover these companies will be able in a second phase to have personalised coaching over a period of one year. This project will offer them the possibility to have access to managerial and technical training and will be able to participate in a program of distribution and utilisation of Open Source applications in the region and also to have the possibility to partner with European companies on the same size. I am actually in Nairobi until the 9th of February 2007, I am at Hotel Heron(2720740<javascript:void(0)>) and will be pleased to meet you any time convenient to you. Best Regards Patrice J. Ferriere Senior Consultant EXS/IBL *( * +230 202-8203 *8 * pferrier(a)intnet.mu *2 * +230 202-8210 *** 10, Dr Ferriere St. Port-Louis ~ Mauritius *) * +230 423-3007 *Disclaimer and confidentiality note:* ------------------------------ This communication is intended solely for the addressee and is confidential. If you are not the intended recipient, any disclosure, copying, distribution or any action taken or omitted to be taken in reliance on it, is prohibited and may be unlawful. If this email contains an attachment, please note the following paragraph: This material has been checked for computer viruses and although none has been found, I cannot guarantee that it is completely free from such problems and do not accept any liability for loss or damage which may be caused. Please therefore check any attachments for viruses before using them on your own equipment. If you do find a computer virus please inform me immediately so that I may take appropriate action. ------------------------------

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Day 10 of 10: Reconciling Stakeholder Interests
by John Walubengo 06 Feb '07

06 Feb '07

<<<I must stay that the previous theme 'Projected Impact of OFC on Stakeholders' has been quite turbulent. We did recieve about 20 postings on this theme(during 4 calender days) and it has been a challenge trying to sieve through them in order to create a brief and reasonable account of the issues, proposals and predictions. In the interest of moving forward, I would wish to introduce the next theme and but will provide the summary of issues in the final report.>>>. In general, the Operators have an obligation to maximize profit for their shareholders by virtue of having taken a risk and committed funds into a particular line of business (OFC included). The Consumer on the other hand will always want services at the lowest cost possible (including free services). The Regulator is mandated - in part - to provide a level playing field for the Operators and a protection mechanism for Consumers. Finally, the Government's main role would be to improve the livelihoods of its citizens e.g. providing essential services, conducive policy, legislative and regulatory environment for all the stakeholders. Indeed, the above brings out the automatic tensions that come to play because each stakeholder wants to pursue their interests which in most cases would be in conflict. E.g. Private sector would naturally follow the lowest path to profit e.g. charge highly, concentrate in high-income zones and recoup their investments in the shortest time possible. Nothing illegal with that, but if the Government intervention is lacking in such a situtation, then certain parts of society (citizenry) would be excluded from accessing some of the (essential) services provided by the Businesses. On the other hand, forcing Business to provide these services to low income communities, or forcing them to under-price without compensatory schemes (incentives) would be the quickest way to run down the business (denying Govts Tax Revenues). >From the previous theme, it was evident that the current status and relationships, particularly between Consumers and Operators is not too healthy. Similarly, the existing relationship between Govt and the Regulator came into question and various models and frameworks for improving on these was proposed. Infact, if all things remain constant and the OFC was delivered tomorrow, I suspect that the tensions between the stakeholders may go a notch higher, possibly compouded by intense Operator(with OFC access) vs Operator(without OFC access) wars. How then can these wars be pre-empted? What are the top three things, each Stakeholder (Operators, Regulators, Consumers and Govt) should do in order to provide a win-win situation for everybody in the new OFC dispensation? Two days on this conclusive phase...start talking along this theme keeping in mind some Netiquette as recommended by the list administrator. walu. ____________________________________________________________________________________ Never Miss an Email Stay connected with Yahoo! Mail on your mobile. Get started! http://mobile.yahoo.com/services?promote=mail

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Re: [Kictanet] Existing/Appropriate Regulatory Models for OFC (2days)
by joseph kihanya 05 Feb '07

05 Feb '07

The regulatory framework I am afraid has to have its background against what is and has become current over the last 15 years or so globally. It can be viewed both at the national level and at the international arena. It is important to note that regulation in telecommunications is a public policy matter for any country. Governments must design and implement regulation based on the needs of a particular country and its peculiar historical or other circumstances, of course tending towards best practices. Telecommunications regulation in the transition from a monopolistic and largely anti- market based approaches to supply of services, to a market based approach in a liberalized era, mandated most governments and hence societies to seek regulatory oversight. This was against an anticipated reduction of oversight given that market forces/ competition was to guide, in the long term, the development of this industry as in others. Consensus appears to be that in the short term-as a guide/ facilitator to liberalization, regulatory bodies were and are required. It is indeed even anticipated that it is in this transitional stage that the regulators will be so busy – for the obvious reasons that the new players may gain dominance very quickly and attain the monopolistic tendencies of the historical operators. Why is regulation in telecommunications important? 1. It authorizes new operators. 2. It removes barriers to entry. 3. It mandates interconnection between players. 4. It oversees the penetration of services in areas that commercial imperatives would not allow or pursue. The objectives of transparent telecommunications regulation are mainly the following; Oversee competitive markets by;  Promoting efficient supply of services.  Ensuring good QOS  Promote advances services  Enable the maintenance of efficient pricing.  Prevent abuse of significant market powers.  Protect consumer rights/privacy rights.  Facilitate interconnection thereby efficient use of telecommunication services.  Oversee the optimal use of the finite radio frequency spectrum. From the foregoing, it is clear that, in the short term at least, most countries, Kenya included have an interest to regulate telecommunications services provision. The question therefore only remains as to whether the OFC is within the ambit of what may be regulated in the industry. Deregulation is a theme that is in play in most jurisdictions that have achieved above optimal competitive markets. The case of the UK under the Communications Act 2003 and the role of OFCOM are in point. Given that there is no direct call for deregulation even under the National ICT policy 2006, it would appear that the strategies suggested at 3.3.1 in relation to information technology infrastructure would entail a fair amount of regulation. This is especially given the fact that despite encouragement of the laying of the infrastructure, only so few options will be available, Indeed, in the OFC case, perhaps 2 will be a lucky option for many for the next 5-10 years or more. Do we then need a regulatory framework? My answer is yes and perhaps for tempering, a hesitant qualifier. Competition laws are likely to be the most fundamental “regulatory framework” for the OFC as indeed for any other services. It is particular to note that even in the UK the Office of Fair Trading and OFCOM share equivalent powers in relation to fostering competition. The CCK will have to; in the very short to medium term translate from the “licenser”- facilitator of entry- primarily- to a serious competition oversight body with sound, quick and efficient determinations. If I am not wrong the only recorded competition determination relates to the cyber-café association- common pricing attempt- I stand to be corrected. Interconnection determinations have been one- Kencell vs TKL ? This will be countered and perhaps also enhanced by an independent competition body- the workings of the anti-monopolies commissioner under the Restrictive Trade Practices Act (Chapter 504 Laws of Kenya), are highly opaque. Other countries, such as Australia have also undergone a transformation from maintaining industry specific competition principles and statutes for the telecommunication sector to an all inclusive co- competition oversight regime in the interim and a sustainable sole competition / regulatory framework for all industries. As such therefore, regulation for the OFC may be through the competition framework under the CA 1998 or the KICT BILL 2006. Complete lack of regulation may therefore not be an option at all. Whatever business model is adopted, the Key question is whether as a country in acute need of the OFC, we would facilitate its provisioning of services within the country without any regard to any oversight of any sort for whatever purpose. At the international level. The WTO and the ITU also anticipate regulatory oversight in telecommunications too and Kenya, being party to these organizations would be hard pressed to provision services without oversight (if that were possible), especially since the OFC will be extra-territorial. I would suggest that a reading of this Reference paper at the WTO would elaborate on this aspect. See www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/serv_e/telecom_e/tel23_e.htm The best regulatory models would for me therefore be within the competition framework. It would be difficult to try and regulate any/the OFC, singularly, as it would also perhaps border on the unconstitutional, there being a bar againts discrimination under our Constitution. Sector specific competition regulation under the CA1998 may work in the meantime but in the long run a clear policy that has a generic definition of what significant market power is, would serve the industry best. Kihanya ----- Original Message ---- From: John Walubengo <jwalu(a)yahoo.com> To: kihanyajn(a)yahoo.com Sent: Wednesday, January 31, 2007 5:45:10 PM Subject: Re: [Kictanet] Day 8 of 10 : - Projected Impact of OFC on the Stakeholders Cool! u r on e-record- we expect something Regulatory from you on or before Day 10. thanx, walu. --- joseph kihanya <kihanyajn(a)yahoo.com> wrote: > Thanks Walu for the discussion moderation. > > I am doing something on the regulatory framework and will > post by day 10. > > On operators I would expect that there woulda be a > reciprocation in price and QOS issues. > I would expect that there would be publicly accessible > interconnection agreements under the non-discriminatory > technology-neutral Open Access principles . > I would also expect that there would have to bea busines > realignment to conform with new entrants at the local > lvel who the operators would indeed agree not to want to > "take over" asa soon asa a ROI looks good. > > > On the regulator, the paradigm shift in allowing > competition and enforcing it would be key.Competition > alone despite all that is siad about it is not known to > benefit consumers largely where duopolies or oligopolies > exits. product and price shadowing takes centre stage and > one is not sure that the alternatives are not > exhorbitant. > > The regulator must also enforce QOS. > > The consumer must be ready for a vibrant market and take > up alternatives that make the best "cents".He /She must > be able to walk out..and perhaps to an > ombudsman(regulator) where QOS is not as per SLA or > other "promises.Whining loudly may help(See South > Africans vs Telkom SA in the Daily News recently) > > Kihanya > > > > ----- Original Message ---- > From: John Walubengo <jwalu(a)yahoo.com> > To: kihanyajn(a)yahoo.com > Sent: Wednesday, January 31, 2007 10:11:24 AM > Subject: [Kictanet] Day 8 of 10 : - Projected Impact of > OFC on the Stakeholders > > > I must thank all for your valuable views shared over the > last two days regarding the previous theme :- what are > the > Best Models for Provisioning submarine OFC. > > Three models seem to have persisted throughout the > discussion, namely, Open Access (EASsy), Private-led > (Flag), and our famous Consortium models. Where Mucheru > mentions separation of Cable ownership from Cable > Management fits in squarely with the Open Access > thinking, > whereby, the investors in the cable (Govt, Public, > Private > Companies) appoint an independent management Agent (at a > fee) to Operate the Cable on their behalf on a > cost-recovery, open access basis. i.e Open to current and > future Operators wishing to connect to the landing points > or invest further in the cable on equal basis). The > cable > becomes an essential service or public good, from where > Operators can compete to offer (other) Services at a > Profit. > > Flag- a Private Investment initiative came in with a > variant model where the cable is –privately owned but > promises to open access to the Landing points - but aims > to maximise returns on the investments made on the cable > infrastructure by reselling capacity at market rates. > They > also aim to play only at the Infrastructure level, rather > than at all levels, namely Infrastructure (cable) and > Services (Network and Application), opting to leave that > to ISPs and ASP(Application Service Providers) > > Nobody really pushed the Consortium model, but probably > Badru did hint strongly for such a model when he > mentioned > that Commercial interest should be let loose to play > dynamically with the market forces. The Consortium model > is where a group of Operators get into a private, closed, > commercial agreement aiming to build, own and operate a > submarine cable with aim of maximising their returns > (profit) in the shortest time possible –social > connotation > notwithstanding. > > And this is where the Consumer has suffered. The > short-terms interests of investors must be balanced > against > the long-term social benefits that would accrue from a > affordable bandwidth provisions. Alex and LK seem to be > voice of the consumer here, urging the Regulator to flex > their muscle – probably now and more in future when the > OFC > is laid-out. > > In all this, the various financing options were not so > pronounced as noted by Michael J. Apart from IPO > recommendation from Kai and Bill, the financing models > (Equity, Debt, etc) has not quite come through and I hope > someone could make comment on that within the remaining > three days as we discuss our next theme:- What is the > likely impact of the above models on the existing > stakeholders (Operators, Regulator and Consumers)? That > is, what do we see as the roles of the above stakeholders > in the new dispensation of the Optical Submarine Cable. > The > efloor is again open and we have two days on this one. > > walu. > Nb: a Face2Face meeting will follow up after this online > discussion where all these issues will be streamlined. > ~~~~~000~~~~~~ > Theme Reminder: > 1) Why OFC (1day) > 2) Existing Business Models for OFC provisioning (2days) > 3) Existing/Appropriate Regulatory Models for OFC (2days) > 4) Best Model (Business+Regulatory) for E. Africans > (2days) > <Ongoing-Open> > 5) Projected Impact on Stakeholders (2days) > <Pending> > 6) Reconciling Stakeholder interests/Conclusions (1day) > <Pending> > > > > > > > ____________________________________________________________________________________ > Looking for earth-friendly autos? > Browse Top Cars by "Green Rating" at Yahoo! Autos' Green > Center. > http://autos.yahoo.com/green_center/ > > _______________________________________________ > kictanet mailing list > kictanet(a)kictanet.or.ke > http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > > Please unsubscribe or change your options at > http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/kihanyajn%40yahoo.com > > > > ____________________________________________________________________________________ > Looking for earth-friendly autos? > Browse Top Cars by "Green Rating" at Yahoo! Autos' Green > Center. > http://autos.yahoo.com/green_center/ > > _______________________________________________ > kictanet mailing list > kictanet(a)kictanet.or.ke > http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > > Please unsubscribe or change your options at > http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/jwalu%40yahoo.com > ____________________________________________________________________________________ Have a burning question? Go to www.Answers.yahoo.com and get answers from real people who know. _______________________________________________ kictanet mailing list kictanet(a)kictanet.or.ke http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet Please unsubscribe or change your options at http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/kihanyajn%40yahoo.com ____________________________________________________________________________________ Cheap talk? Check out Yahoo! Messenger's low PC-to-Phone call rates. http://voice.yahoo.com

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Re: [kictanet] [Kictanet] Existing/Appropriate Regulatory ModelsforOFC (Day 8 Cont'd)
by Wainaina Mungai 05 Feb '07

05 Feb '07

Apologies... 1. The correct link to the ICT consumer story is: http://www.madeinkenya.org/forum_files/forum0207.php . 2. Some consumer responses (graphs) on the impact of liberalisation/privatisation are available at http://www.madeinkenya.org/forum_files/forum0107.php > -------Original Message------- > From: Wainaina Mungai <wainaina(a)madeinkenya.org> > Subject: Re: [kictanet] [Kictanet] Existing/Appropriate Regulatory ModelsforOFC (Day 8 Cont'd) > Sent: 05 Feb '07 14:49 > > Increased participation by NGOs/not-for-profit would be one way to go for consumer-focused engagement. > > My understanding of the trust issues between consumers and other players is that the private sector rightfully pursue what makes them money. They have also fought for consumers and we are enjoying some of the benefits together. However, there are limits to what we should expect of commercial ventures. On the other hand, the government and the regulator have to delicately balance loyalties to all the players. > > The consumer needs: > 1. Education/information {most consumers do not make informed choices on ICT products/services} > 2. An non-governmental/not-for-profit platform for articulating issues (a consumer association or something in that line). > 3. Greater involvement in all ICT policy and implementation processes throgh both their initiative and deliberate involvement by government, regulator and other players. > > ##By consumer, I mean the mwananchi in a market centre in Bondo aka "Wanjiku" who is usually the final consumer. This definition deliberately leaves out service providers who are at a higher level as "consumers". See http://www.madeinkenya.org/forum0207.php for an example of what a small-scale business consumer thinks of ICTs. > > Regards, > > --- > Wainaina Mungai > http://www.madeinkenya.org/forum.php > > SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. > > > > -------Original Message------- > > From: alice(a)apc.org > > Subject: Re: [kictanet] [Kictanet] Existing/Appropriate Regulatory ModelsforOFC (Day 8 Cont'd) > > Sent: 05 Feb '07 09:38 > > > > Hi Alex and all > > > > (Please note that my views/contributions to this debate are personal and do > > not in any way reflect the official view of the CCK) > > > > There is normally quite a lot of tension between commitment and flexibility > > that all governments face when creating and implementing communications > > polices and rules. Primarily government is responsible for developing > > policy, which by extension establishes regulatory authorities which works to > > a mandate set by the legislation. The role of regulatory authorities is > > primarily facilitative it is not its role to provide detailed management of > > the sector and major policy issues should still be decided by government ( > > in the interest of the public read consumers) with operators themselves > > taking care of commercial and operational matters. > > Therefore the independence of a regulator cannot be absolute but it can and > > should operate with the sustained support of the government with which rests > > the ultimate responsibility for the health of the sector by the policies > > governments adopt and implement. > > > > Back to Walu's question "how can/should the Consumers as one of the > > > Key stakeholders engage with the others namely, Regulator, Operator, Govt, > > > in the future dispensation (when OFC has > > > been provisioned?)" > > > > >From a consumer perspective what would be ideal would be to get involved in > > development of consumer protection policies and regulations which would > > provide users with all the information required to make informed choices > > thus deriving benefits from competitive service provisioning. > > The regulators should also aim at maintaining public confidence through > > 1. Implementation of suitable consultation mechanisms > > 2.encouraging good practice by providers as well as provision of > > universal high quality service, > > 3. Ensure all providers are treated fairly while assuring consumers if > > fairness in tariffs transparency in billing as well as opportunity to > > redress poor performance and/or misconduct > > > > All the above and more should ideally be developed into a set of consumer > > affairs guidelines applying to all service providers in all categories, be > > it infrastructure etc and end users. > > > > best > > alice > > > > > > > > > > > > ----- Original Message ----- > > From: "Alex Gakuru" <alex.gakuru(a)yahoo.com> > > To: <alice(a)apc.org> > > Cc: <ke-intenetusers(a)bdix.net> > > Sent: Monday, February 05, 2007 7:14 AM > > Subject: Re: [kictanet] [Kictanet] Existing/Appropriate Regulatory > > ModelsforOFC (Day 8 Cont'd) > > > > > > > Lucy, > > > > > > >not to mention the fact that "independent" regulator is just but a > > > theory, and government >foot prints are all over the place... > > > > > > It was shocking to hear, in contempt of court, they publicly proclaimed > > > that they were not "independent" but just a part of government (at the > > > World Bank breakfast meeting three weeks ago). As far as I know, this > > > contravenes a recent court ruling to the effect that CCK decisions are not > > > tied to government policy. Thus far, CCK is a not a "regulator", perhaps a > > > vested interests, sound proof glass house where consumer cries cannot > > > reach? > > > > > > But welcome to Kenya, and see how our laws are flouted and court played, > > > but when it comes to LICENSES... it is like "god" speaking to sinners. And > > > all the talk about fresh new laws...? > > > > > > When I learnt the poem "who killed Cock Robin" as a child, I had no idea > > > it would make any sense in my grown life. But with the so many official > > > barriers to affordable communication this robin poem > > > <http://www.garden-birds.co.uk/birds/robin.htm> now makes a lot of sense. > > > > > > Have a laughly day. > > > > > > > > > Alex > > > Lucy Kimani <lkimani(a)comnews.co.ke> wrote: > > > Alex, > > > > > > Just to add to what you say below, my take just by observing the various > > > players in the telecom industry these couple of months, as well as the > > > policy makers and those suppossed to be regulating/implementing these > > > policies is that there is too much "conflict of interest" and no wonder > > > the consumer gets a raw deal! > > > > > > - A regulator that is more concerned with keeping the operators happy > > > rather than looking out for the tax payer paying their salaries not to > > > mention the fact that "independent" regulator is just but a theory, and > > > government foot prints are all over the place... > > > - Operators eager to keep the status quo, but in the meantime trying to > > > out do each other to steal, and or maintain the customer base, fighting > > > dirty comes to mind, or is it capitalism at its best? > > > - A government looking to grow the GDP and hopefully looking to lower the > > > bandwidth price in the process, but being pulled in different directions > > > by the various forces and one can only hope they dont wind up carrying the > > > donkey on their backs!!! > > > > > > LK > > > oops! > > >> > > >> ... but seriously there quite a number of underlying issues. But in > > >> short:- > > >> > > >> 1. Regulator - Should begin by establishing a relationship framework with > > >> consumers and multi-located businesses and facilitate them with their own > > >> fibre rollouts- Remember it is cheap and can pass overhead on electric > > >> poles, riverbeds, hills etc especially where big telcos do not find the > > >> business case to do it. Help change "LICENSE" a facilitative piece of > > >> paper not an intimidating obstacle to consumer - affordable > > >> telecommunication. > > >> > > >> 2. Operators - they assist in the operations/management of > > >> consumer-customer owned last mile fibre and/or mash (2.4 and 5.8 GHz) > > >> networks > > >> > > >> 3 Government - Ministry of Information should ensure the wonderful > > >> consumer protection clauses in the ICT policy (and upcoming Information > > >> laws) do not end as relics. The implementation strategy has to be theirs. > > >> So don't ask me :-) > > >> > > >> 4. Everyone - to be honest. > > >> > > >> Briefest I could get. > > >> > > >> /Alex > > >> > > >> John Walubengo wrote: Alex, > > >> > > >> Plse, to avoid information overload, plse give a preamble > > >> (executive summary) of what your links do elaborate in what > > >> I believe would be much detail. > > >> > > >> It will be much, much more helpful in that you would assist > > >> us in internalising the whole idea/model...so back to > > >> Mucheru's qtn. How can/should the Consumers as one of the > > >> Key stakeholders engage with the others namely, Regulator, > > >> Operator, Govt, in the future dispensation (when OFC has > > >> been provisioned?). > > >> > > >> walu. > > >> NB: we shall start on the Closing phase on Monday. I > > >> remembered Kenyans (and other African users?) are not > > >> active internet users on weekends.. > > >> > > >> --- Alex Gakuru wrote: > > >> > > >>> Glad to: > > >>> > > >>> Loss of internet users affects everyone and economic > > >>> retardation, knowledge society, will be washed away, just > > >>> like we lost fibre cable in 1995 see Vohra Speech < > > >>> http://www.isoc.or.ke/speeches/launch_vohra.pdf> > > >>> > > >>> Thus, read my frustrations in the light of the many > > >>> proposals made officially but nothing has ever been done. > > >>> > > >>> > > >>> Synopsis: > > >>> > > >>> 3 things for now maybe more later (if needed.) > > >>> > > >>> 1. Boost IT confidence for otherwise, there will not be > > >>> any market left for business, no e-government, > > >>> information society.... > > >>> > > >>> > > >>> You can find them on > > >>> http://www.sweden.gov.se/sb/d/2156/a/22411 > > >>> > > >>> The two reports are: > > >>> > > >>> - Policy for the IT society - Recommendations from the > > >>> members of the IT > > >>> Policy Strategy Group > > >>> > > >>> An overall document with recommendations on what the > > >>> government should do. > > >>> It includes information from the 2nd report... > > >>> > > >>> - Broadband for growth, innovation and competitiveness > > >>> > > >>> > In April 2004 the Government´s IT Policy Strategy Group > > >>> set up a > > >>> > working group on IT infrastructure and broadband. The > > >>> primary task of > > >>> > the working group has been to support the Strategy > > >>> Group by working, > > >>> > within the framework of a free market, for futureproof, > > >>> accessible, > > >>> > competitionneutral, technologyneutral and coherent > > >>> electronic > > >>> > communications networks, which are capable of meeting > > >>> the challenges > > >>> > of the future. This report summarises the discussions > > >>> and proposals. > > >>> > > >>> > > >>> > > >>> 2. Because Regulator apparently never catchup, then > > >>> establish consumer complaints portal (something like > > >>> http://spokane.bbb.org/) > > >>> - ICT policy provides for consumers to frequently > > >>> their concern areas ( a pity all our labored official > > >>> documents were pulled down and replace with a template at > > >>> www.information.go.ke documents. > > >>> - Consumers register complaints against businesses at > > >>> this portal. When the company addresses the issue, the > > >>> complaint is struck off. governments not allowed to > > >>> transact with business above certain complaints ratio - > > >>> Promotes business ethics. > > >>> - Register members=>Consumer make responsible > > >>> complaints not malicious to their competitors > > >>> > > >>> 3. Regulation. > > >>> > > >>> What is self regulation? > > >>> - A corporate basement corner "self-regulation" desk > > >>> or acceptance to complaints, criticism and accepting the > > >>> impact of one's action to others > > >>> - Regulator will have a "regulatory" job in this > > >>> environment > > >>> - Currently consumer complaints collected by CCK just > > >>> accumulate dust in their archives and this would be a > > >>> good way to measure their performance contracts. > > >>> (Business disputes area addressed in a flash) record. So > > >>> in a way consumers, will "regulate" the Regulator. > > >>> > > >>> This is just a synopsis let me know if it suffices > > >>> > > >>> Alex > > >>> > > >>> Joseph Mucheru wrote: Alex, > > >>> > > >>> I may have missed you post, but have you proposed an > > >>> appropriate > > >>> Consumer/Business/Regulatory structure that you believe > > >>> will work? It would > > >>> help to have an idea of what you are proposing as a > > >>> structure. > > >>> > > >>> Thank you > > >>> > > >>> -- > > >>> Joseph Mucheru > > >>> Executive Director > > >>> mucheru(a)wananchi.com > > >>> > > >>> > From: Alex Gakuru > > >>> > Reply-To: Kenya ICT Action Network - KICTANet > > >>> > Date: Fri, 2 Feb 2007 00:36:43 -0800 (PST) > > >>> > To: > > >>> > Cc: > > >>> > Subject: Re: [kictanet] [Kictanet] Existing/Appropriate > > >>> Regulatory Models for > > >>> > OFC (2days) > > >>> > > > >>> > Kenya has been profusely bleeding internet users. > > >>> > > > >>> > In 2005, we had 1.5 million internet users but in Sept > > >>> 2006, ITU revised the > > >>> > number to 1 million. CCK then urged some of us who > > >>> raised this concern that > > >>> > they disputed the figure and urgently launched an > > >>> Internet users study-census > > >>> > on 01 Nov 2006 at Mbagathi. We were all promised to > > >>> be called back before > > >>> > end December 2006 for study findings. That never > > >>> happened and January just > > >>> > end. > > >>> > > > >>> > Two week ago at the World Bank RCIP meeting at the > > >>> Jacaranda Hotel, the PS in > > >>> > his presentation stated the number of internet users to > > >>> be 1.25 million. > > >>> > > > >>> > Question, Going by the PS data, what could be causing > > >>> internet loss in Kenya? > > >>> > > > >>> > Eight years after CCK was formed and section 23 and 47 > > >>> of the communications > > >>> > act introduced, The Regulator is yet to show 1 > > >>> practical initiative they have > > >>> > ever implemented to protect consumers. Consumer > > >>> protection, it would appear, > > >>> > is petulant and the law is broken without a blink while > > >>> the Regulator embarks > > >>> > on situation containment-management, and life goes on. > > >>> > > > >>> > Is it time for Civil society to divorce itself from > > >>> over engagement on > > >>> > commercial arrangement discussions between government > > >>> and business and > > >>> > re-dedicate itself to serving the voiceless? > > >>> > > > >>> > Will all this fibre talk translate to real consumer > > >>> cost savings or are they > > >>> > just the usual public marketing of the wonderful world > > >>> to come, but as usual > > >>> > just in the future to keep hope high? > > >>> > > > >>> > In the meantime we continue talk on fibre while a third > > >>> of our internet users > > >>> > are lost. > > >>> > > > >>> > Alex Gakuru > > >>> > > > >>> > > > >>> > Rebecca Wanjiku wrote: the question of regulation > > >>> > is tricky but as Kihanya points out, it is going to > > >>> take a lot of > > >>> > consultations and concessions between government and > > >>> other stakeholders if the > > >>> > OFC is to work and serve the intended purposes, > > >>> > > > >>> > True, other countries have deregulated but what do > > >>> you do in a country like > > >>> > say, Kenya where the anti monopolies commissioner is > > >>> not in the fore front of > > >>> > addressing issues, am sure many people on the streets > > >>> may not know the > > >>> > existence of that office. > > >>> > > > >>> > In the article by Roland Alden that Walu has > > >>> recommended, he argues that > > >>> > many African govts have been resistant to change and > > >>> adds that what is needed > > >>> > is regulation liberalization. Maybe thatâ?Ts what is > > >>> needed. > > >>> > > > >>> > But how do we start talking of deregulation when we > > >>> canâ?Tt agree about the > > >>> > Act that will govern some of these issues. > > >>> > > > >>> > I may not be well versed with the law but am sure > > >>> with the technological > > >>> > development, there will arise disputes that were not > > >>> envisaged in our current > > >>> > laws, how do we deal with that within the judicial > > >>> system, we need an ACT > > >>> > Roland further contends that in some cases, > > >>> regulators may have ordered a > > >>> > party to fulfill its part of the bargain, but when it > > >>> failed, the judicial > > >>> > system "rarely provided any meaningful" compensation to > > >>> the aggrieved party. > > >>> > > > >>> > Regulation, deregulation, appropriate law, and am > > >>> sure > > >> === message truncated ===> > > >> _______________________________________________ > > >>> kictanet mailing list > > >>> kictanet(a)kictanet.or.ke > > >>> http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > > >>> > > >>> Please unsubscribe or change your options at > > >> http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/jwalu%40yahoo.com > > >> > > >> > > >> > > >> > > >> ____________________________________________________________________________________ > > >> Bored stiff? Loosen up... > > >> Download and play hundreds of games for free on Yahoo! Games. > > >> http://games.yahoo.com/games/front > > >> > > >> _______________________________________________ > > >> kictanet mailing list > > >> kictanet(a)kictanet.or.ke > > >> http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > > >> > > >> Please unsubscribe or change your options at > > >> http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/alex.gakuru%40yahoo.com > > >> > > >> > > >> > > >> --------------------------------- > > >> Access over 1 million songs - Yahoo! Music > > >> Unlimited._______________________________________________ > > >> kictanet mailing list > > >> kictanet(a)kictanet.or.ke > > >> http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > > >> > > >> Please unsubscribe or change your options at > > >> http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/lkimani%40comnews.co.ke > > > > > > > > > > > > ----------------------------------------- > > > This email was sent using Communicatons Solutions LTD WebMail. > > > " " > > > http://www.accesskenya.com/ > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > > > kictanet mailing list > > > kictanet(a)kictanet.or.ke > > > http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > > > > > > Please unsubscribe or change your options at > > > http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/alex.gakuru%40yahoo.com > > > > > > > > > > > > --------------------------------- > > > Everyone is raving about the all-new Yahoo! Mail beta. > > > > > > -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- > > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > > > kictanet mailing list > > > kictanet(a)kictanet.or.ke > > > http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > > > > > > Please unsubscribe or change your options at > > > http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/alice%40apc.org > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > > kictanet mailing list > > kictanet(a)kictanet.or.ke > > http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > > > > Please unsubscribe or change your options at http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/wainaina%40madeinkenya.org > > >

1 0

Re: [kictanet] [Kictanet] Existing/Appropriate Regulatory ModelsforOFC (Day 8 Cont'd)
by Wainaina Mungai 05 Feb '07

05 Feb '07

Increased participation by NGOs/not-for-profit would be one way to go for consumer-focused engagement. My understanding of the trust issues between consumers and other players is that the private sector rightfully pursue what makes them money. They have also fought for consumers and we are enjoying some of the benefits together. However, there are limits to what we should expect of commercial ventures. On the other hand, the government and the regulator have to delicately balance loyalties to all the players. The consumer needs: 1. Education/information {most consumers do not make informed choices on ICT products/services} 2. An non-governmental/not-for-profit platform for articulating issues (a consumer association or something in that line). 3. Greater involvement in all ICT policy and implementation processes throgh both their initiative and deliberate involvement by government, regulator and other players. ##By consumer, I mean the mwananchi in a market centre in Bondo aka "Wanjiku" who is usually the final consumer. This definition deliberately leaves out service providers who are at a higher level as "consumers". See http://www.madeinkenya.org/forum0207.php for an example of what a small-scale business consumer thinks of ICTs. Regards, --- Wainaina Mungai http://www.madeinkenya.org/forum.php SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. > -------Original Message------- > From: alice(a)apc.org > Subject: Re: [kictanet] [Kictanet] Existing/Appropriate Regulatory ModelsforOFC (Day 8 Cont'd) > Sent: 05 Feb '07 09:38 > > Hi Alex and all > > (Please note that my views/contributions to this debate are personal and do > not in any way reflect the official view of the CCK) > > There is normally quite a lot of tension between commitment and flexibility > that all governments face when creating and implementing communications > polices and rules. Primarily government is responsible for developing > policy, which by extension establishes regulatory authorities which works to > a mandate set by the legislation. The role of regulatory authorities is > primarily facilitative it is not its role to provide detailed management of > the sector and major policy issues should still be decided by government ( > in the interest of the public read consumers) with operators themselves > taking care of commercial and operational matters. > Therefore the independence of a regulator cannot be absolute but it can and > should operate with the sustained support of the government with which rests > the ultimate responsibility for the health of the sector by the policies > governments adopt and implement. > > Back to Walu's question "how can/should the Consumers as one of the > > Key stakeholders engage with the others namely, Regulator, Operator, Govt, > > in the future dispensation (when OFC has > > been provisioned?)" > > >From a consumer perspective what would be ideal would be to get involved in > development of consumer protection policies and regulations which would > provide users with all the information required to make informed choices > thus deriving benefits from competitive service provisioning. > The regulators should also aim at maintaining public confidence through > 1. Implementation of suitable consultation mechanisms > 2.encouraging good practice by providers as well as provision of > universal high quality service, > 3. Ensure all providers are treated fairly while assuring consumers if > fairness in tariffs transparency in billing as well as opportunity to > redress poor performance and/or misconduct > > All the above and more should ideally be developed into a set of consumer > affairs guidelines applying to all service providers in all categories, be > it infrastructure etc and end users. > > best > alice > > > > > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Alex Gakuru" <alex.gakuru(a)yahoo.com> > To: <alice(a)apc.org> > Cc: <ke-intenetusers(a)bdix.net> > Sent: Monday, February 05, 2007 7:14 AM > Subject: Re: [kictanet] [Kictanet] Existing/Appropriate Regulatory > ModelsforOFC (Day 8 Cont'd) > > > > Lucy, > > > > >not to mention the fact that "independent" regulator is just but a > > theory, and government >foot prints are all over the place... > > > > It was shocking to hear, in contempt of court, they publicly proclaimed > > that they were not "independent" but just a part of government (at the > > World Bank breakfast meeting three weeks ago). As far as I know, this > > contravenes a recent court ruling to the effect that CCK decisions are not > > tied to government policy. Thus far, CCK is a not a "regulator", perhaps a > > vested interests, sound proof glass house where consumer cries cannot > > reach? > > > > But welcome to Kenya, and see how our laws are flouted and court played, > > but when it comes to LICENSES... it is like "god" speaking to sinners. And > > all the talk about fresh new laws...? > > > > When I learnt the poem "who killed Cock Robin" as a child, I had no idea > > it would make any sense in my grown life. But with the so many official > > barriers to affordable communication this robin poem > > <http://www.garden-birds.co.uk/birds/robin.htm> now makes a lot of sense. > > > > Have a laughly day. > > > > > > Alex > > Lucy Kimani <lkimani(a)comnews.co.ke> wrote: > > Alex, > > > > Just to add to what you say below, my take just by observing the various > > players in the telecom industry these couple of months, as well as the > > policy makers and those suppossed to be regulating/implementing these > > policies is that there is too much "conflict of interest" and no wonder > > the consumer gets a raw deal! > > > > - A regulator that is more concerned with keeping the operators happy > > rather than looking out for the tax payer paying their salaries not to > > mention the fact that "independent" regulator is just but a theory, and > > government foot prints are all over the place... > > - Operators eager to keep the status quo, but in the meantime trying to > > out do each other to steal, and or maintain the customer base, fighting > > dirty comes to mind, or is it capitalism at its best? > > - A government looking to grow the GDP and hopefully looking to lower the > > bandwidth price in the process, but being pulled in different directions > > by the various forces and one can only hope they dont wind up carrying the > > donkey on their backs!!! > > > > LK > > oops! > >> > >> ... but seriously there quite a number of underlying issues. But in > >> short:- > >> > >> 1. Regulator - Should begin by establishing a relationship framework with > >> consumers and multi-located businesses and facilitate them with their own > >> fibre rollouts- Remember it is cheap and can pass overhead on electric > >> poles, riverbeds, hills etc especially where big telcos do not find the > >> business case to do it. Help change "LICENSE" a facilitative piece of > >> paper not an intimidating obstacle to consumer - affordable > >> telecommunication. > >> > >> 2. Operators - they assist in the operations/management of > >> consumer-customer owned last mile fibre and/or mash (2.4 and 5.8 GHz) > >> networks > >> > >> 3 Government - Ministry of Information should ensure the wonderful > >> consumer protection clauses in the ICT policy (and upcoming Information > >> laws) do not end as relics. The implementation strategy has to be theirs. > >> So don't ask me :-) > >> > >> 4. Everyone - to be honest. > >> > >> Briefest I could get. > >> > >> /Alex > >> > >> John Walubengo wrote: Alex, > >> > >> Plse, to avoid information overload, plse give a preamble > >> (executive summary) of what your links do elaborate in what > >> I believe would be much detail. > >> > >> It will be much, much more helpful in that you would assist > >> us in internalising the whole idea/model...so back to > >> Mucheru's qtn. How can/should the Consumers as one of the > >> Key stakeholders engage with the others namely, Regulator, > >> Operator, Govt, in the future dispensation (when OFC has > >> been provisioned?). > >> > >> walu. > >> NB: we shall start on the Closing phase on Monday. I > >> remembered Kenyans (and other African users?) are not > >> active internet users on weekends.. > >> > >> --- Alex Gakuru wrote: > >> > >>> Glad to: > >>> > >>> Loss of internet users affects everyone and economic > >>> retardation, knowledge society, will be washed away, just > >>> like we lost fibre cable in 1995 see Vohra Speech < > >>> http://www.isoc.or.ke/speeches/launch_vohra.pdf> > >>> > >>> Thus, read my frustrations in the light of the many > >>> proposals made officially but nothing has ever been done. > >>> > >>> > >>> Synopsis: > >>> > >>> 3 things for now maybe more later (if needed.) > >>> > >>> 1. Boost IT confidence for otherwise, there will not be > >>> any market left for business, no e-government, > >>> information society.... > >>> > >>> > >>> You can find them on > >>> http://www.sweden.gov.se/sb/d/2156/a/22411 > >>> > >>> The two reports are: > >>> > >>> - Policy for the IT society - Recommendations from the > >>> members of the IT > >>> Policy Strategy Group > >>> > >>> An overall document with recommendations on what the > >>> government should do. > >>> It includes information from the 2nd report... > >>> > >>> - Broadband for growth, innovation and competitiveness > >>> > >>> > In April 2004 the Government´s IT Policy Strategy Group > >>> set up a > >>> > working group on IT infrastructure and broadband. The > >>> primary task of > >>> > the working group has been to support the Strategy > >>> Group by working, > >>> > within the framework of a free market, for futureproof, > >>> accessible, > >>> > competitionneutral, technologyneutral and coherent > >>> electronic > >>> > communications networks, which are capable of meeting > >>> the challenges > >>> > of the future. This report summarises the discussions > >>> and proposals. > >>> > >>> > >>> > >>> 2. Because Regulator apparently never catchup, then > >>> establish consumer complaints portal (something like > >>> http://spokane.bbb.org/) > >>> - ICT policy provides for consumers to frequently > >>> their concern areas ( a pity all our labored official > >>> documents were pulled down and replace with a template at > >>> www.information.go.ke documents. > >>> - Consumers register complaints against businesses at > >>> this portal. When the company addresses the issue, the > >>> complaint is struck off. governments not allowed to > >>> transact with business above certain complaints ratio - > >>> Promotes business ethics. > >>> - Register members=>Consumer make responsible > >>> complaints not malicious to their competitors > >>> > >>> 3. Regulation. > >>> > >>> What is self regulation? > >>> - A corporate basement corner "self-regulation" desk > >>> or acceptance to complaints, criticism and accepting the > >>> impact of one's action to others > >>> - Regulator will have a "regulatory" job in this > >>> environment > >>> - Currently consumer complaints collected by CCK just > >>> accumulate dust in their archives and this would be a > >>> good way to measure their performance contracts. > >>> (Business disputes area addressed in a flash) record. So > >>> in a way consumers, will "regulate" the Regulator. > >>> > >>> This is just a synopsis let me know if it suffices > >>> > >>> Alex > >>> > >>> Joseph Mucheru wrote: Alex, > >>> > >>> I may have missed you post, but have you proposed an > >>> appropriate > >>> Consumer/Business/Regulatory structure that you believe > >>> will work? It would > >>> help to have an idea of what you are proposing as a > >>> structure. > >>> > >>> Thank you > >>> > >>> -- > >>> Joseph Mucheru > >>> Executive Director > >>> mucheru(a)wananchi.com > >>> > >>> > From: Alex Gakuru > >>> > Reply-To: Kenya ICT Action Network - KICTANet > >>> > Date: Fri, 2 Feb 2007 00:36:43 -0800 (PST) > >>> > To: > >>> > Cc: > >>> > Subject: Re: [kictanet] [Kictanet] Existing/Appropriate > >>> Regulatory Models for > >>> > OFC (2days) > >>> > > >>> > Kenya has been profusely bleeding internet users. > >>> > > >>> > In 2005, we had 1.5 million internet users but in Sept > >>> 2006, ITU revised the > >>> > number to 1 million. CCK then urged some of us who > >>> raised this concern that > >>> > they disputed the figure and urgently launched an > >>> Internet users study-census > >>> > on 01 Nov 2006 at Mbagathi. We were all promised to > >>> be called back before > >>> > end December 2006 for study findings. That never > >>> happened and January just > >>> > end. > >>> > > >>> > Two week ago at the World Bank RCIP meeting at the > >>> Jacaranda Hotel, the PS in > >>> > his presentation stated the number of internet users to > >>> be 1.25 million. > >>> > > >>> > Question, Going by the PS data, what could be causing > >>> internet loss in Kenya? > >>> > > >>> > Eight years after CCK was formed and section 23 and 47 > >>> of the communications > >>> > act introduced, The Regulator is yet to show 1 > >>> practical initiative they have > >>> > ever implemented to protect consumers. Consumer > >>> protection, it would appear, > >>> > is petulant and the law is broken without a blink while > >>> the Regulator embarks > >>> > on situation containment-management, and life goes on. > >>> > > >>> > Is it time for Civil society to divorce itself from > >>> over engagement on > >>> > commercial arrangement discussions between government > >>> and business and > >>> > re-dedicate itself to serving the voiceless? > >>> > > >>> > Will all this fibre talk translate to real consumer > >>> cost savings or are they > >>> > just the usual public marketing of the wonderful world > >>> to come, but as usual > >>> > just in the future to keep hope high? > >>> > > >>> > In the meantime we continue talk on fibre while a third > >>> of our internet users > >>> > are lost. > >>> > > >>> > Alex Gakuru > >>> > > >>> > > >>> > Rebecca Wanjiku wrote: the question of regulation > >>> > is tricky but as Kihanya points out, it is going to > >>> take a lot of > >>> > consultations and concessions between government and > >>> other stakeholders if the > >>> > OFC is to work and serve the intended purposes, > >>> > > >>> > True, other countries have deregulated but what do > >>> you do in a country like > >>> > say, Kenya where the anti monopolies commissioner is > >>> not in the fore front of > >>> > addressing issues, am sure many people on the streets > >>> may not know the > >>> > existence of that office. > >>> > > >>> > In the article by Roland Alden that Walu has > >>> recommended, he argues that > >>> > many African govts have been resistant to change and > >>> adds that what is needed > >>> > is regulation liberalization. Maybe thatâ?Ts what is > >>> needed. > >>> > > >>> > But how do we start talking of deregulation when we > >>> canâ?Tt agree about the > >>> > Act that will govern some of these issues. > >>> > > >>> > I may not be well versed with the law but am sure > >>> with the technological > >>> > development, there will arise disputes that were not > >>> envisaged in our current > >>> > laws, how do we deal with that within the judicial > >>> system, we need an ACT > >>> > Roland further contends that in some cases, > >>> regulators may have ordered a > >>> > party to fulfill its part of the bargain, but when it > >>> failed, the judicial > >>> > system "rarely provided any meaningful" compensation to > >>> the aggrieved party. > >>> > > >>> > Regulation, deregulation, appropriate law, and am > >>> sure > >> === message truncated ===> > >> _______________________________________________ > >>> kictanet mailing list > >>> kictanet(a)kictanet.or.ke > >>> http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > >>> > >>> Please unsubscribe or change your options at > >> http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/jwalu%40yahoo.com > >> > >> > >> > >> > >> ____________________________________________________________________________________ > >> Bored stiff? Loosen up... > >> Download and play hundreds of games for free on Yahoo! Games. > >> http://games.yahoo.com/games/front > >> > >> _______________________________________________ > >> kictanet mailing list > >> kictanet(a)kictanet.or.ke > >> http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > >> > >> Please unsubscribe or change your options at > >> http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/alex.gakuru%40yahoo.com > >> > >> > >> > >> --------------------------------- > >> Access over 1 million songs - Yahoo! Music > >> Unlimited._______________________________________________ > >> kictanet mailing list > >> kictanet(a)kictanet.or.ke > >> http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > >> > >> Please unsubscribe or change your options at > >> http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/lkimani%40comnews.co.ke > > > > > > > > ----------------------------------------- > > This email was sent using Communicatons Solutions LTD WebMail. > > " " > > http://www.accesskenya.com/ > > > > _______________________________________________ > > kictanet mailing list > > kictanet(a)kictanet.or.ke > > http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > > > > Please unsubscribe or change your options at > > http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/alex.gakuru%40yahoo.com > > > > > > > > --------------------------------- > > Everyone is raving about the all-new Yahoo! 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email courtesy
by Rebecca Wanjiku 05 Feb '07

05 Feb '07

i am glad that the discussions are passionate, they underline a desire to change and move the industry forward, but some of the emails are bordering on insults and this forum is open to everybody, whether they are right wrong, well-connected, not- so- well- connected and the discconected. whether in government, private sector or academia, everyone is free to contribute to the list without feeling like their comments will make them get crucified or hung out to dry, yes, there is freedom of information, expression, which we all uphold, but let us also have the freedom to let others enjoy the space, we welcome all opinions, leftists or rightists, bring them on.....minus the insults... make the point, no name calling, hope this is ok with everybody, regards becky Rebecca Wanjiku, journalist, p.o box 33515, Nairobi.00600 Kenya. Tel. 254 720 318 925 blog:http://beckyit.blogspot.com/ --------------------------------- TV dinner still cooling? Check out "Tonight's Picks" on Yahoo! TV.

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Banking Technology Conference
by Fiona Asonga 05 Feb '07

05 Feb '07

Hi Judy I would like to attend the Banking Conference and get the KICTANET free registration; I hope I am not too late. Fiona Asonga Administrator Telecommunications Service Providers Association of Kenya (TESPOK) P.O Box 27589 – 00506 NAIROBI Tel: +254 20 245036 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------- From: Sean Moroney To: bksang(a)education.go.ke Sent: Thursday, February 01, 2007 5:20 PM Subject: [kictanet] African Banking Technology Conference Dear Colleagues, I wanted to invite Kictanet members to participate in our Banking Technology Conference by taking advantage of the 20 free delegate spaces we allocate for members at each of our Kenya events. The full programme is available on our web site. Please notify Judy if you would like to apply for a free registration. I look forward to seeing Kictanet members there - and to having your active participation in the discussions. Best regards, Sean Sean Moroney Chairman AITEC Africa seanm(a)aitecafrica.com UK Tel: +44-(0)1480-880774 UK Fax: +44-(0)1480-880765 UK Mobile: +44(0)7973-499224 Kenya Mobile: +254(0)721-845674 Nigeria Mobile: +234(0)802--0571766 SA Mobile: +27(0)72-610-7153 Skype: seanmoroney www.aitecafrica.com -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.432 / Virus Database: 268.17.19/663 - Release Date: 2/1/2007 2:28 PM

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