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PC Tech Magazine Volume 2 Issue One (February 2011) full download now available
by Albert Mucunguzi 08 Feb '11

08 Feb '11

Dear All, We are pleased to inform you that the new volume of PC Tech Magazine is out, and a copy has been uploaded on our website for FREE download. This time, no limits to number of downloads. We have tweaked the design a little. For those familiar with previous editions, this is more like at freshly painted version. Believe me, this is our best, so far. There are two uploads available: High Resolution (35.88 MB): http://goo.gl/IvsEc Low Resolution (6.73 MB):http://goo.gl/sG5f4 If you would like to order copies of the print version, click the link below to place your order. Delivery within Kampala is FREE. http://www.pctechmagazine.com/component/jforms/1/63?view=form Thank you and see you all next month! Regards, Albert MucunguziPC Tech Magazine,P. O. Box 32180,Kampala,UgandaEmail: ed(a)pctechmagazine.comWebsite: http://www.albertmucunguzi.com http://www.pctechmagazine.com

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KENIC registration servers down
by lordmwesh 08 Feb '11

08 Feb '11

The KENIC domain registration server seems to be down to night. Any explanations? On 08/02/2011, robert yawe <robertyawe(a)yahoo.co.uk> wrote: > Brilliant, now to find a good use for this like traffic alerts and a query > facility. > > Regards > Robert Yawe > KAY System Technologies Ltd > Phoenix House, 6th Floor > P O Box 55806 Nairobi, 00200 > Kenya > > > Tel: +254722511225, +254202010696 > > > > > ________________________________ > From: Norman Boinett <nboinett(a)gmail.com> > To: robertyawe(a)yahoo.co.uk > Cc: kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke > Sent: Mon, 7 February, 2011 14:17:43 > Subject: [kictanet] Bringing Sanity Back to our Roads > > I came across this site Overlap.co.ke ( #overlapKE ) posted by Bankelele I > think it is a great idea and it definitely needs our support. it helps rank > serial over-lappers it also points out over-lapping hot-spots. > > > -- ______________________ twitter.com/lordmwesh transworldAfrica.com <http://transworldafrica.com/> | Fluent in computing kenya.or.ke | The Kenya we know

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Bringing Sanity Back to our Roads
by Norman Boinett 08 Feb '11

08 Feb '11

I came across this site Overlap.co.ke <http://www.overlap.co.ke/> ( #overlapKE ) posted by Bankelele I think it is a great idea and it definitely needs our support. it helps rank serial over-lappers it also points out over-lapping hot-spots.

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Government Contact Centre
by robert yawe 08 Feb '11

08 Feb '11

During the Prime Ministers round table meeting with the private sector last year which was then followed with a meeting with the permanent secretary in the prime ministers office concerning a government contact centre it was agreed by the prime minister that this should be effected. Can the relevant responsible person please give a status on this as during the Competitive Partnership Initiative conference none of the government officials present had a response to this question. Regards Robert Yawe KAY System Technologies Ltd Phoenix House, 6th Floor P O Box 55806 Nairobi, 00200 Kenya Tel: +254722511225, +254202010696

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Mobile data: comparison of Kenya mobile operators
by Harry Hare 08 Feb '11

08 Feb '11

Interesting read http://bit.ly/e9PHp0 Kindest Regards Harry Hare Director eDevelopment House : : 604 Limuru Road Old Muthaiga : : P O Box 49475 00100 Nairobi : : Kenya T +254 20 3741646/7 : : C +254 725 650044 Training : : Research: :Consultancy: : Publishing

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KICTB Updates or lack thereof
by Edwin Onchari 07 Feb '11

07 Feb '11

Listers, At the risk of no longer being invited to participate in events organized by the agency, it has been quite interesting to note that despite many queries on updates on EOIs issued by the KICTB, there seems to be very few updates on the progress of such. A case in point is the "EXPRESSION OF INTEREST (EOI) FOR CONSULTANCY SERVICES ON INTERNATIONAL IT INVESTMENT AND OUTSOURCING COUNTRY POSITIONING"- a subject that is critical to my organization and many in this forum. Myself and others have been asking whatever happened to this as there is very little communication around it. Was this EOI cancelled, awarded? It is interesting to note that despite the fact that KICTB is the ICT champion Kenya (with budgets), little information is available even on their website! I guess we'll keep wondering. My thoughts, Edwin

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Re: [kictanet] Bringing Sanity Back to our Roads
by andrea.bohnstedt＠ratio-magazine.com 07 Feb '11

07 Feb '11

Yes, it's impunity at every level, and also precisely the reason why even the prettiest new constitution won't make a blind bit of difference unless enforced - or observed. And plenty of us are probably drivers. -----Original Message----- From: godera(a)skyweb.co.ke Sent: 07/02/2011, 16:11 To: Andrea Bohnstedt Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions Subject: Re: [kictanet] Bringing Sanity Back to our Roads Andrea, It is simply impunity- period. As long as no action is taken on such rogues, no amount of education will help them. All we need is law enforcement in every single aspect of our daily lives. Question is how to make the law enforcers enforce the law. Gilda Quoting Andrea Bohnstedt <andrea.bohnstedt(a)ratio-magazine.com>: > 'Overlapping' happens absolutely everywhere. By matatus, by big buses, by > taxis, by normal drivers, by people in posh four-wheel drives. A four-wheel > drive with a diplomatic number plate squeezed past me yesterday whilst the > driver was on the phone no less. > > I had a four-wheel drive and a matatu literally (and I mean literally) in > the back of my knees walking my dog to the vet. On the pavement. A policeman > stood around the corner dreamily staring into a bush. > > I think the name-and-shame approach is a start - because everything else > looks so hopeless: Part of Nairobi's nightmare traffic could be resolved if > everyone were either a bit more willing to obey traffic rules and consider > the life and health of their fellow citizens, or if the traffic police > enforced rule-abiding behaviour rather than shake everyone down for a bribe > and then let them do the same thing again. > > In addition, I'd love a public education campaign on the basics of driving. > E.e. some explanation of what a slip road is (to slip into traffic, not to > crouch at the beginning, and then fling yourself across several lanes like > the metaphorical lemming with a death wish), that the use of an indicator is > ever so helpful for anyone behind you because it actually indicates where > you're going, ...... > > I'd like a matatu/bus lane only to be used by matatus/buses - but they > mustn't leave it. > > I'd like each matatu to have a number to clearly identify it, and a central > register where you can report them. Yeah, I know, funny. > > Does anyone have any better ideas? > > > On 7 February 2011 14:43, Francis Hook <francis.hook(a)gmail.com> wrote: > > > With all due respect to the developers/promoters of this, I do not get it. > > > > 1 - overlapping - We all know where motorists tend to overlap (Waiyaki Way > > from Lion place all the way to Old Safaricom house, Lower Kabete Road near > > Sarit Centre, the deceleration lane after brookside drive, etc) - that > > remains constant given the fixed nature of roads. How does this help? > > 2 - Speeding - this is a variable in the sense that it has nothing to do > > with location rather the driver and the time of day and traffic > conditions. > > It may happen along the 200 stretch of road outside the Mall/Bus stage - > or > > it may happen between kangemi and ABC Place - again, how is this useful? > > 3 - How to Report > > > > 1. By sending an email toalert(a)overlap.co.ke > > 2. By sending a tweet with the hashtag/s*overlapKE* > > 3. By filling this form <http://www.overlap.co.ke/reports/submit/> > > > > > > I do not think I need to explain - perhaps a passenger can take their eyes > > off the road to key in this info but a driver SHOULD not - and if its not > > real time info, then its no good. > > > > 4 - Defective/unroadworthy car - I'd rather have real time info on serious > > accidents (trailer lying across the road from 0900....or road closed for > > construction/etc etc - that unroadworthy car will move off the road or get > > towed eventually.... > > > > > > As a tax payer, one thing I would not mind seeing is reports of GK > vehicles > > being driven after hours or on the weekend (at least for any whistle > blowing > > value that may have). Also car jacking black spots. > > > > I also have concerns on how the reporting is moderated - what is to stop > > someone submitting false information. I recall pointing out this > > particular aspect to one of the developers/founders of Ushahidi - esp any > > affect that may have had on perpetrating PEV and helping the mobs know > where > > to avoid or where to go... > > > > > > > > > > > > On 7 February 2011 14:17, Norman Boinett <nboinett(a)gmail.com> wrote: > > > >> I came across this site Overlap.co.ke <http://www.overlap.co.ke/> ( > >> #overlapKE ) posted by Bankelele I think it is a great idea and it > >> definitely needs our support. it helps rank serial over-lappers it also > >> points out over-lapping hot-spots. > >> > >> > >> > >> _______________________________________________ > >> kictanet mailing list > >> kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke > >> http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > >> > >> This message was sent to: francis.hook(a)gmail.com > >> Unsubscribe or change your options at > >> > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/francis.hook%40gmail.c… > >> > >> > > > > > > -- > > Francis Hook > > +254 733 504561 > > > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > > kictanet mailing list > > kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke > > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > > > > This message was sent to: andrea.bohnstedt(a)ratio-magazine.com > > Unsubscribe or change your options at > > > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/andrea.bohnstedt%40rat… > > > > > > > -- > Andrea Bohnstedt <http://ke.linkedin.com/in/andreabohnstedt> > Publisher > +254 720 960 322 > > www.ratio-magazine.com > Find/post East Africa > careers<http://www.ratio-magazine.com/careers/index.php> > Find/post conferences, workshops, trainings, other business > events<http://www.ratio-magazine.com/businessevents/index.php> > ------------------------------------------------- This mail sent through IMP: http://horde.org/imp/

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Re: [kictanet] Bringing Sanity Back to our Roads
by Matunda Nyanchama 07 Feb '11

07 Feb '11

Without effective deterrence, driver education is meaningless! Greed (including meaningless greed!) prevails. We need a carrot and stick approach! In Europe & North America they tie one's driving record to insurance premiums; traffic violations (based on severity) add up to demerit points; the more one has the higher the insurance premiums - the stick! A good driving records helps save on premiums - the carrot! Here is what I wrote back in the 1990s (Road Accidents in Kenya - Some Thoughts); things seem to have worsened since then, despite the flip in improvement under Michuki. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Matunda Nyanchama, PhD, CISSP; mnyanchama(a)aganoconsulting.com Agano Consulting Inc.; www.aganoconsulting.com ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Be prepared to face ICT Security failures & know how to respond when they happen! Call: +1-888-587-1150 or info(a)aganoconsulting.com ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "A bus station is where a bus stops. A train station is where a train stops. On my desk I have a workstation…" - Anonymous ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This e-mail, including attachments, may be privileged and may contain confidential or proprietary information intended only for the addressee(s). Any other distribution, copying, use, or disclosure is unauthorized and strictly prohibited. If you have received this message in error, please notify the sender immediately by reply e-mail and permanently delete the message, including any attachments, without making a copy. Thank you.

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Country Domain Names Becoming Source of Revenue
by Alice Munyua 07 Feb '11

07 Feb '11

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/07/technology/07dotco.html Country Domain Names Becoming Source of Revenue By ERIC PFANN <http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/people/p/eric_pfanner/i…> The keystroke-saving shortcut is possible because the government of Montenegro makes its “country code top-level domain” — the .me suffix — available to commercial and private Internet users, for a fee. Facebook and other companies have snapped up such addresses to help draw more users to their sites — or to prevent rivals from doing so. The sale of country codes by governments that got lucky when the endings were allocated, securing two-letter combinations that double as widely recognized words or symbols, is not new. The island nation of Tuvalu, for example, has sold its code, .tv, for more than a decade. With a few exceptions, Internet addresses that end with country codes have failed to catch on with consumers, and .com remains the suffix of choice for marketers seeking to establish their Web credentials. But now companies that market country codes like .me, .tv and .co, for Colombia, are stepping up their efforts to sell them worldwide. “The opportunity for us is to become the platform of choice for entrepreneurs around the world,” said Juan Diego Calle, chief executive of .CO Internet, a Miami-based company that operates the .co registry under license from the Colombian government. “To do that, we want to build massive awareness.” One reason for the renewed push is a shortage of potential names ending with the most widely used domain suffix, .com. More than 90 million .com addresses are already in use, and the companies that sell them say few letter combinations are still available. Another reason is a liberalization of the domain name system. The Internet Corp. for Assigned Names and Numbers, the organization that oversees Internet addresses, recently made it possible to create domain names in non-Latin alphabets, including Cyrillic and Arabic; next year, the organization wants to make it possible to create all sorts of new endings, like .paris or .shopping. Countries like Colombia and Montenegro want to get in before their country codes are lost in the crowd. For cash-strapped governments, the sale of country code domain names is also a nice little earner. Colombia, for example, gets 25 percent of the revenue from sales of the .co name under its deal with .CO Internet. Last year, the company generated a total of $20 million from the sale of .co domains; this year, that is expected to rise to more than $30 million, Mr. Calle said. More than 600,000 .co addresses have been sold, in more than 200 countries, he said. Only about 20,000 of those are actually from Colombia, with the most interest coming from the United States and Europe. The company predicts that the total number of .co registrations will rise to five million within five years. Mr. Calle is hoping for a surge of interest after a high-profile marketing pitch over the weekend. During the Super Bowl <http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/subjects/s/super_bowl/i…>, the championship game of American football, the world’s largest domain name registrar, Go Daddy, was set to highlight .co in an advertisement — featuring, as is typical of the company’s cheesy but attention-grabbing spots, “Go Daddy girls” in tight T-shirts and hot pants. In advance of the game, Go Daddy said it planned to introduce a new member of the team, a “.co girl.” While some country codes have had a hard time attracting anything other than niche interest, analysts say the Colombian suffix may have a better chance to rival .com because the letters “co” are recognized in many languages as an abbreviation for “company” and are not merely seen as an abbreviation for the country’s name. “As long as it doesn’t become well-known that it’s just a bastardization of the country code for Colombia, it could take off,” said Josh Bourne, managing partner of FairWinds Partners, which advises companies on the use of domain names. Many of the names with suffixes like .co or .me are simply defensive registrations by companies that want to prevent practices like “cybersquatting” or “domain name parking” — that is, the registration of their name by a third party that essentially holds it for ransom. To prevent that, the operators of a new top-level domain like .co are now generally required to let brand or trademark owners register their own names during a so-called sunrise period. As a result, the address apple.co <http://apple.co/>, for example, automatically redirects traffic to the company’s main site, apple.com <http://apple.com/>. Some companies have been making more creative use of country code domain endings. Like Facebook, a number of well-known Web sites have used them for abbreviated addresses; these include Overstock.com <http://topics.nytimes.com/top/news/business/companies/overstockcom-inc/inde…>, an online retailer, which recently added a shorter address, o.co <http://o.co/>, using the Colombian country code. DoMEn, the company that operates the .me registry, has been promoting the use of .me for social media sites and bloggers, seeing it as a natural appendage for people who want to tell the world about themselves. The suffix has been employed, for example, by About.me <http://about.me/>, a start-up that lets users create personal profile pages that aggregate their presence on other social networking services; About.me <http://about.me/> was acquired by AOL <http://topics.nytimes.com/top/news/business/companies/aol/index.html?inline…> in December. Other country codes that have been adopted for similar uses include .at (Austria), .cc (Cocos Islands) and .tm (Turkmenistan.) Yet not every country is eager to see its two-letter code adopted by marketers all over the world. France, for example, requires users of .fr to have a physical presence in the country. “Some countries wanted to keep their domains clean and restrictive, but most of them have given up on that by now, in the search for additional revenue,” Mr. Bourne said. While some of the companies selling country code domain names play down their affiliation with the countries that own the rights to these endings, seeing it as a barrier to wider international adoption, that is not the case for doMEn. “It’s a good promotion for Montenegro, said Natasa Djukanovic, international sales director at DoMEn. “A lot of people who didn’t even know we existed now know where we are.” A version of this article appeared in print on February 7, 2011, in The International Herald Tribune.

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Social media & the demolition of a church & clinic
by robert yawe 07 Feb '11

07 Feb '11

Hi, Many of us have commented on how social media was used in Tunisia and Egypt to pressure the incumbent and we suggested that Kenya might be at the precipice of the same. From the actions over the past two weeks namely the demolition by unknown people with undated court orders and blank title deeds of a Church off Juja Road in Eastleigh and a council clinic in high-ridge is an indication that social media in Kenya is basically that, social. If social media was going to drive change in this country Christians should have been mobilised 2 weeks ago to prevent the demolition of the church and the rest of us over the past weekend to stop the demolition of the public clinic. Kisia got notified so late that by the time he got to site of the clinic the bulldozer had pulled down one side of the building and had already exited the location. No one was even able to get through to the tsar if corruption Dr. P Lumumba, he never appeared on site and neither had the Minister of Public Health. The minister of medical services is away in the US, as per article on the press, but should have gotten a posting on his wall about what was transpiring or even an earlier alert of what was being planned. If social media will create a change then the intention to demolition either of the 2 facilities should have started chatter ignited by a single posting by the typist at NCC who typed the order, or the driver of the bulldozer or anyone else who was privy to such information and when this posting was done it should have a viral effect not only in the spread by also in the reaction. We should have descended on the sites like white blood cells to the site of an infection in the body. For social media in Kenya to have the effect it had in Tunisia or the British student demonstrations aka riots we need to regularly use the media for advocative action such as avoiding a particular matatu because the driver is known to be reckless or the makanga never washes. When there is an accident on the highway causing a major jam we should be able to update other drivers so that they can take action even though it might mean beginning the Mututho hour closer to the office. We need to use it regularly so that we internalise the usage, we should not expect that it will just happen suddenly when a message is posted on a wall and we experience a revolution. President Obama did not just wake up on the eve of the election to make a posting on facebook or twiter no, he used the medium to mobilise people to town hall meetings in nondescript locations many years before he even become senator. Then and only then will the new order manifest itself in Kenya, Mapambano. Regards Robert Yawe KAY System Technologies Ltd Phoenix House, 6th Floor P O Box 55806 Nairobi, 00200e Kenya Tel: +254722511225, +254202010696

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Media council Draft bill 2010 (Day Eight--Code of Conduct/Wrapping up)
by Solomon Mburu Kamau 04 Feb '11

04 Feb '11

Back in college, we were studying a unit called 'Communication Ethics' and the introduction was like this: “A doctor, who prescribes medicine for a patient without proper examination, WILL be violating the Code of Ethics. He/she MAY lose the right to practice. A lawyer who deliberately misled a client WOULD be violating a code of ethics. He/she MAY lose the right to practice. A Certified Public Accountant (CPA) knowingly signs the statement misrepresenting a company's financial position, WOULD be violating a Code of Ethics. He/ she WOULD lose the right to practice. A journalist who accepts stolen document and poses as a police investigator as to get private telephone conversation, MIGHT be violating a Code of ethics.” It further went on to explain that a doctor, a lawyer and a CPA have mandatory Codes of ethics prescribed and enforced by their professions, while journalism does not have these mandatory code because of the fear that it might infringe upon the right to information. The prescription of a code of conduct for media practitioners is essential in running the profession in a responsible and unbiased manner. The media’s role is to inform, educate and entertain, therefore it must be guarded by the same tenets that are acceptable to the wider population, although, while democracy states the majority rules, not all that the majority say is morally acceptable. While I think it should be accepted, there are some pointers I’ve in regards to the Code of Conduct of the Bill (Second Schedule): Clause 1: (Accuracy and Fairness) Part (a), I still find it recognizing a journalist as a basis for the general term to refer to a reporter, editor or a broadcaster (same as in preliminary). There is a need to having these practitioners identified so as to have diverse players catered for. Part (b): “...it should be corrected promptly.” What is the measurement of prompt? A day, a week, an hour? Time limit should be provided for so that the media practitioners are bound by correcting inaccurate information from being misconstrued to be the true position. Part (c) needs to provide the time that an apology should be published or broadcast. Part (g) misses the element of reporting balancing subject of news, though addressed loosely in Part (c) and distributed widely within the Code of Conduct. Clause 3: (Integrity) Part (a): ‘Confidential sources should be used only when it is clearly in public interest...’ How will their privacy be protected? I’m thinking of members of the Defence Forces or the Civil Service who are not allowed to disclose their sources of information and guarded by respective regulations where they work in. I’m finding Clause 7 (Confidentiality) contradicting Clause 3 (Integrity). While the latter has a room for identifying the sources of news if the lives of the source are at risk, the former is direct opposite in a way. Clause 8 (Misrepresentation):This clause identifies subterfuge as misrepresentation but still the clause give a leeway for journalists to use it to get information. By my understanding, subterfuge is getting news/information by means deception. By using ‘public interest’, the journalist/media enterprise will create an impression that the information is necessary in the interest of the public. The same applies to Clause 9 (Obscenities, Taste and Tone in Reporting). This clause mentions public interest in part (a) and (b), but why should images of the dead, or obscenities have to be published? There is no public interest in displaying such stuff not unless we are promoting the ‘Gutter Press.’ Clause 18 and Clause 19, should, in my view, be integrated with what is in existing legislatures such as Children Act and Sexual Offences Act respectively. Clause 24 (Advertisements): “...the editor should be guided by the Advertiser’s Code of Conduct.”Do we have such a Code in the public domain or it’s the property or individual media enterprises? Clause 25 (Hate Speech): Do we have a statutory definition of what constitutes to “Hate Speech”? What is the definition of “Hate Speech” according to the National Integration and Ethics Commission? Generally, looking at the Code of Conduct, it needs to be fully or partially integrated with the laws of the land for example the Defamation Act (Cap 36) can be a pointer in preventing media houses from defaming the image of people. In my view, clause 25 forms a basis for Cap 36. Media organizations MUST subscribe to the Code of Conduct as one of the basis for operating in Kenya. Those who refuse to prescribe to this Code should have their licences revoked, but then without a transition clause, it remains quiet impossible to effect this. -- *Solomon Mbũrũ Kamau* ***************************************************** *Man is a gregarious animal and enjoys agreement as cows will graze all the same way to the side of a hill!* AND *It is better to die in dignity than in the ignominy of ambiguous generosity! * http://smiley2.wordpress.com http://mburu.sikika.co.ke

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http://twitter.com/Insafenetwork#
by Barrack Otieno 04 Feb '11

04 Feb '11

Listers, In case you are interested, you can follow Safer Internet Day 2011 on Twitter as well. Best Regards -- Barrack O. Otieno Afriregister Ltd (Kenya) www.afrire <http://www.afriregister.com>gister.bi, www.afriregister.com<http://www.afriergister.com> <http://www.afriregister.com>ICANN accredited registrar +254721325277 +254-20-2498789 Skype: barrack.otieno

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Safer Internet Day 2011
by Barrack Otieno 04 Feb '11

04 Feb '11

Listers, http://www.sidfair.org/web/kenya/home http://www.sidfair.org/web/guest/home <http://www.sidfair.org/web/kenya/home>Best Regards -- Barrack O. Otieno Afriregister Ltd (Kenya) www.afrire <http://www.afriregister.com>gister.bi, www.afriregister.com<http://www.afriergister.com> <http://www.afriregister.com>ICANN accredited registrar +254721325277 +254-20-2498789 Skype: barrack.otieno

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Fw: Last 5 /8s distributed (read, last block of IP version 4s)
by Walubengo J 03 Feb '11

03 Feb '11

Adiel, indeed this is quite a historic moment - that the LAST block of numbers used by the current internet have just been distributed to the five regional internet registries does signal the eminent end of an era (IPv4) and should entrench the beginning of an even more exciting phase of the Internet (IPv6). walu. --- On Thu, 2/3/11, Adiel A. Akplogan <adiel(a)afrinic.net> wrote: From: Adiel A. Akplogan <adiel(a)afrinic.net> Subject: [kictanet] Last 5 /8s distributed To: jwalu(a)yahoo.com Cc: "IOZ" <ioz(a)internet.org.za>, "KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions" <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> Date: Thursday, February 3, 2011, 7:23 PM Dear Colleagues, At a ceremony taking place today in Miami (http://www.nro.net/news/icann-nro-live-stream) the last /8s from the IANA IPv4 pool have been distributed to the RIRs and AfriNIC got 102 /8. The rest has been allocated as followed: 103/8 APNIC 2011-02 whois.apnic.net ALLOCATED 104/8 ARIN 2011-02 whois.arin.net ALLOCATED 179/8 LACNIC 2011-02 whois.lacnic.net ALLOCATED 185/8 RIPE NCC 2011-02 whois.ripe.net ALLOCATED You can still follow live the press conference currently going one right now. The central IPv4 pool is gone. Let look at IPv6 the protocol that will support the next generation of the Internet. Thanks.______________________________________________________________________Adiel A. Akplogan Tel. +230 403 51 00Chief Executive Officer, AfriNIC Fax: +230 466 67 58adiel(a)afrinic.net - www.afrinic.net sip: adiel(a)voip.afrinic.net -----Inline Attachment Follows----- _______________________________________________ kictanet mailing list kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet This message was sent to: jwalu(a)yahoo.com Unsubscribe or change your options at http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/jwalu%40yahoo.com

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Last 5 /8s distributed
by Adiel A. Akplogan 03 Feb '11

03 Feb '11

Dear Colleagues, At a ceremony taking place today in Miami (http://www.nro.net/news/icann-nro-live-stream) the last /8s from the IANA IPv4 pool have been distributed to the RIRs and AfriNIC got 102 /8. The rest has been allocated as followed: 103/8 APNIC 2011-02 whois.apnic.net ALLOCATED 104/8 ARIN 2011-02 whois.arin.net ALLOCATED 179/8 LACNIC 2011-02 whois.lacnic.net ALLOCATED 185/8 RIPE NCC 2011-02 whois.ripe.net ALLOCATED You can still follow live the press conference currently going one right now. The central IPv4 pool is gone. Let look at IPv6 the protocol that will support the next generation of the Internet. Thanks. ______________________________________________________________________ Adiel A. Akplogan Tel. +230 403 51 00 Chief Executive Officer, AfriNIC Fax: +230 466 67 58 adiel(a)afrinic.net - www.afrinic.net sip: adiel(a)voip.afrinic.net

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Re: [kictanet] Media council Draft bill 2010 (Day Nine--Wrapping up/Any other business)
by toby＠law-democracy.org 03 Feb '11

03 Feb '11

Hi there, I have a few remaining concerns with the draft Bill: 1) s. 11(1)(c) and (e) refer to subjective grounds for removing members from the Council (incapacity and lack of fitness). Who will decide on this? One idea would be a 2/3 vote of other Council members. 2) s. 12 provides for the Council to receive 'reasonable' remuneration. I would suggest that this be linked to benefits provided to an existing position (eg Human Rights Commission or something along those lines). The same point applies to s. 26 for members of the Complaints Commission. 3) s.19(d) provides for the Council to receive funds from levies and fees that is imposes. This is not inappropriate as long as the level of those fees is set by another body. Unfortunately this is not the case, since s. 20 allows the fees to be set by the Council (ie it can determine its own revenues through fees imposed on the media). 4) s. 23 provides for annual accounts. The Council should also be required to produce an annual report on its activities. 5) s. 36(1) refers to a number of vague obligations on the media. It is not appropriate to require the media by law to inform the public (although this is of course a professional obligation). Otherwise, these obligations should be part of a code of conduct, generated in close consultation with the media and other stakeholders, rather than directly in the law. Best, Toby ___________________________________ Toby Mendel Centre for Law and Democracy toby(a)law-democracy.org Tel: +1 902 431-3688 Fax: +1 902 431-3689 www.law-democracy.org

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Food for Thought
by Edwin Onchari 03 Feb '11

03 Feb '11

Dear Listers, An open ended food for thought! What are the limits (rules of engagement) of demanding better governance i.e. government accountability and efficiency (modern technology) in service delivery and job creation for the majority (read youth/rural folk) through the most applicable (can be open to debate) open channels such as FB/online Forums/Social media (exclusive of the modus operandi in Egypt & Tunisia)? I ask this because, whatever is happening (if at all it is) in that respect, just does not seem to reach the intended crowd (under/unemployed youth/rural folk)! Will this be sustainable?...just wondering! Ed

3 3

Need for BPO sector re-alignment?
by Edwin Onchari 03 Feb '11

03 Feb '11

Dear Listers and passionate BPO industry practitioners, In recent constructive discussions on the state of the BPO sector in Kenya, and how this will impact the contribution to realizing our Vision 2030 goals, one thing clearly emerged. As a country, we have a fragmented strategy of creating a sustainable industry. I strongly feel that we need to a have a joint communiqué (re-aligning of strategies) from the following and any other agency that has/should have BPO as part of its TORs: 1. Kenya ICT Board (The line ministry and supporting agencies such as CCK) 2. KenInvest 3. OPM- BPO/ITES working group 4. Brand Kenya 5. Vision 2030 secretariat 6. The Kenya BPO Society and by membership extension; KEPSA 7. Any other auxiliary industry/government agencies It is imperative that we have a unified, well thought through, strategy for the sector if we were to achieve much. This call is in the back-drop of many industry start-ups and auxiliary service providers, either shutting shop altogether, or suspending BPO departments in their operations (over 40 start-ups have shut down in the last 4 years with a potential loss of 5000 direct jobs). What are your thoughts? Kind regards, Edwin Being on par in terms of price and quality only gets you into the game.Service wins the game. TONY ALESSANDRA

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Tenders for ICT Board assignments
by Paul Kukubo ICT Board 02 Feb '11

02 Feb '11

Listers Please be aware that the Kenya ICT Board issued expressions if interest as published in yesterday's daily newspapers 1. Expressions of interest for the development of a Kenya ICT incubator. This is a project under the BPO/ITES development program to provide a seed-bed of Kenyan IT firms. 2. Expressions of interest, issued by the Ministry of Information for the Kenya ICT Board. We shall be looking for reputable firms to express interest in providing international country positioning of Kenya Outsourcing. Details on Kenya ICT Board website www.ict.go.ke and click on the link for tenders. Regards Paul Kukubo CEO Kenya ICT Board Sent from my iPad

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Fw: UNCTAD Call for Contributions - Information Economy Report 2011
by Leonard Aloo 02 Feb '11

02 Feb '11

Of interest? Apologies for cross listing. Leonard Obura Aloo ----- Forwarded Message ---- From: ICT4D <ICT4D(a)unctad.org> Sent: Wed, February 2, 2011 7:08:31 PM Subject: UNCTAD Call for Contributions - Information Economy Report 2011 Information Economy Report 2011 - ICTs and Private Sector Development To be launched in late 2011 UNCTAD Call for Contributions The Information Economy Report 2011 will focus on the role of information and communication technologies (ICTs) in private sector development. A distinction will be made between efforts aimed at addressing internal constraints of enterprise growth and efforts at improving the broader conditions and systems in which private enterprises operate. Possible benefits from more effective use of ICTs may include reduced business costs, reduced risk, higher productivity, better access to markets and increased competition. In this context, UNCTAD is launching an open call for contributions. UNCTAD is interested in receiving studies/articles related to how governments and other stakeholders are applying ICT applications to support the creation or growth of enterprises in developing countries. Evidence of success or failure cases is also welcome. Deadline: 18 March 2011 Contributions should be sent to: ict4d(a)unctad.org

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Re: [kictanet] [Skunkworks] What would it take to create an internet blackoutin kenya?
by James Muendo 02 Feb '11

02 Feb '11

I found this interesting: 3 Projects to Create a Government-less Internet<http://www.readwriteweb.com/cloud/2011/01/3-projects-to-create-a-government…> http://rww.to/gEY5cs On 2 February 2011 17:35, [Brainiac] <arebacollins(a)gmail.com> wrote: > @steven you forget redundancy on KPLC. but then again, easy to run an > inside job there... right? > > On Wed, Feb 2, 2011 at 5:32 PM, ndungu stephen <ndungustephen(a)gmail.com>wrote: > >> In Kenya; cutting out main internet is simple... >> >> Simply send a few guys in the Ukambani wide lands; with a panga... >> >> And they cut the fiber [?]<whack!> >> >> >> >> === >> Yes I know we have the issue of satellites etc,, but i have noticed that >> many companies abandoned the more expensive satellites for the cheaper (more >> vulnerable) fiber. >> >> Then after that the fiber, the Gova then shuts down power... And guys >> with satellite continue using UPS. >> >> When UPS runs outs, we will be left with guys with Solar --- and thats >> like less than 0.5%. >> >> So if we dont want to be shut down (internet wise),, lets invest on >> building by building Solar energy,, and add a little satellite connection! >> >> >> w/regards >> Stephen N. >> >> _______________________________________________ >> Skunkworks mailing list >> Skunkworks(a)lists.my.co.ke >> http://orion.my.co.ke/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/skunkworks >> ------------ >> Skunkworks Rules >> http://my.co.ke/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=94 >> ------------ >> Other services @ http://my.co.ke >> > > > > -- > *“The twentieth century has been characterized by three developments of > great political importance: the growth of democracy, the growth of > corporate power, and the growth of corporate propaganda as a means of > protecting corporate power against democracy”* > > ~ Alex Carey ~ > > Tel No: 0x2af23696 > > > _______________________________________________ > Skunkworks mailing list > Skunkworks(a)lists.my.co.ke > http://orion.my.co.ke/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/skunkworks > ------------ > Skunkworks Rules > http://my.co.ke/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=94 > ------------ > Other services @ http://my.co.ke > -- James M. Muendo P.O Box 28016 - 00200, Nairobi. Mobile: +254725567508 skype:tim.rick | Twitter: Mmuendo | gtalk: timrick<http://muendoshead.blogspot.com/>

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Re: [kictanet] [Skunkworks] What would it take to create an internet blackoutin kenya?
by James Muendo 02 Feb '11

02 Feb '11

I found this interesting: 3 Projects to Create a Government-less Internet<http://www.readwriteweb.com/cloud/2011/01/3-projects-to-create-a-government…> http://rww.to/gEY5cs On 2 February 2011 17:35, [Brainiac] <arebacollins(a)gmail.com> wrote: > @steven you forget redundancy on KPLC. but then again, easy to run an > inside job there... right? > > On Wed, Feb 2, 2011 at 5:32 PM, ndungu stephen <ndungustephen(a)gmail.com>wrote: > >> In Kenya; cutting out main internet is simple... >> >> Simply send a few guys in the Ukambani wide lands; with a panga... >> >> And they cut the fiber [?]<whack!> >> >> >> >> === >> Yes I know we have the issue of satellites etc,, but i have noticed that >> many companies abandoned the more expensive satellites for the cheaper (more >> vulnerable) fiber. >> >> Then after that the fiber, the Gova then shuts down power... And guys >> with satellite continue using UPS. >> >> When UPS runs outs, we will be left with guys with Solar --- and thats >> like less than 0.5%. >> >> So if we dont want to be shut down (internet wise),, lets invest on >> building by building Solar energy,, and add a little satellite connection! >> >> >> w/regards >> Stephen N. >> >> _______________________________________________ >> Skunkworks mailing list >> Skunkworks(a)lists.my.co.ke >> http://orion.my.co.ke/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/skunkworks >> ------------ >> Skunkworks Rules >> http://my.co.ke/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=94 >> ------------ >> Other services @ http://my.co.ke >> > > > > -- > *“The twentieth century has been characterized by three developments of > great political importance: the growth of democracy, the growth of > corporate power, and the growth of corporate propaganda as a means of > protecting corporate power against democracy”* > > ~ Alex Carey ~ > > Tel No: 0x2af23696 > > > _______________________________________________ > Skunkworks mailing list > Skunkworks(a)lists.my.co.ke > http://orion.my.co.ke/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/skunkworks > ------------ > Skunkworks Rules > http://my.co.ke/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=94 > ------------ > Other services @ http://my.co.ke > -- James M. Muendo P.O Box 28016 - 00200, Nairobi. Mobile: +254725567508 skype:tim.rick | Twitter: Mmuendo | gtalk: timrick<http://muendoshead.blogspot.com/>

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KICTANet discussions: Independent Communications Commission of Kenya and Media council Draft bills 2010
by Alice Munyua 02 Feb '11

02 Feb '11

Dear all, Very best wishes for 2011. Following an invitation by P.S Dr. Ndemo for stakeholder input/comments and discussions on the two proposed draft bills, I am pleased to announce that the Kenya ICT Action Network (KICTANet), University of Nairobi (UoN), and the International Development and Research Center (IDRC) will launch discussions starting Monday January 24th, 2011. "Media Council Bill 2010" discussions/input will begin on Monday 24 for 10 days ending February 4th. Thereafter discussions/input on the "Independent Communications Commission of Kenya draft bill" from February 14th to 25th. As with previous policy related discussions the processes will be facilitated. Grace Githaiga will facilitate discussions on the Media council bill, Dr. Catherine Adeya on the Independent Communications Commission of Kenya, Kerubo Kemunto will assist with moderation and reporting and Washington Odhiambo continues to manage technical aspects of the list/s. Each draft bill discussion will take ten days on the KICTANet mailing list and blog. All comments,suggestions, edits and opinions relevant to the draft bills will be collated and will form part of the first draft report that will be validated at a face to face workshop in March 2011 (dates to be announced later). The final report/s will be submitted to the Ministry of Information and Communication as well as the Parliamentary Select committee on Energy Information and Communication. We look forward to very vibrant discussions. Attached the two draft bills. Can also be accessed on the ministry website: http://www.information.go.ke/ very best Alice --

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Google takes Ladies Mapping Party to Nairobi
by Albert Mucunguzi 02 Feb '11

02 Feb '11

Dear All, I thought some of you might be interested in this information. http://www.pctechmagazine.com/news/324-google-takes-ladies-mapping-party-co… _____________________________ Albert Mucunguzi Team Leader PC Tech Magazine Mobile: +256 712 619812 / 782 619812 Website: www.pctechmagazine.com E-Mail: i(a)albertmucunguzi.com Twitter: @albertmuc Facebook: www.facebook.com/almuc Personal Web: www.albertmucunguzi.com Blog: www.pctechmagazine.com/blogs/almuc

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Re: [kictanet] Media council Draft bill 2010 (Day Seven--Complaints and Dispute Resolution)
by toby＠law-democracy.org 02 Feb '11

02 Feb '11

Hi all, My comments on this round: 1) I agree the chair should not be required to be a lawyer but I think it is clear that the Council will appoint the chair and that is OK with me. 2) I think it is OK not to specify how they will publish the the decision. Surely it is understood that this will at least be on their website. The main point is that they make it public so that those with an interest can follow-up. This is not something that will usually be of very wide public interest. Related to this, publication in the Official Gazette is to ensure formal legal publication of the decision. It seems OK to me. 3) I am also OK with the decisions of the Complaints Commission having legal force. For me, what is important here is the sanctions (see s. 30), which may only be an apology and/or reprimand. I don't like the idea of an apology, which I find offensive to the (absolute) freedom to hold opinions. So I would replace this with a requirement to carry a statement by the Commission (ie to the effect that a decision has gone against you and for what reasons). 4) I have another serious problem with the complaints process, however. Pursuant to s. 27, anyone who is 'aggrieved' may complain about any publication or conduct of a journalist. The Commission will then reject or uphold such complaint. But the Bill nowhere indicates the standards against which such a complaint should be judged. This effectively leaves it up to the unfettered discretion of the members of the Commission to decide and leaves journalists and the media open to being held in breach of a standard that was never communicated to them, which is clearly inappropriate. Instead, complaints should be judged against an established a code of conduct to be adopted by the Council, after consultation with interested stakeholders. It could, theoretically, be the Code in the second schedule, except that this is not appropriate for this purpose (eg it is not appropriate for anyone to complain that a journalist has not defended the independence of the media, as required by section 2 of this Code). Also, the Code should not be legislated but should emerge from the consultation. Best wishes, Toby ___________________________________ Toby Mendel Centre for Law and Democracy toby(a)law-democracy.org Tel: +1 902 431-3688 Fax: +1 902 431-3689 www.law-democracy.org

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GOK Making progress
by robert yawe 02 Feb '11

02 Feb '11

Hi, Today I met a government official who gave me his card, you wonder what is so major about that, well the phone number was ISDN, well PS Ndemo it is clear that there is light at the end of the tunnel as relates to the government having a single contact number. This is at the office of the Prime Minister which is a clear indication that there was more done to the building than just interior refurbishments. Regards PS. But they need to be educated about DID? Robert Yawe KAY System Technologies Ltd Phoenix House, 6th Floor P O Box 55806 Nairobi, 00200 Kenya Tel: +254722511225, +254202010696

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Re: [kictanet] Media council Draft bill 2010 (Day Six--Funds and Assets of the Council )
by toby＠law-democracy.org 01 Feb '11

01 Feb '11

Hi all, I agree that these provisions are problematical. There seems to me to be no reason why a press council should not receive foreign support. This should not alleviate the need for local support for its basic operations (eg complaints) but it also has a wide promotional role and enabling it to access foreign (ie donor) funds will potentially allow it to be a far more significant player in this role. Toby ___________________________________ Toby Mendel Centre for Law and Democracy toby(a)law-democracy.org Tel: +1 902 431-3688 Fax: +1 902 431-3689 www.law-democracy.org

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Fwd: Senior Advisor (ICT for Development) Vacancy: Panos London
by Alice Munyua 01 Feb '11

01 Feb '11

-------- Original Message -------- Subject: Senior Advisor (ICT for Development) Vacancy: Panos London Date: Tue, 1 Feb 2011 11:19:25 +0000 From: Richard Heeks <richard.heeks(a)manchester.ac.uk> To: Richard Heeks <richard.heeks(a)manchester.ac.uk> Panos - based in London - are advertising for a senior advisor covering ICTs for development. Details below and at: http://www.panos.org.uk/?lid=33763 Senior Advisor (ICTs) London-based Salary: Up to £43,000 Closing date: Monday 14th February 2011, Noon Panos London is one of the world’s leading ‘communication for development’ organisations. We work to stimulate informed and inclusive debate around key development issues in order to foster sustainable development, and we do this through our expertise in Voice, Dialogue, Media and ICT communication projects around the world. We are seeking an experienced, creative and dynamic Senior Advisor to develop Panos London’s Information and Communication Technology (ICT) programme and projects to ensure our work has increasing scope, scale and impact. The main purpose of this exciting post is to develop Panos London’s knowledge, practice and expertise in the field of ICTs and you will be expected to develop a pipeline of projects that effectively support Panos London’s new Strategy to 2015. The successful candidate will possess: * Proven expertise as a leader in the use of ICTs for development, including issues of access to knowledge, internet access and mobile phones. * Excellent understanding of ICT research methodologies as well as demonstrated knowledge of specialist monitoring and evaluation methodologies. * In depth experience in policy, research and programme management in ICTs and a wide-ranging network of contacts in the field. * Experience of working internationally in co-operation with local and global partners. * Experience of strategic programme development. * In-depth experience of designing and carrying out monitoring and evaluation activities on ICT projects. Flexible / Part-time working may be considered. How to apply: A full job description and application form attached, please support with a tailored covering letter. For further information contact: helen.crawford(a)panos.org.uk. Application deadline: Monday 14th February 2011, Noon

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Prime Time data; is safaricom ready?
by robert yawe 01 Feb '11

01 Feb '11

As the price war on voice escalates and the margins drop exponentially as the mobile providers move to take positions in the data realm, are Safaricom and the other mobile providers ready for prime time data services? Robert Yawe KAY System Technologies Ltd Phoenix House, 6th Floor P O Box 55806 Nairobi, 00200 Kenya Tel: +254722511225, +254202010696

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ICANN report on DNS in Egypt
by Alice Munyua 01 Feb '11

01 Feb '11

Hi GG and all Events in Egypt must have slowed down the discussions on our media council bill and I apologize for diverting you again. It is worrying that a government can shut down the internet. There are permissible limitations/restrictions on expression and communication contained in International laws, however these are for narrow circumstances defined in, for example the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, where National security and pubic order is included, but it should not be used as an excuse. Governments should ensure that the limitations of restrictions are provided for by clear and precise laws that demonstrate necessity to meet the specific purpose. Anyway, Google has since introduced a speak to tweet service for people in Egypt and see below a report by ICANN on DNS: http://techcrunch.com/2011/01/31/twitter-by-phone-egypt/ http://blog.icann.org/2011/01/status-report-on-the-dns-in-egypt/Status Report on the DNS in Egypt Along with the entire global Internet community, ICANN is watching the events unfolding in Egypt with great concern for the safety of the people of Egypt and for their ability to use the Internet. On January 27, most Internet connectivity to Egypt was shut down, apparently on the instruction of the national government. This has led to the inaccessibility of the main domain name system (DNS) server of the Egyptian ccTLD (.eg). Egypt's top-level domain .eg is operated by the Egyptian Universities Network (EUN) (http://www.iana.org/domains/root/db/eg.html) The Arabic script top-level domain .masr (???, http://www.iana.org/domains/root/db/xn--wgbh1c.html) is operated by the National Telecommunication Regulatory Authority of Egypt (NTRA) (http://www.iana.org/domains/root/db/xn--wgbh1c.html) The primary servers they operate have been inaccessible to those outside of Egypt since January 27. Secondary DNS servers for .eg, located in Austria and the United States, have continued to function with data provided before the shutdown. The .??? DNS servers are exclusively in Egypt and there do not appear to be any secondary DNS servers outside the country. This means that service to sites served by this top-level domain are unreachable by the rest of the world. Secondary servers copy their data from the primary server at regular intervals. Data in the secondary DNS servers, serving anyone in the world wishing to receive .eg DNS services, have an expiration date. Secondary servers require regular updating from the primary server at specified intervals -- called "time to live" (TTL) -- and that time is set to expire in 140 days. Normally when primary servers fail -- for example, following the earthquake in Haiti -- the operator wants secondary servers to continue operating with the last zone file they had provided. This allows users around the world to connect to functioning servers in their zone. ICANN's Manager for Regional Relations for the Middle East has been communicating with both TLD operators, EUN and NTRA. The operators of .eg have communicated with ICANN and through ICANN are communicating with the secondary operators outside the country. They have requested that the secondary operators continue using the existing zone files past their time to live timeframes, if necessary. This experience offers a number of lessons, among them that a policy to encourage the establishment of secondary servers to promote continuity of service as well as DNS stability could be useful and in the global public interest. ICANN will ask the ccNSO to consider proposing a policy to address this type of situation. ICANN helps to ensure a secure and stable global Internet through its coordination of the domain name system, and is the global policy development body for the DNS and related matters. More than 100 ccTLD operators are voluntary members of the Country Code Names Supporting Organization (ccNSO), a formal ICANN policy and coordination body.

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Necessity Creates Innovation... Speak to Tweet!
by [Brainiac] 31 Jan '11

31 Jan '11

Google to the Aid of Egypt during their 1 million man march.... http://twitter.com/#!/speak2tweet -- *“The twentieth century has been characterized by three developments of great political importance: the growth of democracy, the growth of corporate power, and the growth of corporate propaganda as a means of protecting corporate power against democracy”* ~ Alex Carey ~ Tel No: 0x2af23696

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Fwd: CSTD WG IGF Improvements - Internet Technical and Academic Community Representatives' Contribution
by waudo siganga 31 Jan '11

31 Jan '11

Dear Colleagues, For information of those following the IGF, attached is a submission made by the 5 "Internet technical and academic" representatives on the CSTD Chair's Working Group on Improvements to the IGF.

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Internet prices in countries without submarine fiber
by Brian Munyao Longwe 31 Jan '11

31 Jan '11

Just in case some people might be complaining about their internet prices in Kenya! These are the prices in Burundi. 128k shared : 128 Usd 128k dedicated : 375 Usd 256k shared : 200 Usd 256k dedicated : 725 Usd Mblayo

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Re: [kictanet] Could this be the next revolution in Africa????
by Edwin Onchari 31 Jan '11

31 Jan '11

Again, what role does ICT play in bringing this change? In dictating how we are governed? In ensuring that our new constitution is followed to the letter? In getting the masses educated, so they do not get to elect sycophants to higher offices? Ed From: Dennis Kioko [mailto:dmbuvi@gmail.com] Sent: Monday, January 31, 2011 11:21 AM To: Edwin Onchari Cc: Dennis Kioko Mbuvi; KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions Subject: Re: [kictanet] Could this be the next revolution in Africa???? We had our chance in 2007 but chose it to go at different tribes, that is farthest we could see our problems coming from. At the same time. politicians in Kenya, however how much the urban population may hate them, are dutifully elected and appointed to their positions. As voters, we may lack a basis to demonstrate against people we had a choice to vote for. What may be the solution is voter education.

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Could this be the next revolution in Africa????
by Edwin Onchari 31 Jan '11

31 Jan '11

I hope the waves that are sweeping Egypt; Tunisia and Algeria are headed south and that ICT has a role in it!!..it might be the solution that many of us in Kenya and indeed Africa have been looking for, for such a long time! "The people' taking back their lives! I hope we can do the same..desperately! E

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E-Gov services in Kilifi
by [Brainiac] 31 Jan '11

31 Jan '11

Hello listers, A while back i read somewhere that a number of centers had been deployed countrywide through the partnership of the ICT board and some service providers. Im in need of info on where the nearest one to kilifi town is located. It is a shame, that today i finally meet someone that lost an ID card go to the police station and get denied an abstract, actually asked to come back in november (obviously a ploy to solicit monies). (I can give the names and numbers of the officers to whomever can act on it but that is besides the point). My point is, 1: Can the abstract be printed from the net and taken there to be filled by those guys (of course with a pen and ink for the stamp just in case). 2: After that, is there a way of ensuring this process is more transparent? (I checked the http://www.identity.go.ke website but there seem to be bugs on the search box). Anyone with a suggestion on how to do this better to please assist... -- *“The twentieth century has been characterized by three developments of great political importance: the growth of democracy, the growth of corporate power, and the growth of corporate propaganda as a means of protecting corporate power against democracy”* ~ Alex Carey ~ Tel No: 0x2af23696

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Re: [kictanet] Internet prices in countries without submarine fiber
by toby＠law-democracy.org 31 Jan '11

31 Jan '11

These prices are not reasonable. In East Timor, which is a tiny very underdeveloped country a long way from major centres and supplied only by satellite you can get 512k from the official supplier for $200. But you can get it from 'informal' suppliers for $50. Toby > Just in case some people might be complaining about their internet prices > in > Kenya! These are the prices in Burundi. > > 128k shared : 128 Usd > 128k dedicated : 375 Usd > 256k shared : 200 Usd > 256k dedicated : 725 Usd > > > Mblayo > _______________________________________________ > kictanet mailing list > kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > > This message was sent to: toby(a)law-democracy.org > Unsubscribe or change your options at > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/toby%40law-democracy.o… > ___________________________________ Toby Mendel Centre for Law and Democracy toby(a)law-democracy.org Tel: +1 902 431-3688 Fax: +1 902 431-3689 www.law-democracy.org

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Re: [kictanet] Internet prices in countries without submarine fiber
by toby＠law-democracy.org 31 Jan '11

31 Jan '11

These prices are not reasonable. In East Timor, which is a tiny very underdeveloped country a long way from major centres and supplied only by satellite you can get 512k from the official supplier for $200. But you can get it from 'informal' suppliers for $50. Toby > Just in case some people might be complaining about their internet prices > in > Kenya! These are the prices in Burundi. > > 128k shared : 128 Usd > 128k dedicated : 375 Usd > 256k shared : 200 Usd > 256k dedicated : 725 Usd > > > Mblayo > _______________________________________________ > kictanet mailing list > kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > > This message was sent to: toby(a)law-democracy.org > Unsubscribe or change your options at > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/toby%40law-democracy.o… > ___________________________________ Toby Mendel Centre for Law and Democracy toby(a)law-democracy.org Tel: +1 902 431-3688 Fax: +1 902 431-3689 www.law-democracy.org

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Re: [kictanet] Safaricom Bonga Points Merchandise
by Linda Muka 31 Jan '11

31 Jan '11

Your feedback is noted and appreciated. Regards, Linda From: Joseph Mucheru [mailto:jmucheru@google.com] Sent: Friday, January 28, 2011 5:56 AM To: Linda Muka Cc: mucheru(a)google.com; KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions Subject: Re: [kictanet] Safaricom Bonga Points Merchandise Since we are on this subject, Could you please include the 3G wireless gateway in your Bonga Points system. This is one item that adds huge convenience. -- Joe Mũcherũ Regional Lead, Sub-Saharan Africa On Jan 25, 2011, at 12:00 PM, Linda Muka <LMuka(a)safaricom.co.ke> wrote: Washington, we refer to your comments on the Safaricom Bonga Points loyalty Program. Thank you for your feedback and continued interest in the Safaricom Bonga Points loyalty program. We would like to take this opportunity to provide some clarity on the Bonga Points Loyalty program. We at Safaricom continuously strive to ensure that the matrix is up to date through quarterly reviews. This has been a conscious decision implemented to ensure that we retain and rekindle interest and excitement in the program. As such, we introduced a new reward dubbed ‚ÄúFree Airtime‚Äù last year, which enables customers to redeem their points for various airtime rewards from as little as 100 points. We have recently concluded and advertised the reviewed merchandise and redemption matrix for the first quarter of 2011, to include new devices and bundle rewards. We request that you dial *126*2# to get a full view of the complete list of available rewards. To make the program more inclusive, we have also reduced the redemption threshold from 100 points to 25 points. Customers can now redeem various Minutes, SMS, MMS and Data bundles from as low as 25 Bonga points. On your request that we include the new IDEOS phone into the matrix, we assure you that we shall take this into consideration as we make our review for the next quarter. We shall share the results of that review with the market. All this is actively done in keeping with our promise to give the best experience to our customers in all facets of our operations. Regards, Linda From: kictanet-bounces+lmuka=safaricom.co.ke(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke [mailto:kictanet-bounces+lmuka <mailto:kictanet-bounces%2Blmuka> =safaricom.co.ke(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke] On Behalf Of Odhiambo Washington Sent: Friday, January 21, 2011 11:53 PM To: Linda Muka Cc: Skunkworks forum; KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions Subject: [kictanet] Safaricom Bonga Points Merchandise Safaricom has done quite some revisions on their tariffs and data bundles but their Bonga points redemption matrix remains unchanged ever since. I have been hoping (and praying) that they can at least revise the merchandise, given that even some of those they list are not anymore in the market (I may be wrong!) but with prices always depreciating, is it not logical that Safaricom put some revision into this loyalty program?? Can Safaricom also make the point system a little bit realistic when compared to the merchandise?? I know they are not under any obligation but I sure can be motivated to "talk more" within "Niko Na.." with the hope that kupiga mdomo kwangu heunda ikanifaidisha vikubwa:-) Maybe they should include the Huawei IDEOS as one of the merchandise;) -- Best regards, Odhiambo WASHINGTON, Nairobi,KE +254733744121/+254722743223 _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Damn!! Note: All emails sent from Safaricom Limited are subject to Safaricomís Email Terms & Conditions. Please click here <http://www.safaricom.co.ke/index.php?id=954> to read the policy. ________________________________ <http://www.safaricom.co.ke/fileadmin/resources/downloads/SafBanner.gif> _______________________________________________ kictanet mailing list kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet This message was sent to: mucheru(a)google.com Unsubscribe or change your options at http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/mucheru%40google.com ##################################################################################### NOTE: All emails sent from Safaricom Limited are subject to Safaricom�s Email Terms & Conditions. Please click here to read the policy. #####################################################################################

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Re: [kictanet] Media council Draft bill 2010 (Day Five--tenure of office of Council members )
by toby＠law-democracy.org 30 Jan '11

30 Jan '11

Hi all, I hope you will not mind if I make a few comments on yesterday's discussion before moving on to the topic of today. Sorry to be late again, but I'm sort of in transit (actually, I spent 12 hours in plane yesterday, only to return to my starting point because we could not land at the destination!). The Bill does provide for the appointment of the Chair (section 8(6 or really (7)), but I agree that it would be preferable for the group to appoint its own Chair and this is a common practice. A few comments on the debate about independence, on the one hand, and the role of the judiciary, on the other. I am very sensitive to Lydia's point about capture of these bodies by government and of course the Rwandan Council is a disaster on this point. But to be honest, that was one area where I felt this draft Bill was pretty good. Of course its independence rests heavily on the independence of the judicial bodies and individuals involved, but otherwise, it does have reasonably robust systems, including the ability of anyone, or any group, to nominate and then the shortlisting by the appointing Committee (although I would remove the representatives from the Ministry of Justice and State Law Office from this Committee and replace them with more independent people, probably not from the media, since the other three members are already media representatives). So I see the approach as a bit of a trade-off: perhaps excessive role for the judiciary v. relatively strong guarantees of independence. I note that the role of the JSC is simply to establish the appointing Committee. I'm not sure which other body could be trusted with this. So, my tweaks would be to change the composition of the appointing Committee (which is the most important decision-maker in this process), allow the body to elect its own chair and remove the requirement for the chair to be eligible for appointment as a High Court judge. On today's questions: 1) Grace is right to point out the duplication and to some extent contradiction between sections 7 and 10. Probably they should be integrated. 2) I have already commented on the Chair. I don't see a particular problem with the Chair being reappointed, but there should at least be another election. Best, Toby ___________________________________ Toby Mendel Centre for Law and Democracy toby(a)law-democracy.org Tel: +1 902 431-3688 Fax: +1 902 431-3689 www.law-democracy.org

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Re: [kictanet] Media council Draft bill 2010 (Day Five--tenure of office of Council members )
by Racheal Nakitare 30 Jan '11

30 Jan '11

Dear All, I support the merger of section 7 and 10 . They lead to the same thing. On tenure of office, the council members term should be limited to two. The chairmanship can also be limited to 2 especially if the council will be mandated to elect it's chair because they can vote him/ her out after the first term and it will provide good continuity since they will still be members of the council. The council should vote by secret ballot. Good weekend Racheal Sent from my iPhone On Jan 28, 2011, at 4:33 PM, ERICK ngaira <erickngaira(a)gmail.com> wrote: Dear All, I agree Section 7 and 10 are more or less a duplication, and should be merged for clarity. In regard to tenure of members , It should only be for a mximun of two terms and a new chair should be elected every term. Election should be by secret ballot by the Council Members. Regards. On 28 January 2011 16:00, Solomon Mburu Kamau <solo.mburu(a)gmail.com> wrote: Listers, There is a duplicate between Article 7 & Article 10 of the Bill. Article 7, provides for the qualification of Chair and other Members of the Council, while Article 10, in a way, provides for the requirements for appointment to the commission. They, as Toby has said, should perhaps be merged. On the question off tenure of the office of Council members, my opinion is they should only be allowed a re-appointment for one morer term to avoid domination and 'over-stays'. Further, the Bill does not provide for the procedures of the election of members apart from the chair. Will they be appointed by the JSC, CJ, KUJ etc? Will the election by proxy, acclamation or secret ballot? I think in line with democratic principles, they should be elected from among the membership sitting at the Council, like what LSK does. To another view, the government reserved a third of positions in public bodies to women. Therefore, does this mean out of the seven members appointed (Article 6), three should be women? If so, just wondering, will the other interested groups - the disabled, marginalized, youth etc - be considered? Nice weekend. On 28/01/2011, toby(a)law-democracy.org <toby(a)law-democracy.org> wrote: > Hi all, > > I hope you will not mind if I make a few comments on yesterday's > discussion before moving on to the topic of today. Sorry to be late again, > but I'm sort of in transit (actually, I spent 12 hours in plane yesterday, > only to return to my starting point because we could not land at the > destination!). > > The Bill does provide for the appointment of the Chair (section 8(6 or > really (7)), but I agree that it would be preferable for the group to > appoint its own Chair and this is a common practice. > > A few comments on the debate about independence, on the one hand, and the > role of the judiciary, on the other. I am very sensitive to Lydia's point > about capture of these bodies by government and of course the Rwandan > Council is a disaster on this point. But to be honest, that was one area > where I felt this draft Bill was pretty good. Of course its independence > rests heavily on the independence of the judicial bodies and individuals > involved, but otherwise, it does have reasonably robust systems, including > the ability of anyone, or any group, to nominate and then the shortlisting > by the appointing Committee (although I would remove the representatives > from the Ministry of Justice and State Law Office from this Committee and > replace them with more independent people, probably not from the media, > since the other three members are already media representatives). So I see > the approach as a bit of a trade-off: perhaps excessive role for the > judiciary v. relatively strong guarantees of independence. I note that the > role of the JSC is simply to establish the appointing Committee. I'm not > sure which other body could be trusted with this. > > So, my tweaks would be to change the composition of the appointing > Committee (which is the most important decision-maker in this process), > allow the body to elect its own chair and remove the requirement for the > chair to be eligible for appointment as a High Court judge. > > On today's questions: > > 1) Grace is right to point out the duplication and to some extent > contradiction between sections 7 and 10. Probably they should be > integrated. > > 2) I have already commented on the Chair. I don't see a particular problem > with the Chair being reappointed, but there should at least be another > election. > > Best, Toby > > > ___________________________________ > Toby Mendel > > Centre for Law and Democracy > toby(a)law-democracy.org > Tel: +1 902 431-3688 > Fax: +1 902 431-3689 > www.law-democracy.org > > > _______________________________________________ > kictanet mailing list > kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > > This message was sent to: solo.mburu(a)gmail.com > Unsubscribe or change your options at > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/solo.mburu%40gmail.com > -- Sent from my mobile device *Solomon Mbũrũ Kamau* ***************************************************** *Man is a gregarious animal and enjoys agreement as cows will graze all the same way to the side of a hill!* AND *It is better to die in dignity than in the ignominy of ambiguous generosity! * http://smiley2.wordpress.com http://mburu.sikika.co.ke _______________________________________________ kictanet mailing list kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet This message was sent to: erickngaira(a)gmail.com Unsubscribe or change your options at http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/erickngaira%40gmail.com _______________________________________________ kictanet mailing list kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet This message was sent to: rachealnakitare(a)yahoo.co.uk Unsubscribe or change your options at http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/rachealnakitare%40yaho…

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Fwd: [Skunkworks] Egypt leaves the Internet
by Barrack Otieno 28 Jan '11

28 Jan '11

Some food for thought as we prepare for the sixth Internet Governance Forum, i wonder why this is so yet Egypt has been a major player in the global Internet Governance Arena. Best Regards ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Christopher Kiagiri <ck(a)google.com> Date: Fri, Jan 28, 2011 at 10:52 AM Subject: [Skunkworks] Egypt leaves the Internet To: "skunkworks(a)my.co.ke" <skunkworks(a)my.co.ke> May this never happen in .ke ... http://www.renesys.com/blog/2011/01/egypt-leaves-the-internet.shtml Cheers, - Chris _______________________________________________ Skunkworks mailing list Skunkworks(a)lists.my.co.ke http://orion.my.co.ke/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/skunkworks ------------ Skunkworks Rules http://my.co.ke/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=94 ------------ Other services @ http://my.co.ke -- Barrack O. Otieno Afriregister Ltd (Kenya) www.afrire <http://www.afriregister.com>gister.bi, www.afriregister.com<http://www.afriergister.com> <http://www.afriregister.com>ICANN accredited registrar +254721325277 +254-20-2498789 Skype: barrack.otieno

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Re: [kictanet] Media council Draft bill 2010 (Day Four--Appointment of Chair/Procedure for appointment)
by Racheal Nakitare 27 Jan '11

27 Jan '11

Dear All I'm still rural siaya where power challenges persist hence I will be brief. I agree with most of you that the chair of the council must not be a judge and a legal profession because the council duties are not limited to arbitration. The office of the chief Justice is very busy with enough judicial concerns to address and may nit have time for media. I suggest that the members appoint their chair and the ministry be the appointing authority. According to the new constitution, the ministers won't be political appointees so the minister could perform those duties with the interest of industry players better. There is need to assert journalism the profession and recognition as the fourth estate. Racheal Sent from my iPhone On Jan 27, 2011, at 6:13 PM, Lydia Gachungi <Lydia.Gachungi(a)unesco.unon.org> wrote: Dear Listers, To contribute to this debate, let me start by quoting examples of what’s happening with similar media councils in the region in relation to government appointments . According to various International and regional media watchdog groups, a major challenge for the media especially in this region is the temptation by governments to respond to concerns about eg lack of professionalism and respect for ethical standards in the media with punitive legislation. They argue that this is what has in part informed government moves or attempts to pass restrictive media laws, including the establishment of statutory media councils like the current MCK. These Statutory media councils have ended up doing more to stifle free expression and press freedom than to promote professionalism and standards. If we take an example of the Rwanda’s Media High Council, which is also enshrined in the country’s constitution, and which is arguably the region’s most active statutory media council, although its independence is guaranteed both by the Constitution and the law, various media watchdog groups argue that since its members are appointed by the Cabinet from among representatives of different media stakeholders( 2 private media, 1 public media, 1 civil society, 1-private sector and 2 from central government), that the Media High Council tends to focus more on policing the media more than fulfilling its other mandate of promoting and protecting press freedom. Other statutory councils in the region, such as Uganda’s Media Council and Broadcasting Council attract similar charges of lack of independence or distance from the government, which appoints the members. Notably, many governments in the region have been involved in all these appointment and Kenya is not exceptional. The reality is that as long as the governments are involved in appointments, whether it is the chairman of the MCK or the other representative either by the relevant ministry or judiciary, independence can never be guaranteed. In order to address these challenges, there has been various attempts in different countries to create self-regulatory mechanisms in the region. Tanzania provides perhaps the longest-running self-regulation experience – and one from which lessons could be drawn for other countries in this region. Uganda also saw the establishment of a non-statutory regulatory body, the Independence Media Council of Uganda. However, the statutory Media Council and Broadcasting Council are still active and continue to overshadow the self-regulation mechanism. Rwanda also has the Rwanda Ethics Commission, a self-regulatory body that is a sub-committee of the Rwanda Journalists Association. In that case, for the MCK, the issue of who is the chair or appoints the same may not be as critical as whether their decision will be independent or influenced by the interests they represent in the board like many other statutory bodies in the region . The suggestion that more representatives from the media industry be appointed to the board all the more makes sense to also ensure that the MCK actually serves the people it represents. The board members should also elect their chair on revolving basis rather than having too much of government hand in MCK composition and management of its board meetings . That may then guarantee a degree of independence Lydia ERICK ngaira <erickngaira(a)gmail.com> Sent by: kictanet-bounces+lydia.gachungi=unesco.unon.org(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke 01/27/2011 05:38 PM To Lydia <lydia.gachungi(a)unesco.unon.org> cc kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke Subject Re: [kictanet] Media council Draft bill 2010 (Day Four--Appointment of Chair/Procedure for appointment) Dear all I am inclined to believe this was copy paste from the Judicial Service Commission bill,( drafting error) hence the reference to “the Chair of the Commission”. On the other hand, if that is not the case and indeed the drafters intention is to have an advocate as the chair then ,these are my comments . 1.In other jurisdictions , for example , Uganda, Tanzania , Southafrica, etc, - where I believe the drafters were borrowing from , the chair of the council is judge or retired judge, This is mainly because in these jurisdictions it is the Council that hears and determines complaints unlike the MCK. The MCK as constituted by both the 2007 Act and the 2010 Bill creates the Complaints Commission. It is the Commission that hears and determines complaints. The Chairperson of the commission is a person qualified to hold the office of a of the judge of the High Court. Therefore it is not necessary to make the chair of the Council a judge, even if the drafters were contemplating an appeal from the Commission to the Council, as provided for in section 33 of the bill, the Council already has a an advocate as a member and the can sit on the appeals Committee. In view of this, the position of Chairperson should be open to anyone sitting on the Council, and they should be elected by the other Council members. As far as membership to the counci goes, It would be prudent to have each of the professional bodies drawn from those professions listed under Section7(c) among other stakeholders, nominate someone to serve on the Council with a minimum number reserved for media profffesionals. 2. On he JSC being the appointing authority, I believe the idea was to make the MCK independent from the government in the spirit of article 34(5), however this is inconsistent with the provisions of article 172 that outline the mandate of the JSC. To that extent the provision is null and void as provided for in article 2(4) of the Constitution. On 27/01/2011, Solomon Mburu Kamau <solo.mburu(a)gmail.com> wrote: > Dear All, > > On 27 January 2011 15:32, k.k. ombati <kaykerubo(a)gmail.com> wrote: > >> Hi, >> Firstly,I think its unrealistic to decide that the chairman of the MCK >> must be lawyer and one qualified to be a judge at that.That is too >> exclusive...i think the postion of chairperson should be open to >> anyone sitting on the Council. >> > > I agree. The Chair of MCK should not be a person of the position of a judge > or a lawyer, because, essentially, if we let lawyers and judges be the > chairs of constitutional bodies, the other professionals will feel left > out. This exclusivity should be avoided. > Still on article 7(c), I find it rather 'choosy'. Ten years experience? > Doesn't that lock out other interested groups - the youth to be specific - > from serving in this Council? > > > >> Secondly,the Act has failed to state how the appointment of >> chairperson will be done,will it by election by existing council >> members or nomination or are they to be appointed by the appointing >> authority. >> >> thirdly,to mandate the JSC to appoint members of the MCK is oustide >> the constitutional mandate of the JSC,I would propose that >> professional bodies drawn from those professions listed under >> Section7(c) together with KUJ,Editors Guild and Media Owners >> Association etc...each nominate someone to take up a position in MCK >> with a number of seats,say four,reserved for media professionals only. >> >> >> On Thu, Jan 27, 2011 at 12:48 AM, Grace Githaiga <ggithaiga(a)hotmail.com> >> wrote: >> > >> > >> > >> > Good Morning Listers, >> > >> > >> > >> > Welcome to day four of our debate. >> > >> > >> > >> > Today, we will focus on the appointment of the Chairperson of the Media >> > Council, and procedure for appointment of Council Members. >> > >> > >> > >> > The Appointment of the Chairperson Article 7 (2) >> > >> > The chairperson of the Commission shall be a person who is qualified to >> hold >> > the office of judge of the High Court under the Constitution. >> > >> > >> > >> > Question: Should the Chair of a Media Council be drawn from the legal >> > profession? >> > >> > >> > >> > Article 8 (1) The Chief Justice shall, within fourteen days of the >> > commencement of this Act, and every time vacancies shall arise in the >> > Council, by notice in the gazette declare such vacancies in the Council >> and >> > request for applications. >> > >> > (2) An application under subsection (1) shall be forwarded to the >> Judicial >> > Service Commission within fourteen days…for purposes of considering >> > applications, interviewing and short listing at least three persons >> > qualified for appointment as chairperson and nine persons qualified for >> > appointment as members. >> > >> > >> > >> > Question: >> > >> > >> > >> > a) Article 161 (2) of Kenya’s constitution states that the Chief >> > Justice is the head of the judiciary. Should his duties also extend >> > into >> > the appointing authority for MCK? >> > >> > >> > >> > b) The mandate of the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) as stated >> > in >> > article 172 of Kenya’s Constitution is for the judiciary. Should JSC >> > then >> > extend its mandate to the Council when its mandate is so clearly stated >> in >> > the Constitution? >> > >> > >> > >> > c) What would be the alternative appointing authority? >> > >> > >> > >> > Once again, we would like to hear your comments/views on these critical >> > issues. >> > >> > >> > >> > Rgds >> > >> > Grace >> > >> > >> > >> ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- >> > If you have the strength to survive, you have the power to succeed. Life >> is >> > all about choices we make depending upon the situation we are in. Go >> forth >> > and rule the World! >> > >> > >> > >> > >> > >> > _______________________________________________ >> > kictanet mailing list >> > kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke >> > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet >> > >> > This message was sent to: kaykerubo(a)gmail.com >> > Unsubscribe or change your options at >> > >> http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/kaykerubo%40gmail.com >> > >> > >> >> _______________________________________________ >> kictanet mailing list >> kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke >> http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet >> >> This message was sent to: solo.mburu(a)gmail.com >> Unsubscribe or change your options at >> http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/solo.mburu%40gmail.com >> > > > > -- > *Solomon Mbũrũ Kamau* > > ***************************************************** > *Man is a gregarious animal and enjoys agreement as cows will graze all the > same way to the side of a hill!* > > AND > > *It is better to die in dignity than in the ignominy of ambiguous > generosity! * > > http://smiley2.wordpress.com > http://mburu.sikika.co.ke > _______________________________________________ kictanet mailing list kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet This message was sent to: lydia.gachungi(a)unesco.unon.org Unsubscribe or change your options at http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/lydia.gachungi%40unesc… _______________________________________________ kictanet mailing list kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet This message was sent to: rachealnakitare(a)yahoo.co.uk Unsubscribe or change your options at http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/rachealnakitare%40yaho…

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Re: [kictanet] Media council Draft bill 2010 (Day Three--Composition of Council )
by Racheal Nakitare 27 Jan '11

27 Jan '11

There is need for deliberate emphasis on industry. It is not neccessary to include other professions and if included then five of the seven must belong to the industry. There is also need for clear affirmative action where a third of the seven should be women / men who meet those requirements . Journalism and gender representation is critical. On chapter six of the constitution, the qualities of good leadership are clear. They may not be state officers but should prescribe to leadership and integrity principles. Having distinguished career is relative. Might be hard to measure/ qualify. Thanks Racheal. Sent from my iPhone On Jan 26, 2011, at 11:27 AM, Grace Githaiga <ggithaiga(a)hotmail.com> wrote: Dear Listers Welcome to day 3 of our discussion of the Media Bill in which will tackle two issues namely Composition of the Council (article 6) and Qualifications of Members (Article 7 (1)). Article 7 (2) on appointment of Chairperson will be discussed tomorrow. Today's debate Article 6 states that the Council shall comprise seven members, appointed in accordance with the provisions of this Act. Article 7 (1) states...A person is qualified for appointment…if such a person (c ) have knowledge and experience of at least 10 years including past or continuing membership to industry or other professional body in matters relating to any of the fields: i) Law ii) Journalism iii) Finance iv) Gender and human rights v) Performing arts; or vi) Advertising. Questions: · Should other professions be considered? · Is gender and human rights relevant in this list considering there is mention of one belonging to a professional body? · And is it necessary to actualize gender balance? If so, how? · Out of the seven council members (article 6), are there some who are critical and must be represented in the Council? (d) Meets the requirements of chapter six of the Constitution Question: Chapter six of the constitution is on leadership and integrity and relates to state officers. Is there an assumption then that the council members will be considered state officers? Is this section necessary? (e) Has had a distinguished career in their respective fields. Question: How workable is this? Your suggestions are highly appreciated. Rgds Grace ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- If you have the strength to survive, you have the power to succeed. Life is all about choices we make depending upon the situation we are in. Go forth and rule the World! _______________________________________________ kictanet mailing list kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet This message was sent to: rachealnakitare(a)yahoo.co.uk Unsubscribe or change your options at http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/rachealnakitare%40yaho…

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MP[ESA down?
by Michael Ouma 27 Jan '11

27 Jan '11

Hi: I tried to withdraw Kshs 500 via MPESA from Stema Communications Ltd Tsavo Road @ around 3.30pm today. Then got this message: "Failed. There was a problem sending a confirmation SMS to 966002-Stema Communications Ltd Tsavo Road. Ask them to check the phone and try again." I tried to withdraw again and was sent the same message with my balance indicating that the Ksh 500 plus transaction fees had been deducted with no confirmation SMS being sent to either me or the MPESA agent. How can I recover this? Below is my phone number. Michael Ouma Journalist Kenya Tel:+254-725-537823 "Do not go where the path may lead, but go instead where there is no path and leave a trail," - Ralph Waldo Emerson

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Overstretched Debate
by John Kieti 27 Jan '11

27 Jan '11

Esteemed Listers, There is need to avoid the risk of the list(s) becoming counterproductive. I think we should avoid over-stretching some of the debates. I am particularly referring to the debate on the MNO price wars touching on Bwana PS and others. Obviously, such overstretched debate has risks of unduly personalizing and politicizing things and ultimately diminishing the relevance of the list. Many legit points have been tabled and relevant government organs seem to have cleared the air in the mainstream media - I think we should move on based on the clarifications Best regards -- My Blog - www.gmeltdown.com ''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''' Keep on doing what you know is right ...

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Re: [kictanet] Media council Draft bill 2010 (Day Three--Composition of Council )
by toby＠law-democracy.org 27 Jan '11

27 Jan '11

Hi all, Sorry for weighing in late on this one. I was travelling yesterday and of course the questions went out late. Generally speaking, although I am quite critical of the role of the Media Council re. journalists, and even question the need for such a body, I think the Bill does a pretty good job in terms of setting up the Council and, in particular, of ensuring its independence. Re. the question on areas of expertise, I find the list OK. Other areas such as policy, technology and business might be added. I think expertise on gender and human rights is a very important area. I don't think the focus should be on professional status so much as having a wide range of types of expertise that are relevant to the functions of the Council, most importantly applying the Code of Conduct. For this, what is needed is individuals who can, while understanding the importance of freedom of expression and the way the media functions, for example assess whether particular media output meets acceptable standards of taste (para. 9 of the Code), covers ethnic conflict appropriately (para. 11), and respects privacy (para. 13) - these are just random examples. I agree with Grace that it would be useful to include a requirement of gender representation. There was a suggestion that only journalists should be members. This is not appropriate for in this case, it would be a cosy club assessing itself. It is perhaps worth noting that in both of the two examples I gave early (UK and Indonesia), the relevant bodies include non-media members. The UK Press Complaints Commission always has a majority of members, including the Chair, who do not come from the media (even though it was established by the media) while the Indonesian Press Council has 5 members representing journalists, 5 representing media owners and 5 representing the general public (although again, like the PCC, all chosen by the media). Re. Chapter Six of the Constitution, I cannot claim to be an expert in Kenyan constitutional law and I did not even have a change to read these provisions. But when I read that provision in the Media Council Bill, I assumed the chapter set out various objective requirements, such as independent, integrity, etc. I don't think the intention is that members of the Council will be officials (this is just not in keeping with the whole tenor of the Bill). Furthermore, section 9(1)(g) of the Bill would appear to specifically preclude this. Re. distinguished career, I think the idea is to prevent nepotistic appointments (this would provide a basis for challenging an appointee who did not appear to be appropriate), rather than as a strict positive requirement. To this extent, it is probably useful. Toby ___________________________________ Toby Mendel Executive Director Centre for Law and Democracy toby(a)law-democracy.org Tel: +1 902 431-3688 Fax: +1 902 431-3689 www.law-democracy.org On 26 Jan 2011, at 04:27, Grace Githaiga wrote: Dear Listers Welcome to day 3 of our discussion of the Media Bill in which will tackle two issues namely Composition of the Council(article 6) and Qualifications of Members (Article 7 (1)). Article 7 (2) on appointment of Chairperson will be discussed tomorrow. Today's debate Article 6 states that the Council shall comprise seven members, appointed in accordance with the provisions of this Act. Article 7 (1) states...A person is qualified for appointmentif such a person (c ) have knowledge and experience of at least 10 years including past or continuing membership to industry or other professional body in matters relating to any of the fields: i) Law ii) Journalism iii) Finance iv) Gender and human rights v) Performing arts; or vi) Advertising. Questions: · Should other professions be considered? · Is gender and human rights relevant in this list considering there is mention of one belonging to a professional body? · And is it necessary to actualize gender balance? If so, how? · Out of the seven council members (article 6), are there some who are critical and must be represented in the Council? (d) Meets the requirements of chapter six of the Constitution Question: Chapter six of the constitution is on leadership and integrity and relates to state officers. Is there an assumption then that the council members will be considered state officers? Is this section necessary? (e) Has had a distinguished career in their respective fields. Question: How workable is this? Your suggestions are highly appreciated. Rgds Grace ___________________________________ Toby Mendel Centre for Law and Democracy toby(a)law-democracy.org Tel: +1 902 431-3688 Fax: +1 902 431-3689 www.law-democracy.org

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POWER EDGE RAID CONTROLLER PERC H200
by John Gachagua 26 Jan '11

26 Jan '11

Dear All, Am looking for the below DELL raid controller PERC H200 Integrated / Adapter 6Gb/s SAS PCI-Express 2.0 2x4 internal - - 0,1,10,supports Non-RAID 16 Hardware RAID the quantity is 2 of them with the cables for each. If you have this part or have a solid lead on how to source it please contact me. Regards, JOHN GACHAGUA P.O. BOX 52717 - 00200 NAIROBI CELL:0725903731,0735531093

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Media Bill Discussion - Legal Provisions forStorage of Digital Content
by Edith Adera 26 Jan '11

26 Jan '11

Listers, IDRC has been supporting a research study “assessing the effects of ICTs on perceptions about agricultural biotechnology in Africa (case of Kenya and Burkina Faso)”. During this research in Kenya, one of the major challenges was getting agricultural radio scripts of past programs to undertake a content analysis. Most media stations write over their tapes and there is no way of retrieving content for research, and/or future use/posterity. What ever happened to our archiving systems? And preserving our national heritage? There is need for provisions in the law that enforce storage of aired digital content to facilitate related research activities and other “heritage” efforts. With the promotion of local content (60%?), this becomes ever more critical. Edith ________________ Edith Ofwona Adera Senior Program Specialist ICT4D Program and Climate Change & Water Program International Development Research Centre | Centre de recherches pour le développement international Regional Office for Eastern and Southern Africa Tel: +254202713160 | Fax/Téléc: +254202711063 | Skype: edithadera eadera(a)idrc.or.ke<mailto:eadera@idrc.or.ke> | www.idrc.ca<http://www.idrc.ca/> | www.crdi.ca<http://www.crdi.ca/> [https://email.idrc.or.ke/owa/attachment.ashx?id=RgAAAAANayfd3%2b2VQYZo%2flc…]

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Registration for the Africa Internet (and Mobile) Entrepreneurs' Conference 2011
by Albert Mucunguzi 26 Jan '11

26 Jan '11

Dear All, Registration for the Africa Internet (and Mobile) Entrepreneurs' Conference, scheduled to take place on March 4, 2011 in Kampala is now open online. You can follow the link below to complete your registration. AFRIEC 2011 Registration page Enquiries can be submitted to the email: afriec(a)pctechmagazine.com Thank you and looking forward to seeing you. _____________________________ Albert Mucunguzi Team Leader PC Tech Magazine Mobile: +256 712 619812 / 782 619812 Website: www.pctechmagazine.com E-Mail: i(a)albertmucunguzi.com Twitter: @albertmuc Facebook: www.facebook.com/almuc Personal Web: www.albertmucunguzi.com Blog: www.pctechmagazine.com/blogs/almuc

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Media council Draft bill 2010 (Day Three--Composition of Council )
by Grace Githaiga 26 Jan '11

26 Jan '11

Dear Listers Welcome to day 3 of our discussion of the Media Bill in which will tackle two issues namely Composition of the Council (article 6) and Qualifications of Members (Article 7 (1)). Article 7 (2) on appointment of Chairperson will be discussed tomorrow. Today's debate Article 6 states that the Council shall comprise seven members, appointed in accordance with the provisions of this Act. Article 7 (1) states...A person is qualified for appointment…if such a person (c ) have knowledge and experience of at least 10 years including past or continuing membership to industry or other professional body in matters relating to any of the fields: i) Law ii) Journalism iii) Finance iv) Gender and human rights v) Performing arts; or vi) Advertising. Questions: · Should other professions be considered? · Is gender and human rights relevant in this list considering there is mention of one belonging to a professional body? · And is it necessary to actualize gender balance? If so, how? · Out of the seven council members (article 6), are there some who are critical and must be represented in the Council? (d) Meets the requirements of chapter six of the Constitution Question: Chapter six of the constitution is on leadership and integrity and relates to state officers. Is there an assumption then that the council members will be considered state officers? Is this section necessary? (e) Has had a distinguished career in their respective fields. Question: How workable is this? Your suggestions are highly appreciated. Rgds Grace ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- If you have the strength to survive, you have the power to succeed. Life is all about choices we make depending upon the situation we are in. Go forth and rule the World!

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IGF 2011 - Request for Comments
by waudo siganga 26 Jan '11

26 Jan '11

Dear Colleagues, Arrangements for building the program for the next IGF meeting scheduled to be held in Kenya in September will start with a planning meeting in Geneva 23-24 February. IGF activities are multi-stakeholder bottom-up so listers are invited to send proposals for the Nairobi program to [1]igf(a)unog.ch. The official announcement from the website is below: 2011 Open Consultations and MAG Meeting The next Open Consultations will be held on 23 February, to be followed by a MAG meeting on 24 February which will be open to observers. Both will be held at the Palais des Nations, Geneva, Switzerland. Request for Comments All stakeholders are invited to submit proposals for the programme of the 2011 meeting ([2]igf(a)unog.ch) Inputs received by 7 February 2011 will be reflected in the first draft of a programme paper that will serve as a rolling document during the course of the preparations. References 1. mailto:igf@unog.ch 2. mailto:igf@unog.ch

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Fwd: From Davos world economic forum..
by Paul Kukubo ICT Board 26 Jan '11

26 Jan '11

> The world has been globalized by digitization, and this posses it's own challenges. Worth noting. Wikileaks, Twitter, Facebook. Skype were start-ups just yesterday, and now they are forces for globalization. > > > Jan 25, 2011 -- Updated 0921 GMT (1721 HKT) > What is the 'new reality' faced by the world? > By Paul Armstrong, CNN > > Davos, Switzerland (CNN) -- The global economic crisis exposed fault lines in our capitalist system with such ferocity that even the most optimistic of analysts struggled to predict when -- or even whether -- a full recovery was possible. > > Chastened by this experience, politicians and business leaders concede that the world has changed and a new approach is required to achieve greater prosperity for all. Organizers of the 2011 World Economic Forum at Davos, Switzerland, say this year's theme, "Shared Norms for the New Reality," reflects this thinking. > > The world goes global > > WEF founder Klaus Schwab explained that this new reality means understanding the impact of globalization and the Internet. "We are now living in a completely digitalized world and a completely globalized world, so we have to find some new mechanisms and values to deal with this post-digitalized and post-globalized world," he told CNN's Richard Quest. > > He stressed the same problems of unemployment and inflation exist but "we deal with those problems in a completely new context. Klaus Schwab: World leaders need to inspire recovery "For example, you have the shift in the geopolitical and geoeconomic center from north to south, WikiLeaks, I could go on and on." > > Volatility and uncertainty > > Nestlé CEO and WEF co-chair Paul Bulke explained the post-crisis reality will require a complete re-think of our priorities and value systems to address the current volatility and uncertainty in the world. > > "In the short term we must manage the debt crisis, we can't continue living beyond our means," he said in an interview posted on the WEF website. "We have to organize ourselves in response to new challenges and refresh our regulations, especially in the developed world. > > "But over-regulation is not a good option. You cannot regulate honesty for example. I'm a true believer in a principled approach to business, rather than an excessively rule-based system which will only asphyxiate initiative and growth. > > "The wiser choice is to agree to share norms for our new reality based on strong and explicit global principles -- the very ingredients needed to fuel development." > > The future for the banking sector > > The banking sector in particular has been a lightning rod for public criticism, after a number of major banks in the United States and Britain received billions of dollars in taxpayer-funded rescue packages at the height of the crisis. Many had been caught out after the collapse of the housing market on both sides of the Atlantic, which exposed a culture of high-risk lending without proper risk management in place. > > Some analysts ventured that lucrative bonuses have encouraged bankers to take greater risks for short-term gains. > > But Bulke also pointed to the progress made by the private sector in the development of emerging economies, which has in return reduced rates of absolute poverty. "The private sector run in a principled way based on strong values and with a long-term perspective is a fundamental force for positive development in society," he said. > > In its 2011 Annual Global Risks Report, the WEF warned the world's economy could not withstand any further shocks to the system and identified 37 main threats to its future stability, from crippling government debt and cyber security, to unsustainable pressure on resources and food security. > > Crisis in the euro zone > > Among the most serious economic risks is the ongoing fiscal crisis in the euro zone -- sparked by countries borrowing and spending beyond their means -- which has spread from Greece to Ireland and Portugal in the past year. > > This prompted other euro zone partners to pump in billions of dollars in bailout packages, as investors worry about governments' ability to repay their debts. Governments have reacted with severe austerity measures which have in turn brought thousands onto the streets to protest. > > Food prices hit record high > > Meanwhile, the United Nations Food and Agricultural Organisation warned that world food prices hit a record high in December, prompting riots in a number of poorer countries, from Mozambique to Algeria. Analysts believe a combination of causes, from environmental factors such as major droughts and wildfires, to a surge in the world's population, have hit global crop prices. > > The report also notes that while globalization has reduced impediments to trade, improved international connections and sustained growth for a generation, it has also increased divisions within countries. > > Internet-enabled mass protests > > But the current generation of ordinary people have been able to voice their discontent like never before, thanks largely to the proliferation of the Internet and social media. Whether it is in Greece, Iran or Tunisia, like-minded people have been able to share information and then mobilize swiftly. > > "We are having to confront so many risks at the same time," said Schwab. > > In order to meet these challenges decision-makers will have to "overcome the behavioral biases towards immediate, short-term solutions and switch to longer term thinking," according to Howard Kunreuther, Co-Director of the Wharton Risk Management and Decision Processes Center. > > In short, future development in the 21st century will have to be more inclusive and collaborative in order to reduce the divisions that threaten food security and increase tensions over trade imbalances. > > A framework for inclusive growth > > According to the WEF, the key to navigating this new reality "will be the shared norms that not only transcend differences across generations, stakeholder groups and geographies in a multi-polar world, but also enable inclusive growth. > > "These norms must be truly shared and integrated into a holistic, interdisciplinary and multidimensional framework. For governments as well as multinational corporations, shared norms provide the compass by which leaders give and receive direction, define benchmarks for acceptable and unacceptable behaviors, and ensure inclusive rather than exclusive outcomes." > > Sent from my iPad

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Apologies - Media council Draft bill 2010
by Odhiambo Washington 26 Jan '11

26 Jan '11

Hello Listers, You may have noticed by now a hiccup on the flow of messages to this forum. This was caused by some DNS related problems that cropped up at our provider's end in the process of trying to address mail delivery failures from other members. This has now been satisfactorily addressed, thanks to the quick reaction from our hosting provider. Allow me to take this early opportunity to s*incerely apologize for the technical mishap*, which has clearly led to a significant lag in the important discussions that were already in motion. Grace Githaiga, the discussions moderator, will now proceed with the remaining legs of the discussions from where they got stalled yesterday afternoon. -- Best regards, Odhiambo WASHINGTON, KICTANet Lists Administrator

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Media council Draft bill 2010 (Summary of Day Two discussions)
by Grace Githaiga 26 Jan '11

26 Jan '11

Dear Listers Thanks to all who made contributions to the debate today. Out of the discussion, we have been able to flag the following as issues arising: 1. Are the meaning of the terms 'journalist' and 'journalism' as used in the act, too wide or too narrow? 2. The definition of 'media' and 'media enterprises' in the act does not draw a definite distinction between the two. Also consider the definition of traditional-type media that also disseminate over the Internet to distinguish between them and bloggers. 3. Would the setting of employment criteria for journalists infringe on their freedom of expression? 4. Should there be accreditation of journalists? both foreign and local? 5. Is the definition of 'foreign journalist' as used in the Act too narrow? 6. Are the provisions of Section 4(c),(e),(h) and (i)of the Act too repetitive? We look forward to hearing more from you tomorrow when we discuss the issues of the Composition of th Council and their qualifications. Some people already raised them yesterday and tomorrow we focus the day on them. Kind Regards Grace ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- If you have the strength to survive, you have the power to succeed. Life is all about choices we make depending upon the situation we are in. Go forth and rule the World!

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Re: [kictanet] Media council Draft bill 2010 (Day Two discussions)
by toby＠law-democracy.org 25 Jan '11

25 Jan '11

Hi all, A few comments on todays questions. On the first two questions, we should also look at the definition of media, which includes electronic media engaged in publication for circulation to the public, except for book publishing. Taken together, it seems to me that the definitions clearly include Internet forms of new media, such as bloggers. There are ways to define traditional-type media that also disseminate over the Internet. For example, the Council of Europe (the human rights body for Europe) relies on the notion of an editorial process, which thereby excludes bloggers. Otherwise, I am not sure why we want to distinguish between media content and media enterprises. On the questions about journalists, under international law, it is well-established that it is not legitimate to impose conditions on who may be a journalist. Neither the definition of a journalist in the Bill nor the reference to the Council setting criteria for the employment of journalists meet this standard. Furthermore, the matter of registering journalists is very dubious from the perspective of freedom of expression. It is not just that there are practical problems with this (eg how to capture ad hoc commentators), but the whole idea is offensive to freedom of expression, in part because there is no justifiable reason for doing it. Section 37 is also relevant here, calling for the accreditation of foreign journalists. The import of this is not clear. But if it means that foreign journalists may not report from Kenya on an ad hoc basis without being accredited by the Council (as opposed to foreign journalists who are based in Kenya on a longer-term basis), then it is very problematical from the perspective of freedom of expression. As I mentioned yesterday, it may be legitimate to establish a statutory media council (by the way, I don't understand Rosemary's question on this - this is clearly a statutory body, ie established by law, and not a self-regulatory approach, ie established by the media themselves). But I do not think it would be legitimate for such a body to impose sanctions directly on individual journalists, as opposed to media enterprises. In the end, it is the (collective) decision to publish in the media, which involves not only the originating journalist but an editorial process, which is responsible for any harm caused by that publication. So it is the media enterprise, and not the journalist, who should respond to any complaints. Of course there may be cases where the behaviour of individual journalists may cause harm, eg by invading privacy, but these can be remedied either by civil action against the journalist or again through complaints to the media house. In practice both statutory and self-regulatory systems in democracies around the world normally address media houses, and not individual journalists as such. This is the case, for example, with the Press Complaints Commission in the UK and the Press Council in Indonesia, just to give two examples. Finally, I am concerned with the focus in section 4, functions of the Council, on setting professional/ethical standards. No less than three of the functions focus on this (4(c), (e) and (i)), in addition to the idea of resolving complaints. Is this really necessary? Toby ___________________________________ Toby Mendel Centre for Law and Democracy toby(a)law-democracy.org Tel: +1 902 431-3688 Fax: +1 902 431-3689 www.law-democracy.org

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How much does it cost to develop an iPhone application?
by S.Murigi Muraya 25 Jan '11

25 Jan '11

While the interesting Media Council draft bill discussions continue... and even though the IPhone and its applications are going to remain irrelevant to 99.9% (999 million) of us in Africa for the foreseeable future (at least up to 2020) http://www.marcforrest.com/2010/06/04/how-many-iphones-are-there-in-south-a… This is interesting info... http://stackoverflow.com/questions/209170/how-much-does-it-cost-to-develop-… Even here in Kenya, it is NOT easy to develop quality apps while investing less than USD 70.00 per hour (including VAT, training, equipment, bandwidth, damage control for unhealthy lifestyles) per software or web developer / designer ... Most Companies (co.ke) insist on relying on "freelance" consultants (not companies) who cannot afford to share the work or train other developers. The usual end result is well known.. Quite incredible the kind of libraries, training facilities and events that even relatively small software houses in the West have..

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FW: Competitive Partnerships Initiative (Clusters) Workshop, on 25th-26th January 2011, at Intercontinental Hotel
by waudo siganga 25 Jan '11

25 Jan '11

An interesting discussion going on at the InterContinental. Tomorrow (Wednesday) morning's session will be devoted to ICT and is open to those interested. Please see the attachments.

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Re: [kictanet] Safaricom Bonga Points Merchandise
by Linda Muka 25 Jan '11

25 Jan '11

Washington, we refer to your comments on the Safaricom Bonga Points loyalty Program. Thank you for your feedback and continued interest in the Safaricom Bonga Points loyalty program. We would like to take this opportunity to provide some clarity on the Bonga Points Loyalty program. We at Safaricom continuously strive to ensure that the matrix is up to date through quarterly reviews. This has been a conscious decision implemented to ensure that we retain and rekindle interest and excitement in the program. As such, we introduced a new reward dubbed “Free Airtime” last year, which enables customers to redeem their points for various airtime rewards from as little as 100 points. We have recently concluded and advertised the reviewed merchandise and redemption matrix for the first quarter of 2011, to include new devices and bundle rewards. We request that you dial *126*2# to get a full view of the complete list of available rewards. To make the program more inclusive, we have also reduced the redemption threshold from 100 points to 25 points. Customers can now redeem various Minutes, SMS, MMS and Data bundles from as low as 25 Bonga points. On your request that we include the new IDEOS phone into the matrix, we assure you that we shall take this into consideration as we make our review for the next quarter. We shall share the results of that review with the market. All this is actively done in keeping with our promise to give the best experience to our customers in all facets of our operations. Regards, Linda From: kictanet-bounces+lmuka=safaricom.co.ke(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke [mailto:kictanet-bounces+lmuka=safaricom.co.ke@lists.kictanet.or.ke] On Behalf Of Odhiambo Washington Sent: Friday, January 21, 2011 11:53 PM To: Linda Muka Cc: Skunkworks forum; KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions Subject: [kictanet] Safaricom Bonga Points Merchandise Safaricom has done quite some revisions on their tariffs and data bundles but their Bonga points redemption matrix remains unchanged ever since. I have been hoping (and praying) that they can at least revise the merchandise, given that even some of those they list are not anymore in the market (I may be wrong!) but with prices always depreciating, is it not logical that Safaricom put some revision into this loyalty program?? Can Safaricom also make the point system a little bit realistic when compared to the merchandise?? I know they are not under any obligation but I sure can be motivated to "talk more" within "Niko Na.." with the hope that kupiga mdomo kwangu heunda ikanifaidisha vikubwa:-) Maybe they should include the Huawei IDEOS as one of the merchandise;) -- Best regards, Odhiambo WASHINGTON, Nairobi,KE +254733744121/+254722743223 _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Damn!! ##################################################################################### NOTE: All emails sent from Safaricom Limited are subject to Safaricom�s Email Terms & Conditions. Please click here to read the policy. #####################################################################################

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Re: [kictanet] Media council Draft bill 2010 (Day Two discussions)
by Grace Githaiga 24 Jan '11

24 Jan '11

listers Today, we will shift our focus on Part 1 sections of Part 2(Functions of the Council, Operations of the Council). Part 1 is the index and has the interpretation/definition of terms. This is straight forward. However, I will raise three concerns. Part 1 Interpretation Journalism is interpreted to mean the collecting, writing, editing and presenting of news or news articles in newspapers and magazines, radio and television broadcasts, and in the internet. Question: Does this definition mean the online versions of news from different media houses? A concern has been raised about bloggers for example the many bloggers who were presenting opinions as news/facts in post election violence. “Media” is interpreted to include both electronic and print media engaged in any production for circulation.. While “Media Enterprise” means an organization whose business involves the collection, processing and dissemination of news…through media.” Question: Is there a better way of phrasing the two so that it is clear to distinguish between content (media) and business (media enterprise)? Part 11 Functions and Operations of the Council In 4 (h), the Council will make recommendations on the employment criteria for journalists. In yesterday’s discussion, Rosemary raised two concerns. a) How will this be done? b) Is this not infringing on the freedom of journalists? Does this mean that one cannot get employed unless the Council recommends the criteria for employment? In 4 (k) the Council will compile and maintain a register of journalists, media enterprises and such other media enterprises and such other related registers as it may deem fit. a) Rosemary raised the issue of those who contribute commentaries, and whether media houses will on a daily basis need to send the list of journalists or will this be done annually? In other words, how will this register be compiled? b) Does this then not call for accreditation of local journalists? And to our last concern today: On operations of the Council the bill states: The Council shall operate without any government, political, commercial or other bias or interference and shall be wholly independent and separate from government, any political party or organization, any commercial enterprise or enterprises, or any nominating authority. a) Again Rosemary raised the issue of whether we are talking of a self-regulatory media council or a statutory but be self-regulated by the industry and the public. b) Can this be actualized when the Council is receiving funding from the government? Listers, I invite you to give suggestions. Feel free to contribute to any or all of the questions. Have a great day. Rgds Grace ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- If you have the strength to survive, you have the power to succeed. Life is all about choices we make depending upon the situation we are in. Go forth and rule the World!

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Re: [kictanet] Media Council Draft Bill 2010 (Day one discussion)
by Francis.Hook＠gmail.com 24 Jan '11

24 Jan '11

Hi KK, Not meaning to be too argumentative (especially on a tiring Monday) - but does content exclude what the media (as journalists, producers, announcers, owners etc) create or offer in terms of talk shows, re-briadcasting etc etc whether on radio or TV. My point is, if the MCK is working well to develop professional ethics (across the board - journalist, producers, advertiser, etc etc), ergo there is no need for BCAC? Or is BCAC a safety net such that where media practitioners of the sorts described, STILL allow unsuitable/provocative/inaccurate/fraudulent/etc content to be shared? On , "kk ombati" <kaykerubo(a)gmail.com> wrote: > hi francis > the main difference between the two is that the media council is > intended to regulate journalists and media professionals by setting > educational and ethical standards for journalist somewhat like ICPAK > and LSK. > whereas the BCAC are to be set up to regulate the content on news,radio > etc > On 1/24/11, Francis Hook francis.hook(a)gmail.com> wrote: > > Thanks Grace > > > > First - what is the difference between this -----> > > http://www.mediacouncil.or.ke/ and the body proposed below? > > > > - I have seen an old story ( > > > http://www.businessdailyafrica.com/Company%20Industry/-/539550/853208/-/vie…) > > that mentions the creation of the Broadcast Advisory Council (according > to > > that link it was to be in place about one year ago). I have also seen > > mention of "Broadcasting Content Advisory Council" - > > http://www.cck.go.ke/news/2010/news_09june2010.html - and from there I'd > > like to quote: > > > > "...Information and Communications Minister Hon. Samuel Poghisio urged > the > > Council to move with speed to rid the airwaves of inappropriate > > programming." > > > > Please bear with me if this seems off topic- but in a sense perhaps this > > offers pause for thought on whether a media council will indeed make any > > difference if a broadcast content advisory council is YET to show any > > difference on matters that IMHO are no-brainers (like reading a recipe - > > eg if the music video is intended for adult audiences, DO NOT PLAY IT - > > simple - not rocket science) . > > > > The BCAC was inaugurated in June 2010 - its been six months now and > > according to the quote above we really should have seen some difference. > > > > Could someone please provide me with contact details for the BCAC? > > > > > > On 24 January 2011 13:58, Grace Githaiga ggithaiga(a)hotmail.com> wrote: > > > >> Dear All > >> > >> > >> > >> Thanks Walubengo, Khisa, Cook and Toby for your insights. And just a > quick > >> response to each of you: > >> > >> > >> > >> Walu, Yes there is a media policy in place that was passed just before > >> the > >> KCA Act of 2008. Unfortunately I do not have a copy and I have checked > at > >> the Ministry of Information website. It is also not available. But the > MCK > >> Bill has a basis on the media policy in matters of regulation. So, we > are > >> on > >> the right track. There is a media council in place. I will not judge > its > >> success but I do know it has continued to receive complaints from the > >> public. It also has conducted several trainings aimed at > professionalizing > >> the media. > >> > >> > >> > >> Khisa, the MCK is one form of control mechanism. There is also the > >> broadcast Advisory Council (under CCK) where ordinary people can lodge > in > >> their complaints/concerns on news and programmes. > >> > >> > >> > >> Hook, I apologize on that repetition. It should actually > read… "interests > >> of all sections of society". Please find attached a soft copy of the > MCK > >> Bill 2010 for ease of reference. You can also access it on > >> http://www.information.go.ke. On your suggestions to re-phrase it to > >> capture common morals and ethics, this number 2 is in Article 34 (5) of > >> the > >> constitution. At this point, we can only make suggestions on the MCK > Bill > >> and not on the constitution. But lets see if there are possibilities of > >> capturing your concerns in the subsequent dicussions. > >> > >> In regard to content on some of the FM Stations, there is a > Broadcasting > >> Advisory Council to take care of this. And this is in addition to MCK > >> which > >> deals with complaints regarding media conduct. We will be discussing > the > >> composition of the Council on day 4 (Thursday this week). I can already > >> tell > >> you that religious leaders are not proposed. However, it would be > >> important > >> for you to make contributions on which other professions should > comprise > >> Council Members. > >> > >> > >> > >> Toby, I agree with your sentiments. However my understanding is that a > >> constitution is only meant to provide guidelines. The specifics can be > >> spelt > >> out in the Act. And yes some concerns you have raised about > registration > >> of > >> journalists will be dealt with later in the week. We hope to see your > >> reflection(s) on this. > >> > >> > >> > >> Thanks a lot people. Please lets hear more from the rest of the > listers. > >> > >> > >> > >> And just a reminder of today's discussion: > >> > >> > >> > >> > >> > >> The purpose of the Media Council Bill: > >> > >> > >> > >> *An Act of Parliament to provide for the realization of the right to > >> freedom of expression and freedom of media; for the establishment of > the > >> Media Council of Kenya; for the conduct and discipline of journalists > and > >> the media, and for connected purposes.* > >> > >> > >> > >> Article 33 of the Constitution provides for Freedom of Expression, > while > >> Article 34 provides for the freedom of Media. Further in Article 34, > sub > >> article 5, it states...Parliament shall enact legislation that provides > >> for > >> the establishment of a body which shall: > >> > >> > >> > >> a) be independent of control by government, political interests or > >> commercial interests; > >> > >> b) reflect the interests of all sections of society; and > >> > >> c) set media standards and regulate and monitor compliance with those > >> standards. > >> > >> > >> > >> We welcome responses/reflections to the following: > >> > >> > >> > >> 1. Is the purpose (as stated above) satisfactory, or should it be > >> enhanced to reflect the provisions in the constitution? > >> > >> 2. Is this proposed Media Council best placed to perform and fulfill > >> this purpose? > >> > >> 3. Will the proposed Media Council enhance professionalism and growth > >> of media in Kenya? > >> > >> > >> > >> > >> _______________________________________________ > >> kictanet mailing list > >> kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke > >> http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > >> > >> This message was sent to: francis.hook(a)gmail.com > >> Unsubscribe or change your options at > >> > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/francis.hook%40gmail.c… > >> > >> > > > > > > -- > > Francis Hook > > +254 733 504561 > >

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Forex market disrupted by technology?
by Paul Kukubo ICT Board 24 Jan '11

24 Jan '11

Listers This is worth observing from the perspective of what technology can do. TransferWise launches its online currency exchange today, which hopes to give the banks a run for their money, along with disrupting the consumer-end of the money exchange market as a whole. The headline proposition is that the platform gives anyone access to the same mid-market exchange rates that banks get on their interbank market, with TransferWise charging a flat fee of £1 for each transaction regardless of the amount being exchanged. That’s potentially a big deal. But what’s equally notable is the company’s founders, which includes Skype employee number one Taavet Hinrikus. He spent 7 years at the VoIP company, most recently as Director of Strategy, as well as being an Angel investor in a number of other prominent and upcoming startups including TweetDeck, Mendeley, wikimart.ru, and blip.tv. TransferWise’s other founder is Kristo Käärmann who has a direct financial services background with Deloitte and PricewaterhouseCoopers. Naturally, Hinrikus says he wants TransferWise to “do to currency exchange what Skype did to telecommunications.” It’s a nice line but in this case there appears to be meat on the bone. Traditionally, consumers pay between 3-6% for foreign currency payments at through their bank. In other markets that have moved online, cutting out the middle person (for the most part) has “brought down costs almost everywhere you look”, notes Hinrikus. To that end, TransferWise, which is licensed by the UK Financial Services Authority (registered as Exchange Solutions Ltd.), facilitates money transfers at “global mid-market rates” as reported by Bloomberg, XE and others. At launch, the company enables exchanges between the British Pound and Euro, with more currencies to follow. TransferWise’s direct and indirect competitors include Moneybookers and PayPal at the low-end, or for larger amounts currency brokers like HiFX, as well as other upstarts such as CurrencyFair, and the banks of course. The company remains self-funded by Hinrikus and Käärmann. get widgetminimize TransferWise Website: transferwise.com Founded: March, 2010 TransferWise is an online currency exchange service that allows people to exchange currency using mid-market rates for a flat fee. Learn More Information provided by CrunchBase get widgetminimize Taavet Hinrikus Companies: TransferWise Information provided by CrunchBase Sent from my iPad

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invitation
by David Makali 24 Jan '11

24 Jan '11

dear listers, i hope am not abusing this list. i thought i should interest members in a small side 'event'. there is an interesting round table discussion taking place tomorrow, tuesday, Jan 25, at the alliance francaise auditorium from noon to 2pm. it is the fourth in the monthly series organised by the kenya editors' guild, school of journalism, media institute and media focus on africa foundation. the subject of this month's roundtable is "the media and the icc process". the panelists are martha karua, isaac ruto, kwendo opanga and betty murungi. it starts with snacks in the balcony at 12 then moves inside. the monthly series began last october and is all about interrogating the role of the media in our society and how it is handling some of the vexed issues of the day. karibuni if you have time. the next time we might look at whether the media are helping the country achieve an information society and if they are propagating the usage of ict on that score. poleni for interrupting the important discussions. and now as you were saying.... david _______________ "If my doctor told me I had only six minutes to live, I wouldn't brood. I'd type a little faster." — Isaac Asimo, Columbian Author and Scientist _______________ PO Box 3234 00200 Nairobi, Kenya cell: +254 722 517 540

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Media council Draft bill 2010 (Day one discussion)
by toby＠law-democracy.org 24 Jan '11

24 Jan '11

Hi Grace, others, I find it a little bit difficult to answer this question in the abstract, as the stated purpose is very general. Promoting freedom of expression is fine and establishing the media council is in line with the constitution (although I have some concerns about this - see below). I find the reference to disciplining journalists problematical. The Constitution talks about setting and implementing standards. This is quite different from disciplining journalists (eg warning journalists of a breach of a code of conduct is not disciplining them - it is letting them know where the boundaries are). However, I have a wider concern about the constitutional provisions. I think it is unfortunate to provide in a constitution for the establishment of a statutory body that sets standards for the media as a whole. The ideal way to do this is through media self-regulatory bodies. Where the media is unable, at a certain point in time, to self-regulate, it might be legitimate to impose a statutory system. But once the media can self-regulate, this should be done away with. Elevating it to a constitutional rule makes this much more difficult. My other concern is with the specific modalities by which the Media Bill seeks to regulate the profession, including by regulating the Internet, by setting conditions on journalists, keep a register of journalists (ie register them), etc. But I suppose this is a discussion for another day. Toby Today's discussion: The purpose of the Media Council Bill: An Act of Parliament to provide for the realization of the right to freedom of expression and freedom of media; for the establishment of the Media Council of Kenya; for the conduct and discipline of journalists and the media, and for connected purposes. Article 33 of the Constitution provides for Freedom of Expression, while Article 34 provides for the freedom of Media. Further in Article 34, sub article 5, it states...Parliament shall enact legislation that provides for the establishment of a body which shall: a) be independent of control by government, political interests or commercial interests; b) reflect the sections of all sections of society; and c) set media standards and regulate and monitor compliance with those standards. We welcome responses/reflections to the following: 1. Is the purpose (as stated above) satisfactory, or should it be enhanced to reflect the provisions in the constitution? 2. Is this proposed Media Council best placed to perform and fulfill this purpose? 3. Will the proposed Media Council enhance professionalism and growth of media in Kenya? Rgds Grace ___________________________________ Toby Mendel Centre for Law and Democracy toby(a)law-democracy.org Tel: +1 902 431-3688 Fax: +1 902 431-3689 www.law-democracy.org

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Kenya ICT Board launches Pasha Loan call for applications
by Paul Kukubo ICT Board 24 Jan '11

24 Jan '11

listers, PS for information and Communication speaking on his own behalf as well as on behalf of the Hon. Minister presided over the launch of the Pasha Loan this morning at the Inter-Continental. Key points from the PS to note were 1. The focus is on enabling serious entrepreneurs from around the country to respond and invest in the opportunity. There was need for a minimization of pressure in the applications from local Politicians to enable the best entrepreneurs to emerge for the sake of sustainability. 2. He noted the private sector support from operators in Kenya. Details of the Pasha Loan as follows; Kenya Information & Communications Technology Board Telposta Towers, 12th Floor, Kenyatta Ave P.O.Box 27150 - 00100 Nairobi, KENYA Tel: +254 20 2089061/2211960 | Fax: 254-20-2211962 Email: info(a)ict.go.ke | web: www.ict.go.ke Press Release: Pasha Call for Applications Today, Kenya ICT Board and Family Bank have launched a Ksh 320 million loan facility to support the establishment of Pasha Centres across the country. This facility will finance Kenyan entrepreneurs willing to set up thePasha Centres. Pasha Centres are internet access centres that will offer a rich bouquet of services to the public. Pasha Centers are modeled under three categories: Basic, Standard, and Advanced. Each category is defined by the number of computers and services to be offered and the scale of the Pasha Centre proposed by each applicant, but should include a blend of the following: Internet access, computer training, vocational training, ICT retail, access to government services, entertainment and gaming, typing and data entry, printing services, copying and scanning, CD/DVD burning, faxing, IP telephony, cell phones and SIM card sales, mobile-based financial services, IT support and services, office supplies and stationary sales, printer supplies, laminating and photography and other IT enabled services. The centres, most of which will be in the rural areas will help deliver the government’s objective of ensuring that Kenyans everywhere have access to the internet , use it to access Government E-Services and improve their lives. To apply for this loan, the Kenya ICT Board is inviting entrepreneurial Kenyans from around the country to submit business plan proposals that demonstrate how to build and run a successful Pasha Center. The best proposals will be offered a low cost loan from Family Bank allowing the entrepreneurs to realize their dream of owning a Pasha Center. Applicants will be required to submit a compelling business plan as part of their loan application. Together with our financial partners, Family Bank , Kenya ICT Board will award loans to entrepreneurs that will see one Pasha Centre set up in each constituency countrywide within a year. Important Dates Call for Application: January 25, 2011 Deadline for Application: 25th February 2011 Budgets Pasha Digital Villages Revolving Fund: USD 4 M Training BudgetUSD 2M Technical Support:USD 2 M Bandwidth SupportUSD 2M Number of Pasha Centres to be set up: There will be one Pasha centre in each constituency – making 210 Centres in total to be set up within the next year. Project Objectives The project has three objectives: 1.Provide affordable access and use of ICT resources to rural communities in a sustainable way 2.Increase public accessibility to Government services by making these easily accessible through the Pasha Portal. (E.g. KRA, Registration of Persons, Utility payments, Company registration services, Police Abstracts, public service Commission among others) 3.Create economic opportunities that will spur rural economic development Background: What is a Pasha Center? Pasha centers provide a suite of services to the public via computers connected to the internet.. Role of Pasha Centers To provide Kenyans in rural areas with access to information; the increased access to information will serve to: •Enhance business skills and knowledge in rural areas as well as expose rural communities to world news and trends that maypositively enhance their lives •Provide employment for Kenyans both directly through economic activity that the centre will generate and secondarily through the opportunities that the information will provide •Bring online services closer to rural communities Technical Support The Kenya ICT Board will hire a consulting firm to provide online and on-call support to Pasha Centers. The support will include troubleshooting, repair and maintenance of equipment, support with software installation, support for LAN and WAN installation, among other services. Monitoring and Evaluation The monitoring and evaluation (M&E) for the Pasha Centres is intended to assess success of the digital village (DV) project. M&E segment will look at the business success of the pasha entrepreneurs. The M&E will also assess impact and sustainability of the centres, including the pasha centre’s contribution to increased access to information and services to the public at the grass root level. Estimated cost of the models Type of PASHA Apprx number of computers with Internet Access Estimated Maximum Set Up Costs (KES) PASHA Basic 5 computers KES 820,000 PASHA Standard 10- 18 computers KES 2,553,000 PASHA Advance 20- 30 computers KES 3,342,000 About the Pasha Loan The Pasha Loan is made possible through a revolving fund set up by the Kenya ICT Board (through World bank funding) and administered by Family Bank. The funds allocated to each entrepreneur will be repayable over a three year period with an interest rate of 11.5% p.a on the reducing balance. Entrepreneurs can use the funds to finance set-up costs and or upgrading of an existing facility. The revolving fund will be administered as follows: Steps 01: A call for application shall be made by Kenya ICT Board for prospective entrepreneurs to submit Pasha Loan applications Step 2: Prospective entrepreneurs submit complete applications to the nearest Family Bank branch Step 3: Submitted applications are vetted by Family Bank and Kenya ICT Board’s Grants Committee Step 4: Successful entrepreneurs are informed and invited to sign a loan agreement and Kenya ICT Board service level agreement Step 5: Successful entrepreneurs begin loan repayment after a grace period of three months For more information: Visit www.pasha.co.ke Email: pasha(a)ict.go.ke Call: 020 – 2089061 Or www.familybank.co.ke Email: info(a)familybank.co.ke Call: 020- 318 173 www.ict.go.kePage of 1 The Kenya ICT Board is a State Corporation under the State Corporations Act 446 Sent from my iPad

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Fwd: Digital Villages Update from the Kenya ICT Board
by Paul Kukubo ICT Board 24 Jan '11

24 Jan '11

Additional updates will be sent later today. Sent from my iPad Begin forwarded message: > > > > > > > > Dear Kukubo, > > Status update on the Digital Village 'PASHA' Project. > The Kenya ICT Board would like to announce the Call for Applications for the Pasha Loan- Digital Village Revolving fund. > > Applicants have 30 days from 24th January 2011 to submit their business plans.All applicants MUST submit their business plans directly to their nearest Family Bank and not the Kenya ICT Board. Note that if you have already submitted any business plan in any format to the Kenya ICT Board, you MUST submit another one that follows the new format. > > The steps and procedures to be followed are; > > Step-1 Complete the Pasha Loan application form (forms can be collected at any Family Bank branch, or downloaded from www.ict.go.ke. (click here to download the Pasha Loan application form) > Step-2: Download and complete a business plan on www.ict.go.ke > > Step-3: Present both the business plan and application form to the nearest Family Bank branch. (Click here to view Family Bank branches.) > > Step-4: Wait to get feedback from either Family Bank or the Kenya ICT Board. > > Do not hesitate to contact The Kenya ICT Board if you have queries or contact Family Bank customer care service phone numbers are; 0712-606363, 0738-228881, 020-2374355 > Kenya ICT Board > Digital Village 'PASHA' Project > Telposta Towers, 12th Floor, Kenyatta Ave > P.O. Box 27150 - 00100 Nairobi, Kenya > t: + 254-20-2089061 | e: digitalvillage(a)ict.go.ke > Visit: www.ict.go.ke > > Forward email > > This email was sent to pkukubo(a)ict.go.ke by digitalvillage(a)ict.go.ke | > Update Profile/Email Address | Instant removal with SafeUnsubscribe™ | Privacy Policy. > Kenya ICT Board | Telposta Towers, 12th Floor | Kenyatta Ave | P.o. box 27150-00100 | Nairobi | Kenya

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Do Flashcom and Popote Wireless still exist?
by Francis Hook 24 Jan '11

24 Jan '11

Hi All, I need to find out if these companies are still operational or whether they were acquired by bigger telcos? Do they still exist? -- Francis Hook +254 733 504561

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Re: [kictanet] [ke-internetusers] Fw: [NVK-Mageuzi] Re: MOBILE PRICE WARS COULD DERAIL NEW KATIBA - JOKE OF THE YEAR (Was Are we letting the PS get away with this too?)
by Barrack Otieno 23 Jan '11

23 Jan '11

Well Listers i suggest we move away from a personalised (political :-)) debate targeted at the PS and tackle the issues that have been raised in the article soberly, i have picked some excerpts from the article posted by Shem. Could we also comment on the comments attributed to Michael Ghossein (TKL) and Mr. Peter Wanyonyi? Regards “We have asked CCK (industry regulator Communications Commission of Kenya) to evaluate if this kind of pricing is sustainable,” Dr Ndemo said on Monday. “I am not opposed to reduced prices but they have to make business sense,” he said. “Competition has to take care of re-investment in the sector as well as shareholder value.” Orange Kenya CEO Mickael Ghossein said on Monday that the future of the industry’s profitability appears grim should the current price wars be allowed to prevail. “There has not been largely significant increase in the traffic across networks that would indicate that the low pricing model offered by the competition has resulted in massive recruitments. In any case, cannibalisation of another player’s market share cannot be considered as industry growth,” Mr Ghossein said. “Operators will see little justification in improving call and related quality when profits are falling under assault from Airtel’s strategy. “Improving service quality requires investment in new infrastructure, but with ever-reducing revenues, this will not happen,” warns Mr Peter Wanyonyi, a telecoms analyst. But India’s Bharti Airtel-owned Kenyan subsidiary has defended its decision. On Wed, Jan 19, 2011 at 5:16 PM, Shem Ochuodho <shemochuodho(a)yahoo.com>wrote: > Fyi > > Sorry, I forgot to include the "Nation" site with the full story (for those > who might have missed it):- > http://www.nation.co.ke/business/news/PS%20fears%20mobile%20phone%20price%2… > . > > Happy reading. > Shem > > Shem J. Ochuodho, MSc (Eng), PhD, LLD (Hon) > Senior Advisor > Ministry of Telecom & Postal Services > Government of Southern Sudan (GoSS), Juba > Commonwealth Telecom Organization (CTO/GoSS) 2010 African Internaut Award > Recipient > Kenya Community Abroad (KCA) 2006/07 Excellence Award Winner > AfricaOnline 2005 Industry Pioneer Award Recipient > Father of Internet in Kenya (CSK 2000) > Cell: +249-955-021-040/+256-477-232025/+254-734-137371 > Skype: shem.ochuodho > > > ------------------------------ > *From:* Shem Ochuodho <shemochuodho(a)yahoo.com> > *To:* Leonard Mware <mleonardo(a)yahoo.com>; KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions > <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke>; NVK-Mageuzi Members List < > NVK-Mageuzi(a)yahoogroups.com> > *Cc:* PICTA Kenya-LIst <picta-kenya(a)yahoogroups.com>; NYCIV Group < > nyciv(a)googlegroups.com>; ProgressiveMinds < > ProgressiveMinds(a)yahoogroups.com>; Madaraka Party < > madaraka-kenya(a)yahoogroups.com> > *Sent:* Wed, 19 January, 2011 15:57:28 > *Subject:* [NVK-Mageuzi] Re: MOBILE PRICE WARS COULD DERAIL NEW KATIBA - > JOKE OF THE YEAR (Was Are we letting the PS get away with this too?) > > > > I have always wondered why one of the major mobile companies is treated > with kids-gloves. The current case of SMS price-wars reinforces this > concern. I would have thought that after passing the new katiba with Bill of > Rights embedded (which includes consumer protection), everyone especially > government, would celebrate when Airtel (I hold no brief) lowered SMS > charges to KSh 1. This was even after their earlier push for interconnect > rate to be pegged to KSh 0.2 was rejected, and instead GoK/CCK (with strong > influence from Safaricom) settled on KSh 0.6. While one needs to look at the > maths to know whether 0.2 or 0.6 should have been a more justified rate, > Airtel has done us one more favour: which all Kenyans of goodwill should > support. They have pegged their SMS costs to KSh 1.0, capping ‘other > overheads + profit’ to KSh 0.4. I wouldn’t expect Airtel, a global reputable > company to do this if the fundamentals were not right – unless it was a > fly-by-night company! They confirm what a number of us have worried all > along about: that mobile companies are over-reaping profits, most of which > is repatriated to shareholders out of the country. > > > > My 3 main concerns:- > > > > 1) Why would the same people who rejoiced/indeed occasioned > retrenchment when nearly 18,000 Kenyans were retrenched on privatizing > Telkom Kenya now be so worried about Safaricom retrenching to the extent > that they would deny Kenyans an opportunity to reap the benefits of > competition, innovation and creativity? > > 2) CCK is supposed to be independent. Why should the government (read > Ministry) always interfere in their decisions? > > 3) When we are being told “we’ll lose so much revenue in tax > collection”, why aren’t we in the same vein being told “but in the process, > we’ll reduce capital flight by way of (foreign) investment repatriation by > so much”, and even more importantly that “through lower phone tariffs, > Kenyan consumers will have saved so much/economy will have grown by so much > as a result of cheaper phone costs.”? > > > > Indeed some of the observations herein rooting against lower SMS costs > remind me of my earlier (pupilage) days at the then KP&TC. For a while, a > number of us advocated ‘lower costs, higher volumes’ (something that lately > has become better known as ‘bottom billion’). The same way that it was > dismissed then appears to me as the same way the ‘mobile price wars’ are > being dismissed now by some. Haven’t Equity and Safaricom itself (actually, > mobile companies) proven over time that this works? > > > > To be honest, every time I am home I shudder about using Safaricom. For > voice, I long stopped using my Safaricom number except to receive – heko to > Airtel, Yu and others. For Internet, even when I do bundles, Safaricom is > still VERY expensive. Instead of government helping (as demanded by the > constitution), they are helping to keep the prices up. In the end who really > benefits? Certainly not the consumer/ordinary Kenyan! If this approach has > worked for Airtel in India (is the population nearly a billion?), why not > for Kenya? > > > > Best rgrds, > > Shem > > > ------------------------------ > *From:* Leonard Mware <mleonardo(a)yahoo.com> > *To:* shemochuodho(a)yahoo.com > *Cc:* KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> > *Sent:* Wed, 19 January, 2011 14:33:22 > *Subject:* Re: [kictanet] Are we letting the PS get away with this too? > > > Listers, > > Two issues are emerging: > > 1. Operators not able to 'recoup' investment hence possible layoffs, stock > market problems etc > 2. Taxman losses > > First, let’s imagine tomorrow the minimum charges are set to 2/- and Airtel > moves up. Assume I am a new entrant in the market with > cheaper-easy-to-deploy technology. Bear in mind that technology is evolving > fast and new multiplexing and radio wave propagation techniques are also > advancing. If my technology allows me to set up a GSM network and I can > confidently 'recoup' my investment at 0.5/- why should I be forced to charge > 2/-? > > My view is that such a scenario will give rise to a government created > cartel that will stifle competition, innovation and advancement. > > Secondly, who is going to set the base rate? Government? I wait to see how > the government can juggle the mathematics of coming up with ‘recouping > period’ and satisfy taxman, investors in stock market and operators at same > time. > > The only option, in my view, is for the government to think of higher > taxation because that’s where they have leverage and the leave the fight on > tariff to operators and market place. The other option is for the government > to set up its own National Mobile Operator (NMO) in the line of National Oil > Corporation of Kenya (NOCK) to help stabilize market ;) > > As for stock market; ups and downs are part of the game.. it is called in > Kiswahili playing *kamari and *any investor should know what happens in a > casino! > > BTW, is there a documented precedence in any developing country? > > Leonard > > > > --- On *Wed, 1/19/11, bitange(a)jambo.co.ke <bitange(a)jambo.co.ke>* wrote: > > > From: bitange(a)jambo.co.ke <bitange(a)jambo.co.ke> > Subject: Re: [kictanet] Are we letting the PS get away with this too? > To: mleonardo(a)yahoo.com > Cc: "KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions" <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> > Date: Wednesday, January 19, 2011, 12:43 PM > > Liko, > In developed Markets where both data and voice have matured, you can > afford drastic fall in price. When you get reports from the public, one > must always be cautious. Take for example when someone reports that there > is a likelihood of cross subsidy which can potentially affect the market. > Should we be locking ourselves in the room and pray that nothing happens? > > It is therefore not abnormal for the Government to be cautious especially > when the public writes to complain of a similar situation elsewhere. We > have not faulted any operator but it is our responsibility to ensure that > there is fair play. > > Imagine a situation where all the operators report losses at the end of > the year. You will begin to see retrenchments, the stock market fall > would trigger a rise both with the exchange rate and the interest rates > effectively the consumer will end up paying somehow. I will not be > suprised that it will be this same forum that will ask what the Government > was doing to let things get this worse. > > Therefore, it does not matter whether you you cricise the Government now > or later. Either way we face the criticism. > > Ndemo. > > > > > > Guys. > > > > How about we just let the prices go down till the govt has to set > > prices ? Or till the Govt supports MNO's (like posta and telkom for a > > loooooong time) > > > > Seriously, the same peeps who were complaining about call costs 3 > > years are worried about the telcos collapsing. > > > > This is the same language we heard when ISP's we asked to reduce > > bandwidth prices ... > > > > Unsustainable :) > > > > > > > > > > > > On 1/18/11, John Kieti <jkieti(a)gmail.com<http://us.mc1619.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=jkieti@gmail.com>> > wrote: > >> Hi Walu and other esteemed Kenyans, > >> > >> This debate is interesting. As mentioned earlier by someone, the debate > >> would be more enlightening if the cost structure of these MNOs had been > >> in > >> the public domain. But all is not lost; there are some basic parameters > >> already in the public domain ie. (1) Safaricom's dominant position of > >> about > >> 77% market share and (2) Airtel's low price strategy including their 1 > >> bob > >> on-net offer in an attempt to eat into Safaricom's market share. It > >> appears > >> a little premature then to raise a concern of Anti-Trust against a > >> non-dominant player, when they have not even achieved a half of the > >> dominant > >> player's market share. > >> > >> The current cost structure and profit margins for voice, SMS and all > >> other > >> product offerings is what we really need to understand before going into > >> any > >> conclusion on long term sustainability. It seems easy to see that brand > >> loyalty and patriotic sentiments are strong everywhere this debate comes > >> up > >> but it might also help to see these harder facts. > >> > >> Lastly, in today's dynamic economic environment, one has to either > >> innovate > >> or die - and our dear Safaricom has demonstrated substantial competence > >> on > >> this. It then appears that innovation is what will sustain growth of the > >> industry - really not regulation and protectionism. > >> > >> Best regards > >> > >> On Tue, Jan 18, 2011 at 6:09 PM, Walubengo J <jwalu(a)yahoo.com<http://us.mc1619.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=jwalu@yahoo.com>> > wrote: > >> > >>> Harry, tough questions you have and the answers may most likely > >>> neutralize > >>> my argument. But the bigger point is/was that certain type of > >>> competitive > >>> tactics can be counterproductive when looked at from a Macro > >>> perspective. > >>> Yes, you (Airtel) wins todays battle, but someone bigger than Safcom > >>> will > >>> lose the war. > >>> > >>> With the Microsoft Case- European Courts ruled that their tactic was > >>> anti-competitive and they were forced to seperate their Browser from > >>> their > >>> OS, rather than sell as a bundle. But I think it was a case of too > >>> little > >>> too late. Did internet numbers go down? probably not since Internet > >>> numbers > >>> do depend on more factors other than just Browsers. > >>> > >>> But for the mobile industry, their growth and expanse does depend on > >>> revenues. I can forcasts that VOICE Revenue generated from all players > >>> might > >>> be the same as last year because the voice industry may not grow - it > >>> will > >>> simply be shared out.. And after the price-wars are over and an > >>> equilibrium > >>> is established (maybe Airtel 50% others 50%) it will dawn on everyone > >>> that > >>> they incoming revenue streams is insufficient to deliver expansion or > >>> extend > >>> the services outside their current levels. > >>> > >>> walu. > >>> > >>> > >>> > >>> > >>> > >>> --- On *Tue, 1/18/11, Harry Hare <harry(a)africanedevelopment.org<http://us.mc1619.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=harry@africanedevelopment.org> > >* > >>> wrote: > >>> > >>> > >>> From: Harry Hare <harry(a)africanedevelopment.org<http://us.mc1619.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=harry@africanedevelopment.org> > > > >>> Subject: Re: [kictanet] [Skunkworks] Are we letting the PS get away > >>> with > >>> this too? > >>> To: "Walubengo J" <jwalu(a)yahoo.com<http://us.mc1619.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=jwalu@yahoo.com> > > > >>> > >>> Cc: "KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions" <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke<http://us.mc1619.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=kictanet@lists.kictanet.or.ke> > > > >>> Date: Tuesday, January 18, 2011, 5:22 PM > >>> > >>> Walu good analogy with Netscape and MS IE. However > >>> > >>> 1. Did the Internet die with the death of Netscape? > >>> 2. Did the Internet numbers stay constant with the death of > >>> Netscape? > >>> 3. Did Microsoft marketshare drop? > >>> 4. Did innovation on the internet stop? > >>> > >>> Guys, let get real, this is business…natural selection comes into play. > >>> > >>> Kindest Regards > >>> > >>> Harry Hare > >>> Director > >>> * > >>> eDevelopment House : : 604 Limuru Road > >>> * Old Muthaiga : : P O Box 49475 00100 > >>> Nairobi : : Kenya > >>> T +254 20 3741646/7 : : C +254 725 650044 > >>> > >>> Training : : Research: :Consultancy: : Publishing > >>> > >>> From: John Walubengo > >>> <jwalu(a)yahoo.com<http://us.mc1619.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=jwalu@yahoo.com> > <http://mc/compose?to=jwalu@yahoo.com> > >>> > > >>> Date: Tue, 18 Jan 2011 05:35:58 -0800 (PST) > >>> To: Harry Hare > >>> <harry(a)africanedevelopment.org<http://us.mc1619.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=harry@africanedevelopment.org> > <http://mc/compose?to=harry@africanedevelopment.org> > >>> > > >>> > >>> Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions > >>> <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke<http://us.mc1619.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=kictanet@lists.kictanet.or.ke> > <http://mc/compose?to=kictanet@lists.kictanet.or.ke> > >>> > > >>> Subject: Re: [kictanet] [Skunkworks] Are we letting the PS get away > >>> with > >>> this too? > >>> > >>> Here are my thoughts. > >>> > >>> The PS is right about predatory pricing never aimed at growing the > >>> Industry. For those who were "alive" at the beginning of the > >>> web-browser > >>> wars in early 1990s. Netscape was King. Then Microsoft came in and gave > >>> away > >>> its product Internet Explorer(IE) - for free. Everyone was happy - > >>> until > >>> they realized they were paying for the Microsoft IE through other means > >>> (by > >>> buying for the OS for example). But by then Netscape as a competitor > >>> was > >>> as > >>> dead as the Dodo. Microsoft Mission accomplished. > >>> > >>> Folks, Airtel is not here because they love giving free things. I am > >>> not > >>> privy to their Strategy but it can be read by anyone. Their aim is not > >>> to > >>> grow/extend the Service, but rather to eat Safaricom's lunch. At a > >>> consumer > >>> level, nothing really wrong with that and infact it is Christmas time > >>> for > >>> consumers. BUT at a national level, what you have is that the > >>> 20million > >>> subscribers you currently have in the country, will remain 20million > >>> subscriber five years later. Only that half of them will be sitting on > >>> Airtel's network and the other half will be with "Others". Net growth > >>> for > >>> Kenya? =ZERO > >>> > >>> Airtel's strategy wont kill the mobile industry, but believe you me, it > >>> will stiffle its growth in the long run, because the returns to the > >>> investors will not be sufficient to sustain operations, let alone > >>> extend > >>> the > >>> network or pay for innovation. > >>> > >>> That said, as a consumer, Airtel's offer is truly irresistible and > >>> worth > >>> considering. But as a scholar, I do know, and agree that it is not > >>> good > >>> for > >>> the industry in the long run. > >>> > >>> walu. > >>> > >>> > >>> --- On *Tue, 1/18/11, Odhiambo Washington > >>> <odhiambo(a)gmail.com<http://us.mc1619.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=odhiambo@gmail.com> > <http://mc/compose?to=odhiambo@gmail.com> > >>> >* wrote: > >>> > >>> > >>> From: Odhiambo Washington > >>> <odhiambo(a)gmail.com<http://us.mc1619.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=odhiambo@gmail.com> > <http://mc/compose?to=odhiambo@gmail.com> > >>> > > >>> Subject: Re: [kictanet] [Skunkworks] Are we letting the PS get away > >>> with > >>> this too? > >>> To: jwalu(a)yahoo.com<http://us.mc1619.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=jwalu@yahoo.com>< > http://mc/compose?to=jwalu@yahoo.com> > >>> > >>> Cc: "KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions" > >>> <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke<http://us.mc1619.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=kictanet@lists.kictanet.or.ke> > <http://mc/compose?to=kictanet@lists.kictanet.or.ke> > >>> > > >>> Date: Tuesday, January 18, 2011, 1:22 PM > >>> > >>> > >>> > >>> On Tue, Jan 18, 2011 at 1:18 PM, Barrack Otieno > >>> <otieno.barrack(a)gmail.com<http://us.mc1619.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=otieno.barrack@gmail.com> > >wrote: > >>> > >>> You have a point Brainiac, there are many factors in your argument > >>> which > >>> need to be tackled and as such we may need expert opinion on some > >>> issues, > >>> a > >>> corporate entity is treated as a person and as the saying goes one > >>> mans > >>> meat is another mans poison, what are the implications of certain moves > >>> on > >>> new market entrants? How will the other Telcos survive in the market?, > >>> this > >>> is where regulation comes in to ensure a piece of cake for everyone. > >>> > >>> > >>> Before making this debate so complicated, is Airtel's move interpreted > >>> as > >>> a > >>> means towards crippling the mobile industry? > >>> Why is this position not being applied on the Internet Service > >>> Provision > >>> industry then? We always heard promises of "prices will come down" but > >>> when > >>> they do now, the govt is gonna lose revenue? Puleease! > >>> > >>> -- > >>> Best regards, > >>> Odhiambo WASHINGTON, > >>> Nairobi,KE > >>> +254733744121/+254722743223 > >>> _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ > >>> Damn!! > >>> > >>> > >>> -----Inline Attachment Follows----- > >>> > >>> _______________________________________________ > >>> > >>> > >> > >> > >> -- > >> My Blog - www.gmeltdown.com > >> ''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''' > >> Keep on doing what you know is right ... > >> > > > > -- > > > > > __._,_.___ > Reply to sender<shemochuodho@yahoo.com?subject=Re%3A%20MOBILE%20PRICE%20WARS%20COULD%20DERAIL%20NEW%20KATIBA%20-%20JOKE%20OF%20THE%20YEAR%20%28Was%20Are%20we%20letting%20the%20PS%20get%20away%20with%20this%20too%3F%29>| Reply > to group<NVK-Mageuzi@yahoogroups.com?subject=Re%3A%20MOBILE%20PRICE%20WARS%20COULD%20DERAIL%20NEW%20KATIBA%20-%20JOKE%20OF%20THE%20YEAR%20%28Was%20Are%20we%20letting%20the%20PS%20get%20away%20with%20this%20too%3F%29>| Reply > via web post<http://groups.yahoo.com/group/NVK-Mageuzi/post;_ylc=X3oDMTJxcmtpZmtnBF9TAzk…>| Start > a New Topic<http://groups.yahoo.com/group/NVK-Mageuzi/post;_ylc=X3oDMTJmOTF0cjg5BF9TAzk…> > Messages in this topic<http://groups.yahoo.com/group/NVK-Mageuzi/message/4483;_ylc=X3oDMTM1cm5tZnZ…>( > 1) > Recent Activity: > > - New Members<http://groups.yahoo.com/group/NVK-Mageuzi/members;_ylc=X3oDMTJndG9wOXI3BF9T…> > 14 > > Visit Your Group<http://groups.yahoo.com/group/NVK-Mageuzi;_ylc=X3oDMTJmcHQ1aW9yBF9TAzk3MzU5…> > [image: Yahoo! Groups]<http://groups.yahoo.com/;_ylc=X3oDMTJlbWgxMmllBF9TAzk3MzU5NzE0BGdycElkAzMyN…> > Switch to: Text-Only<NVK-Mageuzi-traditional@yahoogroups.com?subject=Change%20Delivery%20Format:%20Traditional>, > Daily Digest<NVK-Mageuzi-digest@yahoogroups.com?subject=Email%20Delivery:%20Digest>• > Unsubscribe <NVK-Mageuzi-unsubscribe(a)yahoogroups.com?subject=Unsubscribe>• Terms > of Use <http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/> > . > > __,_._,___ > > > > _______________________________________________ > ke-internetusers mailing list > ke-internetusers(a)bdix.net > http://www.bdix.net/mailman/listinfo/ke-internetusers > > -- Barrack O. Otieno Afriregister Ltd (Kenya) www.afrire <http://www.afriregister.com>gister.bi, www.afriregister.com<http://www.afriergister.com> <http://www.afriregister.com>ICANN accredited registrar +254721325277 +254-20-2498789 Skype: barrack.otieno

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Are we letting the PS get away with this too?
by [Brainiac] 23 Jan '11

23 Jan '11

I seriously hope that this http://bit.ly/famTA5 is just some fanatical reporting at Nation Media (would not be shocked) but if so, if these words came out of your mouth bwana PS, THAT THE PRICE WARS IN THE MOBILE INDUSTRY MIGHT DERAIL THE NEW CONSTITUTION. Are you for Real? Is that not cartel behaviour right there? So now what, are you going to "adjust" the lowest interconnection fees upwards to normalize all this? so that what? Safaricom can make more money? Playing on the public with FUD now? what happened to market forces? who would run their company to a grind just to offer the cheapest? Revenue collection? how about we first spend PRUDENTLY what we collect? how about ALL of us pay taxes for starters? and why not just LOWER taxes and increase the tax bracket? I have never been disappointed like i have on reading this. If it looks like Impunity, Smells like Impunity , guess what it is....

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Safaricom Bonga Points Merchandise
by Odhiambo Washington 21 Jan '11

21 Jan '11

Safaricom has done quite some revisions on their tariffs and data bundles but their Bonga points redemption matrix remains unchanged ever since. I have been hoping (and praying) that they can at least revise the merchandise, given that even some of those they list are not anymore in the market (I may be wrong!) but with prices always depreciating, is it not logical that Safaricom put some revision into this loyalty program?? Can Safaricom also make the point system a little bit realistic when compared to the merchandise?? I know they are not under any obligation but I sure can be motivated to "talk more" within "Niko Na.." with the hope that kupiga mdomo kwangu heunda ikanifaidisha vikubwa:-) Maybe they should include the Huawei IDEOS as one of the merchandise;) -- Best regards, Odhiambo WASHINGTON, Nairobi,KE +254733744121/+254722743223 _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Damn!!

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Re: [kictanet] [Skunkworks] Fwd: CCK PRESS RELEASE ON AIRTEL'S PROMOTIONAL TARIFF - FEELANGA FREE
by Odhiambo Washington 21 Jan '11

21 Jan '11

On Fri, Jan 21, 2011 at 10:25 AM, Larry Madowo <lmadowo(a)ke.nationmedia.com>wrote: > This might interest some of you > > ---------- Forwarded message ---------- > From: Alwala, Rachel > Date: Thu, Jan 20, 2011 at 7:23 PM > Subject: CCK PRESS RELEASE ON AIRTEL'S PROMOTIONAL TARIFF - FEELANGA FREE > > Cc: CPR team <CPRteam(a)cck.go.ke> > > > *PRESS RELEASE * > *[image: > cid:image001.jpg@01CBAE80.383363D0]* > > > > > > 20th January 2011 > > * * > > *STATEMENT FROM CCK ON AIRTEL’S PROMOTIONAL TARIFF – FEELANGA FREE * > > * * > > The Communications Commission of Kenya issued an Interconnection > Determination for termination rates of both voice and Short Message Services > (SMS), on 16th July 2010 and 1st January 2011, respectively, following the > telecommunication network cost study undertaken by Analysys Mason on behalf > of the Commission. > > > > The Commission expected that the reduction of Interconnection termination > rates would influence reduction in retail tariffs and consequently generate > more competition in the market. Subsequently there has been considerable > reduction of retail tariffs both for voice services and SMS, which has > resulted in a significant increase in minutes of use on the GSM networks in > the country. This is an indication of positive market response to the > changes in prices. > > > > Airtel Networks Kenya Limited, recently launched an offer in the market > under the name, *feelanga free, *costing the on-net calls at a retail > price of Ksh. 1 per minute from 6am to 6pm. Based on the information availed > at the launch, the public has perceived it as a permanent tariff. Further, > the Commission has received a complaint filed by one of the GSM Network > operators that it is not clear whether *feelanga free* is a promotion or > permanent tariff. Upon enquiry by the Commission, Airtel Networks Kenya > Limited has since clarified that *feelanga free *is a promotional tariff, > w.e.f, 13th January 2011. The Commission has further instructed Airtel > Networks Kenya Limited, to comply with the promotional guidelines as > provided in the Kenya Information and Communications (Tariff) Regulation, > 2010. > > > > The Commission also wishes to emphasize that network operators are free to > adopt business models that suit them. Matters of cost structures and > profitability are therefore left for the determination of individual > operators. The mandate of the Commission is purely guided by the Sector > Legislation and Regulations in force. > > > > Issued by: > > > > *Charles. J. K. Njoroge* > > *Director General * > > *Communications Commission of Kenya * > > *PO Box 14448* > > *Nairobi 00800* > > *Tel: 4242000* > > *Fax: 4451866* > > *Email: info(a)cck.go.ke* > > * > <info(a)cck.go.ke>* > I wonder what the promotional guidelines say. I don't have time to read the documents that spells those. Anyone? That sentence says it all though. If the business model suits Airtel, I wonder why anyone outside the Airtel conglomerate is complaining. Isn't it the same "*pilipili usioila...*"? I still feel the PSs statements were biased towards a certain player, and the issue of the constitution was the smoke screen used! -- Best regards, Odhiambo WASHINGTON, Nairobi,KE +254733744121/+254722743223 _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Damn!!

5 6

Lowering of Mobile Charges
by waudo siganga 20 Jan '11

20 Jan '11

Those who say it cannot be done should not interrupt those who are doing it.

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Re: [kictanet] [Skunkworks] Are we letting the PS get away with this too?
by Walubengo J 20 Jan '11

20 Jan '11

Harry, tough questions you have and the answers may most likely neutralize my argument. But the bigger point is/was that certain type of competitive tactics can be counterproductive when looked at from a Macro perspective. Yes, you (Airtel) wins todays battle, but someone bigger than Safcom will lose the war. With the Microsoft Case- European Courts ruled that their tactic was anti-competitive and they were forced to seperate their Browser from their OS, rather than sell as a bundle. But I think it was a case of too little too late. Did internet numbers go down? probably not since Internet numbers do depend on more factors other than just Browsers. But for the mobile industry, their growth and expanse does depend on revenues. I can forcasts that VOICE Revenue generated from all players might be the same as last year because the voice industry may not grow - it will simply be shared out.. And after the price-wars are over and an equilibrium is established (maybe Airtel 50% others 50%) it will dawn on everyone that they incoming revenue streams is insufficient to deliver expansion or extend the services outside their current levels. walu. --- On Tue, 1/18/11, Harry Hare <harry(a)africanedevelopment.org> wrote: From: Harry Hare <harry(a)africanedevelopment.org> Subject: Re: [kictanet] [Skunkworks] Are we letting the PS get away with this too? To: "Walubengo J" <jwalu(a)yahoo.com> Cc: "KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions" <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> Date: Tuesday, January 18, 2011, 5:22 PM Walu good analogy with Netscape and MS IE. HoweverDid the Internet die with the death of Netscape? Did the Internet numbers stay constant with the death of Netscape?Did Microsoft marketshare drop?Did innovation on the internet stop?Guys, let get real, this is business…natural selection comes into play. Kindest Regards Harry HareDirectoreDevelopment House : : 604 Limuru Road Old Muthaiga : : P O Box 49475 00100 Nairobi : : Kenya T +254 20 3741646/7 : : C +254 725 650044 Training : : Research: :Consultancy: : Publishing From: John Walubengo <jwalu(a)yahoo.com> Date: Tue, 18 Jan 2011 05:35:58 -0800 (PST) To: Harry Hare <harry(a)africanedevelopment.org> Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> Subject: Re: [kictanet] [Skunkworks] Are we letting the PS get away with this too? Here are my thoughts. The PS is right about predatory pricing never aimed at growing the Industry. For those who were "alive" at the beginning of the web-browser wars in early 1990s. Netscape was King. Then Microsoft came in and gave away its product Internet Explorer(IE) - for free. Everyone was happy - until they realized they were paying for the Microsoft IE through other means (by buying for the OS for example). But by then Netscape as a competitor was as dead as the Dodo. Microsoft Mission accomplished. Folks, Airtel is not here because they love giving free things. I am not privy to their Strategy but it can be read by anyone. Their aim is not to grow/extend the Service, but rather to eat Safaricom's lunch. At a consumer level, nothing really wrong with that and infact it is Christmas time for consumers. BUT at a national level, what you have is that the 20million subscribers you currently have in the country, will remain 20million subscriber five years later. Only that half of them will be sitting on Airtel's network and the other half will be with "Others". Net growth for Kenya? =ZERO Airtel's strategy wont kill the mobile industry, but believe you me, it will stiffle its growth in the long run, because the returns to the investors will not be sufficient to sustain operations, let alone extend the network or pay for innovation. That said, as a consumer, Airtel's offer is truly irresistible and worth considering. But as a scholar, I do know, and agree that it is not good for the industry in the long run. walu. --- On Tue, 1/18/11, Odhiambo Washington <odhiambo(a)gmail.com> wrote: From: Odhiambo Washington <odhiambo(a)gmail.com> Subject: Re: [kictanet] [Skunkworks] Are we letting the PS get away with this too? To: jwalu(a)yahoo.com Cc: "KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions" <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> Date: Tuesday, January 18, 2011, 1:22 PM On Tue, Jan 18, 2011 at 1:18 PM, Barrack Otieno <otieno.barrack(a)gmail.com> wrote: You have a point Brainiac, there are many factors in your argument which need to be tackled and as such we may need expert opinion on some issues, a corporate entity is treated as a person and as the saying goes one mans meat is another mans poison, what are the implications of certain moves on new market entrants? How will the other Telcos survive in the market?, this is where regulation comes in to ensure a piece of cake for everyone. Before making this debate so complicated, is Airtel's move interpreted as a means towards crippling the mobile industry?Why is this position not being applied on the Internet Service Provision industry then? We always heard promises of "prices will come down" but when they do now, the govt is gonna lose revenue? Puleease! -- Best regards, Odhiambo WASHINGTON, Nairobi,KE +254733744121/+254722743223 _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Damn!! -----Inline Attachment Follows----- _______________________________________________ kictanet mailing list kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet This message was sent to: jwalu(a)yahoo.com Unsubscribe or change your options at http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/jwalu%40yahoo.com _______________________________________________ kictanet mailing list kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet This message was sent to: harry(a)africanedevelopment.org Unsubscribe or change your options at http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/harry%40africanedevelo…

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Fwd: [ISOC] Global Internet Community Leader Joins Internet Society as VP for Public Policy
by McTim 20 Jan '11

20 Jan '11

FYI: GLOBAL INTERNET COMMUNITY LEADER JOINS INTERNET SOCIETY AS VP FOR PUBLIC POLICY Markus Kummer takes on leadership role for global, regional and national Internet issues GENEVA, SWITZERLAND and RESTON, VIRGINIA, USA - 19 January 2011 - An internationally recognized leader in a broad range of Internet policy issues will join the Internet Society as head of its public policy department. As the Internet Society's Vice President of Public Policy, Markus Kummer will advance key Internet Society policy positions on issues such as privacy, cybersecurity, and network neutrality. Most recently the Executive Coordinator of the Secretariat supporting the United Nations' Internet Governance Forum, Kummer has extensive experience with Internet policy at the global, regional, and national levels. "Markus' broad experience with and deep understanding of the key policy issues facing the Internet will help ensure the Internet Society has an even greater impact on issues critical to the Internet's continued evolution as an open platform for innovation and economic development," said Lynn St.Amour, the Internet Society's President and CEO. Before joining the United Nations in 2004, Kummer held the position of eEnvoy for the Swiss Foreign Ministry in Berne. Mr. Kummer was a member of the Swiss delegation during the first phase of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) where he chaired several negotiating groups, including the group on Internet governance. He went on to serve as the Executive Coordinator of the WSIS Working Group on Internet Governance from 2004 to 2005. Before his involvement with the WSIS, he served as a career diplomat in several functions in the Swiss Foreign Ministry and was posted in Lisbon, Vienna, Oslo, Geneva, and Ankara. "In joining the Internet Society, I look forward to advancing the multistakeholder approach to policy that has been so central to the Internet's development and is even more critical to its future," said Markus Kummer, who will officially take up his position on 1 February 2011. "With its technical roots, the Internet Society is already established as a uniquely credible leader on policy issues, and a key contributor to policy discussions at the national, regional, and global levels." The Internet Society is the world's trusted independent source of leadership on Internet issues. The Internet Society works with its tens of thousands of Members and nearly 100 Chapters around the world to promote the continued evolution and growth of the open global Internet. About the Internet Society The Internet Society is a non-profit organisation founded in 1992 to provide leadership in Internet-related standards, education, and policy. It is dedicated to ensuring the open development, evolution and use of the Internet for the benefit of people throughout the world. See: www.internetsociety.org Contact Greg Wood wood(a)isoc.org +1-703-439-2145 _______________________________________________ To manage your ISOC subscriptions or unsubscribe, please log into the ISOC Member Portal: https://portal.isoc.org/ Then choose Interests & Subscriptions from the My Account menu. -- Cheers, McTim "A name indicates what we seek. An address indicates where it is. A route indicates how we get there." Jon Postel

5 5

Fw: Police Website Hacking
by Matunda Nyanchama 19 Jan '11

19 Jan '11

Friends, On the recent hacking of the Kenya Police website, here is what I posted on the Security List <security(a)lists.my.co.ke>,although for some reason it hasn't shown up on the list. ----- Forwarded Message ---- From: Matunda Nyanchama <mnyanchama(a)aganoconsulting.com> To: Security List <security(a)lists.my.co.ke> Sent: Wed, January 19, 2011 7:21:18 AM Subject: Police Website Hacking Friends, I think this is a great opportunity for information protection professionals to step up and help government better protect its information assets. Remember: this government is much our own as it is of those that make decisions. Out here Canada, some people are pointing at me saying: what security professional can't step up to reduce the embarrassment and (possible) espionage when their government sites are hacked! But conversation must a 2-way process and needs to happen us professionals and those in government. We could help in this respect: * Do a current state assessment, including understanding what damage has been caused so far and what be happening "under the hood". The hack is what became public. We don't know what else may be happening. I can bet that government servers are possibly on some international botnet rings where hackers (including spies - here is an example) may be collecting GoK information. The proposed assessment would look at everything from people to processes to technology and how these have been structured to protect government information assets. * Future state design: this is where the government security management would wish to be in the future * Gap analysis: what those gaps are and what are the priorities between current state and future state of security in government. My guess is that there are major gaps in skills (technical and management); technology may be there but is poorly deployed and managed (caring and feeding, e.g. monitoring, patching, etc.); processes may be poorly designed and implemented: .... * Roadmap to secure state: based on priorities we would design for them a master security plan to follow, including strategy, a proper security organization staffed with people with right skills and requisite mandate; technology infrastructure deployment and processes for managing things: people, processes and technology + associated accountabilities. I hope they take this offer, if they haven't started working on it already. Over to you! ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Matunda Nyanchama, mnyanchama(a)aganoconsulting.com Agano Consulting Inc.; www.aganoconsulting.com ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- “If you have an apple and I have an apple and we exchange these apples then you and I will still each have one apple. But if you have an idea and I have an idea and we exchange these ideas, then each of us will have two ideas.”- George Bernard Shaw ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This e-mail, including attachments, may be privileged and may contain confidential or proprietary information intended only for the addressee(s). Any other distribution, copying, use, or disclosure is unauthorized and strictly prohibited. If you have received this message in error, please notify the sender immediately by reply e-mail and permanently delete the message, including any attachments, without making a copy. Thank you.

1 0

Part- Time I.T Tutor needed
by linus wahome 19 Jan '11

19 Jan '11

Dear All Webzzz Tuition Centre is an academic Institution offering tuition services in all subjects. We are looking for a part time tutor who has a good understanding in the field of Information Technology. If Interested forward to wahomelinus(a)gmail.com -- *Linus Wahome I.T Consultant and Trainer Webzz Tuition Centre, Mugoiri Rd, Kileleshwa +254 720 71 22 33 www.webzz.co.ke*

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Re: [kictanet] [Skunkworks] Are we letting the PS get away with this too?
by toby＠law-democracy.org 19 Jan '11

19 Jan '11

Hi all, Let me start by thanking Grace Githaiga (GG) for inviting me to this group. Then let me introduce myself. For those who don't know me (most of you, I guess), I am an international lawyer specialising in freedom of expression and access to information. I ran the Law Programme at ARTICLE 19 for nearly 13 years, and recently started a new NGO, the Centre for Law and Democracy (www.law-democracy.org) which focuses on foundational rights for democracy (right to participate, freedom of expression, rights to assembly and association, right to information). We specialise in providing legal and policy advice in these areas. I will restrict myself to some general comments on the debate below, because I don't really know enough about the details to make more specific comments. The US has historically been very strong on regulating against abuse of market dominance (anti-trust, promoting competition), if less vigilant in protecting consumer interests. Thus, when Microsoft started to engage in questionable competitive practices, the US government did step in and contain them. Given the global nature of this particular type of product, it may be enough for a major player like the US to take them on. When the space opens up for alternatives, like Firefox, everyone can benefit. But it was difficult even for the well-resourced US government to take on Microsoft. Looking to more national-type markets, especially in mid-size to smaller countries, it is often difficult for governments to control the anti-competitive behaviour of large international players and sometimes even national players. I have seen this is rather stark relief in some very small countries (eg the Maldives). I say this essentially being a believer in the benefits of competition, but only if subject to public interest regulation. So the questions I would be asking in relation to the below (without knowing the context) is whether these developments represent a legitimate opening up of competition and whether, in case this is needed, the government has the power/political will to take on abusive practices. I look forward to debate on the media council bill, which I understand will be the main topic of this group. Is a draft available? Toby ___________________________________ Toby Mendel Centre for Law and Democracy toby(a)law-democracy.org Tel: +1 902 431-3688 Fax: +1 902 431-3689 www.law-democracy.org

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ADVERT - 11 MONTHS UNLIMITED INTERNET @ kes 499 PER MONTH by yu
by Preston Odera 19 Jan '11

19 Jan '11

Dear Listers In todays Nation 18th January 2011 page 25 there is an Advert buy YU indicating 11 months unlimited internet @kes 499 per month + 1 month free internet when you buy the 3G compatible yu data modem for only Kes 2,599. My thought was that this could be a good offer. I nearly rushed to buy by decided to call first. I got a rude shock that it was only the 1 month free internet which was unlimited. That the Kes 499 was for 2GB and that this was contained in the small writing of the advert which was at the bottom " Fair usage policy applied" Terms and conditions apply. I cannot pretend to be a lawyer to interpret this. Listers from this advert what would be your opinion? See attached. CCK or PS what are your comments. Preston

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Another Price War
by Matunda Nyanchama 18 Jan '11

18 Jan '11

Now it is NOT the smaller guy going after the big ones. Are we going to stop this? BTW: how about the other side of the price war? Don't do we today have more people affording to call than was the case before prices came down? What would be the cumulative economic benefit of all these people that have access that they didn't? ----------------- > Price wars hit the airline industry with Fly540 undercutting Kenya Airways' >fares. Fly540 has slashed its fares on the Nairobi-Mombasa route by 30%, setting >the stage for renewed price wars as airlines seek to defend their market share. >Mombasa is one of the busiest routes in the domestic market because of tourists >and business travelers. Its new fare for the route is KES 6,540 from KES 9,540 >for a return ticket; the cheapest airline on the route. Kenya Airways (KQ) >charges KES 7,999.Airlines cashed in on the route during the December high >season. However, with the sector recording low travel numbers in January, >airlines will have to rethink their strategies to grow revenue. Fly540's move is >set to trigger a renewed pricing war in the airline sector similar to that of >the mobile telephony firms: Bharti Airtel and Safaricom. In December, KQ >increased its daily flights on the route to 14 from 10, which helped grow its >passenger numbers by 35% in December and KQ is planning to introduce bigger >planes such as Boeing 737-300 and Embraer 170s on the route. The ongoing price >battle will dent earnings of airlines, especially those that fly in fewer >regions; hence KQ is unlikely to feel the effect as the domestic market accounts >for only 4% of its revenue. KQ rivals (who in recent months have been >diversifying to the eastern Africa region) generate a significant share of their >revenues from the Nairobi—Mombasa route. Fly540, for instance, has been busy on >the expansion trail as it seeks to reduce its reliance on the Mombasa route and >now covers more than 12 destinations in Kenya and has moved to Bujumbura, >Entebbe and Dar es Salaam. Kenya is targeting KES 100bn (USD 1.25bn) from >tourism this year after surpassing the peak 2007 season in the eight months to >August—raising the business outlook for airlines flying to tourist destinations >like Maasai Mara, Mombasa and Malindi. (Sources: Daily Nation; African Alliance >Research) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Matunda Nyanchama, mnyanchama(a)aganoconsulting.com Agano Consulting Inc.; www.aganoconsulting.com ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- “If you have an apple and I have an apple and we exchange these apples then you and I will still each have one apple. But if you have an idea and I have an idea and we exchange these ideas, then each of us will have two ideas.”- George Bernard Shaw ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This e-mail, including attachments, may be privileged and may contain confidential or proprietary information intended only for the addressee(s). Any other distribution, copying, use, or disclosure is unauthorized and strictly prohibited. If you have received this message in error, please notify the sender immediately by reply e-mail and permanently delete the message, including any attachments, without making a copy. Thank you.

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Fwd: Are we letting the PS get away with this too?
by Odhiambo Washington 18 Jan '11

18 Jan '11

Forwarded on behalf of Harry Hare: - From: Harry Hare <harry(a)africanedevelopment.org> Date: Tue, 18 Jan 2011 17:22:31 +0300 To: John Walubengo <jwalu(a)yahoo.com> Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> Subject: Re: [kictanet] [Skunkworks] Are we letting the PS get away with this too? Walu good analogy with Netscape and MS IE. However 1. Did the Internet die with the death of Netscape? 2. Did the Internet numbers stay constant with the death of Netscape? 3. Did Microsoft marketshare drop? 4. Did innovation on the internet stop? Guys, let get real, this is business…natural selection comes into play. Kindest Regards Harry Hare Director * eDevelopment House : : 604 Limuru Road * Old Muthaiga : : P O Box 49475 00100 Nairobi : : Kenya T +254 20 3741646/7 : : C +254 725 650044 Training : : Research: :Consultancy: : Publishing * * -- Best regards, Odhiambo WASHINGTON, Nairobi,KE +254733744121/+254722743223 _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Damn!!

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Are we letting the PS get away with this too?
by Sam Aguyo 18 Jan '11

18 Jan '11

Hello Folks, There is never a free lunch. One contributor on this list had once indicated that it would be necessary to publish the cost structure of a call by the mobile suppliers. We may be happy to eat the subsidised lunch today but pay dearly when the other food vendors are out of business. The publishing of the cost structure would make informed debates in forums like this. Sam

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KWS CORPORATE TEAM BUILDING EVENT
by Kevin 18 Jan '11

18 Jan '11

Dear Listers, Kenya Wildlife Service is organizing a major Corporate Team building event at one of the most beautiful scenic landscape in the world, Hell's Gate National Park in Naivasha on 10th and 11th June 2011 at the annual *To Hell's Gate on a Wheelbarrow* event. This is a breather opportunity for corporate organizations to re-energize and re-focus for the next half year. Hence KWS has organized a 2 night camping event offering the best corporate team building and park experience for corporate organizations' teams of not more than 10 staff per company away from the stress of the work place. The event will also incorporate the *Hell's Gate Live Concert* featuring the best Kenyan Afro-Fusion performers and a tour of the KenGen Geothermal power generating plants at Olkaria. The Corporate team building challenge will involve teams from the hospitality, horticultural, banking, insurance, manufacturing, tourism, IT, parastatals and media industries among many others. KWS will also provide sales and promotions opportunities at the Hell's Gate Corporate Expo Village during the event for all participating organizations to showcase their products and services, register members and network. Our major event partners since inception two years ago include KenGen, Safaricom, Royal Media Services, Orpower, Homegrown, KPLC among many others. We hope you will join us there. You are all welcome, bring your staff teams to compete at the most challenging team building course and support KWS Wildlife Conservation efforts in Naivasha!!! See the attached event proposal and brief. We hope to host you there! Kind regards, Kevin Wanjala | Resource Mobilization Kenya Wildlife Service (K.W.S) ,: KWS HQs | Langata Road | Langata *: P.O. Box 40241 - 00100 | Nairobi ": Mobile 0723 296 138 (: (+254 20) 6000800 | 6002345 ext 2075 7: (+254 20) 607024 (fax) 8: kwanjala(a)kws.go.ke<mailto:kwanjala@kws.go.ke> URL: www.kws.go.ke<http://www.kws.go.ke/<http://webmail.kws.org/owa/UrlBlockedError.aspx> >

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Re: [kictanet] [Skunkworks] Are we letting the PS get away with this too?
by Barrack Otieno 18 Jan '11

18 Jan '11

Well it is within the democratic right of the PS to comment on the issue at least he gave an opinion which i tend to agree with but need some more education on the pricing of calls, i also think CCK has attained a certain level of independence contrary to what our good friend Brainiac says, (i stand to be corrected on this) we need input from economists on the long term effects of this price changes to the industry considering the fact that we have not yet attained Universal Access, there are some parts like Archers Post in Eastern that dont have very good coverage, i have an uncanny feeling they might not be sustainable in the long run, i would love to hear the opinion of technocrats on this lists, either way the government needs to set a level playing field to guarantee stability of businesses. Best Regards On Tue, Jan 18, 2011 at 12:43 PM, Solomon Mburu Kamau <solo.mburu(a)gmail.com>wrote: > The PS should have said the government will get less tax and not > derailment of the constitution implementation. > > I think this is just a way of making Kenyans guilty of swtiching to a > lower tarrif, lest the 'constitution will not be implemented'. > > Seriously, how many taxes do we pay directly and or indirectly to the > government? > > Talk about a selfish government. > > > On 18/01/2011, Joram Mwinamo <joram.mwinamo(a)gmail.com> wrote: > > low pricing = less tax collected > > > > If im paying 3 bob per minute and the govt takes 10%(just as an example) > > thats 30cts per minute for govt > > if its 10% of 1 bob thats 10 cts per minute > > > > When everyone if forced to take prices down to 1 bob.....then less > revenue > > overrall > > > > On Tue, Jan 18, 2011 at 12:29 PM, > > <ashok+skunkworks(a)parliaments.info <ashok%2Bskunkworks(a)parliaments.info> > <ashok%2Bskunkworks(a)parliaments.info<ashok%252Bskunkworks(a)parliaments.info> > > > >> wrote: > > > >> On Tue, Jan 18, 2011 at 12:11 PM, Joram Mwinamo < > joram.mwinamo(a)gmail.com> > >> wrote: > >> > This is more an economic discussion than it is a digital one > >> > What he means is that the price war will deny the govt of revenues > >> through > >> > Tax which is needed heavily to finance the new constitutions > >> implementation > >> > > >> > >> How will a mobile price war deny government of tax revenues ? > >> _______________________________________________ > >> Skunkworks mailing list > >> Skunkworks(a)lists.my.co.ke > >> http://orion.my.co.ke/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/skunkworks > >> ------------ > >> Skunkworks Rules > >> http://my.co.ke/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=94 > >> ------------ > >> Other services @ http://my.co.ke > >> > > > > > > > > -- > > Sent from my Voice Recognition Watch© > > -------------------------------------------------------------------- > > Our greatest fear is not that we are inadequate,but that we are powerful > > beyond measure.It is our light, not our darkness, that frightens us.There > is > > nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel > insecure > > around you.As we let our own light shine, we consciously give other > people > > permission to do the same. > > As we are liberated from our fear,our presence automatically liberates > > others. > > > > > -- > *Solomon Mbũrũ Kamau* > > ***************************************************** > *Man is a gregarious animal and enjoys agreement as cows will graze all the > same way to the side of a hill!* > > AND > > *It is better to die in dignity than in the ignominy of ambiguous > generosity! * > > http://smiley2.wordpress.com > http://mburu.sikika.co.ke > _______________________________________________ > Skunkworks mailing list > Skunkworks(a)lists.my.co.ke > http://orion.my.co.ke/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/skunkworks > ------------ > Skunkworks Rules > http://my.co.ke/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=94 > ------------ > Other services @ http://my.co.ke > -- Barrack O. Otieno Afriregister Ltd (Kenya) www.afrire <http://www.afriregister.com>gister.bi, www.afriregister.com<http://www.afriergister.com> <http://www.afriregister.com>ICANN accredited registrar +254721325277 +254-20-2498789 Skype: barrack.otieno

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Canada’s Cyber Security Strategy
by Matunda Nyanchama 18 Jan '11

18 Jan '11

This may be of interest to listers here. Enjoy Canada"s Cyber security Strategy ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Matunda Nyanchama, mnyanchama(a)aganoconsulting.com Agano Consulting Inc.; www.aganoconsulting.com ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- “If you have an apple and I have an apple and we exchange these apples then you and I will still each have one apple. But if you have an idea and I have an idea and we exchange these ideas, then each of us will have two ideas.”- George Bernard Shaw ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This e-mail, including attachments, may be privileged and may contain confidential or proprietary information intended only for the addressee(s). Any other distribution, copying, use, or disclosure is unauthorized and strictly prohibited. If you have received this message in error, please notify the sender immediately by reply e-mail and permanently delete the message, including any attachments, without making a copy. Thank you.

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May be of interest: Commonwealth ICT Officials to Meet in Jaipur, India, to Surmount Challenges to Rural ICT Connectivity
by Victor Gathara 18 Jan '11

18 Jan '11

Kenya not mention in the Press Release though. Victor Commonwealth ICT Officials to Meet in Jaipur, India, to Surmount Challenges to Rural ICT Connectivity Providing an enabling environment for increased provision of access, applications, content and services in rural areas. January 13, 2010 LONDON - Some one hundred Ministers, regulators, Universal Service Fund Administrators, telecom operator CEOs, and other senior stakeholders in the information and communication technologies (ICTs) sector from across Asia and the Commonwealth will meet in Jaipur, India, from 17-19 January 2011. They will work together to devise faster, effective and more robust strategies for providing ICT connectivity in unserved and underserved rural areas. The meeting will be the 4th annual Connecting Rural Communities Asia Forum 2011 organised by the London-based Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation (CTO). The conference will be addressed by African and Asian ICT ministers, including Hon. Ignace Gatare, Minister in Charge of ICTs, Office of the President, Rwanda; Hon. Professor Geoffrey Lungwangwa, Minister of Communications and Transport, Zambia; Hon. Abdourahim Agne, Minister of Telecommunications, ICT and Transport, Senegal; Dr Edmund Katiti, CEO of the NEPAD e-Africa Commission; Mr. Shankar Aggarwal, Joint Secretary, Department of Information Technology, Government of India; and Mr. Sam Pitroda, Advisor to the Prime Minister of India on Public Information and Innovation, Government of India. Stressing on the need to connect rural communities, the CEO of CTO, Dr. Ekwow Spio-Garbrah, said, "Providing network access to rural communities is one of the recommendations of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS), and supports the attainment of Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) defined by the UN. Self-sustaining growth in broadband access and other more basic connectivity channels must be achieved in underserved and unconnected regions. However, this can only be accomplished through continuous and fruitful collaborations between a variety of public and private sector partners. It also involves sharing best practices among ICT stakeholders across continents to ensure successful and speedy implementation of ICT strategies. This CTO conference will enable Governments, policy makers, ICT regulators, operators, equipment manufacturers, software vendors, call center operatives, financiers, academics and consultants, and infrastructure developing companies to meet to discuss and evaluate the achievements, challenges and opportunities in connecting rural communities." Dr Spio-Garbrah stated that, amongst other challenges, ICT roll-out in rural areas can entail considerable investment. "However, in the developing countries, these challenges can be even more daunting. There are many constraints of unreliable power, poor road networks, low broadband capacity, illiteracy, lower incomes, and diverse socio-political dynamics. As a result, some have questioned the financial merits of investing in rural ICTs, and whether rural communities provide the necessary return on investment. The conference will help to highlight the latest technological solutions, innovative business models, and the Public-Private-Peoples' Partnerships needed for improved rural connectivity. In particular, participants will examine the growing use of mobile phones as platforms to deliver a growing range of mobile applications, content and services to rural dwellers," he said. The conference will cover topics on key issues concerning the strategies for improving governance and public services delivery through ICTs, the disparities in rural and urban access, a review of recent developments in Asia and globally, and Rural ICT Policy 2.0. Other issues to be discussed include developing national goals and strategies for providing connectivity, applications and content in rural areas, operators' strategies in improving rural dwellers' access to services, the development of effective distribution networks for rural areas and its challenges, tried and tested approaches to pricing and profitability, and the business case and strategies for rural broadband access. Other subjects to be debated by participants are the benefits of 3G and broadband wireless availability in the rural communities, the importance of WiMax, m-Content developments, the impact of cultural gaps and capacity-building challenges for both voice and non-voice operations, and the benefits and perceived risks of running rural Business Process Outsourcing (BPOs). Speakers and panelists include high-profile representation from public and private sector organizations, such as the NEPAD e-Africa Commission, the Telecommunications Consultants India Ltd., the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), the Zambia Information Communication Technology Authority (ZICTA), the Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA), the National Communications Authority (NCA) of Ghana, the Rwanda Utilities Regulatory Authority (RURA), the Nigerian Communications Commission, the National Communications Commission (NATCOM) of Sierra Leone, and the Ghana Investment Fund for Electronic Communication (GIFEC). India's ICT sector will be heavily represented through participation by executives of the Telecom Export Promotion Council (TEPC), the Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI), BSNL, Idea Cellular Ltd., Reliance Communications, City Cell Bangladesh, the GSMA, the Communications & Manufacturing Association of India (CMAI) and Coral Telecom. Other major global and Asian private sector executives attending are from Tejas Networks, Research in Motion, WiMAX Forum, Microsoft, Alvarion BWA Wireless Solutions Pvt Ltd, the Asia Pacific Telecentre Network (APTN) Secretariat, ICT Agency of Sri Lanka, C-DOT, GTL, VIOM, Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (CDAC), Google India, Luna Ergonomics, elLoka Techsolutions Pvt Ltd, and the Centre for Development Finance. Other delegates will represent Hungama Mobile, the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme, Government of Rajasthan, SourcePilani, eGram IT, Source for Change, B2R Technologies Pvt. Ltd, NASSCOM Foundation, the Universal Service Obligation Fund, Department of Telecommunications, Government of India, the Commonwealth Centre for e-Governance, Reuters Market Light, Thomson Reuters, Reliance Foundation, UDAAN, EKO Financial Services, EkGaon, NComputing India, Phoenix Software and the Drishtee Foundation. About The Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation (CTO) The CTO is an inter-governmental organisation which provides technical assistance services to its member countries through research and studies, consultancies and advisory services, capacity building and training workshops, and through knowledge-sharing events. With a history dating back to 1901, the CTO is a partnership between the Commonwealth and non-Commonwealth governments, regulators, businesses, civil society organizations and other ICT stakeholders. The CTO's mission is to reduce global poverty through the more efficient utilization of ICTs, and its development agenda reflects the priorities set in the United Nations Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). For further information visit www.cto.int <http://www.cto.int> . CONTACTS For media enquiries, please contact: Rumana B. Senior Marketing and Communications Specialist T: + 44 (0) 208 600 3800, E: rumana(a)cto.int <mailto:rumana@cto.int> For CTO Services, please contact: Bashir Patel Director of Programmes and Business Development T: + 44 208 600 3802, E: b.patel(a)cto.int <mailto:b.patel@cto.int> -###- ________________________________________________________________________ This e-mail has been scanned for all viruses by Star. The service is powered by MessageLabs. For more information on a proactive anti-virus service working around the clock, around the globe, visit: http://www.star.net.uk ________________________________________________________________________ DFID, the Department for International Development: leading the UK Government's fight against world poverty. Find out more at http://www.dfid.gov.uk.

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Recommendation
by Kevin 17 Jan '11

17 Jan '11

Please add Mr. Ian Mwathi (imwathi(a)gmail.com) to the the KictaNET mailing list. He is the new Marketing and Business Development Manager at Kenya Wildlife Service. Thanks Kevin Wanjala

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Call for Proposals: Commissioned Case Studies on ICTs, Climate Change and Development
by Alice Munyua 17 Jan '11

17 Jan '11

This is a call for proposals for the writing of commissioned case studies on the topic of ICTs, climate change and development. Proposals should be submitted by 11th February 2011. BACKGROUND Recognising both the growing impact of climate change in developing countries and the growing role of ICTs, Canada's International Development Research Centre (IDRC) is funding a two-year project on ICTs, climate change and development. The project is coordinated by the University of Manchester's Centre for Development Informatics (project web site: www.niccd.org) As part of the project, a series of short case studies will be commissioned and written during 2011 on various aspects of this topic. Case studies should be original and evidence-based analyses of already-implemented (i.e. not proposed) initiatives related to ICTs and climate change in developing countries. They could be related to use of ICTs in climate change mitigation, monitoring, adaptation or strategy in developing countries. The case studies should be 1,500-2,000 words in length, and aimed at a "reflective practitioner" audience. They should provide a brief description of the initiative, but focus mainly on analysis (of impacts, enablers/constraints, and lessons learned/recommendations including - where applicable - reflections on scaling up). Selected authors will be commissioned to write the case study using the following template format: - Title& Author(s) - Initiative Overview (including classification according to project ICCD Overview Model*) - Application Description (hardware / software / telecommunications) - Formal Drivers (e.g. climate change issue faced) and Objectives/Purpose for ICT usage - Stakeholders involved - Impact: Costs and Benefits - Evaluation: Failure or Success - Enablers / Critical Success Factors - Constraints / Challenges - Recommendations / Lessons Learned - Further Information *Available from: http://niccd.wordpress.com/2009/12/14/overview-model-of-icts-climate-change… PROCESS / TIMESCALE We require proposals to be sent electronically by 11th February 2011, and aim to confirm accepted proposals by the end of February. Proposals will be selected on the basis of quality and value-added of the proposal; expertise of the author(s); and with a view to ensuring overall geographical and topic coverage. First drafts of the case studies will be due by the end of April 2011. Final drafts will be due by the end of June 2011. Finalised copies of the case studies will be made available online and disseminated via the project network. It is also our intention to publish select case studies as part of a book to be produced at the end of the project in 2011. PAYMENT Authors will be contracted by the University of Manchester to produce a draft version of the case study, followed by a finalised version that acceptably meets quality requirements following draft review comments. A payment of £600 (British pounds) will be made on acceptance of the final draft of the case study. PROPOSAL Proposals should be sent to: niccd.project(a)gmail.com by 11th February 2011. They should consist of the following: a) Title of proposed case study, and author(s). b) 300-500 word executive summary of the case study's rationale, focus and content. The executive summary should highlight the importance and value-added of the proposed case study to the ICTs, climate change and development field. d) Two-page CV for each proposed author focusing particularly on past publication and contract research experience in ICCD or related areas. Reference to sample publications that demonstrate relevant writing experience would be an asset. You are welcome to contact us in advance of the deadline if you have any queries at niccd.project(a)gmail.com. This call can be found at: http://www.niccd.org/casecall.htm Richard Heeks& Angelica Ospina Climate Change, Innovation and ICTs Research Project --

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Doing Business in Kenya, Beating the numbers...
by Collins Areba 17 Jan '11

17 Jan '11

Hello listers, I think this is the appropriate forum to raise this. The IFC has done a commendable job of detailing how hard it is to establish a business in Kenya (Here is the link http://bit.ly/fXZydd ) , from registration of the legal entity to making of the seal after the whole incorporation thing. It takes anything from at the very least 15 days, which leads me to the question, Since all of this is just data, What can we do to: 1: Cut by half the number of days within, say two years. and then ... 2: Cut it all into a one day affair... I may not be very well versed with operations at the registry but im still trying to understand why .... a) One pays Ksh100 for a "search" if the systems have been automated so far... and . b) Why it cant just be put online like the KENIC domain name search and just be made that easier. Regards,

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Re: [kictanet] Mobile Monday - 17th January 2011
by James Muendo 17 Jan '11

17 Jan '11

Hi, I believe you day is coming on along well. Monday the 17th Nov 2010 we would like to invite you an event that will be at the iHub Nairobi (Directions: Its on the 4th floor, Bishop Magua Centre,Right Opposite Uchumi Hyper,Ngong Road, ),at 6pm, Where the Guest Speakers will be from Pesapal,we will discussing, E-commerce ecosystem in Kenya* *.Bring a friend or 2.To register, http://bit.ly/eFL7v1 Want to know more about Mobile Monday and any Events,visit http://mobilemonday.co.ke/ or follow us on twitter @MobileMondayKe or if you are on LinkedIn we also there http://www.linkedin.com/groups?mostPopular=&gid=3503680 -- James M. Muendo P.O Box 28016 - 00200, Nairobi. Mobile: +254725567508 skype:tim.rick | Twitter: Mmuendo | gtalk: timrick<http://muendoshead.blogspot.com/>

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List of Bus companies Online
by Henry Okatch 17 Jan '11

17 Jan '11

Hi all Does anyone know where I can get a list of all long distance bus companies in Kenya Online that is I will appreciate -- Warm Regards Henry Cell +254721899572 _______________________________________________________________________________ *Every morning in Africa, a gazelle wakes up, It knows it must run faster than the fastest lion or it will be killed. Every morning a lion wakes up, it knows it must outrun the slowest gazelle or it will starve to death. It doesn't matter whether you are a gazelle or a lion. When the sun comes up, you better start running. - In "The World is Flat" by Thomas L. Friedman*

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statehousekenya.go.ke
by Collins Areba 17 Jan '11

17 Jan '11

FYI ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Collins Areba <castorkenya(a)gmail.com> Date: Sun, Jan 16, 2011 at 8:04 PM Subject: statehousekenya.go.ke To: pkukubo(a)gmail.com, bitange(a)jambo.co.ke Hello and I hope this finds you OK and in good health. Please have a look at the attached photos viz a viz statehousekenya.go.ke<http://statehouse.go.ke>website. I took two days off and decided to give it a makeover, now all i need is an email address i can forward the script (php) and db (sql) for the site. (its done in wordpress). or just login for file transfer and db on an accessible server. I think we are in agreement that what is online from a design / web dev perspective is horrendous. (With all due respect to the developer). Consider this a gift from a kenyan patriotic enough to be pissed at the image being potrayed by those doing this, (that there are no competent web developers in the country). Kind Regards, Areba.

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[AfTLD-Discuss] PRESS RELEASE: AfTLD to Hold 5th Annual African ccTLD Event in Accra, Ghana
by Joe Kiragu 17 Jan '11

17 Jan '11

Begin forwarded message: > From: "Eric Akumiah" <eric(a)aftld.org> > Date: January 17, 2011 10:33:02 AM GMT+03:00 > To: aftld-discuss(a)aftld.org > Subject: [AfTLD-Discuss] PRESS RELEASE: AfTLD to Hold 5th Annual > African ccTLD Event in Accra, Ghana > > AfTLD to Hold 5th Annual African ccTLD Event in Accra, Ghana > > 15 January 2011 Accra, Ghana. The African Top Level Domains > Organization > (AfTLD), the association of African country code top level domains > (ccTLDs), announces its 5th Annual African ccTLD Event. The event > which > will be held in Accra, Ghana from 17 to 23 April 2011 will be hosted > by > the National > Information Technology Agency (NITA) of Ghana with the support of the > Ministry of Communication and other local sponsors. The event will > include a five-day technical training workshop on Secure Registry > Operation Course (SROC) , an initiative of ICANN, ISOC and NSRC > which will > be held in English and French, a policy workshop to review ccTLD > activities on the continent and the AfTLD Annual General meeting. > The SROC > workshop is in line with AfTLD’s theme of “Enhancing Internet > Management > in Africa” and is part of AfTLD’s ongoing effort to enhance capacity > of > ccTLD managers in the Africa region to manage their registries > efficiently > and in a cost effective manner. Previous workshop o Initial Registry > Operation Course (IROC) and Advanced Registry Operation Course > (AROC) in > French and English have been in > various cities across Africa for ccTLD manager within the region. The > Security Registry Operation Course (SROC) is most crucial in the > wake of > heightened cyber security attacks to registries and other national > infrastructure. The Policy Workshop will access the current > situation of > ccTLDs in Africa in the light of the Pailles Declaration made during > the > ccTLD stakeholder meeting in Mauritius in March 2009. AfTLD’s five > year > strategic plan will be unveiled and discussed by policy makers and > other > ccTLD stakeholders on the African Continent. Several speakers on ccTLD > across the globe will speak at the workshop. At the AfTLD > Annual General Meeting, a number of new policies proposed by the board > will be discussed and voted on by formal members of AfTLD. > > More details including registration page, detailed event program, > hotel > and venue information will be available on the AfTLD website shortly > at > http://www.aftld.org. > > You can find a pdf copy of this press release at > > http://http://www.aftld.org/docs/Accra2011_prepress.pdf > > For enquiries on sponsorship and other issues please contact AfTLD > General > Manager at secretariat(a)aftld.org. > > About AfTLD > AfTLD was established in 2002 to act as a focal point for African > Country > Code Top Level Domain (ccTLD) > managers in coordinating, formulating, developing and presenting a > unified > approach to issues related > to the Domain Name System. AfTLD also presents a forum for sharing > ideas > between the regions Internet community with an aim of promoting the > utilization of national country’s Top Level Domains. > > About ICANN > CANN was formed in 1998. It is a not-for-profit public-benefit > corporation > with participants from all over the world dedicated to keeping the > Internet secure, stable and interoperable. It promotes competition and > develops policy on the Internet’s unique identifiers. > (http://www.icann.org) > > About ISOC > The Internet Society (ISOC) is a nonprofit organization founded in > 1992 to > provide leadership in Internet related standards, education and > policy. We > are dedicated to ensuring the open development, evolution and use of > the > Internet for the benefit of people throughout the world. > (http://www.isoc.org) > > About NSRC > Network Startup Resource Center (NSRC) is a non-profit activity that > has > worked since the late 1980s to help develop and deploy networking > technology in various projects throughout Asia/Pacific, Africa, Latin > America and the Caribbean, the Middle East, and the New Independent > States. (http://www.nsrc.org) > > > > -- > This message has been scanned for viruses and > dangerous content by KeNIC MailScanner, and is > believed to be clean. > > Kenya Network Information Center (KENIC) > > _______________________________________________ > aftld-discuss mailing list > aftld-discuss(a)aftld.org > http://lists.aftld.org/mailman/listinfo/aftld-discuss Joe Kiragu Administrative Manager Kenya Network Information Centre (KENIC) "Where the internet begins in Kenya" kiragu(a)kenic.or.ke -- This message has been scanned for viruses and dangerous content by KeNIC MailScanner, and is believed to be clean. Kenya Network Information Center (KENIC)

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ICANN News Alert -- Fellowship Application Round Opens for ICANN Public Meeting 41 in Amman, Jordan
by Alice Munyua 16 Jan '11

16 Jan '11

News Alert http://www.icann.org/en/announcements/announcement-14jan11-en.htm Fellowship Application Round Opens for ICANN Public Meeting 41 in Amman, Jordan Program Ensures Global Representation at ICANN's Public Meetings 14 January 2011 MARINA DEL REY, California: The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers is launching the 13th round of the Fellowship program applications for its 41st Public Meeting to be held Amman, Jordan on 19-24 June 2011. Priority in selection is given to applicants who are current residents of developing and least developed nations and interested in participating in ICANN and its supporting organizations and constituencies, or are representatives in the Business, Academic and Private sector looking to find support and gain information on how to have their voices heard in the Internet community and ICANN. More information regarding terms and conditions, as well as eligibility is available online at http://www.icann.org/en/fellowships/ or email at fellowships(a)icann.org regarding any questions about this process or program. The Fellowship program will assist in covering airfare, hotel and a stipend for those individuals selected to participate in this ICANN meeting. Recipients will be expected to actively participate in and contribute to ICANN processes, both at the meeting and in the future. As always, registration for ICANN's meetings is free for anyone wanting to attend. Applications for the meeting in Jordan will be accepted from 00:00 UTC on 17 January 2011 until 00:00 UTC on 26 February 2011. What Is ICANN? To reach another person on the Internet you have to type an address into your computer - a name or a number. That address has to be unique so computers know where to find each other. ICANN coordinates these unique identifiers across the world. Without that coordination we wouldn't have one global Internet. ICANN was formed in 1998. It is a not-for-profit public-benefit corporation with participants from all over the world dedicated to keeping the Internet secure, stable and interoperable. It promotes competition and develops policy on the Internet's unique identifiers. ICANN doesn't control content on the Internet. It cannot stop spam and it doesn't deal with access to the Internet. But through its coordination role of the Internet's naming system, it does have an important impact on the expansion and evolution of the Internet. _______________________________________________

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Kenya Losing Out on Intellectual Rights
by Matunda Nyanchama 15 Jan '11

15 Jan '11

While on the subject of IP; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9kG3KiijpUw ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Matunda Nyanchama, mnyanchama(a)aganoconsulting.com Agano Consulting Inc.; www.aganoconsulting.com ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- “If you have an apple and I have an apple and we exchange these apples then you and I will still each have one apple. But if you have an idea and I have an idea and we exchange these ideas, then each of us will have two ideas.”- George Bernard Shaw ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This e-mail, including attachments, may be privileged and may contain confidential or proprietary information intended only for the addressee(s). Any other distribution, copying, use, or disclosure is unauthorized and strictly prohibited. If you have received this message in error, please notify the sender immediately by reply e-mail and permanently delete the message, including any attachments, without making a copy. Thank you.

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On standing on shoulders of giants
by Matunda Nyanchama 15 Jan '11

15 Jan '11

Friends Great discussion on the above subject. Yes, we need entrepreneurs; and NO, not everyone can be one. In the latter case, we need risk capital and entrepreneurial injection to make the ideas a success. There is also a famous article that once appeared in Havard Business Review titled "Why Entrepreneurs Don't Scale"; they should hatch ideas, demonstrate that the ideas can be commercialized and step off and leave business leaders and managers scale up the business. We have a short supply of the latter and need to invest in their development. There is also the environment in which ideas thrive; a technical idea, hatched by a technical person doesn't necessarily turn out as would be intended. The path to development is a graveyard of many, many initiatives that started and died; but later some (with luck) are picked up by others that had a more well-rounded understanding of the same or when the right time had come. How do we increase the chances of success of ideas? I think we need to co-locate technical (e.g. product, service creation), business (business viability, etc.) and law (confines of law: securing IP, formalizing org, etc.) faculties/institutions. The informal interactions amongst students, researches, and faculty in these areas can be an incubation laboratory for many an enterprise. The knowledge exchange (informal and otherwise), relationships forged and trust engendered can be the foundation for long term business success. This suggests that they way we are building and deploying our institutes of higher learning and research doesn't fit with the above scenario. Example: faculty of commerce at UoN shouldn't have moved to Kabete but stayed alongside engineering or both should have moved to the same location; ditto for law. Someone once asked what happens when you put an engineer, sociologist, lawyer, accountant, etc together! The answer: something much bigger than the sum of the individual parts! We need environments where players (with difference background) can interact more and on an ongoing basis. Today, we have universities operating out of high-rise towers where students jet in for class and take off thereafter, with little time to be with colleagues, consult with faculty or simply hang out with others attending a seminar here or another there, in one's line of study or not. Ideally we need campus/research zones, complete with residential facilities, sports, seminar rooms, labs; alongside industrial parks and business advisory centres. Just some thoughts! ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Matunda Nyanchama, mnyanchama(a)aganoconsulting.com Agano Consulting Inc.; www.aganoconsulting.com ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- “If you have an apple and I have an apple and we exchange these apples then you and I will still each have one apple. But if you have an idea and I have an idea and we exchange these ideas, then each of us will have two ideas.”- George Bernard Shaw ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This e-mail, including attachments, may be privileged and may contain confidential or proprietary information intended only for the addressee(s). Any other distribution, copying, use, or disclosure is unauthorized and strictly prohibited. If you have received this message in error, please notify the sender immediately by reply e-mail and permanently delete the message, including any attachments, without making a copy. Thank you.

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Re: [kictanet] KEnic down-Basics of IXPs
by McTim 15 Jan '11

15 Jan '11

Hi Badru, On Fri, Jan 14, 2011 at 7:38 PM, Badru Ntege <ntegeb(a)one2net.co.ug> wrote: > McTim > > Allow me to comment on your perception of failure. Failure only in comparison to KIXP, not absolute failure.....sorry to have ruffled your feathers. > > The UGIX was put up to keep local traffic local and save on bandwidth costs. > > Has the UG IX done so ?? Yes it has. indeed, most of the time. This week, for example, we have seen some examples of operators sending their traffic to EU and back, and not peering locally. > > Im of the school of thought that you do not need a Board and a full time office to make sure that an Ethernet switch is working and switching packets. you correct it doesn't NEED it, but need and WANT are different things originally, as you know it was to have a staff and active org behind, it's just that operators weren't willing to pay the port charges to support such an outfit. > > The switch is in a secure place and thus has never been compromised so why spend unnecessary many on extra security. > > The history of UIXP was due to the local industry politics at the time and thus we had a very open and non restrictive policy. open to licensed operators only IIRC. We also went for the low cost route and thus have a free IX to anyone who wants to peer as long as they can deliver their connectivity to the IX. I still believe that is the way to go. And as longer as we go that way we will have to sacrifice on some cosmetic addons which do not enhance the flow of TCP IP packets. To my mind, its not just about traffic flows, it's about value added services. Here in KE, we have root servers, NTP servers, an Akamai node (I think, but am not 100% on that one), .com and .net servers, route reflectors, looking glasses, a nascent CSIRT, etc. I guess my point is that KIXP is more like LINX in London, or AMSIX in Amsterdam than it is like UIXP. I think this is a good thing, and should be applauded. My mail was in reaction to Robert who was calling for more government involvement/control of peering in Kenya. I think you would agree that this is not desirable. The IX is an Ethernet switch and it will always be that. Yes we do not have government intervention apart from the fact the the regulator is providing free hosting for the IX. > > On power issue I would like to challenge again since if you look at stats over the period up time visa vi downtime we will be in the higher 90's. but the again power is a major challenge across all industry in UG. We both know that when the switch goes down, it may be many hours or even days (historically) before anyone notices. In the past, customers of peers have noticed and taken it upon themselves to go and reboot the switch after power losses. > > Lets have some fact based comparisons please. I believe what is happening to KIXP is coping with growth. It has become a victim of its own success and time for Kenya to think of a KIXP-2 with links to KIXP-1. There is a redundant location now, AND a second, completely separate peering mesh exists in Mombasa. This is another value add that an active KIXP/TESPOK brings. -- Cheers, McTim "A name indicates what we seek. An address indicates where it is. A route indicates how we get there." Jon Postel

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One minute on facebook
by Matunda Nyanchama 14 Jan '11

14 Jan '11

This, I am sure, will be of interest to listers here. Facebook by numbers ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Matunda Nyanchama, mnyanchama(a)aganoconsulting.com Agano Consulting Inc.; www.aganoconsulting.com ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- “If you have an apple and I have an apple and we exchange these apples then you and I will still each have one apple. But if you have an idea and I have an idea and we exchange these ideas, then each of us will have two ideas.”- George Bernard Shaw ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This e-mail, including attachments, may be privileged and may contain confidential or proprietary information intended only for the addressee(s). Any other distribution, copying, use, or disclosure is unauthorized and strictly prohibited. If you have received this message in error, please notify the sender immediately by reply e-mail and permanently delete the message, including any attachments, without making a copy. Thank you.

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KEnic down
by Ngũgĩ Kĩmani 14 Jan '11

14 Jan '11

KEnic appears to be down today. Also why is it that traffic through Orange-TKL first goes to Europe before coming back to Nairobi, Kenya? Think KIXP. Are KEnic and Orange-TKL not peering members on KIXP, I would expect them to be pioneer members on KIXP to serve as role models for other organizations. Kind regards, -- Ngũgĩ Kĩmani | Fundi wa Mitambo | 0772 576846 | http://www.mafundi.co.ke/home

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Standing on the shoulders of giants
by Dorcas Muthoni 14 Jan '11

14 Jan '11

Sir Isaac Newton was an English physicist, mathematician, astronomer, alchemist, inventor and natural philosopher. He is often regarded as the most influential scientist in history and is most famous for discovering the Laws of Gravity. He is quoted as having said “*If I have seen further it is only by standing on the shoulders of giants.*” I have heard many enterprising developers say that they have interest working with Safaricom and other industry leaders to expand their innovations to a wider market. One huge setback facing such developers is when the giant attempts to step on the poor developers by slaming them with “big-boy” revenue-share agreements. Why is revenue share is so inhibitive in our market? Currently if you partner with Safaricom, they will take about 60% of revenues (i stand to be corrected as i have not signed up with them yet). Elsewhere in the world, like in Japan, 70% goes to the developer. Nokia is also helping local developers market their apps globally, Nokia takes 30% and pays out 70% to the developer. I would be happy to hear more from Safaricom on this. How can Safaricom encourage us to test our innovations in this market as you have done so well with M-PESA before exporting it to other countries? Muthoni On Tue, Jan 11, 2011 at 1:11 PM, Matunda Nyanchama < mnyanchama(a)aganoconsulting.com> wrote: > > Congratulations are in order for these young girls in the above story<http://www.nation.co.ke/News/Girls%20who%20created%20social%20network%20for…>; > kudos. > > My reading is that there are many such stories and potential successes that > could happen. This was reinforced when I saw presentations at the most > recent AITEC event in Nairobi. We just need the right environment and our > tech sector will take off to even higher heights than the present trend > suggests. > > Couple of things that could help: > > - Protection of Intellectual Property: I marveled at the ease with > which those at the conference shared their creations and even creations that > were on the drawing board! Question: how do they know who the prying eyes > are in the public event? And prying eyes with deeper pockets and better > knowledge of the business of IT? > - Risk Capital: Silicon Valley wouldn't have been without risk capital? > RIM (that produces the blackberry), one of the most successful Canadian tech > creations, would not have happened without risk capital. For the longest > time, the latter depended on government grants, which allowed them to go > thru' teething stages! In Kenya, we may not have the kind money Canada has > thrown into R&D in form of grants. However, we can have a variation of this. > One possibility I have shared with friends relates to incentives, i.e. tax > credits, R&D Levy Fund from which companies can get back some of the money > invested in R&D, and even some form of "insurance" where risk capital would > be compensated at a given % should a venture not materialize! > - Active scouting of ideas for development in science fairs, tech > conferences, etc and investing in those that offer promise. > > Ukiona vyalea vimeundua or words to that effect from the wisdom of the > old.Development cannot be left to chance. It reminds of a science project we > did in high school: powering a radio using stored energy in a wind up > spring! We got good marks; and off we went later to university, forgot about > it and lo! years later, someone was selling wind up radios in rural Africa! > > Shukrani. > > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- > Matunda Nyanchama, mnyanchama(a)aganoconsulting.com > Agano Consulting Inc.; www.aganoconsulting.com > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- > * > “If you have an apple and I have an apple and we exchange these apples then > you and I will still each have one apple. But if you have an idea and I have > an idea and we exchange these ideas, then each of us will have two ideas.” > * - George Bernard Shaw > > ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- > This e-mail, including attachments, may be privileged and may contain > confidential or proprietary information intended only for the addressee(s). > Any other distribution, copying, use, or disclosure is unauthorized and > strictly prohibited. If you have received this message in error, please > notify the sender immediately by reply e-mail and permanently delete the > message, including any attachments, without making a copy. Thank you. > > > _______________________________________________ > kictanet mailing list > kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > > This message was sent to: dmuthoni(a)gmail.com > Unsubscribe or change your options at > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/dmuthoni%40gmail.com > > -- Muthoni My Blog: http://rugongo.blogspot.com/ -------------------------------------------- Mahatma Gandhi once said:- First they ignore you, Then they laugh at you, Then they fight you, AND THEN YOU WIN!!!

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ALEX OWITI wants to chat
by ALEX OWITI 14 Jan '11

14 Jan '11

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