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Re: [kictanet] Expensive software systems?
by Shem Ochuodho 01 Sep '08

01 Sep '08

Bro. Antoine, Great reading back from you. I believe together we can, and shall, overcome. Best rgrds, Shem --- On Fri, 6/27/08, antoine bigirimana <antoine(a)e-tools.com> wrote: From: antoine bigirimana <antoine(a)e-tools.com> Subject: RE: [kictanet] Expensive software systems? To: shemochuodho(a)yahoo.com, kiriinya2000(a)yahoo.com, "'KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions'" <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> Cc: "'New Vision List'" <newvisionkenya(a)yahoogroups.com>, "'Haron Wachira'" <hwachira(a)itakenya.com> Date: Friday, June 27, 2008, 2:57 PM Hello Shem, Thank you very much for mentioning SmartGov ERP developed in Rwanda by E-Tools Rwanda. Hello All, The systems developed for USA , Canada and European Union tend to include many features that are not necessarily relevant for the East African market and they are also very expensive. We believe the most cost effective solution for our developing and poor countries is to use our local talent, supplemented if need be by seasoned international experts: more and more these internationals may even have roots in East Africa . The cost savings are twofold: support is local and easier; our people are cheaper even when they earn top salary in our economies: it is not rare to get a ratio of 1 to 5. The savings could be then used to solve some other urgent problems. E-Tools Rwanda and E-Tools Kenya are designed to create any software solution required in the East African region. antoine From: Shem Ochuodho [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Wednesday, June 25, 2008 11:55 AM To: kiriinya2000(a)yahoo.com; KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions Cc: New Vision List; Haron Wachira; Antoine BIGIRIMANA-Yahoo Subject: Re: [kictanet] Expensive software systems? Wesley, Actually given the right parameters, even ERP-like software can be locally developed. The two closest examples of ERP-like systems I have come across that were 'locally' developed were: a system by Haron Wachira (he formerly of Diamond Systems - the 1st Kenyan firm to assemble computers) which I remember being used by a major Tea company through its network, among others, and Rwanda 's SmartGov. There is a very thin line between these systems and conventional ERPs. Btw, before I even thought that 'hardware' manufacture/assembly is a pipe-dream for us - until I came across the 'fabless trend' that Nigeria is already pushing. It is truly cutting-edge technology - and 'knowledge work'. For those who might not know, in such a scenario, a country/firm that does not have the technology to 'manufacture' chips/VLSI can still design systems, and then send designs to places like Malaysia for production/manufacture of the chips. The 'intelligence' or brain-work (and hence the money) is not in the manufacture, but in the design, particularly for products whose value is in the uniqueness/complexity, not numbers. In effect, if the environment is right, it is doable. Shem --- On Wed, 6/25/08, wesley kiriinya <kiriinya2000(a)yahoo.com> wrote: From: wesley kiriinya <kiriinya2000(a)yahoo.com> Subject: Re: [kictanet] Expensive software systems? To: "Shem Ochuodho" <shemochuodho(a)yahoo.com> Cc: "KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions" <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> Date: Wednesday, June 25, 2008, 12:55 PM

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Tech Scene Kenya News Didest
by Rebecca Wanjiku 30 Aug '08

30 Aug '08

KENIC embarks on aggressive .ke marketing campaign Kenya Network Information Centre (KENIC), the administrator of .ke top-level domains, has embarked on an aggressive marketing campaign to promote the local domain name. http://computerworld.co.ke/articles/2008/08/29/kenic-embarks-aggressive-ke-… Kenya BPO society lobbies for license fee reductionThe Kenya Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) Society has urged the Communication Commission of Kenya to reduce the annual license fee for BPO businesses. The group wants the fee lower from 100,000 Kenyan shillings (US$1,516) to 10,000 shillings in order to attract more investors. http://computerworld.co.ke/articles/2008/08/29/kenya-bpo-society-lobbies-li… Kenya WiMax network gets $3.5M investmentAccessKenya has invested US$3.5 million to build a WiMax network targeting Kenyan homes with an initial deployment of 35 base stations in Nairobi and Mombasa. http://computerworld.co.ke/articles/2008/08/29/kenya-wimax-network-gets-35m… Kenya judiciary embraces IT to tackle corruptionThe Judiciary of Kenya has initiated IT reforms calculated to reduce corruption and improve service delivery. http://computerworld.co.ke/articles/2008/08/29/kenya-judiciary-embraces-it-… Kenya commission failed to use laptops in electionsLow Internet penetration in rural areas, software issues and computer illiteracy have been cited as some of the reasons that the Electoral Commission of Kenya (ECK) could not use laptops during the controversial general elections last year. http://computerworld.co.ke/articles/2008/08/27/kenya-commission-failed-use-… Mi phone finds a home in KenyaIn a market with an ever-increasing appetite for mobile phones, the low-priced Mi phones have found a home in Kenya, with sales of 10,000 units in the past quarter. http://computerworld.co.ke/articles/2008/08/27/mi-phone-finds-a-home-kenya Kenyan techies launch Skunk AwardsKenyan techies have launched the Skunk Awards 2008 to recognize top IT companies and individuals. The awards were created through the skunkworks list serve, a forum where Kenyan techies share ideas and help to sort out IT problems in real time. http://computerworld.co.ke/articles/2008/08/27/kenyan-techies-launch-skunk-… IT industry anchors African sportsOn Aug. 29, the Kenyan Olympic team will receive 14.5 million shillings (US$215,000) from President Mwai Kibaki, and mobile phone operator Safaricom is one of the main sponsors. http://computerworld.co.ke/articles/2008/08/25/it-industry-anchors-african-… Mobile phones help pastoralists fight livestock theftThe mobile phone has revolutionized the way Kenya's pastoral communities work and conduct business, according to Joseph ole Kishau, an elder in the Maasai community. http://computerworld.co.ke/articles/2008/08/26/mobile-phones-help-pastorali… Indian outsourcer launches skills program at Kenya BPOAn Indian call and contact center has launched the LiveBean Scholarship Program for contact center professionals in Kenya. http://computerworld.co.ke/articles/2008/08/25/indian-outsourcer-launches-s… Ndemo: Internet fanned Kenya post-election violencehe Internet played a role in the post-election violence that engulfed Kenya early this year, said Bitange Ndemo, permanent secretary in the Ministry of Information and Communications. http://computerworld.co.ke/articles/2008/08/22/ndemo-internet-fanned-kenya-… Tel. 254 720 318 925 blog:http://beckyit.blogspot.com/

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Job Opportunity: Senior Communications Officer
by Catherine Adeya 29 Aug '08

29 Aug '08

Please see attached. Nyaki

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Fwd: ICT Board Strategy a Farce
by Brian Longwe 29 Aug '08

29 Aug '08

FYI Listers ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Brian Longwe <blongwe(a)gmail.com> Date: Aug 29, 2008 9:31 AM Subject: Re: [kictanet] ICT Board Strategy a Farce To: wambuiwakarema(a)yahoo.co.uk Very strong language - but I think you should relax as your concerns are unfounded. I am at the Strategic retreat. Unfortunately Gilda Odera - Chairperson of BPO, who was supposed to be present had to cancel at the last minute. Brian On 8/29/08, Wambui Wakarema <wambuiwakarema(a)yahoo.co.uk> wrote: > > > I have read with surprise the Kictanet mailout from the ICT Board claiming they are going for a stakeholders strategy workshop in Naivasha. > > Who are these stakeholders? Are there any representing the BPO sector?? I ask this because I have contacted the industry association and they dont seem > > to be in the know either. This is quite bizarre, especially since BPO is a key sector of the ICT Board's mandate. > > Who are the stakeholders from the other ICT sectors? Shouldnt the Board be getting input from key stakeholders at this workshop. > > They are wasting government resources going to write strategies and then 'presenting' to stakeholders, yet stakeholders should have been involved from the word go. > > The > current management of the ICT Board performance is well under par. Recently I called up their > > offices wanting to engage with the management on a number of issues. Alas! I was informed that they were all on leave at the same time! > > The ICT Board cant seem to function properly due to sheer incompetence. > > Dr Ndemo I want a response from you since the buck stops with you! > > Wakarema > > > Send instant messages to your online friends http://uk.messenger.yahoo.com > _______________________________________________ > kictanet mailing list > kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > > This message was sent to: blongwe(a)gmail.com > Unsubscribe or change your options at > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/blongwe%40gmail.com > > -- Brian Munyao Longwe e-mail: blongwe(a)gmail.com cell: + 254 722 518 744 blog : http://zinjlog.blogspot.com meta-blog: http://mashilingi.blogspot.com -- Brian Munyao Longwe e-mail: blongwe(a)gmail.com cell: + 254 722 518 744 blog : http://zinjlog.blogspot.com meta-blog: http://mashilingi.blogspot.com

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Re: [kictanet] Global Innovation Forum
by waudo siganga 29 Aug '08

29 Aug '08

This event, to be held in Armenia, could be of interest to some, particularly the youth. Apologies for any possible crossposting. Waudo On Sat, 16 Aug 2008 12:26:51 +0400, "UN GAID - Athgo" <yerevan08(a)athgo.or g> said: [cid:[email protected]] GLOBAL ALLIANCE FOR ICT AND DEVELOPMENT SECRETARIAT And THE COMMITTEE OF E-LEADERS FOR YOUTH AND ICT FOR DEVELOPMENT Room DC1-1464, One United Nations Plaza, New York, N.Y., 10017 Telephone: (1-212) 963-5796 Fax: (1-917) 367-4340 e-mail: [1]gaid(a)un-gaid.org Website: [2]www.un-gaid.org 15 August 2008 Dear Mr. Waudo Siganga, In September of 2007, the United Nations Global Alliance for ICT and Development (GAID) hosted its first Youth Forum for ICT & Development in Geneva, Switzerland. Over 600 youth from 30 different countries convened to engage in a worldwide consultation on the use of ICTs to achieve the MDGs. One specific outcome of the forum was establishing a Global Youth Coalition for the UN ICT activities. To this end, in April of 2008, the UNDESA-GAID appointed 12 young persons from around the globe to a Committee of e-Leaders for ICT & Youth, who aim to further build a worldwide network of youth that support the United Nations mission of harnessing technology for development. On behalf of the UNDESA-GAID and the Committee of e-Leaders for ICT & Youth, we ask you to join us in our mission and request your support and for its first main event: the Global Innovation Forum for Education and Development, from 21 to 24 October 2008, in Yerevan, Armenia. We invite you to tap into your extensive youth networks and bring participants to this ground breaking event. The Global Innovation Forum for Education and Development is being jointly organized by GAID, the Committee of e-Leaders, and Athgo International. The forum will bring together young ICT4D practitioners and experts from government, civil society and the private sector to showcase their successful ICT practices in the areas of local content, access and connectivity. A critical theme of the conference will be education for innovation in development with young people themselves displaying educational policy prescriptions as the key example of enhancing innovation for development. The four-day interactive conference will allow ample opportunity for young people to develop substantive policy proposals in collaboration with policy makers and business executives. Each participant will have the opportunity to engage policy makers, experts and his/her peers to draft innovative solutions to ICT development and implementation challenges. On the final day, the young participants will showcase their plans in innovation panels. The proposals will be evaluated by leaders in government, the private sector, and civil society, and will be showcased at the conference closing ceremonies. Mr. Waudo Siganga Chairman The Computer Society of Kenya P.O. Box 70180, 00400 TOM Mboya Street Nairobi, Kenya - 2 - The Secretary-General of the United Nations, in his message to the GAID Strategy Council meeting held in Silicon Valley in February 2007, stressed that: "It is important that you work as a true partnership of all essential stakeholders - governments, civil society, the private sector, academia and others. All of you are needed if we are to succeed." Indeed, this is an outstanding opportunity for your organization to demonstrate its interest in ICT for Education and Development work, and showcase success stories that have empowered youth via ICTs. The event will also offer many opportunities for your organization to develop closer cooperation with the global ICT community at large. We warmly welcome your engagement in the upcoming Global Innovation Forum for Education and Development as an active partner. We invite you to reach out to your networks and recruit youth from around the world to attend the Forum. Young people (ages 18-35) are the critical audience of this cutting edge program and we look forward to fostering dialogue and innovation among youth. Participants can register at http://www.un-gaid.org/civicrm/event/register?id=4&reset=1. We also invite you and representatives from your organization to present at one of the many panels and workshops of the conference. At these interactive sessions, presenters will engage the participants to analyze the state of ICT for development in the real developing world and inspire them to innovate solutions to pressing challenges. A brief project document on the Forums objectives, participants, tentative programme structure, expected outcomes, budget estimates and sponsorship opportunities is attached for ease of reference. Please do not hesitate to contact Enrica Murmura of the GAID secretariat at murmura(a)un.org should you need additional information or have questions. On behalf of the youth around the world engaged in ICTs, we thank you for your time and consideration. We hope that you will be an active partner/participant in this first major UN Committee of e-Leaders for ICT & Youth event. Yours sincerely, [cid:[email protected]] [cid:[email protected]] Sarbuland Khan Executive Coordinator GAID Armen Orujyan Member GAID Committee of e-Leaders for Youth and ICT References 1. mailto:[email protected] 2. http://www.un-gaid.org/ People make a plan work, a plan alone seldom makes people work (Confucius).

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KENYA ICT BOARD NEWSLETTER - AUGUST 2008
by Lucy Odhiambo 28 Aug '08

28 Aug '08

Dear All, Herewith is our monthly newsletter for your perusal . This week: Strategy review workshop: The Kenya ICT board will be hosting a stakeholders workshop to review the boards strategic plan in Naivasha on the 29th and 30th of August 2008. The team will leave CCK offices at 3pm on 28th August and will return on 31st August at 10am. This will be followed by an open public forum on September 18th for stakeholders to review and take ownership of the strategic plan. We invite you to join us for the Public forum and we will post an invitation to the Kictanet list closer to the date. If you have any questions or comments about the open forum or the newsletter please feel free to email or call me. Warm regards, Lucy Gachui-Odhiambo Communications Manager Kenya ICT Board CCK Centre, Waiyaki Way PO Box 27150 - 00100 Nairobi, Kenya Cell 0737- 839047 Tel: 254-020-2093040 www.ict.go.ke ICT-logo-02.jpg

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Job Vacancy: Senior Communications Officer
by Catherine Adeya 28 Aug '08

28 Aug '08

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9th Strathmore University ICT Conference
by John Matogo 28 Aug '08

28 Aug '08

Dear Colleagues Strathmore University is once again hosting the annual ICT conference, this year the conference is on 5th and 6th of September. On behalf of the organizing committee I invite you to attend the conference. This year's conference theme is "ICTs role towards a knowledge economy". More information is available on the university's website at this url: http://www.www.strathmore.edu/ictconference/2008/index.html I look forward to your participation at the conference. Regards, John Matogo Strathmore University Strathmore University provides all-round education in an atmosphere of freedom and responsibility. This email and any files transmitted with it are intended solely for use by the recipient(s) to whom it is addressed and may contain confidential information. If you have received this email in error please notify the sender immediately and permanently delete this email and/or any files attached to it from your computer. Please note that any views or opinions presented in this email are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of Strathmore University. The University accepts no liability whatsoever for any loss or damages incurred, or suffered, resulting, or arising, from the use of this email and/or its attachments. The University warrants neither the integrity of the e-mail nor its freedom from errors, viruses, interception or any other form of interference.

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Kenyan techies launch Skunk Awards
by Rebecca Wanjiku 28 Aug '08

28 Aug '08

http://computerworld.co.ke/articles/2008/08/27/kenyan-techies-launch-skunk-… Tel. 254 720 318 925 blog:http://beckyit.blogspot.com/

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CNN to Feature SIDAREC (Kenya) and Architecture for Humanity (Saturday August 30th)
by Janet Feldman 28 Aug '08

28 Aug '08

Dear Friends, On Saturday, August 30th, at 7:30pm on CNN, Architecture for Humanity's latest project, a full-fledged media center serving youth in slum areas of Nairobi, Kenya, will be featured. For more see these websites: http://www.architectureforhumanity.org and http://openarchitecturenetwork.org/node/1677 And read more below about the Open Architecture Contest, including the overall winner: SIDAREC (Slums Information, Development, and Resource Centers), at http://www.sidarec.org. SIDAREC is an amazing nonprofit started by young people, and it is young people who still manage the organization and are served by it. The media center will help to transform many individual lives, the communities in which SIDAREC operates, and also a city whose slums are among the worst in the world. Please tune in Saturday and hear more about the outstanding work being done by these organizations. Thanks and all best wishes, Janet (Feldman, KAIPPG International and ActALIVE, kaippg(a)earthlink.net) CNN's Charles Hodson presents the second Principal Voices program: "Principal Voices: Design for Good" at the times below: http://edition.cnn.com/CNNI/Programs/principal.voices/design/ Saturday, August 30 (SIDAREC featured today) 0730 ET 1330 ET Sunday, August 31 0330 ET 0930 ET 1430 ET Monday, September 1 0930 ET 1330 ET PRESS RELEASE SIDAREC SCOOPS THE 2007 AMD Open Architecture Challenge: An ultra-modern technology media lab and radio station to be constructed in Mukuru Slums Organizational summary: SIDAREC is an acronym that stands for Slums Information Development and Resource Centres. This is a community based organization operating in the slum areas of Mukuru and Majengo in Nairobi, Kenya. SIDAREC was formed in 1996 as a youth group but later developed and changed status to an NGO in 1997. It is instructive to note that SIDAREC was founded by a group of youth who have managed it to date. The primary target group for SIDAREC is children, youth, and women living in these slums. SIDAREC pillars (programmes) include: Youth Reproductive Health and Development, Early Childhood Development, Community Media and ICT, and Livelihood. Vision: Empowered slum community with easy access to information and opportunities that enable them to lead a decent life on a sustainable basis. Mission: To build the capacity of slum communities through provision of quality services in the areas of Information, Communication, and Technology, as well as advocacy and socio-economic initiatives. Global Challenge: SIDAREC submitted its bid to the global challenge organized by Architecture For Humanity in 2006. There were about 556 entries received from all over the world. The screening and selection process was very competitive and time-consuming. On Tuesday June 3, 2008, Architecture for Humanity and AMD (NYSE: AMD) announced SIDAREC as the winner of the 2007 AMD Open Architecture Challenge during the World Economic Forum in Cape Town, South Africa. AMD sponsored the 2007 challenge through 50x15, a global initiative founded by AMD with the goal of enabling affordable Internet access and computing capability for 50 percent of the world's population by the year 2015. The winners, including one overall competition winner and two regional site winners, were determined by an international review board of jurors comprised of architects, technologists, and community members. SIDAREC was not only the Africa challenge winner but also scooped the overall competition prize among three entries from Nepal (construction of a health facility) and Ecuador (establishment of an indigenous chocolate factory). The site winner for SIDAREC is the Global Studio of Seattle, WA, USA, which will construct a technology media lab. This Community Media lab will include but is not limited to an internet centre, computer training lab, day care, amphitheatre, elevated wide screen, and radio station. With the construction of this media lab, the youth feel like managers (who are also the pioneers), and they believe that it will become "the next Silicon Valley," in the slum area of Mukuru. Benefit of Award to SIDAREC: -Build institutional capacity in terms of technology. -Generate revenue from the hire of amphitheatre, hall, computer training which will be ploughed back to social development activities. -Establish offices within the facility as opposed to renting elsewhere and thus saving on this cost. Benefits to be accrued by the community members: -Narrowing of the digital divide. -Increased affordability and accessibility of technology in the slum areas. -Improvements in the surrounding environment by building a facility complete with a greening concept. -Increased markets to local entrepreneurs through e-marketing and advertising. About the Sponsors: AMD Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. (NYSE: AMD) is a leading global provider of innovative processing solutions in the computing, graphics and consumer electronics markets. AMD is dedicated to driving open innovation, choice and industry growth by delivering superior customer-centric solutions that empower consumers and businesses worldwide. For more information, visit http://www.amd.com The 50x15 Initiative, launched by AMD in 2004 at the World Economic Forum, is a bold and far-reaching effort to develop new technology and solutions to help enable affordable Internet access and computing capability for 50 percent of the world's population by the year 2015. More than just goodwill, 50x15 is about fostering long-term economic progress and investment within high-growth markets in ways that benefit a wide range of people and businesses. For more information, visit http://www.50x15.com Architecture for Humanity: Architecture for Humanity is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization that seeks architectural solutions to humanitarian crises and provides professional design services to communities in need. For more information, please visit http://www.architectureforhumanity.org Open Architecture Challenge: Each year, Architecture for Humanity hosts a global design challenge on the Open Architecture Network to harness the creativity and energy of the design community to address a different systemic issue facing those living in underserved communities. By reaching beyond the traditional bounds of architecture, the open design competition challenges architects, designers and others to solve inequities in the built environment affecting the health, prosperity and well-being of under-served communities. Contacts: Lucy Mathai, Executive Director Slums Information Development & Resource Centres (SIDAREC) P.O. Box 9687 00300 Nairobi, Kenya Tel: +254 020 246961 / 247356 Email: info(a)sidarec.or.ke, lucy(a)sidarec.or.ke Laura Galloway Galloway Media Group Tel: (212) 260-3708 Email: laura(a)gallowaymediagroup.com Travis Bullard AMD Public Relations Executive Tel: (512) 602-5667 Email: travis.bullard(a)amd.com

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