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FW: Damu Sasa & University of Nairobi Partner to tackle Blood Management Problem in Kenya
by Matunda Nyanchama 16 Jun '22

16 Jun '22

FYI From: Damu Sasa [mailto:info@damu-sasa.co.ke] Sent: Thursday, June 16, 2022 10:19 AM To: =?utf-8?Q??= <mnyanchama(a)aganoconsulting.com> Subject: Damu Sasa & University of Nairobi Partner to tackle Blood Management Problem in Kenya <https://mailchi.mp/1b79394b38dc/damu-sasa-university-of-nairobi-partner-to-…> View this email in your browser <https://damu-sasa.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u=eff43e0067c2bd794f33c3…> Damu Sasa & University of Nairobi Partner to tackle Blood Management Problem in Kenya <https://damu-sasa.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u=eff43e0067c2bd794f33c3…> <https://damu-sasa.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u=eff43e0067c2bd794f33c3…> Damu Sasa System Limited has entered into an agreement with the University of Nairobi to conduct research on blood services management and technology in Kenya. The study, which is funded by the <https://damu-sasa.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u=eff43e0067c2bd794f33c3…> International Development Research Centre (IDRC) of Canada with <https://damu-sasa.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u=eff43e0067c2bd794f33c3…> Villgro Africa as the administering agency, will focus on understanding the blood services ecosystem in Kenya, ways in which blood donations can be enhanced, and how technology can be utilized to improve the situation. According to the WHO, Kenya needs close to one million units of blood every year. However, this target is rarely achieved, with the Kenya National Blood Transfusion Service ( <https://damu-sasa.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u=eff43e0067c2bd794f33c3…> KNBTS) collecting approximately 30% of the optimal target. “The perennial problem calls for a systematic approach to understanding the dimensions of the causes of the poor response to donations,” said Dr Matunda Nyanchama, the Damu Sasa Executive Chairman. “Only then can there be an optimal solution to alleviate things in the current situation,” he added. The study is expected to benefit the healthcare industry with insights that could lead to innovative practices to boost blood donations and entrench a regular and voluntary donation culture. It will be carried out in 47 counties, and target public, private and mission-managed healthcare transfusion facilities, as well as the Kenyan public. The project underlines the IDRC’s commitment to supporting projects that have high impact potential on the lives of the people. On their part, Villgro Africa is committed to assisting start-ups whose work has high potential to benefit society in the continent and the rest of the world. In the past, Villgro Africa has supported Damu Sasa to build technology capabilities that enabled blood donations to continue even in the face of the COVID-19 Pandemic, specifically the physical distance requirements. Speaking at the project inauguration, the University of Nairobi’s Prof. Julius A. Ogeng'o, Deputy Vice-Chancellor in charge of academic affairs said, “there is a need for elevated collaboration between academic institutions and industry.” He added that the University of Nairobi, a regional leader in research and teaching, “has adequate and fully-qualified resources to support initiatives such as this one.” He took note of the multi-disciplinary composition of the team, saying that most problems in society today need such an approach of diverse expertise and experience. Related Coverage: <https://damu-sasa.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u=eff43e0067c2bd794f33c3…> Damu Sasa Partners with UON to Scale Blood Donations in Kenya <https://damu-sasa.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u=eff43e0067c2bd794f33c3…> UoN and Damu-Sasa to research on Improvement of Blood Management Services <https://damu-sasa.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u=eff43e0067c2bd794f33c3…> Damu Sasa partners with the University of Nairobi to advance the management of blood in Kenya <https://damu-sasa.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u=eff43e0067c2bd794f33c3…> Download App from Playstore Subscribe to Our Social Channels for latest updates. Our Vision is to be the trusted and valued partner in the efficient and effective management of blood services | Winner Quality Healthcare Kenyan Awards. <https://damu-sasa.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u=eff43e0067c2bd794f33c3…> <https://damu-sasa.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u=eff43e0067c2bd794f33c3…> <https://damu-sasa.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u=eff43e0067c2bd794f33c3…> <https://damu-sasa.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u=eff43e0067c2bd794f33c3…> Copyright (C) 2022 DAMU SASA SYSTEM LTD. All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because you opted in via our website. Want to change how you receive these emails? You can <https://damu-sasa.us10.list-manage.com/profile?u=eff43e0067c2bd794f33c34af&…> update your preferences or <https://damu-sasa.us10.list-manage.com/unsubscribe?u=eff43e0067c2bd794f33c3…> unsubscribe <https://dim.mcusercontent.com/cs/eff43e0067c2bd794f33c34af/images/ce41c0c3-…> <https://damu-sasa.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u=eff43e0067c2bd794f33c3…> <https://damu-sasa.us10.list-manage.com/track/open.php?u=eff43e0067c2bd794f3…>

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#KeIGF2022: Book Your Seat To Our Kenya Internet Governance Forum 2022
by David Indeje 16 Jun '22

16 Jun '22

[image: image.png] Dear Listers, It is back and it is going to be bigger, the Kenya Internet Governance Forum 2022 beginning June 17 -30, 2022 with exciting events that will mark the IGF Week. The hybrid event is themed *‘Resilient Internet for a shared sustainable and common future’.* The Kenya IGF theme is aligned to the global IGF theme and will respond to the local context including the upcoming 2022 general election. The Forum programme has been developed in line with the following sub-themes: - Connecting all People and Safeguarding Human Rights - Avoiding Internet Fragmentation - Governing Data Protection and Privacy - Enabling Safety. Security and Accountability - Addressing Advanced Technologies, including AI Our official hashtag is *#KeIGF2022. *Kindly visit our website to register your participation using this link: https://bit.ly/39pXf9a *Kind Regards,* *David Indeje* *KICTANet Communications *_____________________________________ +254 (0) 711 385 945 | +254 (0) 734 024 856 KICTANet portals KICTANet.or.ke <https://kictanet.or.ke/> | Twitter <https://twitter.com/kictanet> | LinkedIn <https://www.linkedin.com/company/18428106/admin/> | Facebook <https://www.facebook.com/KICTANet/>

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Storm over IEBC tech dry run failure rate
by Victor Kapiyo 15 Jun '22

15 Jun '22

The civil society is concerned about the electoral agency’s preparedness to conduct the August 9 General Election. The concerns came after more than half of the polling stations identified for the testing of a new results transmission system (RTS) failed. Only 1,200 polling stations successfully transmitted data, out of the 2,900 selected for the system’s dry run. The simulation exercise recorded a 59 per cent failure rate, further fuelling doubts on the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission’s (IEBC) readiness to conduct the next elections, which are only 53 days away. https://nation.africa/kenya/news/politics/storm-over-iebc-tech-dry-run-fail…

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The Controversial ICT Practitioners Bill Has Been Passed!
by Adrian Teri 14 Jun '22

14 Jun '22

Good Day all, Here's the scoop by techweez: *https://techweez.com/2022/06/09/parliament-has-passed-the-controversial-ict-practitioners-bill/ <https://techweez.com/2022/06/09/parliament-has-passed-the-controversial-ict…>* Regards, Adrian Teri

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Raila: Uhuru should not sign ICT bill into law | Nation
by Mutemi wa Kiama 12 Jun '22

12 Jun '22

Mr Odinga in a statement released by his private secretary Mr Dennis Onyango, says that he finds the Bill vague yet loaded with sweeping powers over the ICT sector, with no clarity on the specific problem it is meant to address. https://nation.africa/kenya/news/politics/raila-uhuru-should-not-sign-ict-b… Warm regards, Mutemi wa Kiama Team Captain, This Is Africa: https://thisisafrica.me Thoughts become things... choose the good ones! ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Public Intellectual, Social Justice & Social Accountability Entrepreneur, Strategic Planning & Organizational Development Facilitator, Strategic Communications, Movement Building Coach, Human Rights Defender, #DevolutionIsRevolution Champion. The Wanjiku Agenda Kenya Foundation (WAKenya) Ordinary, fearless Kenyans. https://www.linkedin.com/in/edwin-mutemi-wa-kiama-1aa51615/ Sauti Ya Wanjiku Social Movement www.sautiyawanjiku.com https://www.facebook.com/wanjikurevolutionkenya https://twitter.com/WanjikuRevolt https://twitter.com/MutemiWaKiama http://www.scribd.com/wmkenya "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has." ~Margaret Mead

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6G
by Benson Muite 09 Jun '22

09 Jun '22

Preparations for Vision 2030: https://www.open6ghub.de

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Re: [kictanet] New appointments in the sector!!
by Grace Githaiga 07 Jun '22

07 Jun '22

Dear Listers, There have been some notable changes in the technology industry in the past week, especially for women in ICT. Catherine Muraga was appointed as the new managing director, Microsoft Africa Development Centre (ADC), based in Nairobi. Rosemary Koech-Kimwatu, our very own, was appointed the Data Protection Officer for the KCB Bank Group. We are thrilled that these two amazing women who have supported the work of KICTANet have been elevated to hold significant positions within the sector. These appointments are not only timely but are also well-deserved by the two, each of whom is uniquely qualified and has excelled in their previous roles. On our part, we look forward to continued engagement with them as part of this network, as we catalyze change within the ICT sector in Kenya. Ladies and gentlemen, please join me in congratulating Catherine and Rosemary! -- Grace Githaiga KICTANet Convenor KICTANet portals KICTANet.or.ke <https://kictanet.or.ke/> | Twitter <https://twitter.com/kictanet> | LinkedIn <https://www.linkedin.com/company/18428106/admin/> | Facebook <https://www.facebook.com/KICTANet/>

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Re: [kictanet] KICTANet Digest, Vol 172, Issue 5
by Etinick Mutinda 06 Jun '22

06 Jun '22

Greetings, Congratulations to Catherine Muraga and Rosemary Koech-Kimwatu. Etinick Mutinda On Mon, Jun 6, 2022 at 6:24 AM <kictanet-request(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> wrote: > Send KICTANet mailing list submissions to > kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke > > To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit > https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to > kictanet-request(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke > > You can reach the person managing the list at > kictanet-owner(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke > > When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific > than "Re: Contents of KICTANet digest..." > > > Today's Topics: > > 1. Re: New appointments in the sector!! (Grace Githaiga) > 2. Re: New appointments in the sector!! (A Mutheu) > 3. Re: New appointments in the sector!! (Lilian Kimeto) > > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > > Message: 1 > Date: Mon, 6 Jun 2022 06:01:48 +0300 > From: Grace Githaiga <ggithaiga(a)kictanet.or.ke> > To: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> > Subject: Re: [kictanet] New appointments in the sector!! > Message-ID: > <CABCR_+ZQG8c16iRjZN0NTG+= > ubUzD6HU--Y7_ZyvdEdzXeEpqg(a)mail.gmail.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8" > > Dear Listers, > > There have been some notable changes in the technology industry in the past > week, especially for women in ICT. > > Catherine Muraga was appointed as the new managing director, Microsoft > Africa Development Centre (ADC), based in Nairobi. > > Rosemary Koech-Kimwatu, our very own, was appointed the Data Protection > Officer for the KCB Bank Group. > > We are thrilled that these two amazing women who have supported the work of > KICTANet have been elevated to hold significant positions within the > sector. These appointments are not only timely but are also well-deserved > by the two, each of whom is uniquely qualified and has excelled in their > previous roles. > > On our part, we look forward to continued engagement with them as part of > this network, as we catalyze change within the ICT sector in Kenya. > > Ladies and gentlemen, please join me in congratulating Catherine and > Rosemary! > > -- > Grace Githaiga > KICTANet Convenor > > KICTANet portals > KICTANet.or.ke <https://kictanet.or.ke/> | Twitter > <https://twitter.com/kictanet> | LinkedIn > <https://www.linkedin.com/company/18428106/admin/> | Facebook > <https://www.facebook.com/KICTANet/> >

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Fwd: [IGF] SAVE THE DATE! IGF 2022: 28 November-2 December
by Barrack Otieno 06 Jun '22

06 Jun '22

Listers, FYI Regards ---------- Forwarded message --------- From: IGF Secretariat <info(a)intgovforum.org> Date: Tue, May 31, 2022 at 8:44 PM Subject: [IGF] SAVE THE DATE! IGF 2022: 28 November-2 December To: IGF Secretariat <info(a)intgovforum.org> -- Barrack O. Otieno +254721325277 +254733206359 Skype: barrack.otieno PGP ID: 0x2611D86A

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The Effects of Taxing Mobile Phone Airtime & Data Bundles in Kenya in 2021
by Adam Lane 03 Jun '22

03 Jun '22

For those interested... or for those who disagree! https://blog.huawei.com/2022/05/27/effects-taxing-mobile-airtime-data-bundl… The Effects of Taxing Mobile Phone Airtime & Data Bundles in Kenya in 2021 ByAdam Lane May 27, 2022 In 2021 Kenya raised excise duty from 15% to 20% in a bid to generate more tax revenue. This affected both the cost of making calls ("airtime") and the cost of Internet (mobile "data bundles" or fixed broadband subscriptions), as telecoms network operators increased their prices to pass the costs onto their consumers. In this post, I look at the effect this has had on Internet adoption, how people use the Internet in Kenya, and broader economic development. The opposite of what was intended Recent statistics from the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics, reported by Business Daily Africa<https://www.businessdailyafrica.com/bd/economy/kra-loses-sh7-billion-on-hig…>, reveal that tax collections actually decreased by 20%, instead of the predicted increase of 22%. Interestingly this is the opposite of the effect when a previous increase from 10% to 15% in 2018 saw tax revenue increase by a massive 60%. However, that came at a time of rapid growth in Kenyans getting online, which has now slowed, and it occurred during a period of economic growth. Despite a trend of prices declining year-on-year generally, the tax-inspired higher prices in 2021 came at a time of economic shock during the pandemic, which affected the earnings of many Kenyans and led to consumers limiting their calls and Internet usage. This in turn caused the revenue growth of telecommunications companies to slow and reduced tax collections. The reason for excise duties Excise duties are generally seen as "sin taxes" with the dual aim of reducing demand for products that have negative social or environmental impacts and generating revenue that can be used to fund activities to offset such negative social or environmental impacts. Typical excise duties cover alcohol, betting, or tobacco products across the world, though in Kenya (and many other countries) they have been applied for airtime and also mobile money transactions, even though these overwhelmingly have positive social and economic impacts. Indeed, they stimulate economic growth and create indirect social and environmental benefits. In fact, in Kenya, airtime and data have become the biggest source of excise taxes ahead of beer, spirits, cigarettes, bottled water, and financial transactions. This is in addition to multiple other taxes on ICT, particularly the burden of paying VAT (currently 16%, though it was reduced to 14% for a year during the pandemic). VAT is also applicable to electronic devices, along with a further 2% Railway Development Levy and 3.5% Import Declaration Levy. There is also a 12% excise duty on mobile money payments and various license fees on telecommunications companies. Negative impact Such taxes not only hinder usage, but can also stifle innovation and overall development, as growth in ICT usage correlates with economic growth. In a wide-ranging study, the International Telecommunications Union (ITU)<https://www.itu.int/en/Pages/default.aspx> found that an increase of 10% in mobile broadband subscriber penetration yields an increase of 1.5% in gross domestic product (GDP). The impact of mobile broadband is more powerful still in developing economies at 2%. Moreover, ITU economists have more recently established that higher mobile adoption also mitigated the most damaging economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. The ITU found that an increase of 10% in mobile broadband subscriber penetration yields an increase of 1.5% in GDP. During the pandemic, the ICT sector was one of the few sectors in Kenya that saw growth in 2020 (ICT was the second fastest growing sector in the economy that year), and played a crucial role in enabling Kenyans to work, trade, study, and get health information online. Yet in 2021, the telecommunications industry's growth slowed to 9.7% from 12.6% in 2020 (source<https://www.knbs.or.ke/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/2022-Economic-Survey1.pdf>, Table 2.4) - the increase in taxation that came into effect from July 2021 is a likely contributing factor to this trend. As Business Daily<https://www.businessdailyafrica.com/bd/economy/kra-loses-sh7-billion-on-hig…> reports, "Safaricom said although its data income grew impressively by 8.1% to Sh48.4 billion (approx. US$411.2 million), the growth was dampened in the second half of its financial year to March due to the new taxes. 'Data performance in the first half of 2022 was weighed down by absorbed excise duty adjustments from August 2021, which slowed down industry momentum and price rationalisation,' Safaricom CEO Peter Ndegwa said in the investor briefing." A March 2020 study<https://www.gsma.com/publicpolicy/resources/mobile-taxation-in-kenya-accele…> by GSMA<http://gsma.com/> reports that Kenya's mobile industry and consumers, despite being seen as a frontrunner in Africa, are one the region's most heavily taxed, inhibiting its potential to grow further and support other economic sectors. It states that while mobile market revenue accounts for 3% of Kenya's GDP, the sector's tax and fee payments account for around 6.5% of the government's total tax revenue. At the time, GSMA analysed the potential detrimental effects of a hypothetical increase of the excise duty on mobile services from 15% to 18%, finding that by 2025, tax revenue would decline by US$24 million, wider investment would decline by US$59 million, subscriber numbers would be 950,000 lower than otherwise, the sector revenue would be US$83 million lower, and GDP would be US$268 million lower. Last year in Kenya, the 5% tax increase led to a drop of US$63 million in mobile services excise tax revenue compared to 2020. Last year in Kenya, the 5% tax increase led to a drop of US$63 million in mobile services excise tax revenue compared to 2020. Increasing taxation on mobile and Internet services is a common trend in Africa. In Uganda, excise duty on airtime as well as Internet data is 12%, in addition to 18% VAT. In Tanzania, excise on airtime and Internet is 17%, in addition to 18% VAT. However, recent increases in mobile money taxes were watered down after public pushback, and in 2021 the Finance Minister proposed removing VAT on smartphones, "to encourage the use of telecommunications services to achieve the target of 80% of Internet users by 2025 from the current 46%." Hopefully the evidence from Kenya-and maybe similar evidence related to smartphone sales that may come out of Tanzania-will make countries think twice about whether and how they tax mobile services and devices, particularly if it may conflict their strategies for achieving digital inclusion or a digital economy. In fact, there is growing economic evidence that the social benefits of digital economic development and closing digital divides exceeds that of private sector benefits. Current best-practice in policy discussions is for governments to increasingly support digital infrastructure rollout and adoption through fiscal instruments. Slowing growth in mobile Internet adoption When COVID-19 hit in Kenya, there was initially an increase in mobile broadband connections (up by 8% from March 2020 to September 2020) and smartphone connections (up by 20% from March 2020 to September 2020), compared to their trend line of around 5% growth. But today, only around 60% of Kenyans use mobile broadband on a smartphone, with the high cost of smartphones frequently cited as the biggest barrier. The price of smartphones has not declined significantly in Kenya over the last several years, having reached a limit of how much cheaper they can be manufactured from their component parts. It might be that only variable costs, such as shipping, distribution, marketing or taxation can be reduced to make smartphones more affordable. Taxation must be seriously considered. Even as broadband connection growth stagnates, data usage is also very low in Kenya, with the primary limiting factor being cost. For example, Safaricom is the largest mobile network operator in Kenya, with around two thirds of the market share. Of their 33 million active data customers, only 12.5 million use more than 100 MB a month including 7.7 million who use 1 GB a month. These statistics are per month, not per day, which might shock many people who would easily use 100 MB a day, and in some cases, 1 GB a day. This is particularly noteworthy when the vast majority of mobile users do not have a fixed Internet connection at their home or workplace (though some may use data from other networks on a second SIM card), and thus this mobile data usage is their entire usage. Even though Safaricom and other operators are reducing data costs year on year, the costs are still too high for many, with taxation a key part of this. High taxation on airtime, Internet data, and smartphones is a critical factor restricting deepening penetration, faster growth, and the greater impact of broadband in Kenya. The result is that those who could benefit most from using the Internet - those in more remote areas, those who cannot afford transport, those without employment, those without choice in buying goods and so on - are unable to afford smartphones and unable to use as much Internet as they would like, and are thus unable to improve their lives, or contribute to overall economic growth. When considering taxation, it is crucial to identify an approach that balances economic growth, quality of life, and tax revenue. Further Reading * Introducing the "Gigabite" Index<https://blog.huawei.com/2022/01/11/gigabite-index-connectivity/> [article examining and comparing the cost of Internet connections against the Big Mac in various countries] * Why Kenya Needs 5G<https://blog.huawei.com/2021/09/06/why-kenya-needs-5g/> [article] * Youth & COVID-19 in Kenya: Why the Impact of Technology Was Limited<https://blog.huawei.com/2021/07/14/youth-covid19-kenya-why-impact-technolog…> [article]\

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