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Re: [kictanet] Safaricom partners with KPLC to expanditsdatafootprint
by emko＠internetresearch.com.gh 05 Feb '10

05 Feb '10

Dr. Ndemo, I was even more excited to hear the new AU Chairman, Dr. Bingu in his closing remarks charging the African leaders to commit with him to connecting all of Africa by rail and fiber, i really look forward to that happening. This means that, we need to move to gear 2; generating and digitising local content that can be driven through those pipes. Broadband in itself means nothing, it is what we do with it, that makes economic significance. Eric here > The African Development Bank will be laying fibre optic cables in all of > its financed projects starting this year. This was announced at the Just > conluded AU summit. Broadband everywhere is key to economic development. > > Regards > > Ndemo. > > > Sent from my BlackBerry® > > -----Original Message----- > From: "Harry Delano" <harry(a)comtelsys.co.ke> > Date: Tue, 2 Feb 2010 19:20:42 > To: <bitange(a)jambo.co.ke> > Cc: 'KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions'<kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> > Subject: Re: [kictanet] Safaricom partners with KPLC to expand > itsdatafootprint > > _______________________________________________ > kictanet mailing list > kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > > This message was sent to: bitange(a)jambo.co.ke > Unsubscribe or change your options at > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/bitange%40jambo.co.ke > > _______________________________________________ > kictanet mailing list > kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > > This message was sent to: emko(a)internetresearch.com.gh > Unsubscribe or change your options at > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/emko%40internetresearc… >

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Safaricom partners with KPLC to expand its data footprint
by Harry Hare 04 Feb '10

04 Feb '10

This is a very interesting development, bringing to fore the potential that KPLC have as a game changer with its fiber. http://tinyurl.com/ybbhsmn Harry African eDevelopment Resource Centre 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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Re: [kictanet] Software Certification Kenya. ICT Board Project to support the BPO/ITES sector
by Paul Kukubo 04 Feb '10

04 Feb '10

I have received many direct emails and I thought I might want to respond to one publicly and BCC the gentleman who raised the issues. Thank you for your email. My answers are in red. 1. Scope of the project-Is it meant to cover software alone or how does it integrate other pertinent aspects of ITES & BPO A. yes. for now certification covers software development both for individuals and for organizations developing software. without pre-empting the procurement process, this standards may take the form of certification for process methodology. This basically means that once you have certified the method by which the firm or individual writes his code, you can vouch for the standards of the underlying code. One of the challenges many projects have locally (an indeed internationally), is that the software designers dont document what they are doing and you are left at their mercy once they have finished, another challenge is most projects dont allow for testing the code or the software that is written. Others because the same person who wrote the code has the responsibility to provide final test results for it. Indeed software development, document and testing is often outsourced and provides an interesting outsourcing opportunity. There is another project on the establishment of a BPO centre of excellence centre which is under way. 2. Character of the project- Does the board intend to entirely transfer the certification mandate to a private enterprise. Why not remain at the centre to guide and oversee progress with intermitent consultancy support? B. The thinking is still open on this. Candidates for this consultancy may well be educational institutions who can collaborate with local institutions for a long term capacity transfer. In the case of South Africa, this is housed at the University of Witwatersrand in a semi-autonomous arrangement known as the Joburg Centre for Software Engineering. http://www.jcse.org.za/. This particular one is a 3 way partnership between academia, business and government and has a much more enriched mandate than we are envisioning initially. 3. Duration- 2 years are grossly insufficient for all the tasks envisioned. Certification can only work successfully along a continous time plan. Some assumptions cited within the terms list are meant for fun. eg the testing targets for 200/500 developers. Supposing no one turns out for those tests where will liability rest? Or are we assuming that people are extremely looking forward to those tests? This is true. The project just gets us started with the funding available. We forsee developing a more long term project as indicated in 2. These have to be multi-year commitments. 4. Degree of stakeholder participation- Certifications are life and death issues because they determine whether you qualify for the pay roll or not. Such matters can not be left to private investors. As indicated in 2 above, a partnership model would take care of this. I certainly share the view, However well regulated private investors can mitigate these risks were we to take a private sector only route. 5. Integration of existing efforts- This project may not necessarily have to start from scratch. There are multiple instances of related efforts which just require some little fine tuning. I am happy to convene a stakeholder discussion on this issue, (and all the wider issues generally). We shall seek your assistance. The consultants terms of reference will however include establishing the state of play in the market. We can augment this with other inputs. 6. Span of resources and their source. How much worth of Kenyan currency is at disposal for this activity. What other options can be considered using the same towards the goal in question I will confirm this here later. Other options include setting up a specialized unit at the universities, adding this to university curricular. Any other suggestions. Actually all these are also things must be eventually done. 7. Outcome- Is the final product meant for the local market or the foreign one. There seems to be an unfounded assumption that once we embrace foreign standards international business will come looking for us. Is the emphasis on the soon to be papers or on the skill quality they will trigger? Excellent question. We do need better standards in everything. (An example here is the quality of Masonry, or Carpentry. Is the issue that we don't enforce standards or that at a basic level, we have lost the reference to standards in the first place?, or is it that Masons and Carpenters with half backed skills have been allowed to proliferate the industry? or even perhaps all the above!). Because we all committed to developing a world class ICT sector, the attitude towards the basics must be that everything matters. This is a sustainable approach. ICT is a human capacity sector. 8. Given the critical nature of standards and certification, wouldnt be more prudent for the Board to invest in a full fledged department that will handle the pertinent matters in that dimension. Waiting for KASNEB, KBS to set the pace for ICT certification and standardization can be deemed as inertia on the Board's part. As far as ICT standards are concerned the Ministry is already working on various dimensions as you may be aware. The Board's role here is very project specific in order to meet the BPO /IT enabled services sector growth as outlined in the Vision 2030. Asante Paul Kukubo Chief Executive Officer, Kenya ICT Board PO Box 27150 - 00100 Nairobi, Kenya 12th Floor, Teleposta Towers Koinange Street Tel +254 20 2089061, +254 20 2211960 Fax: +254 20 2211962 Cell: + 254 735 180001 website: www.ict.go.ke skype: kukubopaul googletalk: pkukubo ____________________ Vision: Kenya becomes a top ten global ICT hub Mission: To champion and actively enable Kenya to adopt and exploit ICT, through promotion of partnerships, investments and infrastructure growth for socio economic enrichment > > On 2/2/10, Paul Kukubo <pkukubo(a)ict.go.ke> wrote: > >> Thank you for your questions. many have written to me directly to seek >> clarification. >> >> >> I have received a flurry of questions on the status report and I will >> respond to those that are of a recurring nature directly on this list while >> pointing listers to the website www.ict.go.ke for more information and >> updates on aspect of the projects. >> >> * >> * >> >> *Objective of the assignment* >> >> The objective of this assignment is to recruit a leading international >> academic institution or standards body to develop and implement an >> internationally recognized and sustainable software developer certification >> program (Certification Program) for Kenya. The Certification Program will >> have multiple components, including content and processes for local software >> developers to prepare, register and be certified; an Internet enabled >> credentialing program; and an initial pilot testing, evaluation and fine >> tuning of the Certification Program. The program should be underpinned by a >> sustainable business model.** >> >> >> * Scope of services* >> >> i. *Inception Report and Business Plan:* Provide an Inception Report >> that contains a description of start-up activities, the detailed work plan, >> methodologies, and an estimate of the time allocation for involved personnel >> from both the Government of Kenya and the organization’s team. In addition, >> to provide a business plan that spells out the resources to be deployed and >> the results proposed to be achieved. The business plan should also propose >> long term, sustainable business model options for the Certification Program. >> >> ii. *Content Development:* Develop appropriate content >> for certification in close collaboration with relevant partners; including >> leading international and local IT companies, academic institutions, >> governments, international standards bodies and industry/trade associations. >> The developed content should have their explicit support in terms of >> relevance and quality, be based on the latest technologies and extensible to >> address the major languages (C, C++, Java), operating systems, language >> combinations, and software development tools and environments. >> >> iii. *Certification Process Development: *Develop an >> internationally recognized, authentic, secure and valid process for software >> developer certification. This process should be developed in consultation >> with leading IT companies and academic institutions as well as have the >> buy-in of at least two industry associations of established countries in the >> area of BPO, and two countries aspiring to establish themselves in this >> domain. Countries should be chosen to be representative of at least three >> regions out of the following: Latin America and the Caribbean, Europe and >> Central Asia, Middle East and North Africa, South Asia, East Asia and other >> parts of Sub Saharan Africa. In addition, the processes should be based on >> proven experiences in similar certification programs. The testing process >> should be representative of real-life, professional software development. >> The examinations should also be refreshed annually; and extendable to >> address the full software development life cycle (including post-deployment >> maintenance) and modern issues (including the development of secure software >> systems). The examination must be developed using recognized techniques for >> validation and verification of quality. Linkages may be established with one >> or more organizations with leading testing and certification mechanisms to >> ensure that the certification will be conducted in a secure and proctored >> setting. >> >> iv. *Provision of Internet-Enabled Credentialing Program:*Provide a web-enabled credentialing program, including functions for online >> registration, preparation and certification. >> >> v. *Piloting:* To pilot the Certification Program with >> an initial batch of at least 50 enrollees, comprising of local software >> developers who should be benchmarked against a control group. >> >> vi. *Evaluation Reports:* Conduct an evaluation of the >> pilot to prepare a detailed report to recommend strategies and action plans >> for improving the Certification Program. An evaluation should also be >> conducted on gaps and weaknesses in software development skills, so as to >> recommend changes in curriculum and pedagogy required as part of broader >> education reforms in Kenya. >> >> vii. *Program Refinement and Local Capacity Building:* >> Refine the Certification Program based on the agreed recommendations of the >> Evaluation Report, and develop capacity within the country to conduct the >> assessments for certification. >> >> viii. *‘Live’ Rollout:* Commence ‘live’ rollout of the >> Certification Program with assessment of certification by local >> institutions, with the target of testing at least 200 local software >> developers. In addition, to obtain the commitment of leading companies >> operating globally and locally to use the results as a necessary >> pre-requisite for their hiring decisions. >> >> ix. *Mass Rollout and Marketing, and Business Model >> Implementation: *Implement mass rollout and marketing campaign for the >> Certification Program across Kenya, with a target to test at least 500 local >> software developers. In addition, to implement a business model for the >> Certification Program that is internationally recognized, financially >> self-sustaining and affordable for local software developers by the end of >> this consultancy service (24 months after contract signature). A final >> report is to be prepared to highlight the next steps to be taken by Kenya >> for the Certification Program, including future steps on training content >> development, certification process and local capacity building. >> >> >> Paul Kukubo >> Chief Executive Officer, Kenya ICT Board >> PO Box 27150 - 00100 >> Nairobi, Kenya >> >> 12th Floor, Teleposta Towers Koinange Street >> >> Tel +254 20 2089061, +254 20 2211960 >> >> Fax: +254 20 2211962 >> Cell: + 254 735 180001 >> >> website: www.ict.go.ke >> skype: kukubopaul >> googletalk: pkukubo >> ____________________ >> Vision: Kenya becomes a top ten global ICT hub >> >> Mission: To champion and actively enable Kenya to adopt and exploit ICT, >> through promotion of partnerships, investments and infrastructure growth for >> socio economic enrichment >> Sent from Nairobi, Kenya >> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> kictanet mailing list >> kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke >> http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet >> >> This message was sent to: kamothonjenga(a)gmail.com >> Unsubscribe or change your options at >> http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/kamothonjenga%40gmail.… >> >> > hi

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Re: [kictanet] Traffic Jams
by Solomon Mburu Kamau 04 Feb '10

04 Feb '10

Kenyans, oh Kenyans, always whining, complaining and hey, blaming someone for their woes. Why didn't you leave earlier if you wanted to avoid traffic? Or simply put, why does everybody in your house have a car yet one is enough? And still, what have you done in order to be part of a solution than a cause of a problem? Complaining everyday is a disease! On 04/02/2010, Lee Makwiny <amosogal(a)gmail.com> wrote: > As long as 100 cars with 100 people are stillon our roads, the jams will > continue to be part of our life. As long as the contracts are given to > cowboy contractors, potholes will continue dotting our roads. > > Its high time we get used to Train and precisely, electric trains > > > On Thu, Feb 4, 2010 at 12:21 PM, Faith Dadye <faiddah(a)yahoo.com> wrote: > >> sure something needs to be done. it took me an hour to reach taoo >> yesterday in the name of road construction!!!!!!!!! >> >> ------------------------------ >> *From:* janeyjay <mukamijanes(a)yahoo.com> >> *To:* MlalaHoi <mlalahoi(a)googlegroups.com> >> *Sent:* Thu, February 4, 2010 10:32:12 AM >> *Subject:* Traffic Jams >> >> whats going on in nairobi with the jams? something is terribly wrong >> and soon the whole town will come to a standstill. Its horrendous. >> >> -- >> VACANCIES: http://bit.ly/bU0336 >> TECHMTAA BLOG: http://bit.ly/cmRFZR >> VALENTINES PLOT: http://bit.ly/dkzaxA >> SHOP ONLINE AND GET DOOR DELIVERY: http://bit.ly/cwzi78 >> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google >> Groups "MlalaHoi" group. >> To post to this group, send email to mlalahoi(a)googlegroups.com >> To unsubscribe from this group, send email to >> mlalahoi+unsubscribe(a)googlegroups.com >> For more options, visit this group at >> http://groups.google.com/group/mlalahoi?hl=en >> >> -- >> VACANCIES: http://bit.ly/bU0336 >> TECHMTAA BLOG: http://bit.ly/cmRFZR >> VALENTINES PLOT: http://bit.ly/dkzaxA >> SHOP ONLINE AND GET DOOR DELIVERY: http://bit.ly/cwzi78 >> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google >> Groups "MlalaHoi" group. >> To post to this group, send email to mlalahoi(a)googlegroups.com >> To unsubscribe from this group, send email to >> mlalahoi+unsubscribe(a)googlegroups.com<mlalahoi%2Bunsubscribe(a)googlegroups.com> >> For more options, visit this group at >> http://groups.google.com/group/mlalahoi?hl=en >> > > -- > VACANCIES: http://bit.ly/bU0336 > TECHMTAA BLOG: http://bit.ly/cmRFZR > VALENTINES PLOT: http://bit.ly/dkzaxA > SHOP ONLINE AND GET DOOR DELIVERY: http://bit.ly/cwzi78 > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google > Groups "MlalaHoi" group. > To post to this group, send email to mlalahoi(a)googlegroups.com > To unsubscribe from this group, send email to > mlalahoi+unsubscribe(a)googlegroups.com > For more options, visit this group at > http://groups.google.com/group/mlalahoi?hl=en > -- Solomon Mbũrũ Kamau P.O. Box 19343 - 00202 Nairobi Cell: (+254-0) 735 431041 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 ignomity of ambiguous generosity! http://dawn-in-kenya.blogspot.com http://smiley2.wordpress.com http://mburu.sikika.co.ke -- VACANCIES: http://bit.ly/bU0336 TECHMTAA BLOG: http://bit.ly/cmRFZR VALENTINES PLOT: http://bit.ly/dkzaxA SHOP ONLINE AND GET DOOR DELIVERY: http://bit.ly/cwzi78 You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "MlalaHoi" group. To post to this group, send email to mlalahoi(a)googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to mlalahoi+unsubscribe(a)googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/mlalahoi?hl=en

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[Kictanet] ITIL Expert Training in Kenya!!!!
by Chairman itSMF Kenya 04 Feb '10

04 Feb '10

Hi all, *ItSMF*, in partnership with *QUINTICA*, is offering the following ITIL Advanced Courses right here in Kenya: · ITIL v2 Service Manager (March 8-13, 2010) · ITIL v3 Service Manager Bridge (June 7-10, 2010) *Note:** *ITIL v2 Service Manager *+** *ITIL v3 Service Manager Bridge *=** **ITIL v3 Expert* These is a unique one-off training program to fast track the acquisition of *ITIL v3 Expert* certification. This program targets those with ITIL Foundation Level Certification. For more information on the program, refer to the attached brochure and program details. *Please forward this email to your friends or colleagues who are ITIL Foundation (or IT v2 Service Manager) Certified.* *Course Registration:* Fill in the attached Registration Form and send (or hand deliver) to: *IT Service Management Forum of East Africa* *info(a)itsmfea.co.ke * *PO Box 23622 – 00100 Nairobi, Kenya* *Office 1602, 16th Floor* *Posta Sacco Plaza, University Way* *Nairobi* * * *Contact Person:* *QUINCY KAMINA* *Forum General Manager* *IT Service Management Forum of East Africa* *Email: quincy(a)itsmfea.co.ke* *Tel: +254 772 735 033 or +254 724 735 033* * * Kind regards, Nick Wambugu Chairman - itSMF Kenya www.itsmfea.co.ke "Training, Implementation and Maintenance of Benchmarks in IT Governance"

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Re: [kictanet] Paypal Vs Mpesa
by Barrack Otieno 04 Feb '10

04 Feb '10

Honourable Members, I was just having a chat with a good friend who is a web developer over the issue of online payments. I realised paypal is common but the procedure and processes involved seem to be too complicated despite the fact that it is an important medium for online transactions globally. Does anyone has an idea of how we can encouarage local banks to interface with such systems to facilitate online transactions instead of the difficult route being undertaken currently, better still can mpesa be a viable option. They have an arrangement with pesa point which saved my neck on new year because of its efficiency can it be extended to facilitate online transactions international (say with Kenyans in diaspora Just curious On Wed, Jan 21, 2009 at 8:22 PM, Alex Gakuru <alex.gakuru(a)yahoo.com> wrote: > > > > --- On Wed, 1/21/09, Okulo Anthony <anthony.okulo(a)okulo.co.ke> wrote: > > > From: Okulo Anthony <anthony.okulo(a)okulo.co.ke> > > Subject: Re: [kictanet] Obama Speech puzzle: read, memorised or simply no > script? > > To: alex.gakuru(a)yahoo.com > > Cc: kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke > > Date: Wednesday, January 21, 2009, 12:22 AM > > Most good speakers especially litigation lawyers memories > > their speeches and when making the speech they rely on > > points so that it looks as if they are not reading a script. > > most likely Obama had his "points" on a screen in > > front of him. > > > > > > Anthony Okulo > > > > A trick we used in O-Levels to "cram" formulas, make "words" shortened > abbreviations for Chemistry, Geo, Bio, Hist, Maths etc.. It works wonders-- > only remember "new word" only known to thyself and Hey Presto! UR genius;) > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > kictanet mailing list > kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > > This message was sent to: otieno.barrack(a)gmail.com > Unsubscribe or change your options at > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/otieno.barrack%40gmail… > -- Barrack O. Otieno ISSEN CONSULTING Tel: +254721325277 +254726544442 +254733206359 www.issenconsult.com http://projectdiscovery.or.ke To give up the task of reforming society is to give up ones responsibility as a free man. Alan Paton, South Africa

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Re: [kictanet] Getting a hold on cybercrime against women (cyber pests!)
by emmanuel.khisa＠kadet.co.ke 03 Feb '10

03 Feb '10

Good stuff! My eyes have been opened...thanks MM. This deserves our attention and support. Rgds ------Original Message------ From: muriuki mureithi To: emmanuel.khisa(a)kadet.co.ke Cc: 'KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions' ReplyTo: mureithi(a)summitstrategies.co.ke Sent: 3 Feb 2010 19:43 Subject: RE: [kictanet] Getting a hold on cybercrime against women (cyber pests!) Hi Emmanuel Just a glimpse of the literature review data -- 'Self reports to WHOA between 2000 -2008 indicates that the cyber stalkers are predominantly men representing 49.5% while women cyber stalkers were significant at 28.5%. Thus, women are a significant contributor to cyber stalking. The victim is clearly the women, 72.5% of the victims were women while men victims accounted for 22% of the cases' . In 71% of the cases, the cyber stalking did not result in offline threats. Nevertheless the 29% offline threats is significant representing one in three cases The woman is overwhelmingly the victim both by men and sometimes other women! That's the motivation for the study Cheers MM -----Original Message----- From: emmanuel.khisa(a)kadet.co.ke [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: 03 February 2010 19:29 To: mureithi(a)summitstrategies.co.ke Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions Subject: Re: [kictanet] Getting a hold on cybercrime against women (cyber pests!) This is a great piece! I wonder whether men are immune to this vice hence the concentration on women. Maybe there will be an opportunity to do this but I opine that we should ensure we don't fall into the problems girl child activism and neglect of the boy child...especially on this sms stalking one! Have a great evening listers! EK Sent from my BlackBerryR -----Original Message----- From: "muriuki mureithi" <mureithi(a)summitstrategies.co.ke> Date: Wed, 3 Feb 2010 18:14:20 To: <emmanuel.khisa(a)kadet.co.ke> Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions<kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> Subject: [kictanet] Getting a hold on cybercrime against women (cyber pests!) _______________________________________________ kictanet mailing list kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet This message was sent to: emmanuel.khisa(a)kadet.co.ke Unsubscribe or change your options at http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/emmanuel.khisa%40kadet. co.ke Sent from my BlackBerry®

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Limited Floats
by Kipkemoi arap Kirui 03 Feb '10

03 Feb '10

Why not raise the limits of the floats agents access so users don't suffer running around so much? At 4 pm, one hardly gets a place to top up. That is wasted revenue I suppose? Kirui

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Is anytthing going on with Automation of Government Reciepting?
by Leonard Aloo 03 Feb '10

03 Feb '10

Listers, Can someone please let me know why with all the ICT brains in Kenya, Government Receipts are still issued in longhand using carbon paper! Without for a moment suggesting impropriety on the part of anyone currently using long hand, one suspects that, if the process is automated, revenue will rise significantly. After all, how does one know that the seven (7) in the customer copy of the handwritten receipt is not accounted for as a one (1) in the duplicate copy. Add zeros to the figures and see what effect it can have (7,000 = 1000; 70,000 = 10,000 etc). Imagine the resultant reduction in taxes. Do the government accounting officers not want to have a dashboard on their computers where they can see revenues coming in in real-time. Does any one know if there is anything going on to remove us from the carbon paper age? Regards, Leonard Obura Aloo

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Is anytthing going on with Automation of Government Reciepting?
by Leonard Aloo 03 Feb '10

03 Feb '10

Listers, Can someone please let me know why with all the ICT brains in Kenya, Government Receipts are still issued in longhand using carbon paper! Without for a moment suggesting impropriety on the part of anyone currently using long hand, one suspects that, if the process is automated, revenue will rise significantly. After all, how does one know that the seven (7) in the customer copy of the handwritten receipt is not accounted for as a one (1) in the duplicate copy. Add zeros to the figures and see what effect it can have (7,000 = 1000; 70,000 = 10,000 etc). Imagine the resultant reduction in taxes. Do the government accounting officers not want to have a dashboard on their computers where they can see revenues coming in in real-time. Does any one know if there is anything going on to remove us from the carbon paper age? Regards, Leonard Obura Aloo Advocate

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