- KICTANet - KICTANet

This is another test
by Joseph Manthi 26 Nov '08

26 Nov '08

-- Joseph Manthi CEO MEO Ltd http://www.meoltd.com

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Fw: NATIONAL ICT SECTOR MASTER PLAN 2008 -2012
by Shem Ochuodho 26 Nov '08

26 Nov '08

Since the final draft was undownloadable, my comments are based on the preliminary draft. Sounds to me more like a 'Sector Strategy', but certainly an improvement over previous instruments. Rgrds, Shem Shem J. Ochuodho, MSc (EE), PhD, LLD (Hon) Senior Advisor Ministry of Telecom & Postal Services Government of Southern Sudan JUBA (Views are personal) --- On Tue, 11/25/08, Esther Wanjau <esther_wanjau(a)yahoo.com> wrote: From: Esther Wanjau <esther_wanjau(a)yahoo.com> Subject: [kictanet] NATIONAL ICT SECTOR MASTER PLAN 2008 -2012 To: "Shem Ochuodho" <shemochuodho(a)yahoo.com> Cc: "KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions" <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> Date: Tuesday, November 25, 2008, 7:11 PM Dear All, I am Esther Wanjau, Assistant Director, ICT in the Ministry of Information and Communications. The Permanent Secretary, Dr. Bitange Ndemo has asked me to inform all of you that the ICT Sector Master Plan is ready and he welcomes you to send your comments before it is finalised. You can download it from www.information.go.ke . Send your comments to info(a)information.go.ke or enter the discussion forum using the link www.information.go.ke/forum. You will be required to register first but this is free. When you go to the link click on ICT SECTOR MASTER PLAN under forum and then NEW TOPIC. Regards. Esther _______________________________________________ kictanet mailing list kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet This message was sent to: shemochuodho(a)yahoo.com Unsubscribe or change your options at http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/shemochuodho%40yahoo.c…

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Econet /YU
by Robert Alai 25 Nov '08

25 Nov '08

Wana KICTA Econet is asking us to reserve out numbers or numbers we would love to have Pleae do it on http://www.yu.co.ke Regards Robert

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From ISOC -- IETF Fellowships.....internet standard making
by alice 25 Nov '08

25 Nov '08

Dear Colleagues, The Internet Society has announced that it is seeking applications for the next round of the ISOC Fellowship to the IETF program. The program offers engineers from developing countries fellowships that fund the cost of attending an Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) meeting. As you know, the IETF is the Internet's premier standards-making body, responsible for the development of protocols used in IP-based networks. IETF participants represent an international community of network designers, operators, vendors, and researchers involved in the technical operation of the Internet and the continuing evolution of Internet architecture. Fellowships will be awarded through a competitive application process. The Internet Society is currently accepting fellowship applications for the next two IETF meetings: * IETF 74 being held in San Francisco , USA , 22 - 27 March 2009 * IETF 75 being held in Stockholm , Sweden , 26 -31 July 2009 Up to five fellowships will be awarded for each IETF meeting. Full details on the ISOC Fellowship to the IETF, including how to apply, are located on the ISOC website at : http://www.isoc.org/educpillar/fellowship Fellowship applications for both IETF meetings are due by 31 December 2008. The Internet Society formally launched the ISOC Fellowship to the IETF program in January 2007 after successfully piloting the program during 2006 at IETF 66 in Montreal and IETF 67 in San Diego . Thirty six individuals from 25 countries have participated in the program since its inception. I encourage you to pass information about this program to individuals involved in your regional operators' groups that have a keen interest in the Internet standardisation activities of the IETF. You also may consider being a reference for the applicant. If you have questions, please do not hesiate to contact Connie Kendig <kendig(a)isoc.org> or Mirjam Kuehne <mir(a)isoc.org>. Kind Regards, Connie J Kendig ISOC ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dawit Bekele, Regional Bureau Manager - Africa < bekele(a)isoc.org > Tel: +251 911 22 13 33/+41 22 809 0363 http://www.isoc.org Internet Society (ISOC) "The Internet is for everyone" ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- _______________________________________________ AfrICANN mailing list AfrICANN(a)afrinic.net https://lists.afrinic.net/mailman/listinfo.cgi/africann

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Local Content & Piracy
by smwngi＠gmail.com 24 Nov '08

24 Nov '08

Good Morning All. There has been major debating on what local content it & is not. When content is delivered the providers/developers of the content have financial gains they are anticipating for all there efforts. What am I getting at? There has been major piracy violations of applications when you look at the African market. How can we as a community help reduce this? 1) Being more respectful of copyrights. Pay for what you use. 2) Ensuring that we self police when it comes to content. Am sure there are other ways that can be used but let begin with those & grow from there. Many developers I have meet have serious issues when it comes to collecting payments for software they just developed. This is not just wrong. Its illegal to use software you haven't paid for. The problem doesn't end there it goes on to other softwares where techies are asked to look for software cracks. Corporations like Microsoft, Intuit to name afew have been violated locally. Ask yourself if we are doing this to others then why wouldn't they do it to us? Due to piracy companies are spending more developing security feature to prevent piracy then to enhance the application. What should we do as users of software to reduce this. 1)As business people what are we going to do for ourselves to prevent this? 2) What measures are law makers going to do to assist in this? 3)Whislte blowers are needed to report those who violate. 4)Online List of shame Stephen Mwangi

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Web Content Editor wanted
by Vincent Ngundi 21 Nov '08

21 Nov '08

<please circulate> An online content marketing company based in UK is opening its Kenya branch office, and is currently looking for a dynamic Web Content Editor to join their expanding web team. The Web Content Editor will be based in Nairobi and will manage the content lifecycle for all Kenya online content. Preferred Candidates to have: - Degree in journalism, tourism, hospitality or online marketing from (1st Class Hons or 2:1) from a reputable university - Experience producing multimedia for the web - Experience with content management systems; and e-mail campaign/opt-in program management. - Ability and desire to learn web-related technical concepts - Practical knowledge of web development and web technologies - Familiarity with/working knowledge of basic information architecture - Demonstrated excellent interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills - Have an impressive portfolio of projects that are marketing / web related - Ability to meet strict deadlines - Meticulous and pays attention to detail - Ability to work on own initiative Experience in the hospitality industry or online marketing is an added advantage Role - Responsible for day to day management of website - To edit and publish online content - Manage a team of content providers - Provide direction and strategy - Manage customer service interface (email, web, sms, and phone) - commission and manage work from freelance writers and other contributors - manage feedback and blogosphere - Provide practical tips and tricks of Search Engine optimization Instructions for applicants: Please email your resume and covering letter to hiring(a)aja.co.ke Deadline for submissions: 15-Dec 2008

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IPv6 Questionnaire
by Judy Okite 20 Nov '08

20 Nov '08

Dear Colleagues, IPv6 is one of the very hot topics in the debate of Internet Governance. As efforts are made to bridge the digital divide, many suggestions are raised about how to reach the next billion. With the pending exhaustion of IPv4 addresses, is IPv6 the tool to help us reach the unconnected? IGF in collaboration with DiploFoundation, IGCBP'08, research phase is undertaking a research on IPv6 policy. Taking a few minutes from your very busy schedule to answer the attached questionnaire,will be highly appreciated. The questionnaire targets all those who are involved in the planning, implementation or evaluation of IPv6 in Kenya. The end result will be posted to this mailing list and will also be available on a wiki..(link will be provided at a later date). Send your responses directly to :judyokite(at)gmail(dot)com Kind Regards,

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Fwd: Local Content Issues and beyond......
by Wainaina Mungai 20 Nov '08

20 Nov '08

---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Wainaina Mungai <wainaina(a)madeinkenya.org> Date: Thu, 20 Nov 2008 09:46:53 +0300 Subject: Re: [kictanet] Local Content Issues and beyond...... To: Catherine Adeya <elizaslider(a)yahoo.com> Thanks Nyaki, Going down memory lane, we had the non-commercial Open Knowledge Network (OKN) in which local content was developed under the banner of "local people, local languages, local content". We enabled people in various communities to place "their own" content onto the web. From Siaya to Kwale and Kibera to Isinya, locals loaded content to a central hub using both online & offline means. Access We also had to address the access question by using offline means of getting content (e.g. collect data on diskette in a remote village in Kwale and take it to Mombasa to upload it) onto web and giving access to communities through free Worldspace receivers. That may be another example in defining local content. CONTENT However, the OpenKnowledge.net approach may not be an ideal definition of local content....but it provides local languages to local knowledge to locals....in a village that may not have had it's issues online. To many players, some questions arise: - Is that the local content that one can build a sustainability model around? - Is the non-profit intervention like OKN feasible? - Is a "local language" (Digo, Kuria, Rendille) pursuit the way to go or is the development of local knowledge language-independent? Good day, Wainaina On 11/20/08, Catherine Adeya <elizaslider(a)yahoo.com> wrote: > Okay.......okay....Tandaa and beyond. My honest opinion from this flurry of > emails is the following: > > 1. We need to discuss more about local content > and define it within our > context. I think the piece Eric Aligula sent is a > good starting point and there > are similar ones. There have been many debates > around these issues, remember > less than a decade ago the debate was all about > we in Africa needing > access.....the key word was 'access'. > > 2. Then, > we started getting the 'access' we so desired, the debate moved to "access > to > what?"....that is where the local content issues come in. Aligula's piece > defined it as Localcontent is the expression andcommunication of a > community's locally owned and adapted knowledge andexperience that is > relevant to the community's situation. A great starting point but we do not > have to stick to that definition but we can refine it in our context and > maybe that is partially where the challenge lies. > > 2. The other issue I > can flesh out is the fact that there are many who are involved in > local > content development; and either they are not known or they have not > made > themselves known. Maybe we need to provide a platform for them to > show-case > what they are doing but within a defined definition. > > Ladies > and gentlemen, debate is healthy, but there are pertinent issues that are > coming > out that some may deem 'noise' but my research nose smells the > beginning of a > great venture. Maybe we needed Tandaa to simply get us here. > Let us refocus. > > Nyaki > > > -- Sent from my mobile device Made in Kenya Network Apt. B-8, Elite Park Ole Odume Road P. O. Box 72031 - 00200 Nairobi. Kenya Tel: +254-20-3590451 Cel: +254-722-811171 Cel: +254-735-370840 www.madeinkenya.org http://www.bungesms.com -- Sent from my mobile device Made in Kenya Network Apt. B-8, Elite Park Ole Odume Road P. O. Box 72031 - 00200 Nairobi. Kenya Tel: +254-20-3590451 Cel: +254-722-811171 Cel: +254-735-370840 www.madeinkenya.org http://www.bungesms.com

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Local Content Issues and beyond......
by Wainaina Mungai 20 Nov '08

20 Nov '08

---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Wainaina Mungai <wainaina(a)madeinkenya.org> Date: Thu, 20 Nov 2008 09:46:53 +0300 Subject: Re: [kictanet] Local Content Issues and beyond...... To: Catherine Adeya <elizaslider(a)yahoo.com> Thanks Nyaki, Going down memory lane, we had the non-commercial Open Knowledge Network (OKN) in which local content was developed under the banner of "local people, local languages, local content". We enabled people in various communities to place "their own" content onto the web. From Siaya to Kwale and Kibera to Isinya, locals loaded content to a central hub using both online & offline means. Access We also had to address the access question by using offline means of getting content (e.g. collect data on diskette in a remote village in Kwale and take it to Mombasa to upload it) onto web and giving access to communities through free Worldspace receivers. That may be another example in defining local content. CONTENT However, the OpenKnowledge.net approach may not be an ideal definition of local content....but it provides local languages to local knowledge to locals....in a village that may not have had it's issues online. To many players, some questions arise: - Is that the local content that one can build a sustainability model around? - Is the non-profit intervention like OKN feasible? - Is a "local language" (Digo, Kuria, Rendille) pursuit the way to go or is the development of local knowledge language-independent? Good day, Wainaina On 11/20/08, Catherine Adeya <elizaslider(a)yahoo.com> wrote: > Okay.......okay....Tandaa and beyond. My honest opinion from this flurry of > emails is the following: > > 1. We need to discuss more about local content > and define it within our > context. I think the piece Eric Aligula sent is a > good starting point and there > are similar ones. There have been many debates > around these issues, remember > less than a decade ago the debate was all about > we in Africa needing > access.....the key word was 'access'. > > 2. Then, > we started getting the 'access' we so desired, the debate moved to "access > to > what?"....that is where the local content issues come in. Aligula's piece > defined it as Localcontent is the expression andcommunication of a > community's locally owned and adapted knowledge andexperience that is > relevant to the community's situation. A great starting point but we do not > have to stick to that definition but we can refine it in our context and > maybe that is partially where the challenge lies. > > 2. The other issue I > can flesh out is the fact that there are many who are involved in > local > content development; and either they are not known or they have not > made > themselves known. Maybe we need to provide a platform for them to > show-case > what they are doing but within a defined definition. > > Ladies > and gentlemen, debate is healthy, but there are pertinent issues that are > coming > out that some may deem 'noise' but my research nose smells the > beginning of a > great venture. Maybe we needed Tandaa to simply get us here. > Let us refocus. > > Nyaki > > > -- Sent from my mobile device Made in Kenya Network Apt. B-8, Elite Park Ole Odume Road P. O. Box 72031 - 00200 Nairobi. Kenya Tel: +254-20-3590451 Cel: +254-722-811171 Cel: +254-735-370840 www.madeinkenya.org http://www.bungesms.com -- Sent from my mobile device Made in Kenya Network Apt. B-8, Elite Park Ole Odume Road P. O. Box 72031 - 00200 Nairobi. Kenya Tel: +254-20-3590451 Cel: +254-722-811171 Cel: +254-735-370840 www.madeinkenya.org http://www.bungesms.com

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The Net reveals the ties that bind....what will it take to live in a networked world?
by alice 20 Nov '08

20 Nov '08

Can we not have a civil/productive discussion about content without name calling etc etc. Could we re-focus and work on trying to discuss/tackle/ the serious issues of local content...there is no need to feed the trolls! best alice ---------------------------------- And an interesting article: Regular columnist Bill Thompson wonders what it will take to get used to living in a networked society. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/7733368.stm: One of the throwaway remarks I sometimes make at conferences is that "Google knows you're pregnant before you do". I can say this because the things you search for will change as your life changes, and search engine providers may well be able to spot the significance of these changes because they aggregate data from millions of people. Now Google's philanthropic arm, google.org, has shown just what it can do with the data it gathers from us all by offering to predict where 'flu outbreaks will take place in the USA. It has found that "certain search terms are good indicators of flu activity", in that they correlate well with reports from the official Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. And it claims that "across each of the nine surveillance regions of the United States, we were able to accurately estimate current flu levels one to two weeks faster than published CDC reports", a result that could save people's lives by alerting them to have 'flu vaccinations earlier than they might otherwise have done. This is a really interesting piece of work and clearly demonstrates the power of data mining. Its potential usefulness is not limited to health matters. Pick and mix As John Naughton pointed out in The Observer, "everyone I know in business has known for months that the UK is in recession, but it's only lately that the authorities have been in a position to confirm that - because the official data always lag the current reality." Bill Thompson It is hardly surprising that we do not yet know how to operate in a networked world where amazingly detailed data is routinely stored, processed and made available. Bill Thompson Perhaps the answer lies buried somewhere in the queries being made online, with company directors or politicians searching for terms that imply a coming recession, like details of redundancy pay or bankruptcy protection. It isn't only Google who can do this of course. Its database of queries is vast and fast-growing, but it is only one among many databases that underpin the modern world. The banking system is really only a collection of collected databases recording who has which assets, while neither government nor business could operate without complex data stores. Soon the national ID register will store details of everyone in the UK, while the forthcoming Communications Data Bill is likely to include proposals to create a vast system that will record details of every e-mail sent, every website surfed and every file downloaded. As we have seen with flu trends, sometimes the "interesting" knowledge that can be extracted is well-concealed until comparisons can be made with other sources, as it was the correlation between some search terms and the real-world data that mattered. Of course Google has not revealed which search terms it analysed because doing so would undermine the model's effectiveness. Unfortunately it is being equally reticent about how it has ensured that the data its uses is properly anonymised so that users cannot be identified on the basis of their queries. A letter from the Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC) and Patient Privacy Rights to Google boss Eric Schmidt has not been answered, leaving those concerned with online privacy uncertain over the broader implications of the project. Early warning But as Cade Metz points out in an insightful article in The Register, we may all be happy to know that a 'flu outbreak is coming, but what happens when the disease involved is more life-threatening and the government asks Google for the names and IP addresses of anyone whose search terms indicate that they are infected? Memory stick, SPL Analysing queries could give hints about other problems It's not that I don't trust Google. I don't trust any company, government department or individual without a good reason to do so. In the case of search engines that claim to protect my privacy I want to know just how they do it and will not accept vague reassurances. In the case of governments that want to build vast databases, I want strong legal sanctions against their abuse and full disclosure of the technical details. Those of us living in the west with access to technology and the network have lived through a revolution in the last decade and a half that is as radical in its impact as the industrial revolution, and it has happened a lot faster. It is hardly surprising that we do not yet know how to operate in a networked world where amazingly detailed data is routinely stored, processed and made available. We will need to think in new ways, learn to assess risk according to new criteria, and find ways to hold those who have power over us - whether political, social or cultural - accountable in new ways. The US writer Curt Monash has written about this topic many times over the years, arguing that since we clearly cannot halt the move towards data capture and use we should put legal and regulatory frameworks in place as a matter of urgency. We have made a start in Europe with data protection legislation which could be strengthened and reinforced if politicians were willing to make the effort. But first we need an active press and an engaged population, one that asks hard questions, forces those who want to develop new databases to be accountable and open, and makes the boundaries of acceptable surveillance a matter of public debate. And perhaps we should ask google.org to start work on "Privacy Trends", hoping to spot privacy disasters before they happen by looking at searches for "compromised data", "hacked database" and "lost USB stick". Bill Thompson is an independent journalist and regular commentator on the BBC World Service programme Digital Planet.

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Re: [kictanet] Tandaa - An Honest Analysis
by Gakuru Alex 19 Nov '08

19 Nov '08

Internet users (online) harassment complaint. Similar complaints <http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20071113105315AAHB17z> --------------------------- The moderator of Kazi-Africa googlegroup is driving me insane....please help someone !! anyone ?? I never subscribed to Kazi-Africa googlegroup but found myself somehow receiving a million and one emails from them .I have no connection whatsoever with this group and attempted on numerous occasions to unsubscribe ...all my attempts failed. Finally i write demanding that i be unsubscribed or i will report it as abuse -the moderator (Robert Alai) then sends me a message being abusive and swearing and making all sorts of insulting remarks ...I apologise and explain i was merely irate cause my inbox was being flooded with postings and i just wanted to be unsubscribed.....he keeps sending me replies refusing to unsubscribe me and looked at my surname and tells me I must be a racist thats why I dont want their emails and he made several threats with dealing about my racism lol ....not once was i rude or abusive to him prior to this...i then wrote him and told him he was ignorant and had no sense and im not responding to him ........any ideas ??there isnt a report abuse on googlegrps * 1 year ago On Wed, Nov 19, 2008 at 5:49 PM, Robert Alai <alai.robert(a)gmail.com> wrote: > Gakuru > > E mail addresses we will get. And I dont know what mechanism Kenya will use > to police the internet but you are in a very loooooooooooong dreaam > > Alai > > On 11/19/08, Gakuru Alex <alexgakuru.lists(a)gmail.com> wrote: >> >> On Tue, Nov 18, 2008 at 10:59 PM, Robert Alai <alai.robert(a)gmail.com> >> wrote: >> > >> > Ngómbe hii >> > >> >> While we await for the passing of ICT/KCA Bill that will criminalise >> spam, I urge local conferences organisers not to release attendees >> email addresses nor publish them on websites. >> >> Regards, >> >> _______________________________________________ >> kictanet mailing list >> kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke >> http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet >> >> This message was sent to: alai.robert(a)gmail.com >> Unsubscribe or change your options at >> http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/alai.robert%40gmail.com >> >> > >

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Draft Applicant Guidebook Now Available in several languages -How to apply for a new Generic Top Level Domain (gTLD) check it out!]
by alice 19 Nov '08

19 Nov '08

*How to Apply for a New Generic Top Level Domain* <http://www.icann.org/en/announcements/announcement-2-23oct08-en.htm> العربية <http://www.icann.org/ar/announcements/announcement-2-23oct08-ar.htm> | 中文 <http://www.icann.org/zh/announcements/announcement-2-23oct08-zh.htm> | Français <http://www.icann.org/fr/announcements/announcement-2-23oct08-fr.htm> | Español <http://www.icann.org/es/announcements/announcement-2-23oct08-es.htm> | Русский <http://www.icann.org/ru/announcements/announcement-2-23oct08-ru.htm> */Draft Applicant Guidebook Now Available for Comment/* 23 OCT 08 After years of discussion and thought, generic top-level domains (gTLDs) are being expanded. They will allow for more innovation, choice and change to a global Internet presently served by just 21 generic top-level domain names. A draft Applicant Guidebook has been developed with opportunities for public comment. The draft Guidebook describes processes for objections to applications. There has been detailed technical scrutiny to ensure the Internet's stability and security. There will be an evaluation fee, but it will recover costs only (expenses so far, application processing and other costs) and it will be reviewed after the first round of applications. ICANN is a not for profit corporation dedicated to coordinating the Internet's addressing system. If fee collection exceeds expenses, the community will be consulted as to how that excess is to be used. Promoting competition and choice is one of the principles upon which ICANN was founded. In a world with 1.5 billion Internet users (and growing), diversity, choice and innovation are key. The Internet has supported huge increases in choice, innovation and the competition of ideas and expanding new gTLDs is an opportunity for more. New gTLDs and the Internet /Openness Change Innovation./ The Guidebook is comprised of six modules, some with explanatory memoranda, and it is available for public comment at http://www.icann.org/en/topics/new-gtlds/comments-en.htm. The Guidebook modules along with full information are linked from the new gTLD webpage <http://www.icann.org/en/topics/new-gtld-program.htm>. _______________________________________________ AfrICANN mailing list AfrICANN(a)afrinic.net https://lists.afrinic.net/mailman/listinfo.cgi/africann

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Re: [kictanet] Tandaa - An Honest Analysis
by James Kagwe 19 Nov '08

19 Nov '08

Well I have....... I tried to unsubscribe to no Avail. Robert please do smtg about it -----Original Message----- From: kictanet-bounces+jkagwe=kippra.or.ke(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke [mailto:kictanet-bounces+jkagwe=kippra.or.ke@lists.kictanet.or.ke] On Behalf Of Wainaina Mungai Sent: Tuesday, November 18, 2008 8:22 AM To: James Kagwe Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions Subject: Re: [kictanet] Tandaa - An Honest Analysis Hi all, As indicated by Alex, spam & forced mailinglist subscriptions is a critical "local content" issue now that Alai has pointed fingers. I have been forced onto lists that do not allow for unsubscribing thus I have marked Alai's address and his mailinglists as spam addresses. Robert, please sort that out first so that the "traffic" and "subscription" numbers on your lists is a true reflection of subscription by choice rather than forced numbers. I bet someone else has had the same experience with Kazi africa, bidii africa and other lists. Wainaina On 11/18/08, Gakuru Alex <alexgakuru.lists(a)gmail.com> wrote: > Alai, > > I am somewhat now tempted to start a local content blog focusing on > 'opinion influencers' and opinion shapers themselves - informed by the > fact that, content is king and awaited 'future online content warfare' > arrived a long time ago. > > So despite excluding my skunkworks presentation from your firing > squad, I shall nonetheless shoot back at you;) > > On Tue, Nov 18, 2008 at 12:37 AM, Robert Alai <alai.robert(a)gmail.com> wrote: >> Mirembe >> >> I have a very open and honest analysis of our Tandaa conference. >> >> The facts which we must change is that Paul Kukubo, my big brother still >> sees it best to defend foreign companies and say that "eve if we want >> local >> content we must stilldo it with foreigners'. > > Paul stated, "Let's realise that Internet is one. How can have 'our > Internet' so shielded away for 'outsiders Internet' to the extent that > 'our content' is only accessible to us yet somehow we expected to > make money from 'outsiders' through 'our Internet'? Maybe we should > not use downloaded [even-free] 'foreign' software, 'foreign' > computers, 'foreign' concepts, nothing 'foreign' except only localyy > made?" That was heavy! > >>Let me tell you a thing. We >> must focus on local mpaka it becomes music. When I saw the slides of Joe >> Mucheru, which apparently I have seen in every conference I have attended >> in >> which he is the speaker. The websites listed there, non were Kenyan. The >> fact that Mucheru works for a Carlifornian company and he is Kenyan should >> make Mucheru sell Kenya more. > > Its what all (or at least the majority of) the people in that room > were there *actually doing* Give Mucheru a break. (You stand accused > of promoting 'foreign content' by using Google mailing lists;) > >> If you wanted a subscription website, you >> should have started with kenyalaw.org. If you wanted affiliates, >> mamamikes.com has affiliates. Lets focus on local. Lets give it lots of >> thought. We must give local examples and then mention the foreign ones >> just >> as an after-thought. > > I wish you had asked ICT Board to make a presentation to the audience > to articulate you point? > >> We want the companies to give the local content much thought and they can >> only do that when they think locally. When you make people believe that >> facebook is great, we wont head anywhere. See why Tanzanians are engaging >> more in bongo5.com and jamiiforums than facebook and others. They are >> actively loading pics and content and these two websites are really coming >> up well and considreing the age of the websites, we will see nice things >> from them. We should not glorify anything western. We must start >> appreciating our own facebook like Ngari has developed a good site, >> www.kasarani.com > > Kasarani is your website, right? The conference was not a sales pitch > for *anyone* but a conversation exploring various ways to promote > local content. > >> When I started my start forum and blogging thing, jamiiforums.com, we had >> lots of problems. But we also had people telling us that the forum which >> is >> being run by my great friend Maxence, was going nowhere because Tanzanians >> don't speak a lot of English. See the site now. I don't think that there >> is >> any forum in this region with that kind of killer traffic. > > Me, me, me again... Try a bit of our, our, our, country's local content. > >> There is no forum >> in this region which makes the government shakes like hell when issues are >> being analyzed there. And they are doing it most of the time in Swahili. >> We >> must focus on being local if we want local content. > > 'Government' is a strange 3-legged animal Executive, Legislature, and > Judiciacy. > If one makes this animal 'shake like hell,' that person ought to be in > very serious trouble... > >> NMG bought a script from Germans and installed it on their site without a >> forum nor blogs for the senior writers. Why? No creativity. NTV, EasyFm >> and >> QFM are not online. A very good percentage of articles in Mailbox are >> plagiarized from blogs and forums without acknowledgement and articles in >> entertainment and lifestyle mazagines are plagiarized from magazines like >> cosmopolitan and Elle sometimes word for word. > > Why so excessive negative energy? There must be something NMG have done > right? > >> The Tandaa website was .com and not .co.ke. Even if you are not hosting >> locally, you could still have had a local domain registration. > > Had you tried http://www.tandaa.co.ke/ before the conference? BTW, I > host websites abroad many times and I have no problems with it. It can > be a business decision why host locally with painfully expensive ISP? > Host 'politically incorrect' website at a pro-conformist provider > 'anti-telcos' content with one of them.... etc.. It's a matrix of > decision making procees.. > >> The funniest thing I got from the conference, why would 6 or 7 speakers >> speak for 15 minutes each and then the forum audience is given 10 minutes >> to ask questions and suggestions? > > The sun waits for no King and time has never been enough. > >>Do you know that the slides from Capital, >> NMG, Google, Homeboyz, Kictanet, ICT board, Strathmore, Rich, Cisco and >> others are shown to us almost in every conference we attend. They have >> become so predictable that the best place to get more stories and even >> slides which you have never seen is from the public. > > Would you also be suggesting that new school textbooks be published every > year? > >>Givingg 15 minutes to >> each speaker which is 105 minutes for the seven speakers then the audience >> asks and get replies in 10 minutes is really not correct and shows and >> attitude of escapism where te audience are feared that they might embarass >> the speakers with questions. > > You just created conveniently suitable circumstances to arrive at your > conclusion? > >> The other facts of the conference was ok. The moderator, Al Kags, was ok >> but >> I think that we can do alot of improvements by having power cable well >> spread for bloggers and also the Wi-Fi to be abit superior. I had to rely >> on >> my Zain unlimited since the ICT board Wi-fi kept shutting down. > > Would it not have been fair to mention some of those 'ok' facts. Its > called "fair commentating" > >> We also think that we can have an active network and the best place to >> start >> is now here in KICTANET. I see us turning KICTANET into an open vbulletin >> run forum with CMS managed frontpage like www.haitiwebs.com and >> www.mustangevolution.com. Vbulletin is so superior and it wont take us >> even >> a day to have this thing up and running. > > Dunno.. > >> Senior members, what do you think? > > I just have. But allow me to add that *nix users have this thing about > multi-thread thought processes which lead me to advice users to format > their Windows and install *nix. It makes engagement multi-faceted > critique and criticize when necessesary but also appreciate and praise > excellent achievement. > > Tandaa.08 was an excellent event and I wish the ICT board could > explain to us who were the brains behind it. They can count on me for > their next such conference. > > Rider: > > There is a clip one run NTV of an Edloret pharmacist who literary and > severally slapped himself on the face upon being visited by Pharmacies > and Poisons Board drug inspectors. > Let's not always take the shrtest route to slap every great > initiative, erroneously. > > Also we avoid "local content spam", for example, forced mailing lists > subscriptions;) > > G'day, > > _______________________________________________ > kictanet mailing list > kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > > This message was sent to: wainaina(a)madeinkenya.org > Unsubscribe or change your options at > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/wainaina%40madeinke nya.org > -- Sent from my mobile device Made in Kenya Network Apt. B-8, Elite Park Ole Odume Road P. O. Box 72031 - 00200 Nairobi. Kenya Tel: +254-20-3590451 Cel: +254-722-811171 Cel: +254-735-370840 www.madeinkenya.org http://www.bungesms.com _______________________________________________ kictanet mailing list kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet This message was sent to: jkagwe(a)kippra.or.ke Unsubscribe or change your options at http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/jkagwe%40kippra.or. ke

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Fw: Request to mailing list kictanet rejected
by John Maina 19 Nov '08

19 Nov '08

Why was this email rejected? Why are others more equal? ----- Forwarded Message ---- From: "kictanet-bounces(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke" <kictanet-bounces(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> To: j.maina(a)ymail.com Sent: Wednesday, November 19, 2008 5:25:45 PM Subject: Request to mailing list kictanet rejected Your request to the kictanet mailing list Posting of your message titled "Re: [kictanet] Tandaa - An Honest Analysis" has been rejected by the list moderator. The moderator gave the following reason for rejecting your request: "[No explanation given]" Any questions or comments should be directed to the list administrator at: kictanet-owner(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke

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TECHIE LADIES KICK-OFF MEETING - Wednesday, 11/19/2008 at 7:00 PM
by Robert Alai 19 Nov '08

19 Nov '08

*TECHIE LADIES KICK-OFF MEETING* *When: -* Wednesday, 11/19/2008, 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM *Where:* - 1290 Parkmoor, Avenue (Work2Future Building,) San Jose, CA 95126 *What (Topic):* - Empowering African Women Through Technology *Who May Attend:* - Women of African Ancestry who are engineers; or have hands-on grounding in working with technology. *RSVP:* Please send e-mail to molly.uzoh(a)learningright.com Very little is being done about technology empowerment of African women. Most of the women empowerment in Africa has focused on political empowerment, micro finance, women health and prevention of domestic violence, diseases and malnutrition. However, technology is evolving in Africa. Most of the highest paid jobs are found in the technology arena. With the current technology growth, if the technology empowerment of African women is overlooked, African women will still be disenfranchised technologically and economically. They will still be lacking in the technical skills needed to move ahead. Technology is a male dominated profession. The few women that venture into the Math, science and technology field usually put in more than 200% of what the men bring to the table, yet, they do not get the recognition that they deserve. A black lady in Math, science or technology field is a minority within limits that approach endangered species. She is most likely to feel lonely at work and in the society because other women may find her intimidating while men may find her threatening. Therefore the Techie Ladies initiative aims at filling a widening gap in the technology empowerment of women. Techie Ladies will help women of African Ancestry in technology strengthen and widen their locus of control as well as encourage other women through mentoring, technology skills development and role optimization for better socio-economic status. Please join the Silicon Valley Techie Ladies in a meeting/technology discussion with Dr. Dorothy K. Gordon, the Director-General of Ghana-India Kofi Annan Centre of Excellence in ICT, Accra Ghana and Mary (Molly) Uzoh, CEO, Learning Right Technologies, LLC., San Jose, CA: *When: -* Wednesday, 11/19/2008, 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM *Where:* - 1290 Parkmoor, Avenue (Work2Future Building,) San Jose, CA 95126 *What (Topic):* - Empowering African Women Through Technology *Who May Attend:* - Women of African Ancestry who are engineers; or have hands-on grounding in working with technology. *RSVP:* Please send e-mail to molly.uzoh(a)learningright.com PLEASE FEEL FREE TO SHARE THIS E-MAIL WITH OTHER TECHIE LADIES TOO. If you are a techie lady living outside the Silicon Valley of California, please feel free to contact me to discuss how we can extend Techie Ladies initiative to your neck of the woods. Thanks. Mary (Molly) Uzoh, CEO/Principal Consultant Learning Right Technologies, LLC P. O. Box 51616 San Jose, CA 95151 Phone: 408-649-5872, Cell: 408-826-2167 http://www.learningright.com

2 3

Call for Chapters - Handbook of Research on Information Communication Technology Policy: Trends, Issues and Advancement]
by Robert Alai 19 Nov '08

19 Nov '08

Subject: [ciresearchers] Call for Chapters - Handbook of Research on Information Communication Technology Policy: Trends, Issues and Advancement From: "Esharenana Adomi" <esharenana.adomi @gmail.com> Date: Wed, November 19, 2008 06:09 ------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- -------- *CALL FOR CHAPTER PROPOSALS* *Proposal Submission Deadline: January 15, 2009* *Handbook of Research on Information Communication Technology Policy: Trends, Issues and Advancement* ** A book edited by Dr. Esharenana E. Adomi Delta State University, Abraka, Nigeria To be published by IGI Global: http://www.igi- global.com/ requests/ details.asp? ID=550 * * *Introduction* ICTs are always evolving and have been contributing immensely to economic, political, social, scientific and educational development in every society where they are deployed. It is the existence and utilization of appropriate policy that would enable individuals, institutions, organizations, nations, or regions to benefit from the developments propelled by the application of ICTs. ICT policy is capable of bridging or reducing the gap between those who do and do not have access to ICT. An ICT policy statement is an essential step towards creating an enabling environment for the deployment of ICT for the development of the society. Absence of ICT policy can impede the development of information infrastructure in affected organizations and societies. The availability of ICT policy has the potential of building capability and capacities in the community, thereby enabling individuals to participate in an economy and society that increasingly relies on ICT. Though ICT policies are very important, not all institutions, countries, regions, etc., have been able to formulate, adopt and implement policies. Some that have put ICT policies in place may even have defective ones which would not enable them to derive desirable developmental benefits. Review of literature has not been able to reveal any book that has addressed different ICT policies. This book will therefore bridge this literature gap. *Objective of the Book* This book aims to provide the most complete and reliable source of information on current developments in the field. Specifically, the book will be a source book on ICT policies; be a guidebook to those who are involved in ICT policy formulation, implementation, adoption, monitoring, evaluation and application; provide background information to scholars and researcher who are interested in carrying out research on ICT policies; furnish teachers of information technology with necessary knowledge which they can impart to their students/trainees; provide ICT users with information that can enable them to understand the policies which guide technology and how they can make use of ICT components for their enhancement. *Target Audience* The book will be essential reading for professionals, governmental and non governmental officials involved in ICT matters; teachers/academics in the field of information science, technology and management; students, scholars and researchers in the field of information science, technology and management; ICT users; library and information service users, etc. This book will attract professionals, scholars, researchers, etc., from different parts of the world. The publication will provide the audience access to information that will advance research in ICT policies. It will enable individuals to become acquainted with ICT policy process, which will then assist those concerned to formulate and implement appropriate policies. This book will provide teachers, students, scholars and researchers in the field of information science, education, technology and management with useful material on curricular offering. It will enable different ICT users to apply ICTs for the advancement of different areas of their lives. *Recommended topics include, but are not limited to, the following:* · Evolution of ICT policies · Types of ICT policies · Objectives of ICT policies · ICT policy instruments · ICT policy stages/processes · ICT policy formulation · ICT policy implementation · Features of ICT policies · ICT policy application · Internet access policies · Laws of the web · Internet regulation · Software use policies · Copyright policies in electronic settings · Telecommunication policies · Telecommunication act · Broadcast policies · Computer access/use policies · National ICT policies · Organizational ICT policies · Electronic Medium of Information Act · E-Legislating · Automation standards · Ergonomic standards · ICT security policies · Computer security policy · Internet security policy · Cyber crime regulation · Cyber crime acts · Regulation of internet gambling · Regulation of internet pornography · Library ICT policies · Photocopy policies · Network security policies · Simulation and gaming policy applications · Network deployment policies · Organizational ICT policies · Organizational ICT security policies · Library ICT security policy · ICT policy education · Satellite communication policy · Factors affecting ICT policy · Problems of ICT policies · Emerging technologies policies · Review of ICT policies · Issues in ICT policies · Wireless communication policies/acts · ICT standards · Internet privacy issues · E-commerce regulation · ICT* *and educational policies · Cybercafé regulation · Telecentre regulation · Internet standards · Information security policies · Ethics of new/emerging technologies · ICT legal issues · Regulation enforcement · ICT regulation · Censorship in the digital age · ICT policy instruments · Network business models · E-government policies · E-business policies · ICT policy evaluation · Issues and challenges in ICT policy · ICT Standards · Web technology standards · Research in ICT policy · ICT policy literature · E-banking policy · E-health policy · Internet governance · Internet policy · E-mail policy · Internet privacy policy · Internet policy agency · Computer policy · Corporate internet policy · Internet standards · Internet policy statement · Employee internet use policy · Information technology policy · IT security policy · ICT policy management/administ ration · Regulatory framework · ICT laws · Telecommunications policy · Media policy · Media legislation · Telecom legislation · ICT policy research · Internet law · Communication policy · Electronic signature law · IFLA Internet manifesto · Information policy · UNESCO information policy · ITU and ICT policies · Professional ethics · Mobile phone use ethics · Educational concerns in ICT policies · Economic concerns in ICT policies · Political concerns in ICT policies · Social concerns in ICT policies · Scientific and/or technological concerns in ICT policies · Information infrastructure in ICT policies · Satellite communications policies · Gender issues in ICT policies · Evaluation of ICT policies · Future of ICT policy *Submission Procedure* Researchers and practitioners are invited to submit *on or before January 15, 2009*, a 2-3 page chapter proposal clearly explaining the mission and concerns of his or her proposed chapter. Authors of accepted proposals will be notified by *January 30, 2009* about the status of their proposals and sent chapter guidelines. Full chapters are expected to be submitted by *March 27, 2009*. All submitted chapters will be reviewed on a double-blind review basis. Contributors may also be requested to serve as reviewers for this project. *Publisher* This book is scheduled to be published by IGI Global (formerly Idea Group Inc.), publisher of the "Information Science Reference" (formerly Idea Group Reference) "Medical Information Science Reference" and "IGI Publishing" imprints. For additional information regarding the publisher, please visit www.igi-global. com <http://www.igi- pub.com/>. This publication is anticipated to be released in 2010. *Important Dates* *January 15, 2009: *Proposal Submission Deadline *January 30, 2009: *Notification of Acceptance *March 27, 2009: *Full Chapter Submission *April 15, 2009: *Review Result Returned** *June 15, 2009: *Final Chapter Submission *Inquiries and submissions can be forwarded electronically (Word document) to:* Dr. Esharenana E. Adomi Department of Library and Information Science Delta State University, Abraka, Nigeria Tel.: +234 802 842 9087 E-mail: esharenana.adomi@ gmail.com

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Fwd: Tandaa - An Honest Analysis
by aki 18 Nov '08

18 Nov '08

Well, well, well. Do I sense a cyber " warning " here ? Robert, clearly something is amiss.... ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Robert Alai <alai.robert(a)gmail.com> Date: Tue, Nov 18, 2008 at 3:46 PM Subject: Re: [kictanet] Tandaa - An Honest Analysis To: aki <aki275(a)googlemail.com> Aki who are you? what are your achievement and knowledge on ICT? You dont even know anything you are talking about. I will never have a phobia for local content. I love it and would fight for it. But I can never argue with you because first, you are ashamed of yourself that you wont come out of the fake cocoon. I deal with real people and real issues and until then, you dont play in my league and you are not invited to any of my sites. KEEP OFF Alai On 11/18/08, aki <aki275(a)googlemail.com> wrote: > My last thoughts on this before it becomes more like a blogging site. > Robert, you are still unable to define local content and therefore unable to > match any criticism or critic. Mixing small words with bigger words for the > sake of it is the usual illusion. I think the severe arrogance and phobia of > local everything ( of course with the usual spices such as politics, leaders > and events, esle the traffic to sites would not exist ) is over-rated and > the best effort so far according to you for local content is a website that > I'd never visit or waste any time on. > > So simply moving forward, and as Josiah and the others mentioned : Define > local content and we will start to get somewhere. > > Get to the point. > > _______________________________________________ > kictanet mailing list > kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > > This message was sent to: alai.robert(a)gmail.com > Unsubscribe or change your options at > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/alai.robert%40gmail.com > >

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Fwd: Tandaa - An Honest Analysis
by Wainaina Mungai 18 Nov '08

18 Nov '08

Example 001 ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Robert Alai <alai.robert(a)gmail.com> Date: Tue, 18 Nov 2008 11:04:18 +0300 Subject: Re: [kictanet] Tandaa - An Honest Analysis To: Wainaina Mungai <wainaina(a)madeinkenya.org> Hi all, As indicated by Alex, spam & forced mailinglist subscriptions is a critical "local content" issue now that Alai has pointed fingers. I have been forced onto lists that do not allow for unsubscribing thus I have marked Alai's address and his mailinglists as spam addresses. Robert, please sort that out first so that the "traffic" and "subscription" numbers on your lists is a true reflection of subscription by choice rather than forced numbers. I bet someone else has had the same experience with Kazi africa, bidii africa and other lists. Wainaina. See the reply I gave to Gakuru. Blame your teacher and you have no use being in KICTANET if you cant even know how to operate simple email addresses in,lists Alai On 11/18/08, Wainaina Mungai <wainaina(a)madeinkenya.org> wrote: > > Hi all, > > As indicated by Alex, spam & forced mailinglist subscriptions is a > critical "local content" issue now that Alai has pointed fingers. > > I have been forced onto lists that do not allow for unsubscribing thus > I have marked Alai's address and his mailinglists as spam addresses. > > Robert, please sort that out first so that the "traffic" and > "subscription" numbers on your lists is a true reflection of > subscription by choice rather than forced numbers. > > I bet someone else has had the same experience with Kazi africa, bidii > africa and other lists. > > Wainaina > > > On 11/18/08, Gakuru Alex <alexgakuru.lists(a)gmail.com> wrote: > > Alai, > > > > I am somewhat now tempted to start a local content blog focusing on > > 'opinion influencers' and opinion shapers themselves - informed by the > > fact that, content is king and awaited 'future online content warfare' > > arrived a long time ago. > > > > So despite excluding my skunkworks presentation from your firing > > squad, I shall nonetheless shoot back at you;) > > > > On Tue, Nov 18, 2008 at 12:37 AM, Robert Alai <alai.robert(a)gmail.com> > wrote: > >> Mirembe > >> > >> I have a very open and honest analysis of our Tandaa conference. > >> > >> The facts which we must change is that Paul Kukubo, my big brother still > >> sees it best to defend foreign companies and say that "eve if we want > >> local > >> content we must stilldo it with foreigners'. > > > > Paul stated, "Let's realise that Internet is one. How can have 'our > > Internet' so shielded away for 'outsiders Internet' to the extent that > > 'our content' is only accessible to us yet somehow we expected to > > make money from 'outsiders' through 'our Internet'? Maybe we should > > not use downloaded [even-free] 'foreign' software, 'foreign' > > computers, 'foreign' concepts, nothing 'foreign' except only localyy > > made?" That was heavy! > > > >>Let me tell you a thing. We > >> must focus on local mpaka it becomes music. When I saw the slides of Joe > >> Mucheru, which apparently I have seen in every conference I have > attended > >> in > >> which he is the speaker. The websites listed there, non were Kenyan. The > >> fact that Mucheru works for a Carlifornian company and he is Kenyan > should > >> make Mucheru sell Kenya more. > > > > Its what all (or at least the majority of) the people in that room > > were there *actually doing* Give Mucheru a break. (You stand accused > > of promoting 'foreign content' by using Google mailing lists;) > > > >> If you wanted a subscription website, you > >> should have started with kenyalaw.org. If you wanted affiliates, > >> mamamikes.com has affiliates. Lets focus on local. Lets give it lots of > >> thought. We must give local examples and then mention the foreign ones > >> just > >> as an after-thought. > > > > I wish you had asked ICT Board to make a presentation to the audience > > to articulate you point? > > > >> We want the companies to give the local content much thought and they > can > >> only do that when they think locally. When you make people believe that > >> facebook is great, we wont head anywhere. See why Tanzanians are > engaging > >> more in bongo5.com and jamiiforums than facebook and others. They are > >> actively loading pics and content and these two websites are really > coming > >> up well and considreing the age of the websites, we will see nice things > >> from them. We should not glorify anything western. We must start > >> appreciating our own facebook like Ngari has developed a good site, > >> www.kasarani.com > > > > Kasarani is your website, right? The conference was not a sales pitch > > for *anyone* but a conversation exploring various ways to promote > > local content. > > > >> When I started my start forum and blogging thing, jamiiforums.com, we > had > >> lots of problems. But we also had people telling us that the forum which > >> is > >> being run by my great friend Maxence, was going nowhere because > Tanzanians > >> don't speak a lot of English. See the site now. I don't think that there > >> is > >> any forum in this region with that kind of killer traffic. > > > > Me, me, me again... Try a bit of our, our, our, country's local content. > > > >> There is no forum > >> in this region which makes the government shakes like hell when issues > are > >> being analyzed there. And they are doing it most of the time in Swahili. > >> We > >> must focus on being local if we want local content. > > > > 'Government' is a strange 3-legged animal Executive, Legislature, and > > Judiciacy. > > If one makes this animal 'shake like hell,' that person ought to be in > > very serious trouble... > > > >> NMG bought a script from Germans and installed it on their site without > a > >> forum nor blogs for the senior writers. Why? No creativity. NTV, EasyFm > >> and > >> QFM are not online. A very good percentage of articles in Mailbox are > >> plagiarized from blogs and forums without acknowledgement and articles > in > >> entertainment and lifestyle mazagines are plagiarized from magazines > like > >> cosmopolitan and Elle sometimes word for word. > > > > Why so excessive negative energy? There must be something NMG have done > > right? > > > >> The Tandaa website was .com and not .co.ke. Even if you are not hosting > >> locally, you could still have had a local domain registration. > > > > Had you tried http://www.tandaa.co.ke/ before the conference? BTW, I > > host websites abroad many times and I have no problems with it. It can > > be a business decision why host locally with painfully expensive ISP? > > Host 'politically incorrect' website at a pro-conformist provider > > 'anti-telcos' content with one of them.... etc.. It's a matrix of > > decision making procees.. > > > >> The funniest thing I got from the conference, why would 6 or 7 speakers > >> speak for 15 minutes each and then the forum audience is given 10 > minutes > >> to ask questions and suggestions? > > > > The sun waits for no King and time has never been enough. > > > >>Do you know that the slides from Capital, > >> NMG, Google, Homeboyz, Kictanet, ICT board, Strathmore, Rich, Cisco and > >> others are shown to us almost in every conference we attend. They have > >> become so predictable that the best place to get more stories and even > >> slides which you have never seen is from the public. > > > > Would you also be suggesting that new school textbooks be published every > > year? > > > >>Givingg 15 minutes to > >> each speaker which is 105 minutes for the seven speakers then the > audience > >> asks and get replies in 10 minutes is really not correct and shows and > >> attitude of escapism where te audience are feared that they might > embarass > >> the speakers with questions. > > > > You just created conveniently suitable circumstances to arrive at your > > conclusion? > > > >> The other facts of the conference was ok. The moderator, Al Kags, was ok > >> but > >> I think that we can do alot of improvements by having power cable well > >> spread for bloggers and also the Wi-Fi to be abit superior. I had to > rely > >> on > >> my Zain unlimited since the ICT board Wi-fi kept shutting down. > > > > Would it not have been fair to mention some of those 'ok' facts. Its > > called "fair commentating" > > > >> We also think that we can have an active network and the best place to > >> start > >> is now here in KICTANET. I see us turning KICTANET into an open > vbulletin > >> run forum with CMS managed frontpage like www.haitiwebs.com and > >> www.mustangevolution.com. Vbulletin is so superior and it wont take us > >> even > >> a day to have this thing up and running. > > > > Dunno.. > > > >> Senior members, what do you think? > > > > I just have. But allow me to add that *nix users have this thing about > > multi-thread thought processes which lead me to advice users to format > > their Windows and install *nix. It makes engagement multi-faceted > > critique and criticize when necessesary but also appreciate and praise > > excellent achievement. > > > > Tandaa.08 was an excellent event and I wish the ICT board could > > explain to us who were the brains behind it. They can count on me for > > their next such conference. > > > > Rider: > > > > There is a clip one run NTV of an Edloret pharmacist who literary and > > severally slapped himself on the face upon being visited by Pharmacies > > and Poisons Board drug inspectors. > > Let's not always take the shrtest route to slap every great > > initiative, erroneously. > > > > Also we avoid "local content spam", for example, forced mailing lists > > subscriptions;) > > > > G'day, > > > > > _______________________________________________ > > kictanet mailing list > > kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke > > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > > > > > This message was sent to: wainaina(a)madeinkenya.org > > > Unsubscribe or change your options at > > > > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/wainaina%40madeinkenya… > > > > -- > Sent from my mobile device > > Made in Kenya Network > Apt. B-8, Elite Park > Ole Odume Road > P. O. Box 72031 - 00200 > Nairobi. Kenya > Tel: +254-20-3590451 > Cel: +254-722-811171 > Cel: +254-735-370840 > www.madeinkenya.org > > http://www.bungesms.com > > > _______________________________________________ > kictanet mailing list > kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > > > This message was sent to: alai.robert(a)gmail.com > Unsubscribe or change your options at > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/alai.robert%40gmail.com > -- Sent from my mobile device Made in Kenya Network Apt. B-8, Elite Park Ole Odume Road P. O. Box 72031 - 00200 Nairobi. Kenya Tel: +254-20-3590451 Cel: +254-722-811171 Cel: +254-735-370840 www.madeinkenya.org http://www.bungesms.com

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Tandaa - An Honest Analysis
by Robert Alai 18 Nov '08

18 Nov '08

AKI As I forgot to copy all Please keep off my sites. the mail you are talking about is down there Alai ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Robert Alai <alai.robert(a)gmail.com> Date: Nov 18, 2008 3:46 PM Subject: Re: [kictanet] Tandaa - An Honest Analysis To: aki <aki275(a)googlemail.com> Aki who are you? what are your achievement and knowledge on ICT? You dont even know anything you are talking about. I will never have a phobia for local content. I love it and would fight for it. But I can never argue with you because first, you are ashamed of yourself that you wont come out of the fake cocoon. I deal with real people and real issues and until then, you dont play in my league and you are not invited to any of my sites. KEEP OFF Alai On 11/18/08, aki <aki275(a)googlemail.com> wrote: > > My last thoughts on this before it becomes more like a blogging site. > Robert, you are still unable to define local content and therefore unable to > match any criticism or critic. Mixing small words with bigger words for the > sake of it is the usual illusion. I think the severe arrogance and phobia of > local everything ( of course with the usual spices such as politics, leaders > and events, esle the traffic to sites would not exist ) is over-rated and > the best effort so far according to you for local content is a website that > I'd never visit or waste any time on. > > So simply moving forward, and as Josiah and the others mentioned : Define > local content and we will start to get somewhere. > > Get to the point. > > _______________________________________________ > kictanet mailing list > kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > > This message was sent to: alai.robert(a)gmail.com > Unsubscribe or change your options at > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/alai.robert%40gmail.com > >

4 4

Re: [kictanet] Tandaa - An Honest Analysis
by aki 18 Nov '08

18 Nov '08

Ok, my sincere apology to anyone on the lists who have been offended. My stand will not change nor is it any grudge whatsoever against anyone. However, I do not appreciate receiving emails in my inbox from deranged individuals ( including this one : Aki or whoever you are, I told you categorically, Keep off my sites or if you come please try to hack them ) and so I shall do myself a favour and not correspond on these lists. Its self-moderation and the moderator is free to block any further comments from me. Have a pleasent evening. Aki.

2 1

Re: [kictanet] Tandaa - An Honest Analysis
by James Kagwe 18 Nov '08

18 Nov '08

Just wondering where the moderator is.... The treatment we have received today is ridiculous to say the least. Something needs to be done and urgently (before yesterday). I'm a member of the said list and probably not very happy having to deal with hundreds of mails everyday (I must confess I delete almost all), but calling me an idiot is not fair, considering I ignorantly joined it. Have a good night and kill this thing starting now. Kagwe ________________________________ From: kictanet-bounces+jkagwe=kippra.or.ke(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke [mailto:kictanet-bounces+jkagwe=kippra.or.ke@lists.kictanet.or.ke] On Behalf Of Joseph Manthi Sent: Tuesday, November 18, 2008 6:02 PM To: James Kagwe Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions Subject: Re: [kictanet] Tandaa - An Honest Analysis Ok Both of you cut it. Robert stop calling people names and Aki, you should know better Joe On Tue, Nov 18, 2008 at 8:59 AM, aki <aki275(a)googlemail.com> wrote: Robert, am not part of those 12,000 idiots who may have signed up to your sites or nor do i need to live on handouts from http hits or smtp traffic. But one important issue that you have brought up is that internet governance is important and that future legislation should protect the end users from rogue sites and owners. If you are to be a typical example of how content is developed and distributed then something will need to be done.....and thus I rest my case for the local content issues. Aki. On Tue, Nov 18, 2008 at 5:37 PM, Robert Alai <alai.robert(a)gmail.com> wrote: AKI As I forgot to copy all Please keep off my sites. the mail you are talking about is down there Alai _______________________________________________ kictanet mailing list kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet This message was sent to: jmanthi(a)gmail.com Unsubscribe or change your options at http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/jmanthi%40gmail.com -- Joseph Manthi CEO MEO Ltd http://www.meoltd.com

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Re: [kictanet] An Honest Analysis
by Tim Rick 18 Nov '08

18 Nov '08

Aki, Its good to give people the respect!As much you know what you know and Robert knows what he does,involving other people in your conversation is not fair!Calling people idiots is lack of respect to peoples opinion!Those who have joined Robert's sites knew what they were doing! Please respect people! 2008/11/18 <kictanet-request(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> > Send kictanet mailing list submissions to > kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke > > To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit > http://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. Tandaa - An Honest Analysis (Robert Alai) > 2. Re: Tandaa - An Honest Analysis (aki) > 3. CS speakers for IGF opening and closing sessions] (alice) > 4. Re: Tandaa - An Honest Analysis (Joseph Manthi) > 5. Re: Tandaa - An Honest Analysis (James Kagwe) > > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > > Message: 1 > Date: Tue, 18 Nov 2008 17:37:14 +0300 > From: "Robert Alai" <alai.robert(a)gmail.com> > Subject: [kictanet] Tandaa - An Honest Analysis > To: "KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions" <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> > Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> > Message-ID: > <21ca13ee0811180637l44400449n54c30848ec2afb34(a)mail.gmail.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" > > AKI > > As I forgot to copy all > > Please keep off my sites. the mail you are talking about is down there > > Alai > ---------- Forwarded message ---------- > From: Robert Alai <alai.robert(a)gmail.com> > Date: Nov 18, 2008 3:46 PM > Subject: Re: [kictanet] Tandaa - An Honest Analysis > To: aki <aki275(a)googlemail.com> > > Aki > > who are you? what are your achievement and knowledge on ICT? You dont even > know anything you are talking about. I will never have a phobia for local > content. I love it and would fight for it. But I can never argue with you > because first, you are ashamed of yourself that you wont come out of the > fake cocoon. > > I deal with real people and real issues and until then, you dont play in my > league and you are not invited to any of my sites. KEEP OFF > > Alai > > On 11/18/08, aki <aki275(a)googlemail.com> wrote: > > > > My last thoughts on this before it becomes more like a blogging site. > > Robert, you are still unable to define local content and therefore unable > to > > match any criticism or critic. Mixing small words with bigger words for > the > > sake of it is the usual illusion. I think the severe arrogance and phobia > of > > local everything ( of course with the usual spices such as politics, > leaders > > and events, esle the traffic to sites would not exist ) is over-rated > and > > the best effort so far according to you for local content is a website > that > > I'd never visit or waste any time on. > > > > So simply moving forward, and as Josiah and the others mentioned : Define > > local content and we will start to get somewhere. > > > > Get to the point. > > > > _______________________________________________ > > kictanet mailing list > > kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke > > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > > > > This message was sent to: alai.robert(a)gmail.com > > Unsubscribe or change your options at > > > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/alai.robert%40gmail.com > > > > >

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CS speakers for IGF opening and closing sessions]
by alice 18 Nov '08

18 Nov '08

Dear all For all those from civil society planning to attend the India IGF in December. best alice >From: Jeanette Hofmann <jeanette(a)wzb.eu> >To: governance(a)lists.cpsr.org >Subject: [governance] CS speakers for IGF opening and closing sessions > >Hello, > >the good news is that civil society has speaking positions to fill >for Hyderabad, two for the opening session, one for the closing >session. The bad news is that we have only one week to send a list >of names to the secretariat. > >The secretariat would welcome a list with more than three names to >have some flexibility for regional balancing. >Considering the context, we need accomplished speakers with standing >in civil society. >Gender balance is taken seriously, names of female speakers are >particularly welcome! > >I have been told that the two speakers from the private sector are >both from India. So, we may propose additional speakers from India >but in terms of regional balance, suggestions for speakers from >Africa and Latin America may be more successful. > >Everyone is encouraged to distribute this call for speakers. And, of >course, everyone is free to send suggestions for speakers to the >secretariat directly. However, for practical reasons I would suggest >that the IGC mailing list assumes a coordinating role and aims to >put together a list of names that enjoys support from its members >and other groups. > >The secretariat wishes to hear from us until Nov. 26. Can we manage this? > >Jeanette >____________________________________________________________ >You received this message as a subscriber on the list: > governance(a)lists.cpsr.org >To be removed from the list, send any message to: > governance-unsubscribe(a)lists.cpsr.org > >For all list information and functions, see: > http://lists.cpsr.org/lists/info/governance

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Re: [kictanet] Tandaa - An Honest Analysis
by Robert Alai 18 Nov '08

18 Nov '08

I think that this is what Wainaina means On 11/18/08, Robert Alai <alai.robert(a)gmail.com> wrote: > > Hi all, > > As indicated by Alex, spam & forced mailinglist subscriptions is a > critical "local content" issue now that Alai has pointed fingers. > > I have been forced onto lists that do not allow for unsubscribing thus > I have marked Alai's address and his mailinglists as spam addresses. > > Robert, please sort that out first so that the "traffic" and > "subscription" numbers on your lists is a true reflection of > subscription by choice rather than forced numbers. > > I bet someone else has had the same experience with Kazi africa, bidii > africa and other lists. > > Wainaina. See the reply I gave to Gakuru. Blame your teacher and you have > no use being in KICTANET if you cant even know how to operate simple email > addresses in,lists > > > Alai > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > On 11/18/08, Wainaina Mungai <wainaina(a)madeinkenya.org> wrote: >> >> Hi all, >> >> As indicated by Alex, spam & forced mailinglist subscriptions is a >> critical "local content" issue now that Alai has pointed fingers. >> >> I have been forced onto lists that do not allow for unsubscribing thus >> I have marked Alai's address and his mailinglists as spam addresses. >> >> Robert, please sort that out first so that the "traffic" and >> "subscription" numbers on your lists is a true reflection of >> subscription by choice rather than forced numbers. >> >> I bet someone else has had the same experience with Kazi africa, bidii >> africa and other lists. >> >> Wainaina >> >> >> On 11/18/08, Gakuru Alex <alexgakuru.lists(a)gmail.com> wrote: >> > Alai, >> > >> > I am somewhat now tempted to start a local content blog focusing on >> > 'opinion influencers' and opinion shapers themselves - informed by the >> > fact that, content is king and awaited 'future online content warfare' >> > arrived a long time ago. >> > >> > So despite excluding my skunkworks presentation from your firing >> > squad, I shall nonetheless shoot back at you;) >> > >> > On Tue, Nov 18, 2008 at 12:37 AM, Robert Alai <alai.robert(a)gmail.com> >> wrote: >> >> Mirembe >> >> >> >> I have a very open and honest analysis of our Tandaa conference. >> >> >> >> The facts which we must change is that Paul Kukubo, my big brother >> still >> >> sees it best to defend foreign companies and say that "eve if we want >> >> local >> >> content we must stilldo it with foreigners'. >> > >> > Paul stated, "Let's realise that Internet is one. How can have 'our >> > Internet' so shielded away for 'outsiders Internet' to the extent that >> > 'our content' is only accessible to us yet somehow we expected to >> > make money from 'outsiders' through 'our Internet'? Maybe we should >> > not use downloaded [even-free] 'foreign' software, 'foreign' >> > computers, 'foreign' concepts, nothing 'foreign' except only localyy >> > made?" That was heavy! >> > >> >>Let me tell you a thing. We >> >> must focus on local mpaka it becomes music. When I saw the slides of >> Joe >> >> Mucheru, which apparently I have seen in every conference I have >> attended >> >> in >> >> which he is the speaker. The websites listed there, non were Kenyan. >> The >> >> fact that Mucheru works for a Carlifornian company and he is Kenyan >> should >> >> make Mucheru sell Kenya more. >> > >> > Its what all (or at least the majority of) the people in that room >> > were there *actually doing* Give Mucheru a break. (You stand accused >> > of promoting 'foreign content' by using Google mailing lists;) >> > >> >> If you wanted a subscription website, you >> >> should have started with kenyalaw.org. If you wanted affiliates, >> >> mamamikes.com has affiliates. Lets focus on local. Lets give it lots >> of >> >> thought. We must give local examples and then mention the foreign ones >> >> just >> >> as an after-thought. >> > >> > I wish you had asked ICT Board to make a presentation to the audience >> > to articulate you point? >> > >> >> We want the companies to give the local content much thought and they >> can >> >> only do that when they think locally. When you make people believe that >> >> facebook is great, we wont head anywhere. See why Tanzanians are >> engaging >> >> more in bongo5.com and jamiiforums than facebook and others. They are >> >> actively loading pics and content and these two websites are really >> coming >> >> up well and considreing the age of the websites, we will see nice >> things >> >> from them. We should not glorify anything western. We must start >> >> appreciating our own facebook like Ngari has developed a good site, >> >> www.kasarani.com >> > >> > Kasarani is your website, right? The conference was not a sales pitch >> > for *anyone* but a conversation exploring various ways to promote >> > local content. >> > >> >> When I started my start forum and blogging thing, jamiiforums.com, we >> had >> >> lots of problems. But we also had people telling us that the forum >> which >> >> is >> >> being run by my great friend Maxence, was going nowhere because >> Tanzanians >> >> don't speak a lot of English. See the site now. I don't think that >> there >> >> is >> >> any forum in this region with that kind of killer traffic. >> > >> > Me, me, me again... Try a bit of our, our, our, country's local content. >> > >> >> There is no forum >> >> in this region which makes the government shakes like hell when issues >> are >> >> being analyzed there. And they are doing it most of the time in >> Swahili. >> >> We >> >> must focus on being local if we want local content. >> > >> > 'Government' is a strange 3-legged animal Executive, Legislature, and >> > Judiciacy. >> > If one makes this animal 'shake like hell,' that person ought to be in >> > very serious trouble... >> > >> >> NMG bought a script from Germans and installed it on their site without >> a >> >> forum nor blogs for the senior writers. Why? No creativity. NTV, EasyFm >> >> and >> >> QFM are not online. A very good percentage of articles in Mailbox are >> >> plagiarized from blogs and forums without acknowledgement and articles >> in >> >> entertainment and lifestyle mazagines are plagiarized from magazines >> like >> >> cosmopolitan and Elle sometimes word for word. >> > >> > Why so excessive negative energy? There must be something NMG have done >> > right? >> > >> >> The Tandaa website was .com and not .co.ke. Even if you are not >> hosting >> >> locally, you could still have had a local domain registration. >> > >> > Had you tried http://www.tandaa.co.ke/ before the conference? BTW, I >> > host websites abroad many times and I have no problems with it. It can >> > be a business decision why host locally with painfully expensive ISP? >> > Host 'politically incorrect' website at a pro-conformist provider >> > 'anti-telcos' content with one of them.... etc.. It's a matrix of >> > decision making procees.. >> > >> >> The funniest thing I got from the conference, why would 6 or 7 speakers >> >> speak for 15 minutes each and then the forum audience is given 10 >> minutes >> >> to ask questions and suggestions? >> > >> > The sun waits for no King and time has never been enough. >> > >> >>Do you know that the slides from Capital, >> >> NMG, Google, Homeboyz, Kictanet, ICT board, Strathmore, Rich, Cisco and >> >> others are shown to us almost in every conference we attend. They have >> >> become so predictable that the best place to get more stories and even >> >> slides which you have never seen is from the public. >> > >> > Would you also be suggesting that new school textbooks be published >> every >> > year? >> > >> >>Givingg 15 minutes to >> >> each speaker which is 105 minutes for the seven speakers then the >> audience >> >> asks and get replies in 10 minutes is really not correct and shows and >> >> attitude of escapism where te audience are feared that they might >> embarass >> >> the speakers with questions. >> > >> > You just created conveniently suitable circumstances to arrive at your >> > conclusion? >> > >> >> The other facts of the conference was ok. The moderator, Al Kags, was >> ok >> >> but >> >> I think that we can do alot of improvements by having power cable well >> >> spread for bloggers and also the Wi-Fi to be abit superior. I had to >> rely >> >> on >> >> my Zain unlimited since the ICT board Wi-fi kept shutting down. >> > >> > Would it not have been fair to mention some of those 'ok' facts. Its >> > called "fair commentating" >> > >> >> We also think that we can have an active network and the best place to >> >> start >> >> is now here in KICTANET. I see us turning KICTANET into an open >> vbulletin >> >> run forum with CMS managed frontpage like www.haitiwebs.com and >> >> www.mustangevolution.com. Vbulletin is so superior and it wont take us >> >> even >> >> a day to have this thing up and running. >> > >> > Dunno.. >> > >> >> Senior members, what do you think? >> > >> > I just have. But allow me to add that *nix users have this thing about >> > multi-thread thought processes which lead me to advice users to format >> > their Windows and install *nix. It makes engagement multi-faceted >> > critique and criticize when necessesary but also appreciate and praise >> > excellent achievement. >> > >> > Tandaa.08 was an excellent event and I wish the ICT board could >> > explain to us who were the brains behind it. They can count on me for >> > their next such conference. >> > >> > Rider: >> > >> > There is a clip one run NTV of an Edloret pharmacist who literary and >> > severally slapped himself on the face upon being visited by Pharmacies >> > and Poisons Board drug inspectors. >> > Let's not always take the shrtest route to slap every great >> > initiative, erroneously. >> > >> > Also we avoid "local content spam", for example, forced mailing lists >> > subscriptions;) >> > >> > G'day, >> > >> >> > _______________________________________________ >> > kictanet mailing list >> > kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke >> > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet >> > >> >> > This message was sent to: wainaina(a)madeinkenya.org >> >> > Unsubscribe or change your options at >> >> > >> http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/wainaina%40madeinkenya… >> > >> >> -- >> Sent from my mobile device >> >> Made in Kenya Network >> Apt. B-8, Elite Park >> Ole Odume Road >> P. O. Box 72031 - 00200 >> Nairobi. Kenya >> Tel: +254-20-3590451 >> Cel: +254-722-811171 >> Cel: +254-735-370840 >> www.madeinkenya.org >> >> http://www.bungesms.com >> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> kictanet mailing list >> kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke >> http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet >> >> >> This message was sent to: alai.robert(a)gmail.com >> Unsubscribe or change your options at >> http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/alai.robert%40gmail.com >> > >

1 0

Re: [kictanet] Tandaa - An Honest Analysis
by Robert Alai 18 Nov '08

18 Nov '08

Wainaina This is the messaage you are talking about. Am sorry I didnt send it to the whole group as I hit reply instead of reply to all That haappens but it was meant for kila mtu Alai On 11/18/08, Robert Alai <alai.robert(a)gmail.com> wrote: > > Wainaina > > Know that the fact that you dont agree with someone doesnt mean that you > must raid the media house. > > Thats what you are trying to say here. We are discussing IT matters and > what you bring are your personal problems. > > If you have spammed my address and lists, why make noise? Blacklists them. > I will handle that in another way and know that I am registered in this > forum all through and this forum doesnt belong to Wainaina and the ealier > you realise that the better for you. Lets discuss matters which help this > nation and not go personal because let me assure you that for every on of my > actions before and in th future, I have a perfect answer for them. > > If you have a problem with BidiiAfrika send an email to > bidiiafrika-owner(a)googlegroups.com. > > And again on Media, I like NMG since they have toned rhetoric and very high > voltage news unlike KTN and standard group which still report like Kenya is > going to war. I disagree with them but surely I wont like anybody raiding > them > > Regards > Alai > > On 11/18/08, Wainaina Mungai <wainaina(a)madeinkenya.org> wrote: >> >> This is exactly the feedback I expected. I'm not at all disappointed >> as it has happened before. >> >> KICTANet needs to do something about importing such conduct from other >> lists. >> >> >> Wainaina >> >> >> On 11/18/08, Robert Alai <alai.robert(a)gmail.com> wrote: >> > Hi all, >> > >> > As indicated by Alex, spam & forced mailinglist subscriptions is a >> > critical "local content" issue now that Alai has pointed fingers. >> > >> > I have been forced onto lists that do not allow for unsubscribing thus >> > I have marked Alai's address and his mailinglists as spam addresses. >> > >> > Robert, please sort that out first so that the "traffic" and >> > "subscription" numbers on your lists is a true reflection of >> > subscription by choice rather than forced numbers. >> > >> > I bet someone else has had the same experience with Kazi africa, bidii >> > africa and other lists. >> > >> > Wainaina. See the reply I gave to Gakuru. Blame your teacher and you >> have no >> > use being in KICTANET if you cant even know how to operate simple email >> > addresses in,lists >> > >> > >> > Alai >> > >> > >> > >> > >> > >> > >> > >> > >> > >> > >> > >> > >> > >> > >> > >> > On 11/18/08, Wainaina Mungai <wainaina(a)madeinkenya.org> wrote: >> >> >> >> Hi all, >> >> >> >> As indicated by Alex, spam & forced mailinglist subscriptions is a >> >> critical "local content" issue now that Alai has pointed fingers. >> >> >> >> I have been forced onto lists that do not allow for unsubscribing thus >> >> I have marked Alai's address and his mailinglists as spam addresses. >> >> >> >> Robert, please sort that out first so that the "traffic" and >> >> "subscription" numbers on your lists is a true reflection of >> >> subscription by choice rather than forced numbers. >> >> >> >> I bet someone else has had the same experience with Kazi africa, bidii >> >> africa and other lists. >> >> >> >> Wainaina >> >> >> >> >> >> On 11/18/08, Gakuru Alex <alexgakuru.lists(a)gmail.com> wrote: >> >> > Alai, >> >> > >> >> > I am somewhat now tempted to start a local content blog focusing on >> >> > 'opinion influencers' and opinion shapers themselves - informed by >> the >> >> > fact that, content is king and awaited 'future online content >> warfare' >> >> > arrived a long time ago. >> >> > >> >> > So despite excluding my skunkworks presentation from your firing >> >> > squad, I shall nonetheless shoot back at you;) >> >> > >> >> > On Tue, Nov 18, 2008 at 12:37 AM, Robert Alai <alai.robert(a)gmail.com >> > >> >> wrote: >> >> >> Mirembe >> >> >> >> >> >> I have a very open and honest analysis of our Tandaa conference. >> >> >> >> >> >> The facts which we must change is that Paul Kukubo, my big brother >> >> >> still >> >> >> sees it best to defend foreign companies and say that "eve if we >> want >> >> >> local >> >> >> content we must stilldo it with foreigners'. >> >> > >> >> > Paul stated, "Let's realise that Internet is one. How can have 'our >> >> > Internet' so shielded away for 'outsiders Internet' to the extent >> that >> >> > 'our content' is only accessible to us yet somehow we expected to >> >> > make money from 'outsiders' through 'our Internet'? Maybe we should >> >> > not use downloaded [even-free] 'foreign' software, 'foreign' >> >> > computers, 'foreign' concepts, nothing 'foreign' except only localyy >> >> > made?" That was heavy! >> >> > >> >> >>Let me tell you a thing. We >> >> >> must focus on local mpaka it becomes music. When I saw the slides of >> >> >> Joe >> >> >> Mucheru, which apparently I have seen in every conference I have >> >> attended >> >> >> in >> >> >> which he is the speaker. The websites listed there, non were Kenyan. >> >> >> The >> >> >> fact that Mucheru works for a Carlifornian company and he is Kenyan >> >> should >> >> >> make Mucheru sell Kenya more. >> >> > >> >> > Its what all (or at least the majority of) the people in that room >> >> > were there *actually doing* Give Mucheru a break. (You stand accused >> >> > of promoting 'foreign content' by using Google mailing lists;) >> >> > >> >> >> If you wanted a subscription website, you >> >> >> should have started with kenyalaw.org. If you wanted affiliates, >> >> >> mamamikes.com has affiliates. Lets focus on local. Lets give it >> lots of >> >> >> thought. We must give local examples and then mention the foreign >> ones >> >> >> just >> >> >> as an after-thought. >> >> > >> >> > I wish you had asked ICT Board to make a presentation to the audience >> >> > to articulate you point? >> >> > >> >> >> We want the companies to give the local content much thought and >> they >> >> can >> >> >> only do that when they think locally. When you make people believe >> that >> >> >> facebook is great, we wont head anywhere. See why Tanzanians are >> >> engaging >> >> >> more in bongo5.com and jamiiforums than facebook and others. They >> are >> >> >> actively loading pics and content and these two websites are really >> >> coming >> >> >> up well and considreing the age of the websites, we will see nice >> >> >> things >> >> >> from them. We should not glorify anything western. We must start >> >> >> appreciating our own facebook like Ngari has developed a good site, >> >> >> www.kasarani.com >> >> > >> >> > Kasarani is your website, right? The conference was not a sales pitch >> >> > for *anyone* but a conversation exploring various ways to promote >> >> > local content. >> >> > >> >> >> When I started my start forum and blogging thing, jamiiforums.com, >> we >> >> had >> >> >> lots of problems. But we also had people telling us that the forum >> >> >> which >> >> >> is >> >> >> being run by my great friend Maxence, was going nowhere because >> >> Tanzanians >> >> >> don't speak a lot of English. See the site now. I don't think that >> >> >> there >> >> >> is >> >> >> any forum in this region with that kind of killer traffic. >> >> > >> >> > Me, me, me again... Try a bit of our, our, our, country's local >> content. >> >> > >> >> >> There is no forum >> >> >> in this region which makes the government shakes like hell when >> issues >> >> are >> >> >> being analyzed there. And they are doing it most of the time in >> >> >> Swahili. >> >> >> We >> >> >> must focus on being local if we want local content. >> >> > >> >> > 'Government' is a strange 3-legged animal Executive, Legislature, and >> >> > Judiciacy. >> >> > If one makes this animal 'shake like hell,' that person ought to be >> in >> >> > very serious trouble... >> >> > >> >> >> NMG bought a script from Germans and installed it on their site >> without >> >> a >> >> >> forum nor blogs for the senior writers. Why? No creativity. NTV, >> EasyFm >> >> >> and >> >> >> QFM are not online. A very good percentage of articles in Mailbox >> are >> >> >> plagiarized from blogs and forums without acknowledgement and >> articles >> >> in >> >> >> entertainment and lifestyle mazagines are plagiarized from magazines >> >> like >> >> >> cosmopolitan and Elle sometimes word for word. >> >> > >> >> > Why so excessive negative energy? There must be something NMG have >> done >> >> > right? >> >> > >> >> >> The Tandaa website was .com and not .co.ke. Even if you are not >> hosting >> >> >> locally, you could still have had a local domain registration. >> >> > >> >> > Had you tried http://www.tandaa.co.ke/ before the conference? BTW, I >> >> > host websites abroad many times and I have no problems with it. It >> can >> >> > be a business decision why host locally with painfully expensive ISP? >> >> > Host 'politically incorrect' website at a pro-conformist provider >> >> > 'anti-telcos' content with one of them.... etc.. It's a matrix of >> >> > decision making procees.. >> >> > >> >> >> The funniest thing I got from the conference, why would 6 or 7 >> speakers >> >> >> speak for 15 minutes each and then the forum audience is given 10 >> >> minutes >> >> >> to ask questions and suggestions? >> >> > >> >> > The sun waits for no King and time has never been enough. >> >> > >> >> >>Do you know that the slides from Capital, >> >> >> NMG, Google, Homeboyz, Kictanet, ICT board, Strathmore, Rich, Cisco >> and >> >> >> others are shown to us almost in every conference we attend. They >> have >> >> >> become so predictable that the best place to get more stories and >> even >> >> >> slides which you have never seen is from the public. >> >> > >> >> > Would you also be suggesting that new school textbooks be published >> >> > every >> >> > year? >> >> > >> >> >>Givingg 15 minutes to >> >> >> each speaker which is 105 minutes for the seven speakers then the >> >> audience >> >> >> asks and get replies in 10 minutes is really not correct and shows >> and >> >> >> attitude of escapism where te audience are feared that they might >> >> embarass >> >> >> the speakers with questions. >> >> > >> >> > You just created conveniently suitable circumstances to arrive at >> your >> >> > conclusion? >> >> > >> >> >> The other facts of the conference was ok. The moderator, Al Kags, >> was >> >> >> ok >> >> >> but >> >> >> I think that we can do alot of improvements by having power cable >> well >> >> >> spread for bloggers and also the Wi-Fi to be abit superior. I had to >> >> rely >> >> >> on >> >> >> my Zain unlimited since the ICT board Wi-fi kept shutting down. >> >> > >> >> > Would it not have been fair to mention some of those 'ok' facts. Its >> >> > called "fair commentating" >> >> > >> >> >> We also think that we can have an active network and the best place >> to >> >> >> start >> >> >> is now here in KICTANET. I see us turning KICTANET into an open >> >> vbulletin >> >> >> run forum with CMS managed frontpage like www.haitiwebs.com and >> >> >> www.mustangevolution.com. Vbulletin is so superior and it wont take >> us >> >> >> even >> >> >> a day to have this thing up and running. >> >> > >> >> > Dunno.. >> >> > >> >> >> Senior members, what do you think? >> >> > >> >> > I just have. But allow me to add that *nix users have this thing >> about >> >> > multi-thread thought processes which lead me to advice users to >> format >> >> > their Windows and install *nix. It makes engagement multi-faceted >> >> > critique and criticize when necessesary but also appreciate and >> praise >> >> > excellent achievement. >> >> > >> >> > Tandaa.08 was an excellent event and I wish the ICT board could >> >> > explain to us who were the brains behind it. They can count on me for >> >> > their next such conference. >> >> > >> >> > Rider: >> >> > >> >> > There is a clip one run NTV of an Edloret pharmacist who literary and >> >> > severally slapped himself on the face upon being visited by >> Pharmacies >> >> > and Poisons Board drug inspectors. >> >> > Let's not always take the shrtest route to slap every great >> >> > initiative, erroneously. >> >> > >> >> > Also we avoid "local content spam", for example, forced mailing lists >> >> > subscriptions;) >> >> > >> >> > G'day, >> >> > >> >> >> >> > _______________________________________________ >> >> > kictanet mailing list >> >> > kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke >> >> > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet >> >> > >> >> >> >> > This message was sent to: wainaina(a)madeinkenya.org >> >> >> >> > Unsubscribe or change your options at >> >> >> >> > >> >> >> http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/wainaina%40madeinkenya… >> >> > >> >> >> >> -- >> >> Sent from my mobile device >> >> >> >> Made in Kenya Network >> >> Apt. B-8, Elite Park >> >> Ole Odume Road >> >> P. O. Box 72031 - 00200 >> >> Nairobi. Kenya >> >> Tel: +254-20-3590451 >> >> Cel: +254-722-811171 >> >> Cel: +254-735-370840 >> >> www.madeinkenya.org >> >> >> >> http://www.bungesms.com >> >> >> >> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> >> kictanet mailing list >> >> kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke >> >> http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet >> >> >> >> >> >> This message was sent to: alai.robert(a)gmail.com >> >> Unsubscribe or change your options at >> >> >> http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/alai.robert%40gmail.com >> >> >> > >> >> >> -- >> >> Sent from my mobile device >> >> Made in Kenya Network >> Apt. B-8, Elite Park >> Ole Odume Road >> P. O. Box 72031 - 00200 >> Nairobi. Kenya >> Tel: +254-20-3590451 >> Cel: +254-722-811171 >> Cel: +254-735-370840 >> www.madeinkenya.org >> >> http://www.bungesms.com >> > >

1 0

Fwd: Tandaa - An Honest Analysis
by aki 18 Nov '08

18 Nov '08

LOL! actually it makes no sense for someone to be discussing anything while holding a "gun under the table". Clearly the markings individuals who unfortunately can only resort to one thing in the end........no more dialogue.

1 0

Re: [kictanet] Tandaa - An Honest Analysis
by Wainaina Mungai 18 Nov '08

18 Nov '08

Hi all, The issue building up here is on HOW to generate local content and the ways not to do it. We have seen cases of ''how not to do it'' as per the mailinglists and websites facing complaints from listers here. I believe members can now find way on 'how to' generate and collate local content in solutions such as Ushahidi.com and BungeSMS.com that seek to exploit the pervasive nature of mobile telephony to increase citizen generated content on the web. Google Kenya has done a great job with Google maps that now has easily searchable maps of Nairobi even via mobile devices such as smartphones with GPS feature coupled with data through the GSM networks. A security & privacy question however arises here even as the content question has been addressed. On 11/18/08, Robert Alai <alai.robert(a)gmail.com> wrote: > Wainaina > > Know that the fact that you dont agree with someone doesnt mean that you > must raid the media house. > > Thats what you are trying to say here. We are discussing IT matters and what > you bring are your personal problems. > > If you have spammed my address and lists, why make noise? Blacklists them. I > will handle that in another way and know that I am registered in this forum > all through and this forum doesnt belong to Wainaina and the ealier you > realise that the better for you. Lets discuss matters which help this nation > and not go personal because let me assure you that for every on of my > actions before and in th future, I have a perfect answer for them. > > If you have a problem with BidiiAfrika send an email to > bidiiafrika-owner(a)googlegroups.com. > > And again on Media, I like NMG since they have toned rhetoric and very high > voltage news unlike KTN and standard group which still report like Kenya is > going to war. I disagree with them but surely I wont like anybody raiding > them > > Regards > Alai > > On 11/18/08, Wainaina Mungai <wainaina(a)madeinkenya.org> wrote: >> >> This is exactly the feedback I expected. I'm not at all disappointed >> as it has happened before. >> >> KICTANet needs to do something about importing such conduct from other >> lists. >> >> >> Wainaina >> >> >> On 11/18/08, Robert Alai <alai.robert(a)gmail.com> wrote: >> > Hi all, >> > >> > As indicated by Alex, spam & forced mailinglist subscriptions is a >> > critical "local content" issue now that Alai has pointed fingers. >> > >> > I have been forced onto lists that do not allow for unsubscribing thus >> > I have marked Alai's address and his mailinglists as spam addresses. >> > >> > Robert, please sort that out first so that the "traffic" and >> > "subscription" numbers on your lists is a true reflection of >> > subscription by choice rather than forced numbers. >> > >> > I bet someone else has had the same experience with Kazi africa, bidii >> > africa and other lists. >> > >> > Wainaina. See the reply I gave to Gakuru. Blame your teacher and you >> > have >> no >> > use being in KICTANET if you cant even know how to operate simple email >> > addresses in,lists >> > >> > >> > Alai >> > >> > >> > >> > >> > >> > >> > >> > >> > >> > >> > >> > >> > >> > >> > >> > On 11/18/08, Wainaina Mungai <wainaina(a)madeinkenya.org> wrote: >> >> >> >> Hi all, >> >> >> >> As indicated by Alex, spam & forced mailinglist subscriptions is a >> >> critical "local content" issue now that Alai has pointed fingers. >> >> >> >> I have been forced onto lists that do not allow for unsubscribing thus >> >> I have marked Alai's address and his mailinglists as spam addresses. >> >> >> >> Robert, please sort that out first so that the "traffic" and >> >> "subscription" numbers on your lists is a true reflection of >> >> subscription by choice rather than forced numbers. >> >> >> >> I bet someone else has had the same experience with Kazi africa, bidii >> >> africa and other lists. >> >> >> >> Wainaina >> >> >> >> >> >> On 11/18/08, Gakuru Alex <alexgakuru.lists(a)gmail.com> wrote: >> >> > Alai, >> >> > >> >> > I am somewhat now tempted to start a local content blog focusing on >> >> > 'opinion influencers' and opinion shapers themselves - informed by >> >> > the >> >> > fact that, content is king and awaited 'future online content >> >> > warfare' >> >> > arrived a long time ago. >> >> > >> >> > So despite excluding my skunkworks presentation from your firing >> >> > squad, I shall nonetheless shoot back at you;) >> >> > >> >> > On Tue, Nov 18, 2008 at 12:37 AM, Robert Alai <alai.robert(a)gmail.com> >> >> wrote: >> >> >> Mirembe >> >> >> >> >> >> I have a very open and honest analysis of our Tandaa conference. >> >> >> >> >> >> The facts which we must change is that Paul Kukubo, my big brother >> >> >> still >> >> >> sees it best to defend foreign companies and say that "eve if we >> >> >> want >> >> >> local >> >> >> content we must stilldo it with foreigners'. >> >> > >> >> > Paul stated, "Let's realise that Internet is one. How can have 'our >> >> > Internet' so shielded away for 'outsiders Internet' to the extent >> >> > that >> >> > 'our content' is only accessible to us yet somehow we expected to >> >> > make money from 'outsiders' through 'our Internet'? Maybe we should >> >> > not use downloaded [even-free] 'foreign' software, 'foreign' >> >> > computers, 'foreign' concepts, nothing 'foreign' except only localyy >> >> > made?" That was heavy! >> >> > >> >> >>Let me tell you a thing. We >> >> >> must focus on local mpaka it becomes music. When I saw the slides of >> >> >> Joe >> >> >> Mucheru, which apparently I have seen in every conference I have >> >> attended >> >> >> in >> >> >> which he is the speaker. The websites listed there, non were Kenyan. >> >> >> The >> >> >> fact that Mucheru works for a Carlifornian company and he is Kenyan >> >> should >> >> >> make Mucheru sell Kenya more. >> >> > >> >> > Its what all (or at least the majority of) the people in that room >> >> > were there *actually doing* Give Mucheru a break. (You stand accused >> >> > of promoting 'foreign content' by using Google mailing lists;) >> >> > >> >> >> If you wanted a subscription website, you >> >> >> should have started with kenyalaw.org. If you wanted affiliates, >> >> >> mamamikes.com has affiliates. Lets focus on local. Lets give it lots >> of >> >> >> thought. We must give local examples and then mention the foreign >> ones >> >> >> just >> >> >> as an after-thought. >> >> > >> >> > I wish you had asked ICT Board to make a presentation to the audience >> >> > to articulate you point? >> >> > >> >> >> We want the companies to give the local content much thought and >> >> >> they >> >> can >> >> >> only do that when they think locally. When you make people believe >> that >> >> >> facebook is great, we wont head anywhere. See why Tanzanians are >> >> engaging >> >> >> more in bongo5.com and jamiiforums than facebook and others. They >> are >> >> >> actively loading pics and content and these two websites are really >> >> coming >> >> >> up well and considreing the age of the websites, we will see nice >> >> >> things >> >> >> from them. We should not glorify anything western. We must start >> >> >> appreciating our own facebook like Ngari has developed a good site, >> >> >> www.kasarani.com >> >> > >> >> > Kasarani is your website, right? The conference was not a sales pitch >> >> > for *anyone* but a conversation exploring various ways to promote >> >> > local content. >> >> > >> >> >> When I started my start forum and blogging thing, jamiiforums.com, >> we >> >> had >> >> >> lots of problems. But we also had people telling us that the forum >> >> >> which >> >> >> is >> >> >> being run by my great friend Maxence, was going nowhere because >> >> Tanzanians >> >> >> don't speak a lot of English. See the site now. I don't think that >> >> >> there >> >> >> is >> >> >> any forum in this region with that kind of killer traffic. >> >> > >> >> > Me, me, me again... Try a bit of our, our, our, country's local >> content. >> >> > >> >> >> There is no forum >> >> >> in this region which makes the government shakes like hell when >> issues >> >> are >> >> >> being analyzed there. And they are doing it most of the time in >> >> >> Swahili. >> >> >> We >> >> >> must focus on being local if we want local content. >> >> > >> >> > 'Government' is a strange 3-legged animal Executive, Legislature, and >> >> > Judiciacy. >> >> > If one makes this animal 'shake like hell,' that person ought to be >> >> > in >> >> > very serious trouble... >> >> > >> >> >> NMG bought a script from Germans and installed it on their site >> without >> >> a >> >> >> forum nor blogs for the senior writers. Why? No creativity. NTV, >> EasyFm >> >> >> and >> >> >> QFM are not online. A very good percentage of articles in Mailbox >> >> >> are >> >> >> plagiarized from blogs and forums without acknowledgement and >> articles >> >> in >> >> >> entertainment and lifestyle mazagines are plagiarized from magazines >> >> like >> >> >> cosmopolitan and Elle sometimes word for word. >> >> > >> >> > Why so excessive negative energy? There must be something NMG have >> done >> >> > right? >> >> > >> >> >> The Tandaa website was .com and not .co.ke. Even if you are not >> hosting >> >> >> locally, you could still have had a local domain registration. >> >> > >> >> > Had you tried http://www.tandaa.co.ke/ before the conference? BTW, I >> >> > host websites abroad many times and I have no problems with it. It >> >> > can >> >> > be a business decision why host locally with painfully expensive ISP? >> >> > Host 'politically incorrect' website at a pro-conformist provider >> >> > 'anti-telcos' content with one of them.... etc.. It's a matrix of >> >> > decision making procees.. >> >> > >> >> >> The funniest thing I got from the conference, why would 6 or 7 >> speakers >> >> >> speak for 15 minutes each and then the forum audience is given 10 >> >> minutes >> >> >> to ask questions and suggestions? >> >> > >> >> > The sun waits for no King and time has never been enough. >> >> > >> >> >>Do you know that the slides from Capital, >> >> >> NMG, Google, Homeboyz, Kictanet, ICT board, Strathmore, Rich, Cisco >> and >> >> >> others are shown to us almost in every conference we attend. They >> have >> >> >> become so predictable that the best place to get more stories and >> even >> >> >> slides which you have never seen is from the public. >> >> > >> >> > Would you also be suggesting that new school textbooks be published >> >> > every >> >> > year? >> >> > >> >> >>Givingg 15 minutes to >> >> >> each speaker which is 105 minutes for the seven speakers then the >> >> audience >> >> >> asks and get replies in 10 minutes is really not correct and shows >> and >> >> >> attitude of escapism where te audience are feared that they might >> >> embarass >> >> >> the speakers with questions. >> >> > >> >> > You just created conveniently suitable circumstances to arrive at >> >> > your >> >> > conclusion? >> >> > >> >> >> The other facts of the conference was ok. The moderator, Al Kags, >> >> >> was >> >> >> ok >> >> >> but >> >> >> I think that we can do alot of improvements by having power cable >> well >> >> >> spread for bloggers and also the Wi-Fi to be abit superior. I had to >> >> rely >> >> >> on >> >> >> my Zain unlimited since the ICT board Wi-fi kept shutting down. >> >> > >> >> > Would it not have been fair to mention some of those 'ok' facts. Its >> >> > called "fair commentating" >> >> > >> >> >> We also think that we can have an active network and the best place >> to >> >> >> start >> >> >> is now here in KICTANET. I see us turning KICTANET into an open >> >> vbulletin >> >> >> run forum with CMS managed frontpage like www.haitiwebs.com and >> >> >> www.mustangevolution.com. Vbulletin is so superior and it wont take >> us >> >> >> even >> >> >> a day to have this thing up and running. >> >> > >> >> > Dunno.. >> >> > >> >> >> Senior members, what do you think? >> >> > >> >> > I just have. But allow me to add that *nix users have this thing >> >> > about >> >> > multi-thread thought processes which lead me to advice users to >> >> > format >> >> > their Windows and install *nix. It makes engagement multi-faceted >> >> > critique and criticize when necessesary but also appreciate and >> >> > praise >> >> > excellent achievement. >> >> > >> >> > Tandaa.08 was an excellent event and I wish the ICT board could >> >> > explain to us who were the brains behind it. They can count on me for >> >> > their next such conference. >> >> > >> >> > Rider: >> >> > >> >> > There is a clip one run NTV of an Edloret pharmacist who literary and >> >> > severally slapped himself on the face upon being visited by >> >> > Pharmacies >> >> > and Poisons Board drug inspectors. >> >> > Let's not always take the shrtest route to slap every great >> >> > initiative, erroneously. >> >> > >> >> > Also we avoid "local content spam", for example, forced mailing lists >> >> > subscriptions;) >> >> > >> >> > G'day, >> >> > >> >> >> >> > _______________________________________________ >> >> > kictanet mailing list >> >> > kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke >> >> > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet >> >> > >> >> >> >> > This message was sent to: wainaina(a)madeinkenya.org >> >> >> >> > Unsubscribe or change your options at >> >> >> >> > >> >> >> http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/wainaina%40madeinkenya… >> >> > >> >> >> >> -- >> >> Sent from my mobile device >> >> >> >> Made in Kenya Network >> >> Apt. B-8, Elite Park >> >> Ole Odume Road >> >> P. O. Box 72031 - 00200 >> >> Nairobi. Kenya >> >> Tel: +254-20-3590451 >> >> Cel: +254-722-811171 >> >> Cel: +254-735-370840 >> >> www.madeinkenya.org >> >> >> >> http://www.bungesms.com >> >> >> >> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> >> kictanet mailing list >> >> kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke >> >> http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet >> >> >> >> >> >> This message was sent to: alai.robert(a)gmail.com >> >> Unsubscribe or change your options at >> >> >> http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/alai.robert%40gmail.com >> >> >> > >> >> >> -- >> >> Sent from my mobile device >> >> Made in Kenya Network >> Apt. B-8, Elite Park >> Ole Odume Road >> P. O. Box 72031 - 00200 >> Nairobi. Kenya >> Tel: +254-20-3590451 >> Cel: +254-722-811171 >> Cel: +254-735-370840 >> www.madeinkenya.org >> >> http://www.bungesms.com >> > -- Sent from my mobile device Made in Kenya Network Apt. B-8, Elite Park Ole Odume Road P. O. Box 72031 - 00200 Nairobi. Kenya Tel: +254-20-3590451 Cel: +254-722-811171 Cel: +254-735-370840 www.madeinkenya.org http://www.bungesms.com

7 9

Tandaa - An Honest Analysis
by Robert Alai 18 Nov '08

18 Nov '08

Mirembe I have a very open and honest analysis of our Tandaa conference. The facts which we must change is that Paul Kukubo, my big brother still sees it best to defend foreign companies and say that "eve if we want local content we must stilldo it with foreigners'. Let me tell you a thing. We must focus on local mpaka it becomes music. When I saw the slides of Joe Mucheru, which apparently I have seen in every conference I have attended in which he is the speaker. The websites listed there, non were Kenyan. The fact that Mucheru works for a Carlifornian company and he is Kenyan should make Mucheru sell Kenya more. If you wanted a subscription website, you should have started with kenyalaw.org. If you wanted affiliates, mamamikes.com has affiliates. Lets focus on local. Lets give it lots of thought. We must give local examples and then mention the foreign ones just as an after-thought. We want the companies to give the local content much thought and they can only do that when they think locally. When you make people believe that facebook is great, we wont head anywhere. See why Tanzanians are engaging more in bongo5.com and jamiiforums than facebook and others. They are actively loading pics and content and these two websites are really coming up well and considreing the age of the websites, we will see nice things from them. We should not glorify anything western. We must start appreciating our own facebook like Ngari has developed a good site, www.kasarani.com When I started my start forum and blogging thing, jamiiforums.com<http://jamboforums.com>, we had lots of problems. But we also had people telling us that the forum which is being run by my great friend Maxence, was going nowhere because Tanzanians don't speak a lot of English. See the site now. I don't think that there is any forum in this region with that kind of killer traffic. There is no forum in this region which makes the government shakes like hell when issues are being analyzed there. And they are doing it most of the time in Swahili. We must focus on being local if we want local content. NMG bought a script from Germans and installed it on their site without a forum nor blogs for the senior writers. Why? No creativity. NTV, EasyFm and QFM are not online. A very good percentage of articles in Mailbox are plagiarized from blogs and forums without acknowledgement and articles in entertainment and lifestyle mazagines are plagiarized from magazines like cosmopolitan and Elle sometimes word for word. The Tandaa website was .com and not .co.ke. Even if you are not hosting locally, you could still have had a local domain registration. The funniest thing I got from the conference, why would 6 or 7 speakers speak for 15 minutes each and then the forum audience is given 10 minutes to ask questions and suggestions? Do you know that the slides from Capital, NMG, Google, Homeboyz, Kictanet, ICT board, Strathmore, Rich, Cisco and others are shown to us almost in every conference we attend. They have become so predictable that the best place to get more stories and even slides which you have never seen is from the public. Givingg 15 minutes to each speaker which is 105 minutes for the seven speakers then the audience asks and get replies in 10 minutes is really not correct and shows and attitude of escapism where te audience are feared that they might embarass the speakers with questions. The other facts of the conference was ok. The moderator, Al Kags, was ok but I think that we can do alot of improvements by having power cable well spread for bloggers and also the Wi-Fi to be abit superior. I had to rely on my Zain unlimited since the ICT board Wi-fi kept shutting down. We also think that we can have an active network and the best place to start is now here in KICTANET. I see us turning KICTANET into an open vbulletin run forum with CMS managed frontpage like www.haitiwebs.com and www.mustangevolution.com. Vbulletin is so superior and it wont take us even a day to have this thing up and running. Senior members, what do you think? Alai,

6 8

Re: [kictanet] Tandaa - An Honest Analysis
by Wainaina Mungai 18 Nov '08

18 Nov '08

This is exactly the feedback I expected. I'm not at all disappointed as it has happened before. KICTANet needs to do something about importing such conduct from other lists. Wainaina On 11/18/08, Robert Alai <alai.robert(a)gmail.com> wrote: > Hi all, > > As indicated by Alex, spam & forced mailinglist subscriptions is a > critical "local content" issue now that Alai has pointed fingers. > > I have been forced onto lists that do not allow for unsubscribing thus > I have marked Alai's address and his mailinglists as spam addresses. > > Robert, please sort that out first so that the "traffic" and > "subscription" numbers on your lists is a true reflection of > subscription by choice rather than forced numbers. > > I bet someone else has had the same experience with Kazi africa, bidii > africa and other lists. > > Wainaina. See the reply I gave to Gakuru. Blame your teacher and you have no > use being in KICTANET if you cant even know how to operate simple email > addresses in,lists > > > Alai > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > On 11/18/08, Wainaina Mungai <wainaina(a)madeinkenya.org> wrote: >> >> Hi all, >> >> As indicated by Alex, spam & forced mailinglist subscriptions is a >> critical "local content" issue now that Alai has pointed fingers. >> >> I have been forced onto lists that do not allow for unsubscribing thus >> I have marked Alai's address and his mailinglists as spam addresses. >> >> Robert, please sort that out first so that the "traffic" and >> "subscription" numbers on your lists is a true reflection of >> subscription by choice rather than forced numbers. >> >> I bet someone else has had the same experience with Kazi africa, bidii >> africa and other lists. >> >> Wainaina >> >> >> On 11/18/08, Gakuru Alex <alexgakuru.lists(a)gmail.com> wrote: >> > Alai, >> > >> > I am somewhat now tempted to start a local content blog focusing on >> > 'opinion influencers' and opinion shapers themselves - informed by the >> > fact that, content is king and awaited 'future online content warfare' >> > arrived a long time ago. >> > >> > So despite excluding my skunkworks presentation from your firing >> > squad, I shall nonetheless shoot back at you;) >> > >> > On Tue, Nov 18, 2008 at 12:37 AM, Robert Alai <alai.robert(a)gmail.com> >> wrote: >> >> Mirembe >> >> >> >> I have a very open and honest analysis of our Tandaa conference. >> >> >> >> The facts which we must change is that Paul Kukubo, my big brother >> >> still >> >> sees it best to defend foreign companies and say that "eve if we want >> >> local >> >> content we must stilldo it with foreigners'. >> > >> > Paul stated, "Let's realise that Internet is one. How can have 'our >> > Internet' so shielded away for 'outsiders Internet' to the extent that >> > 'our content' is only accessible to us yet somehow we expected to >> > make money from 'outsiders' through 'our Internet'? Maybe we should >> > not use downloaded [even-free] 'foreign' software, 'foreign' >> > computers, 'foreign' concepts, nothing 'foreign' except only localyy >> > made?" That was heavy! >> > >> >>Let me tell you a thing. We >> >> must focus on local mpaka it becomes music. When I saw the slides of >> >> Joe >> >> Mucheru, which apparently I have seen in every conference I have >> attended >> >> in >> >> which he is the speaker. The websites listed there, non were Kenyan. >> >> The >> >> fact that Mucheru works for a Carlifornian company and he is Kenyan >> should >> >> make Mucheru sell Kenya more. >> > >> > Its what all (or at least the majority of) the people in that room >> > were there *actually doing* Give Mucheru a break. (You stand accused >> > of promoting 'foreign content' by using Google mailing lists;) >> > >> >> If you wanted a subscription website, you >> >> should have started with kenyalaw.org. If you wanted affiliates, >> >> mamamikes.com has affiliates. Lets focus on local. Lets give it lots of >> >> thought. We must give local examples and then mention the foreign ones >> >> just >> >> as an after-thought. >> > >> > I wish you had asked ICT Board to make a presentation to the audience >> > to articulate you point? >> > >> >> We want the companies to give the local content much thought and they >> can >> >> only do that when they think locally. When you make people believe that >> >> facebook is great, we wont head anywhere. See why Tanzanians are >> engaging >> >> more in bongo5.com and jamiiforums than facebook and others. They are >> >> actively loading pics and content and these two websites are really >> coming >> >> up well and considreing the age of the websites, we will see nice >> >> things >> >> from them. We should not glorify anything western. We must start >> >> appreciating our own facebook like Ngari has developed a good site, >> >> www.kasarani.com >> > >> > Kasarani is your website, right? The conference was not a sales pitch >> > for *anyone* but a conversation exploring various ways to promote >> > local content. >> > >> >> When I started my start forum and blogging thing, jamiiforums.com, we >> had >> >> lots of problems. But we also had people telling us that the forum >> >> which >> >> is >> >> being run by my great friend Maxence, was going nowhere because >> Tanzanians >> >> don't speak a lot of English. See the site now. I don't think that >> >> there >> >> is >> >> any forum in this region with that kind of killer traffic. >> > >> > Me, me, me again... Try a bit of our, our, our, country's local content. >> > >> >> There is no forum >> >> in this region which makes the government shakes like hell when issues >> are >> >> being analyzed there. And they are doing it most of the time in >> >> Swahili. >> >> We >> >> must focus on being local if we want local content. >> > >> > 'Government' is a strange 3-legged animal Executive, Legislature, and >> > Judiciacy. >> > If one makes this animal 'shake like hell,' that person ought to be in >> > very serious trouble... >> > >> >> NMG bought a script from Germans and installed it on their site without >> a >> >> forum nor blogs for the senior writers. Why? No creativity. NTV, EasyFm >> >> and >> >> QFM are not online. A very good percentage of articles in Mailbox are >> >> plagiarized from blogs and forums without acknowledgement and articles >> in >> >> entertainment and lifestyle mazagines are plagiarized from magazines >> like >> >> cosmopolitan and Elle sometimes word for word. >> > >> > Why so excessive negative energy? There must be something NMG have done >> > right? >> > >> >> The Tandaa website was .com and not .co.ke. Even if you are not hosting >> >> locally, you could still have had a local domain registration. >> > >> > Had you tried http://www.tandaa.co.ke/ before the conference? BTW, I >> > host websites abroad many times and I have no problems with it. It can >> > be a business decision why host locally with painfully expensive ISP? >> > Host 'politically incorrect' website at a pro-conformist provider >> > 'anti-telcos' content with one of them.... etc.. It's a matrix of >> > decision making procees.. >> > >> >> The funniest thing I got from the conference, why would 6 or 7 speakers >> >> speak for 15 minutes each and then the forum audience is given 10 >> minutes >> >> to ask questions and suggestions? >> > >> > The sun waits for no King and time has never been enough. >> > >> >>Do you know that the slides from Capital, >> >> NMG, Google, Homeboyz, Kictanet, ICT board, Strathmore, Rich, Cisco and >> >> others are shown to us almost in every conference we attend. They have >> >> become so predictable that the best place to get more stories and even >> >> slides which you have never seen is from the public. >> > >> > Would you also be suggesting that new school textbooks be published >> > every >> > year? >> > >> >>Givingg 15 minutes to >> >> each speaker which is 105 minutes for the seven speakers then the >> audience >> >> asks and get replies in 10 minutes is really not correct and shows and >> >> attitude of escapism where te audience are feared that they might >> embarass >> >> the speakers with questions. >> > >> > You just created conveniently suitable circumstances to arrive at your >> > conclusion? >> > >> >> The other facts of the conference was ok. The moderator, Al Kags, was >> >> ok >> >> but >> >> I think that we can do alot of improvements by having power cable well >> >> spread for bloggers and also the Wi-Fi to be abit superior. I had to >> rely >> >> on >> >> my Zain unlimited since the ICT board Wi-fi kept shutting down. >> > >> > Would it not have been fair to mention some of those 'ok' facts. Its >> > called "fair commentating" >> > >> >> We also think that we can have an active network and the best place to >> >> start >> >> is now here in KICTANET. I see us turning KICTANET into an open >> vbulletin >> >> run forum with CMS managed frontpage like www.haitiwebs.com and >> >> www.mustangevolution.com. Vbulletin is so superior and it wont take us >> >> even >> >> a day to have this thing up and running. >> > >> > Dunno.. >> > >> >> Senior members, what do you think? >> > >> > I just have. But allow me to add that *nix users have this thing about >> > multi-thread thought processes which lead me to advice users to format >> > their Windows and install *nix. It makes engagement multi-faceted >> > critique and criticize when necessesary but also appreciate and praise >> > excellent achievement. >> > >> > Tandaa.08 was an excellent event and I wish the ICT board could >> > explain to us who were the brains behind it. They can count on me for >> > their next such conference. >> > >> > Rider: >> > >> > There is a clip one run NTV of an Edloret pharmacist who literary and >> > severally slapped himself on the face upon being visited by Pharmacies >> > and Poisons Board drug inspectors. >> > Let's not always take the shrtest route to slap every great >> > initiative, erroneously. >> > >> > Also we avoid "local content spam", for example, forced mailing lists >> > subscriptions;) >> > >> > G'day, >> > >> >> > _______________________________________________ >> > kictanet mailing list >> > kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke >> > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet >> > >> >> > This message was sent to: wainaina(a)madeinkenya.org >> >> > Unsubscribe or change your options at >> >> > >> http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/wainaina%40madeinkenya… >> > >> >> -- >> Sent from my mobile device >> >> Made in Kenya Network >> Apt. B-8, Elite Park >> Ole Odume Road >> P. O. Box 72031 - 00200 >> Nairobi. Kenya >> Tel: +254-20-3590451 >> Cel: +254-722-811171 >> Cel: +254-735-370840 >> www.madeinkenya.org >> >> http://www.bungesms.com >> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> kictanet mailing list >> kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke >> http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet >> >> >> This message was sent to: alai.robert(a)gmail.com >> Unsubscribe or change your options at >> http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/alai.robert%40gmail.com >> > -- Sent from my mobile device Made in Kenya Network Apt. B-8, Elite Park Ole Odume Road P. O. Box 72031 - 00200 Nairobi. Kenya Tel: +254-20-3590451 Cel: +254-722-811171 Cel: +254-735-370840 www.madeinkenya.org http://www.bungesms.com

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Lets Discuss Tandaa not Persons
by Robert Alai 18 Nov '08

18 Nov '08

Alex and James Lets discuss tandaa the way we were doing and let me warn anybody trying to fight personal wars in KICTANET that I will answer you. Lets see how we can better Tandaa and the local content Alai

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Re: [kictanet] Tandaa - An Honest Analysis
by smwngi＠gmail.com 18 Nov '08

18 Nov '08

Joe, Robert You both have very valid points. However ask youself this. If the confrence was about prompting local content did you get local content? No. Why? Because there is very little to none. ICT board may have looked for local organizations the have web content to showcase their goals and objectives. The objective here is to promote local infromation. You may have seen the presentation before (am not saying I haven't seen them either & wasn't surprised) but there has been very little content added by new players. For the most part I saw sales pitches from the presenters which made it difficult to understand why they were given the slots to begin with. It should have been promoting content. How to gather it, how to present it, how to keep it updated, and quench the thirst for infromation. Having gone through the first round I believe there are lessons learnt and we should voice our opinions so as to improve our processes and deliverables. Cheers Stephen Mwangi -----Original Message----- From: "Joseph Manthi" <jmanthi(a)gmail.com> Subj: Re: [kictanet] Tandaa - An Honest Analysis Date: Tue 18 Nov 2008 12:46 am Size: 5K To: Stephen Mwangi <smwngi(a)gmail.com> cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> Robert I did not attend but I know exactly what you are saying. Local is golden, foreign should be forgotten unless we want to remain where we are. Joe On Mon, Nov 17, 2008 at 3:37 PM, Robert Alai <alai.robert(a)gmail.com> wrote: Mirembe I have a very open and honest analysis of our Tandaa conference. The facts which we must change is that Paul Kukubo, my big brother still sees it best to defend foreign companies and say that "eve if we want local content we must stilldo it with foreigners. Let me tell you a thing. We must focus on local mpaka it becomes music. When I saw the slides of Joe Mucheru, which apparently I have seen in every conference I have attended in which he is the speaker. The websites listed there, non were Kenyan. The fact that Mucheru works for a Carlifornian company and he is Kenyan should make Mucheru sell Kenya more. If you wanted a subscription website, you should have started with kenyalaw.org. If you wanted affiliates, mamamikes.com has affiliates. Lets focus on local. Lets give it lots of thought. We must give local examples and then mention the foreign ones just as an after-thought. We want the companies to give the local content much thought and they can only do that when they think locally. When you make people believe that facebook is great, we wont head anywhere. See why Tanzanians are engaging more in bongo5.com and jamiiforums than facebook and others. They are actively loading pics and content and these two websites are really coming up well and considreing the age of the websites, we will see nice things from them. We should not glorify anything western. We must start appreciating our own facebook like Ngari has developed a good site, www.kasarani.com When I started my start forum and blogging thing, jamiiforums.com, we had lots of problems. But we also had people telling us that the forum which is being run by my great friend Maxence, was going nowhere because Tanzanians dont speak a lot of English. See the site now. I dont think that there is any forum in this region with that kind of killer traffic. There is no forum in this region which makes the government shakes like hell when issues are being analyzed there. And they are doing it most of the time in Swahili. We must focus on being local if we want local content. NMG bought a script from Germans and installed it on their site without a forum nor blogs for the senior writers. Why? No creativity. NTV, EasyFm and QFM are not online. A very good percentage of articles in Mailbox are plagiarized from blogs and forums without acknowledgement and articles in entertainment and lifestyle mazagines are plagiarized from magazines like cosmopolitan and Elle sometimes word for word. The Tandaa website was .com and not .co.ke. Even if you are not hosting locally, you could still have had a local domain registration. The funniest thing I got from the conference, why would 6 or 7 speakers speak for 15 minutes each and then the forum audience is given 10 minutes to ask questions and suggestions? Do you know that the slides from Capital, NMG, Google, Homeboyz, Kictanet, ICT board, Strathmore, Rich, Cisco and others are shown to us almost in every conference we attend. They have become so predictable that the best place to get more stories and even slides which you have never seen is from the public. Givingg 15 minutes to each speaker which is 105 minutes for the seven speakers then the audience asks and get replies in 10 minutes is really not correct and shows and attitude of escapism where te audience are feared that they might embarass the speakers with questions. The other facts of the conference was ok. The moderator, Al Kags, was ok but I think that we can do alot of improvements by having power cable well spread for bloggers and also the Wi-Fi to be abit superior. I had to rely on my Zain unlimited since the ICT board Wi-fi kept shutting down. We also think that we can have an active network and the best place to start is now here in KICTANET. I see us turning KICTANET into an open vbulletin run forum with CMS managed frontpage like www.haitiwebs.com and www.mustangevolution.com. Vbulletin is so superior and it wont take us even a day to have this thing up and running. Senior members, what do you think? Alai, _______________________________________________ kictanet mailing list kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet This message was sent to: jmanthi@gmail..com Unsubscribe or change your options at http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/jmanthi%40gmail.com -- Joseph Manthi CEO MEO Ltd http://www.meoltd.com

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Africa's first communications satellite fails
by Robert Alai 17 Nov '08

17 Nov '08

Africa's first communications satellite fails Adole Hassan 17 November 2008 | EN The satellite was expected to boost telecommunications in Nigeria and the rest of Africa Flickr/DavidDennisPhotos.com [ABUJA] Africa's first communications satellite has suffered an energy failure just 18 months after its launch. The solar panels have malfunctioned on the Chinese-manufactured satellite according to Alhassan Zaku, Nigeria's minister of state for science and technology. The NIGCOMSAT-1 satellite was launched from China in 2007 (see Satellite launches boost African communications) amidst optimism that it would aid development by linking up rural communities and progressing telemedicine and long-distance learning. There were also ambitious commercial goals. But these are now dashed, say commentators. Ahmed Rufai, managing director of Nigeria Communication, which runs the satellite management company, said the satellite was powered down on Sunday night (9 November) after it was discovered that the batteries were failing faster than expected. But Nigeria's ThisDay newspaper (12 November) claims that the satellite has already fallen out of its orbit and been destroyed in order to prevent it from harming others. The paper quotes unnamed sources who allege that the Chinese manufacturers of the satellite used poor-quality materials. Akin Soyinka, chair of non-governmental organisation Nigeria Internet Watch, told SciDev.Net that the loss of the satellite would damage the country's efforts to bridge the digital divide -- see African action plan pushes satellites for development). "The federal government invested a lot of resources in building the satellite — to the detriment of education and health in the last four years — with the hope of bridging the digital divide and accelerating the country's development," Soyinka said. "But now all that is gone down the drain." The 40 billion Nigerian Naira (US$240 million) satellite was entirely government-owned but was "fully insured," said Rufai. A geostationary satellite, it was supposed to work for 15 years, and is officially monitored by a ground control station in Abuja, Nigeria, with backup stations in China, Italy, northern Nigeria and the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) satellite applications centre in Hartebeesthoek, South Africa. Zaku told SciDev.Net that Internet service providers in Nigeria and telecommunications companies who were using the satellite would be moved to other satellites if engineers confirm that it is unfixable. --- End forwarded message ---

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[Fwd: The November 17th Leadership Forum - at The Hilton Hotel, Tsavo Room]
by alice 17 Nov '08

17 Nov '08

Please note that the November 17^th Leadership Forum will take place at the* Hilton Hotel,* Tsavo room and not the Stanley. Details below: *LEADERSHIP FORUM* *‘Implications of the current global financial crisis’ – Rt Hon. David Blunkett (prominent member of the UK parliament’* *Hon. Blunkett* has served as Home Secretary and Education Secretary of the United Kingdom. Blind since birth and from a poor family in one of Sheffield's most deprived districts he has strived against all odds to become one of UK's most respected citizens. Be there to listen to him. Date: November 17th 2008 (Monday) Venue: Hilton Nairobi – Tsavo room Time: 6.00 pm Leadership Forum members: Free Non-Forum members Ksh 1,000 Confirm your attendance by email to. _Leadership.forum(a)britishcouncil.or.ke_ <mailto:Leadership.forum@britishcouncil.or.ke> Attached is Rt. Hon Blunkett’s biography. <<DB biography.doc>> Best Regards, Linet Otibine Projects and Communications Officer British Council, Nairobi P.O. Box 40751-00100 Upper Hill Road T: +254 283 6000 F: +254 283 6500 _Linet.otibine(a)britishcouncil.or.ke_ <mailto:Linet.otibine@britishcouncil.or.ke> *Creating Opportunity for people worldwide* *_www.britishcouncil.org_* <file://www.britishcouncil.org> The British Council is the United Kingdom's international organisation for educational opportunities and cultural relations. We are a registered charity; 209131 (England and Wales) SC037733 (Scotland). We build engagement and trust for the UK through the exchange of knowledge and ideas between people worldwide. This message is for the use of the intended recipient(s) only. If you have received this message in error, please notify the sender and delete it. The British Council accepts no liability for loss or damage caused by software viruses and you are advised to carry out a virus check on any attachments contained in this message.

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Cheaper international fibre prices in 2009 will put the squeeze on national backbone prices
by alice 17 Nov '08

17 Nov '08

(From Balancing Act) Cheaper international fibre prices in 2009 will put the squeeze on national backbone prices Africa’s operators say they cost their national backbone prices based on distance. The basis is that the further you want your traffic carried, the more it costs. However, this logic will soon be challenged by new, cheaper international bandwidth costs. If it costs more to send traffic from Johannesburg to Cape Town or from Lagos to Abuja than it does from any of these places to Europe, then national arbitrage will have well and truly arrived. Russell Southwood looks at what is likely to happen. Currently SAT3 prices vary from US$1,300-8,200 per mbps per month. Volume prices in South Africa fit into the bottom end of this range. Prices have recently come down in Angola to the lower end of this range, leaving Cameroon and Gabon as the high price pirates on the route. SEACOM and TEAMS are both saying that their cables will start operating in Kenya by Q2, 2009 and are offering prices that will probably translate into US$500-1,000 if operators pass along the savings made. On the west coast, Main One looks like being the first competitor cable to land in Q2, 2010 and will offer prices that will probably translate into prices for customers in the same range as on the east coast. And this where the problem begins for operators. About half of Africa’s operators are offering the same bandwidth (usually up to 500 kms) for US$2,000 or more. Only a very few are below US$1,000 and some are as high as US$4,000. These prices do not take into account a series of add-ons like access charges that actually take the global prices higher. The intelligent customers might at this point be asking themselves: why are operators able to go half way round the globe for the same price they’re charging me for going from the capital city to another city? One telco in the southern African region with a monopoly gateway gets 65% of its revenues from international traffic. The impact of lower rates will rob even competitive incumbents of significant parts of their revenue. No wonder the Zambian Communications Minister (see Telecoms News below) is trying to retain Zamtel’s monopoly gateway status because the company is already loss-making with that financial advantage. But the bad news cannot be held at bay… For the operators, pressure from customers on national backbone will become irresistible because on the basis of distance charging things will not make sense. So what can the forward-looking incumbent do? * They need to invest in IP networks where according to Huawei and Nokia Siemens Network speakers at last week’s CRASA event (Migration Towards All-IP) IP core networks are 30-50% cheaper in CAPEX terms and 30% in OPEX terms. As vendors, they would say that, wouldn’t they? But these figures seem to accord with those of operators we’ve spoken to who have made all or part of this transition. Companies with all IP networks (like South Africa’s Neotel) or who have made a real beginning with this transition possess a potent advantage over those who will have to replace their core network over the next five years. * Most incumbents are very over-staffed and the political pressure to avoid redundancies has been too great for them to avoid this core issue. Not only do they have too many staff but they have too few with the IP skills required in the future. None have any strategy for addressing this “elephant in the room”. For many IP and analogue reside in separate departments and the former is small and not influential in corporate strategy. One possible solution? Outsource the core network functions in the way that a small number of mobile carriers (for example Kasapa in Ghana) already have. You can insert focused management and higher levels of skills and control your cost levels. But for Government-owned incumbents this will require decisiveness and a clear understanding that your asset will slip through your hands if you don’t. Bankrupt companies don’t employ people for long. For customers the prospects are more cheery. Infrastructure competition will in the medium term begin to deliver real savings if they are savvy and more demanding. There are two reasons: * Vertically integrated mobile operators want to get into the business of providing core network. All of those we have spoken to – both those planning and those already doing it – agree that there are savings to be made in the 30-50% range. Countries as diverse as South Africa, Nigeria, Kenya and Ghana already have several core network (or infrastructure) providers. Some claim even higher savings as much depends on how protected the monopoly provider is. The challenge for customers is to point out the national arbitrage and demand better value. • The second factor that favours customers is the arrival of alternative infrastructure providers. Power utilities already posses fibre over transmission pylons and adding more is considerably cheaper than trenching the same capacity. Over half a dozen power utilities have been either licensed directly to sell the capacity or given permission to tender to licence-holders. One of the more recent ones was Escom in Malawi which will in the not too distant future have fibre links to Mozambique. Where this has not happened, incumbents are trying to argue that this alternative capacity should be in their hands but they are probably fighting a losing battle. In order to speed up competition in the core network at the national level, operators’s customers will have to ask two questions: what is your new international fibre costing you and how much of that saving are you passing on to me? And why is it cheaper to get my traffic to Europe than it is to transfer it around the country I live in? Best to start asking now as the excuses are bound to convoluted and lengthy.

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[Fwd: [APC Forum] how to bypass internet censorship]
by alice 16 Nov '08

16 Nov '08

Interesting...... best alice ------------------------ Just to let you know we put out a new manual "How to Bypass Internet Censorship" http://en.flossmanuals.net/CircumventionTools You can also download a free pdf here or buy the book : http://www.lulu.com/content/4904448 Its focused on bypassing internet censorship with free software. We wrote the manual in 5 days using the Book Sprint model intially developed by Tomas Krag and the FLOSS Manuals toolset. So thats zero -> Book in 5 days. For those that will be at the Aspiration Dev summit, I'll be there doing two sessions : http://devsummit08.aspirationtech.org/index.php/FLOSS_Manuals_Tools http://devsummit08.aspirationtech.org/index.php/How_to_Run_a_Book_Sprint adam -- Adam Hyde Founder FLOSS Manuals http://www.flossmanuals.net ======================================= APC Forum is a meeting place for the APC community - people and institutions who are or have been involved in collaboration with APC, and share the APC vision - a world in which all people have easy, equal and affordable access to the creative potential of information and communication technologies (ICTs) to improve their lives and create more democratic and egalitarian societies. _______________________________________________ apc.forum mailing list apc.forum(a)lists.apc.org http://lists.apc.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/apc.forum

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Sega Silicon Valley - help with contact info?
by Gakuru Alex 16 Nov '08

16 Nov '08

Hi, Anybody knows how I could contact any of three Kenyan delegates at <http://www.wireless-africa.org/events/workshop_0811/participants> I tried googling with limited luck. Thanks, Alex

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Lecture by Nicholas Negroponte on "One Laptop per Child", 7 PM, November 20
by John Maina 16 Nov '08

16 Nov '08

http://belfercenter.ksg.harvard.edu/events/3776/one_laptop_per_child.html

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Google Policy Fellowship
by John Maina 16 Nov '08

16 Nov '08

Google is looking for students who are passionate about technology, and want to spend the summer diving headfirst into Internet policy. Students from all majors and degree programs who possess the following qualities are encouraged to apply: * Demonstrated or stated commitment to Internet and technology policy * Excellent academic record, professional/ extracurricular/ volunteer activities, subject matter expertise * First-rate analytical, communications, research, and writing skills * Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and efficiently, and to work smartly and resourcefully in a fast-paced environment * General “googliness” (kidding!) Fellows will receive a stipend of $7,000 for 10 weeks during the summer of 2009 (June-August) . Exact dates of the fellowship will be worked out by the fellow and host organization. Applications are due by Friday, December 12, 2008. Students who are accepted into the program will be notified by Friday, February 13th, 2009. To learn about our application process, click here. http://www.google. com/policyfellow ship/ Mary (Molly) Uzoh, CEO/Principal Consultant Learning Right Technologies, LLC P. O. Box 51616 San Jose, CA 95151 Phone: 408-649-5872, Cell: 408-826-2167 http://www.learning right.com

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BBC E-mail: European debut for '$100 laptop'
by John Maina 16 Nov '08

16 Nov '08

Paul E Fegan saw this story on the BBC News website and thought you should see it. ** European debut for '$100 laptop' ** The One Laptop Per Child organisation will start selling its XO laptop in Europe on 17 November. < http://news. bbc.co.uk/ go/em/fr/ -/2/hi/technolog y/7728881. stm > ** BBC Daily E-mail ** Choose the news and sport headlines you want - when you want them, all in one daily e-mail < http://www.bbc. co.uk/email > ** Disclaimer ** The BBC is not responsible for the content of this e-mail, and anything written in this e-mail does not necessarily reflect the BBC's views or opinions. Please note that neither the e-mail address nor name of the sender have been verified. If you do not wish to receive such e-mails in the future or want to know more about the BBC's Email a Friend service, please read our frequently asked questions. http://news. bbc.co.uk/ 1/hi/help/ 4162471.stm

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Hannah Mutuku - An Employee whom Safaricom Can do without
by John Maina 14 Nov '08

14 Nov '08

Guys The worst experience ever. The date is 13th November and the place is Safaricom Moi Avenue. My problem, lost data card which I wanted blocked since I dont have money to buy a new 3g modem to replace the stolen modem plus data card. The retort from Hannah Mutuku, she cant do anything, I have lost the card, I will have to pay every month even if the card is not working. I thought that in case of a card getting lost and you suspend it, you pay a standing account maintenance charge until when the account is terminated or restored. Ooh My God. Safaricom is a fraud and with the arrogance and boisterous manner of Hannah Mutuku, you can do nothing about it. She was not listening. And she was not ready to reveal her true identity and tag and kept hiding it until when I called the Administration Police that I was getting irritated and infact I was causing a scene. Hannah told me to my face that I can do nothing about it. I left saddened. I have a post paid account with Safaricom and two prepaid lines. I threw the pre paid lines away already with lots anger in me. I was mistreated in Safaricom. I was molested. I was insulted. In safaricom, employees boasts of cronysm and what connections they have from above. Ooh God help me. I really suffered and am ready to move on. What I need is Safaricom to block my post paid line since, to my word, I wont pay a cent in that line and I am ready to face the consequences. fraud is not a good way of making business. We must stop frauds pretending to make profit. I need my account terminated and know that I wont pay a single cent. I know that our media fear loosing lots of advertising fees and thats why anything which portrays the cellphone companies in bad light wont see a day in any of the three big media houses. None of them will dare question. But the fact that this is the third problem I am having with Safaricom centre twice at Moi Avenue and once at I&M proves to me something, something is terribly wrong with the Safaricom customer care and people like Hannah Mutuku just proved that. One arrogant lady who seems to be well connected. I dont know how, but surely she seemed so. And she is a supervisor. I need a blockage on my line since I wont pay for a stolen line. I wont Kenyansregards mikeoketch(a)gmail.com

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East African Intrenet Governance Forum (EAIGF)...way forward and thank you
by alice 13 Nov '08

13 Nov '08

(Apologies for cross posting) The EAIGF was convened, organized and coordinated by the Kenya ICT Action Network with the following partners, KENIC, Kenya ICT Board, Communications Commission of Kenya, Kenya College of Communication Technology, Strathmore University, Center for Global Communication, East AfricanICT4DNetwork who also formed the EAIGF planning group. KICTANet will from here collate the issues that arose out of the discussion for the last two and a half days into a comprehensive report titled “*Internet Governance East African Perspective”* based on the regional forum Output and issues. This paper will be 1. Uploaded the EAIGF on the website www.eaigf.or.ke <http://www.eaigf.or.ke> 2. Subject the regional priority issues to research 3. Submitted to the global IGF taking place in India from 3-6^th December 2008 4. Be used to develop the capacity building scholar programme that will be hosted by the Kenya Communications College of Technology (KCCT) and Strathmore College. 5. Next EAIGF will be held in Tanzania. Thank you Tanzania *Vote of thanks * The EAIGF planning team takes this opportunity to thank · The government of Kenya specifically the P.S’s information and Communication Dr. Bitange Ndemo for Launching the Kenya IGF and the EAIGF. · Mr. Philip Okundi, CCK Board Chairman · Mr. Kariithi Njogu, CCK board member · The CCK Director-General Mr. Charles Njoroge and acting on his Behalf Mr. S. Kibe · Mr. Paul Kukubo, CEO KICTB · Dr. Juma Okecth, E-government Directorate Our international Partners, · The United Nations Internet Governance Forum Mr. Markus Kummer · International Telecommunication Union, Ms. Ali Drissa · International Development and Research Centre (IDRC) Ms. Edith Adera · Internet Society (ISOC) Mr. Bill Graham · Adam Peake Centre for Global Communication GLOCOM · Willie Currie, Association for Progressive Communications. Our regional partners from the three East African Countries (RURA, RITA, SWOPNET, CIPESA I-network Uganda, Women of Uganda Network, Tanzania communication regulatory authority, Rwanda development gateway, · All speakers and moderators · All participants for your contributions and the energy · Thank you Mr. Jonathan Somen CEO Access Kenya and chair of TESPOK for providing last minute internet access after one of the EAIGF partners failed to connect the EAIGF .... · Special Thanks to Vincent and Evelyne for playing key roles in the organization of both the Kenya IGF and the EAIGF against all odds. To Mwende, Walu, Joe and Adam thank you for developing an initial draft for the capacity building programme · Thanks also to all the interns who worked with the organizing Committee to ensure the success of the EAIGF meeting. · Thank you too to all the forum secretary and the note takers and especially to Rebecca Wanjiku for the very lively live blog. · Big and special thanks to Harry Hare for managing the 2 and a half days as master of ceremony

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FW: Mars Group Kenya Updates - WHAT'S UP WITH THE TANDAA CONFERENCE? THE TRUTH ABOUT WHERE THE GOVERNMENT OF
by P Gitau Githongo 13 Nov '08

13 Nov '08

Different perspectives on the Tandaa conference..... WHAT'S UP WITH THE TANDAA CONFERENCE? THE TRUTH ABOUT WHERE THE GOVERNMENT OF KENYA SITS IN CYBERSPACE. Blue Host dot Com? Why would a Kenya Government Local Content Initiative be hosted on Blue Host (and only for 1 year) I wondered - isn't it one of those cheap web hosting companies - is it dignified for the GOK to be on something as generic as Blue Host? And we are talking about a USD 4 million grant. Moving on, I pondered, are there any other Government Agencies hosted on Blue Host? What I found was far worse than I could possibly have imagined. The Government of Kenya who should be the greatest provider of local content is housed almost 99% on foreign owned servers - albeit less well known than Blue Host. Among these are: The French owned Telkom Hazina.Treasury.Go.Ke (used to be ours - but was sold just before the election) Something called Puck.Nether.Net - which sits on something called Deathstar.Org Very interesting indeed. Both the host of the Kenya Local Content Conference and the Government of Kenya have for whatever reason chosen to place their content on servers which are not Kenyan owned. What a vote of confidence!. You will be shocked to see where Government of Kenya sits in cyberspace.. Read more at... http://blog.marsgroupkenya.org/?p=397 www.marsgroupkenya.org <http://www.marsgroupkenya.org/> Watching Out For You

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KENYA ICT BOARD HOSTS KENYA'S FIRST CONTENT CONFERENCE - TANDAA 08 ON FRIDAY 14TH NOVEMBER 2008
by Lucy Odhiambo 13 Nov '08

13 Nov '08

Dear All, The Kenya ICT Board will be holding the Kenya Content Conference dubbed "TANDAA 2008". Tandaa is Kiswahili for spread or network (verb). Tandaa '08 is to be a platform for Kenyan entrepreneurs, educationists, policy makers and others to discuss the emerging opportunities that are being facilitated by better internet access in Kenya. Tandaa's theme this year is 'Telling our Story. The Kenyan Story'. The Kenya ICT Board will be discussing its Local Content Development programme that is geared towards stimulating the development of Local Content by Kenyans for the Kenyan and global marketplace. This programme is complimentary to the board's rural inclusion programme, the Pasha Centre project, that is going to assist entrepreneurs to set up internet telecentres in all parts of Kenya. The Ministry of Information and Communication has been implementing the development of ICT Infrastructure - including the undersea fibre optic cable that will connect Kenya to the global internet grid and the National Optic Fibre network both of which are expected to be completed by mid-2009. In line with this, the Kenya ICT Board has targeted to grow internet usage by 50% annually from the current 3 Million users to 12 Million users in 2012. Some of the major issues that will be discussed at Tandaa '08 include:- 1. Once the fibre optic cable networks are in place and the question of access to high speed internet is sorted out, what will Kenyans view, read and interact with online? What information, services and goods will they be able to access? The dearth of local content on local web sites to be used for education, entertainment and business presents opportunities for Kenyans of all walks of life. 2. The e-Government secretariat will be presenting the ongoing initiatives by government to provide e-services as well as the opportunities for content developers to interface with government processes to add value to their web content. 3. To encourage entrepreneurs to invest in local content development, there will be a discussion regarding the development and stimulation of a venture capital framework and the strengthening of incubation in Kenya to stimulate entrepreneurship. 4. A number of presentations will also deal with the ways in which Kenyans can identify the opportunities and build viable economic structures for the development of local content. Speakers at Tandaa '08 include:- Dr. Bitange Ndemo, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information and Communications; Dr. Juma Oketch, Secretary, eGovernment (Office of the President); Paul Kukubo, CEO, Kenya ICT Board, Patrick Spencer, Cisco IBSG; Joseph Mucheru, Google Kenya; Ian Fernandez, Nation Media Group; Chris Kirubi, MD, Capital Group; Aly-Khan Satchu, RICH.co.ke; Andrew Muigai, africapoint.com; Nik Nesbitt, Kencall Ltd, among others. REGISTRATION All are invited to the conference. Please register on tandaa.co.ke or email: tandaa08(a)ict.go.ke. Lucy Gachui-Odhiambo Communications Manager Kenya ICT Board 12th Floor Telposta Towers Koinange Lane 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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Fw: [DigAfrica] Zanzibar aims for digital voters ID cards in 2010
by John Maina 12 Nov '08

12 Nov '08

----- Forwarded Message ---- From: Chifu <chifu2222(a)gmail.com> To: DigAfrica(a)yahoogroups.com Sent: Wednesday, November 12, 2008 12:51:47 PM Subject: [DigAfrica] Zanzibar aims for digital voters ID cards in 2010 Zanzibar aims for digital voters ID cards in 2010 2008-11-12 11:24:58 By Guardian Reporter, Zanzibar The Zanzibar Electoral Commission has unveiled plans to digitise voters` identity cards before the next general election. ZEC Director Salum Kassim Ali said at a press briefing here yesterday that the aim was to modernise and generally improve the electoral process. He was speaking on preparations for the updating of the permanent voters` register before the 2010 election. The plan would involve the changing of all voters` identity cards and the encoding of information in the computer system to be used in the election, he said. Ali explained that an Israeli company, Ontract Innovation Limited, had been commissioned to do the job. He noted that ZEC officials were being lined up ``through special training aimed at acquainting them with the technology to be used`` so that they assist Israeli experts in the work for greater efficiency. According to the director, the updating of the voters` register would start in January next year in Pemba and run for six months. The exercise is expected to be implemented using the new digital system. He added that, in line with the Zanzibar Constitution, the registration of Isles residents who had reached voting age would run from April to May 2010. SOURCE: Guardian __._,_.___ Messages in this topic (1) Reply (via web post) | Start a new topic Messages | Links | Polls Dig Africa site welcomes you to join us at http://www.yahoogroups.com/group/Digafrica on IT in Africa Feel free to join at our google group digital africa http://groups.google.com/group/digitalafrica Thanks. Chifu Moderator MARKETPLACE ________________________________ >From kitchen basics to easy recipes - join the Group from Kraft Foods Change settings via the Web (Yahoo! ID required) Change settings via email: Switch delivery to Daily Digest | Switch format to Traditional Visit Your Group | Yahoo! Groups Terms of Use | Unsubscribe Recent ActivityVisit Your Group New web site? Drive traffic now. Get your business on Yahoo! search. Moderator Central An online resource for moderators of Yahoo! Groups. Yahoo! Groups Going Green Zone Save the planet. Your resources to go green. .. __,_._,___

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Kenya yet to fully address Internet governance issues By Rebecca Wanjiku,
by alice＠apc.org 12 Nov '08

12 Nov '08

http://computerworld.co.ke/articles/2008/10/16/kenya-yet-fully-address-inte… Kenya yet to fully address Internet governance issues By Rebecca Wanjiku, IDG News Service\Nairobi Bureau 16 Oct, 2008 Kenya has yet to fully address its legal, infrastructure, access, content and security issues, according to a report released Tuesday at the Kenya Internet Governance Forum (IGF). There are gaps in policy and legislative drafting and the general development of regulatory framework as it relates to e-commerce, said Mwende Njiraini, a telecommunications engineer who co-authored the report with John Walubengo, a security expert. Njiraini and Walubengo presented their report, "Online Deliberations on Internet Governance," at the meeting in Nairobi after two weeks of online discussions with ICT sector representatives. The report identifies Kenya's position in relation to issues addressed by the KICTANet mailing list discussions, which took place online in August as a precursor to the IGF. These issues will be raised again at the East Africa IGF meeting in November and the international IGF meeting in India in December. On security, the report recommends national or regional certification for Internet security experts who handle corporate security issues. Currently, certification is handled by international bodies. It also suggests that ISPs (Internet service providers) be generous in allocating IP (Internet Protocol) space. Organizations like Google monitor Internet points, and the IPs determine the level of reported Internet penetration, the report noted. Njiraini added that there is a need to address multilingualism and the use of local languages on the Internet, as well as rural access to wireless technologies. "Kenya has 2.5 million Internet users, and we would like to see constructive use of the Internet and engagement of stakeholders to better address the industry," said Charles Njoroge, director general of the Communications Commission of Kenya.

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East Africa prepares for global Internet Governance Forum By Rebecca Wanjiku.
by alice＠apc.org 12 Nov '08

12 Nov '08

http://computerworld.co.ke/articles/2008/11/10/east-africa-prepares-global-… East Africa prepares for global Internet Governance Forum By Rebecca Wanjiku, IDG News Service\Nairobi Bureau 10 Nov, 2008 Representatives from Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda gathered in Nairobi to discuss common issues regarding Internet governance in preparation for next month's global Internet Governance Forum. The discussions began at the national level, with each country identifying its unique issues with a view toward developing a regional position, explained Alice Munyua, coordinator of the Kenya ICT Action Network. "The country networks collected and collated the salient issues, which will be presented to the regional forum," she said. "The regional report will be presented to the leaders attending the IGF forum in India as the governance issues concerning the region." Developing countries are under-represented in Internet governance, according to Edith Adera from the International Development Research Council, who provided financial support for the regional event. Meeting participants identified the major issues affecting East Africa as high connectivity costs, lack of ICT infrastructure, cybersecurity, privacy, data protection, management of country code top-level domains, presence of local root servers and lack of enhanced legislation In regard to infrastructure, East African governments have demonstrated commitment by investing in submarine cables and terrestrial fiber, noted Bitange Ndemo, Kenya's permanent secretary in the Ministry of Information and Communication. By next November, he said, countries should be debating issues of too much bandwidth and the darker issues of the Internet, such as cybercrime. Participants from the four countries voiced their concerns over the consistency and reliability of technology, arguing that system failures cause a loss of business for which business owners are not compensated. Ndemo, however, challenged participants to first address issues of online content, adding that the cost of Internet will only fall if people can access local, as opposed to international, content. "It will be criminal for Google.com to come all the way from California to digitize our books while we have unemployed graduates in the streets," Ndemo said. "We have so much knowledge to convert to digital format."

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East Africa prepares for global Internet Governance Forum By Rebecca Wanjiku.
by alice＠apc.org 12 Nov '08

12 Nov '08

East Africa prepares for global Internet Governance Forum By Rebecca Wanjiku, IDG News Service\Nairobi Bureau 10 Nov, 2008 Representatives from Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda gathered in Nairobi to discuss common issues regarding Internet governance in preparation for next month's global Internet Governance Forum. The discussions began at the national level, with each country identifying its unique issues with a view toward developing a regional position, explained Alice Munyua, coordinator of the Kenya ICT Action Network. "The country networks collected and collated the salient issues, which will be presented to the regional forum," she said. "The regional report will be presented to the leaders attending the IGF forum in India as the governance issues concerning the region." Developing countries are under-represented in Internet governance, according to Edith Adera from the International Development Research Council, who provided financial support for the regional event. Meeting participants identified the major issues affecting East Africa as high connectivity costs, lack of ICT infrastructure, cybersecurity, privacy, data protection, management of country code top-level domains, presence of local root servers and lack of enhanced legislation In regard to infrastructure, East African governments have demonstrated commitment by investing in submarine cables and terrestrial fiber, noted Bitange Ndemo, Kenya's permanent secretary in the Ministry of Information and Communication. By next November, he said, countries should be debating issues of too much bandwidth and the darker issues of the Internet, such as cybercrime. Participants from the four countries voiced their concerns over the consistency and reliability of technology, arguing that system failures cause a loss of business for which business owners are not compensated. Ndemo, however, challenged participants to first address issues of online content, adding that the cost of Internet will only fall if people can access local, as opposed to international, content. "It will be criminal for Google.com to come all the way from California to digitize our books while we have unemployed graduates in the streets," Ndemo said. "We have so much knowledge to convert to digital format."

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Internet challenges, day two blog
by Rebecca Wanjiku 11 Nov '08

11 Nov '08

It was supposed to be the forum where Kenya demonstrated we can get the internet working for all conference users but the internet provider, a big company that prides itself in extensive infrastructure could not get the wireless up and running its day two and no internet still... How embarrassing! liveblog will be up in 2 min Tel. 254 720 318 925 blog:http://beckyit.blogspot.com/

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PROGRAM - TANDAA 08
by Lucy Odhiambo 11 Nov '08

11 Nov '08

Dear All, Please find herewith the program for Tandaa 08. The program is herewith. Venue: Kenyatta International Conference Centre - TSAVO conference room Date: Friday 14th November 2008 Time: 8.30am to 4.30pm We look forward to seeing you there! Regards, Lucy Gachui-Odhiambo Communications Manager Kenya ICT Board 12th Floor Telposta Towers Koinange Lane 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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EA IGF forum live blog
by Rebecca Wanjiku 10 Nov '08

10 Nov '08

Follow the sessions online..... beckyit.blogspot.com Tel. 254 720 318 925 blog:http://beckyit.blogspot.com/

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ITU and ICANN – a loveless forced marriage: ITU & ICANN in Cairo
by alice 10 Nov '08

10 Nov '08

(Apologies for cross posting) Hi all At the just ended ICANN meeting in Cairo, the ITU Secretary General spoke very provocatively about ICANN, ITU and the global IGF and the relationship/s or lack thereof. See his statement attached and below a press article on the same. best alice -------- Original Message -------- --------------------------------- http://www.heise-online.co.uk/news/print/111914 7 November 2008, 12:30 ITU and ICANN – a loveless forced marriage ITU Secretary General Hamadoun Touré has called for better collaboration between the *International Telecommunication Union[1]* (ITU) and the *Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers[2]* (ICANN). "Our members have unnecessarily attacked and criticised each other and I think we should put an end to that," said Touré on Thursday at the 33rd ICANN meeting in Cairo. According to Touré, the two organisations need to get to know each other better and learn to love each other, as telecommunications and the internet are ultimately condemned to a "forced marriage". Despite the outstretched hand, the ITU Secretary General did not spare the criticism in his first appearance at an ICANN meeting. Touré made it clear to the assembled experts that he saw his organisation as playing the dominant role in the forced marriage and made his opinion of the other party clear – provocatively describing ICANN's Governmental Advisory Committee as purely cosmetic. The depth of the chasm between the two – the UN organisation, which has its roots in the telecommunications world, and the quasi-internet-regulator ICANN – was stressed by a series of further statements in the half-hour talk given by the head of the ITU. Touré repeatedly spoke of the "war" between the two organisations. According to Touré, who was elected in 2006, "The best way to win a war, is to prevent it." In the course of his 'marriage proposal', he referred extensively to the ITU's outstanding role. Key topics for his organisation, he noted, include the internationalisation of domains, something with which ICANN is currently engaged, the *transition to IPv6[3]*, standardisation for the all-IP *Next Generation Network[4]* (NGN), cyber-security, the fight against online terrorism and child protection online. Touré rejected concerns that the ITU was appointing itself as global regulator of internet resources and processes, "The ITU has clear boundaries. We do not perform the operative business." However, he underlined the organisation's demand, set out in its *Cybersecurity Agenda[5]*, to be responsible for a global framework in the fight against online terrorism and criminality. He also defended the controversial *IP traceback[6]* standard proposal. "There is not one country which isn't doing it, it's just that each country is doing it differently," said Touré. Touré also rejected criticism that the ITU operates behind closed doors. He stated that the organisation has around 700 sector members from the telecommunications industry and also admits NGOs as members. Touré also praised the ITU's openness – a nod to the *World Summit on the Information Society[7]* (WSIS). The summit, organised under ITU auspices, is, according to Touré, the first UN summit at which civil society has also been invited to sit at the table, rather than demonstrating outside. In the same breath, Touré expressed strong criticism of the *Internet Governance Forum[8]* (IGF), which was called into being by the WSIS, "I am personally of the opinion that the IGF is continuously going round in circles and avoiding issues – it is becoming more and more a waste of time." Therefore, the ITU is planning a global forum for internet policy next year as a rival event. Touré also fired a further undiplomatic broadside at the work performed by governments within ICANN. "The Governmental Advisory Committee is ICANN's weak point," said Touré. His criticism was directed at the advisory function of the Governmental Advisory Committee (GAC) in developing rules for the domain name system. "If someone gives me advice, I am free to take it or leave it." The ICANN's GAC is therefore nothing more than "cosmetic", noted Touré forthrightly. In a short statement following Touré's speech, the Brazilian government representative on the GAC demanded, in the name of his and the Argentinian government, the "strengthening of the GAC". Latvian diplomat Janis Karklins, re-elected as GAC chairman, by contrast noted that the ITU and ICANN operated according to very different political models, "From the viewpoint of an international organisation, the ICANN model may appear weak, because governments are merely advisory, whilst in an international organisation they run the show." ICANN is, he opined, based on the novel idea of collaboration between interested parties. He noted that both models have their advantages and disadvantages, and that governments need to learn to operate within both models. (/Monika Ermert/) (*lghp[9]*) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ *URL of this Article:* http://www.heise-online.co.uk/news/111914 *Links in this Article:* [1] http://www.itu.int/ [2] http://www.icann.org [3] http://www.heise-online.co.uk/news/OECD-member-states-throw-their-weight-be… [4] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Next_Generation_Networking [5] http://www.itu.int/osg/csd/cybersecurity/gca/ [6] http://news.cnet.com/8301-13578_3-10040152-38.html [7] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WSIS [8] http://www.intgovforum.org/ [9] mailto:lghp@heise-online.co.uk ____________________________________________________________ You received this message as a subscriber on the list: governance(a)lists.cpsr.org To be removed from the list, send any message to: governance-unsubscribe(a)lists.cpsr.org For all list information and functions, see: http://lists.cpsr.org/lists/info/governance

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Liveblog from EA IGF
by Rebecca Wanjiku 09 Nov '08

09 Nov '08

Check out http://beckyit.blogspot.com/ for live blogging session from Monday 10th Nov. 9 am Tel. 254 720 318 925 blog:http://beckyit.blogspot.com/

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Re: [kictanet] East Africa Internet Governance Forum
by waudo siganga 09 Nov '08

09 Nov '08

What day is the cocktail Evelyne. Or have I missed it? Waudo On Fri, 7 Nov 2008 18:36:45 +0300, "Evelyne Majale" <evelyne(a)kictanet.or. ke> said: Dear all Further to the invitation to the EAIGF at the KICC, we would also like to invite you to the Cocktail. Venue: Hotel Intercontinental Time: 7 p.m. Regards Evelyne Men trip not not mountains, the stumble on stones - Chinese Proverb

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WEB/GRAPHIC DESIGNER WANTED
by nancy bosire 08 Nov '08

08 Nov '08

Hi All, We are URGENTLY looking for a talented and experienced Web Graphic Designer to create award winning advertising digital solutions. With at least 2-3 years under your belt you will be able to proudly show off a great portfolio of your inspiring work and the passion you have for your job. You will be looking for a new opportunity to let your ideas shine and have the ambition to start taking a more leading role. The role will involve working on digital marketing campaigns and website design/development for upcoming entrepreneurs and leading local and international clients. As a dynamic and positive force within the creative team you will have a flexible 'can do' attitude, a keen eye for the smallest detail and enjoy sharing your ideas. You are always exploring new ideas, techniques and ways to improve your own skills and add to our pool of expertise. You should be a competent and creative designer that consults with client organizations to determine visual requirements that support organizational business goals. You will be responsible for the creation of all online visual design, including typography, visual concept, logo and icon design for the Internet and interactive platforms. A competitive salary is available, negotiable dependent on qualifications and experience. The full TOR is attached. PLEASE FWRD TO SOMEONE WHO MAY BE INTERESTED. -- Sincerely yours, Nancy Bosire Managing Director Blueline Synergy Limited Tel: 020 2317230/29 Mobile: 0721907995 info@bluelinesynergy.com,nancy@bluelinesynergy.com http://www.bluelinesynergy.com Domain Registration.Web Design & Hosting.Software Development.LAN/WAN setup.Maintenance.Projectors. New/Used PCs & Laptops.Computer Accessories.Office Stationary "Your consistent thoughts create your consistent results." "Whatever your mind expects and demands, it will find a way to produce it." - Napoleon Hill 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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EAIGF COCKTAIL
by Evelyne Majale 07 Nov '08

07 Nov '08

Dear all Further to the invitation to the EAIGF workshop at KICC, we would also like to invite you to the cocktail. Venue: Hotel Intercontinental Time: 7 p.m. Date: Monday, 10th November 2008 Regards Evelyne

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East Africa Internet Governance Forum
by Evelyne Majale 07 Nov '08

07 Nov '08

Dear all Further to the invitation to the EAIGF at the KICC, we would also like to invite you to the Cocktail. Venue: Hotel Intercontinental Time: 7 p.m. Regards Evelyne

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EAIGF - Registration Clossing
by Harry Hare 07 Nov '08

07 Nov '08

Dear All, Registration for the first East African IGF will be closing a few hours from now. If you want to participate and have not registered, please visit www.eaigf.or.ke or send an email to meeting(a)eaigf.or.ke. And for those who have registered, please note that the programme starts at 9 and we expect all guests to be seated by 8.45am. For those who will need parking, I have attached a parking sticker for your use, please print it and present it at the KICC gates. There is a limited number of reserved parking space and shall be allocated on a first-come-first-served basis. Kindest Regards Harry Hare --- African eDevelopment Resource Centre eDevelopment House 604 Limuru Road, Old Muthaiga PO Box 49475 00100, Nairobi Kenya Tel +254 20 3741646/7 Cel +254 725 650044

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Liveblog from Cairo ICANN
by Rebecca Wanjiku 06 Nov '08

06 Nov '08

If interested visit beckyit.blogspot.com Tel. 254 720 318 925 blog:http://beckyit.blogspot.com/

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Tunaenda White House!
by Brian Munyao Longwe 06 Nov '08

06 Nov '08

I'm off to the White House with my neighbors in Kibera. Here is a pic we took. I am the one sitting at the back, just above my multicolor (Kao) mattress. Mblayo

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Obama Family
by Lucy Mathai 05 Nov '08

05 Nov '08

Brian et al have a glimse of the family you will meet upon arrival! Lucy Mathai. Yes - we ALL CAN - HOPE DOES NOT DISSAPOINT CONGRATULATIONS ---------------------------------------------------------------- This e-mail message has been scanned for Viruses and Content and cleared by MailMarshal ---------------------------------------------------------------- DISCLAIMER: This email (including any attachments) is confidential and intended only for the use of the addressee. It may contain information covered by legal, professional or other privilege, which privilege is not lost or waived by reason of mistaken transmission thereof. Unless you are the intended recipient (or authorized to receive for the intended recipient), you may not read, print, retain, use, copy, distribute or disclose to anyone the message (including any attachments) or any information contained in the message. Any representation or opinions expressed are those of the individual sender and not necessarily those of Co-operative Bank Of Kenya. Internet communications are not secure or safe and therefore Co-operative Bank does not accept legal responsibility for the contents of this message. If you are not the addressee, please inform the sender immediately and destroy this e-mail (including any attachments). Although Co-operative Bank operates anti-virus programmes, it does not accept responsibility for any damage whatsoever caused by any viruses passed by e-mail. ---------------------------------------------------------------- ********************************************************************************** The information contained in this communication is confidential and may be legally privileged. It is intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom it is addressed and others authorised to receive it. Any views or opinions contained in this communication are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of the I&M Bank, it's subsidiaries or related companies. If you are not the intended recipient, please note that it is strictly prohibited and may be unlawful for you to disclose, copy, distribute or take action in reliance of the contents of this information. If you are not the intended recipient, please notify us immediately at invest(a)imbank.co.ke This communication has been scanned with 'McAfee Dr. Solomons & GFI Mail Security' for the presence of computer viruses. I&M Bank, its subsidiaries or related companies will not accept responsibility if this communication contains any computer viruses or if the information contained in this communication is delayed or improperly transmitted. Thank you. ********************************************************************************** www.imbank.com -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - http://www.avg.com Version: 8.0.175 / Virus Database: 270.8.6/1768 - Release Date: 11/4/2008 9:38 PM -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - http://www.avg.com Version: 8.0.175 / Virus Database: 270.8.6/1768 - Release Date: 11/4/2008 9:38 PM

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Reminder - EA IGF Registration Still Open
by Harry Hare 05 Nov '08

05 Nov '08

Dear All, This is a reminder for those wishing to participate in the forthcoming East African Internet Governance Forum to kindly register before end of Business Friday 7th November 2008. You can register through the event website www.eaigf.or.ke or by sending an email to meeting(a)eaigf.or.ke. You can find information on the following at the EAIGF website including; * The meeting dates, agenda and venue * EAIGF Background * Travel Logistics including a travel advisory and visa information * A reports on the national IGF (Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania and Rwanda) meetings I have attached the current progamme for your use. Kindest Regards Harry PS: Apologies for cross-posting.

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Re: [kictanet] Internet Governace - .KE Online Discussion Report
by John Walubengo 03 Nov '08

03 Nov '08

by the way, members are encouraged to review the bigger document and email me their changes/comments/reviews before the bigger meeting (Regional IG Forum) next week Monday 10th Nov 08 where the final report will be circulated. walu. --- On Mon, 11/3/08, John Walubengo <jwalu(a)yahoo.com> wrote: > From: John Walubengo <jwalu(a)yahoo.com> > Subject: Re:Internet Governace - .KE Online Discussion Report > To: "KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions" <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> > Date: Monday, November 3, 2008, 11:29 AM > full report @ > http://www.eaigf.or.ke/images/stories/Kenya_Online_IGF_Discussions_Report.p… > -----Executive Summary Begins------- > > For many developing countries, the Internet is really an > emerging, possibly a fringe phenomena whose implications are > rarely prioritized. And so when one moves to talk about how > it should be governed - that is Internet Governance – it > only makes things more complicated for developing countries > that are struggling and can barely afford the basic > necessities such as food, health, education and security for > its citizens. And yet, if > well understood and harnessed, the Internet does hold the > secret to unlock most developing nations out of their > struggling socio-economic realities. > > KICTAnet commissioned this online deliberation on Internet > Governance in order to provide a platform for understanding > and exchanging ideas around the issues that are currently > being passionately debated by countries and stakeholders who > know and appreciate the socio-economic power of the > Internet. In particular, the discussions revolved around > Infrastructure, Legal, Economic and Socio-cultural issues of > Internet Governance. > > On the Infrastructure issues it was acknowledged that > whereas the Internet was largely developed in America/Europe > it has since grown into a global phenomenon – hence the > need to reform its governance structures. In particular, the > oversight control the US enjoyed through ICANN over the > Root-Severs, the Internet Protocol (IP) address space > amongst others was highly contested. Increased policy and > technical engagement in organizations such as IGF, ITU, > ICANN, IETF amongst others was seen as possible intervention > points for agitating governance reforms. > > With respect to the Legal and Security issues, it was felt > that combating internet security issues was highly > challenged by low levels of security awareness and even > lower demand for implementing technically superior solutions > such as Digital Signatures across Internet resources and > applications. The need for an international approach towards > containing > e-Crimes was underscored and the creation of regional > Computer Security Incident Response Teams (CSIRT) > recommended. Lack of electronic legislative framework to > cater for e-Transactions, e-Crimes and Data Protection were > also cited as impediments towards attaining a secure > Information Society. > > On the Socio-economic and cultural themes, it was observed > that electronic networks should be developed to enhance > communication within regions that were already trading > within their geographic space. The challenges arising from > electronic trading were discussed comprehensively and > included e-Taxation Policies, Consumer Protection Rights, > eLearning, promotion of the Multi-lingual Internet amongst > others. The highly prohibitive Internet Interconnection > Charges were discussed and creation of Internet > Exchange Points (IXP) commended. > > It is hoped that this initiating discussion on Internet > Governance has raised awareness, stimulated interest and > provided basic knowledge to stakeholders with regard to the > global issues of Internet Governance. More specialized > working groups would be required to ensure the various > positions shared are streamlined and effectively presented > at the International forums. > > ----ends---- > > walu.

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East Africa Internet Governance Forum (EAIGF): Opening the Internet Governance Debate in East Africa, ³Thinking Globally; Acting Locally²
by Harry Hare 03 Nov '08

03 Nov '08

Dear All, This is a reminder to those planning to attend the first East African Internet Governance Forum to register as advised in the invitation below. And attached, please find the tentative agenda for the forum. Kindest regards Harry Hare ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ The Kenya ICT Board in conjunction with the Kenya Network Information Center (KENIC), the Kenya ICT Action Network (KICTANet), Communications Commission of Kenya (CCK) the East African ICT for Development Network (EA ICT4D), International Development and Research Center (IDRC) and other participating organizations invite you to the East Africa Internet Governance Forum (EAIGF) to be held between the 10th and 12th of November, 2008 in Nairobi Kenya. The EAIGF is a follow up to the National Internet Governance Forums (NIGF's) being held in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and Rwanda in October 2008 and which are aimed at identifying, exploring and building consensus around national level Internet Governance issues. The East Africa Internet Governance Forum (EAIGF) aims at: creating awareness, instituting a consensus building process to develop a common understanding of East African Internet governance building policy capacity in order to enable meaningful participation in global Internet policy, governance and development. The outcomes of the EAIGF will be submitted and presented at the third global Internet Governance Forum taking place in India in December 2008. As a key player in the Internet industry, it is our pleasure to invite you to the East African IGF. A detailed programme for the event will be sent in due course. For planning purposes, please register for the meeting at: http://www.eaigf.or.ke or send an email to: meeting(a)eaigf.or.ke confirming your attendance. --- African eDevelopment Resource Centre Edevelopment House 604 Limuru Road, Old Muthaiga PO Box 49475 00100, Nairobi Kenya Tel +254 20 3741646/7 Cel +254 725 650044

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Invitation to the Outsourcing & Contact Centre East Africa Exhibition; 4-5th November 2008, Laico Regence Hotel, Nairobi
by John Mwangi 02 Nov '08

02 Nov '08

Dear all, This only allows one to visit the exhibition and not for the conference John Mwangi Managing Director AITEC East Africa C4, Showbe Plaza Muranga Road PO Box 13891-00800, Nairobi, Kenya * (Office) +254 2121028 * (Cell) +254 721 860 228 * <mailto:johnm@aitecafrica.com> johnm(a)aitecafrica.com <http://www.aitecafrica.com/> www.aitecafrica.com AITEC E.A. is D.I.T Registered _____ _________________________________________________________________________ Disclaimer This e-mail contains PRIVILEGED AND CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION intended solely for the use of the addressee(s). If you are not the intended recipient, please notify the sender by e-mail and delete the original message. Further, you are not to copy, disclose, or distribute this e-mail or its contents to any other person and any such actions are unlawful. This e-mail may contain viruses, Simba Technology Ltd has taken every reasonable precaution to minimize this risk, but is not liable for any damage you may sustain as a result of any virus in this e-mail. You should carry out your own virus checks before opening the e-mail or attachment. Simba Technology Ltd reserves the right to monitor and review the content of all messages sent to or from this e-mail address. Messages sent to or from this e-mail address may be stored on the Simba Technology Ltd e-mail system. ___________________________________________________________________________

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East Africa Internet Governance Forum (EAIGF): Opening the Internet Governance Debate in East Africa, ³Thinking Globally; Acting Locally²
by Harry Hare 31 Oct '08

31 Oct '08

Dear All, This is a reminder to those planning to attend the first East African Internet Governance Forum to register as advised in the invitation below. And attached, please find the tentative agenda for the forum. Kindest regards Harry Hare ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ The Kenya ICT Board in conjunction with the Kenya Network Information Center (KENIC), the Kenya ICT Action Network (KICTANet), Communications Commission of Kenya (CCK) the East African ICT for Development Network (EA ICT4D), International Development and Research Center (IDRC) and other participating organizations invite you to the East Africa Internet Governance Forum (EAIGF) to be held between the 10th and 12th of November, 2008 in Nairobi Kenya. The EAIGF is a follow up to the National Internet Governance Forums (NIGF's) being held in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and Rwanda in October 2008 and which are aimed at identifying, exploring and building consensus around national level Internet Governance issues. The East Africa Internet Governance Forum (EAIGF) aims at: creating awareness, instituting a consensus building process to develop a common understanding of East African Internet governance building policy capacity in order to enable meaningful participation in global Internet policy, governance and development. The outcomes of the EAIGF will be submitted and presented at the third global Internet Governance Forum taking place in India in December 2008. As a key player in the Internet industry, it is our pleasure to invite you to the East African IGF. A detailed programme for the event will be sent in due course. For planning purposes, please register for the meeting at: http://www.eaigf.or.ke or send an email to: meeting(a)eaigf.or.ke confirming your attendance. --- African eDevelopment Resource Centre Edevelopment House 604 Limuru Road, Old Muthaiga PO Box 49475 00100, Nairobi Kenya Tel +254 20 3741646/7 Cel +254 725 650044

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FW: Hosting provider terminated by ICANN
by Sylvester Kisonzo 30 Oct '08

30 Oct '08

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Blogroll...
by Mike Bullut 30 Oct '08

30 Oct '08

Greetings, I hope all is well with you. Currently, I'm looking for Kenyan blogs that I can add to my blogroll as a way of redirecting/increasing traffic to them. Could you please assist me with any that you find interesting? Thank you. Warm regards, Mike. *My blog: http://kipsang.wordpress.com/* *-- "The computer programmer . . . is a creator of universes for which he alone is the lawgiver. . . . No playwright, no stage director, no emperor, however powerful, has ever exercised such absolute authority to arrange a stage or a field of battle and to command such unswervingly dutiful actors or troops." ~ Joseph Weizenbaum... --*

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The Global Development Commons launches the 2008 USAID Development 2.0 Challenge
by carthy 30 Oct '08

30 Oct '08

Subject: Global Development Commons launches the 2008 USAID Development 2.0 Challenge Greetings from the Global Development Commons, You are invited to participate in the 2008 USAID Development 2.0 Challenge! It's an open call for innovative mobile technology applications for developing countries, and the USAID’s first ever open source challenge. The winning project ideas will receive grants of up to $10,000 and present before USAID, development community, and industry officials in Washington . The Challenge can be accessed through our website at www.usaid.gov/commons . There are two ways to participate: a) If you have a great mobile technology application for developing countries, y ou can enter the contest by submitting your ideas . b) At the same site, ANYONE can register to comment and then vote to select the best submitted ideas. We need your help to promote innovation! Please share the challenge website for the 2008 USAID Development 2.0 Challenge with friends, colleagues, and other innovators you know. Attached is a PDF of the flier, which we'd greatly appreciate you strategically placing at your office or school, or featuring on your Facebook page, blog, or website. Of course, you can always get the latest about the Commons at our website, www.usaid.gov/commons . Let's Collaborate, The Global Development Commons Team Please forward this message to gather excitement for the Global Development Commons, and encourage friends to sign up for this listserv by visiting www.usaid.gov/commons and filling in the box in the upper right corner.

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ANTI-CORRUPTION AND GOOD GOVERNANCE TRAINING, 2009
by carthy 30 Oct '08

30 Oct '08

THE LES ASPIN CENTER FOR GOVERNMENT WASHINGTON, DC USA: ANTI-CORRUPTION AND GOOD GOVERNANCE TRAINING 2009 Applications are invited for a limited number of scholarships for a six-week capacity development training program on "Anti-Corruption and Good Governance", to be conducted in AUGUST and SEPTEMBER 2009, at the Les Aspin Center for Government, Washington, DC, USA. The main aim of the program is to provide personnel with knowledge and skills in how to implement anti-corruption strategies in order to improve integrity and accountability systems in the private and public domains. The training is being organized by the Marquette University Les Aspin Center, in collaboration with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). ELIGIBILITY: - Candidates will be selected mainly from government agencies and civil society organizations that work in the area of anti-corruption and the administration of justice, from central and local government institutions, human rights organizations, women's development organizations, educational institutions, the print and electronic media, religious organizations, as well as from other sectors with work related to the promotion of integrity and accountability in the public and private sectors. Except students, all other candidates in junior to middle level positions or in positions with potential policy influence are preferred. - Candidates must have at least a national diploma of advanced education (Diploma Certificate, B.A., M.A., etc) or proven record of other advanced educational training. Students currently enrolled in a university program are exempted. - Candidates must be currently employed in a relevant institution, in good standing, and with not less than 2 years of proven work experience in development work or relevant field. - Candidates must be at least twenty-five years of age. University students must not be less than 21 years old. - Applicants must be Kenyan citizens and MUST also already have a valid Kenyan national passport, with expiration date not less than one year from date of application. - NOTE WELL: Only short listed applicants will be invited for interview and only those candidates successful in the interviews will be further contacted. APPLICATION PROCEDURE: - Application materials must include the following: 1. Application letter; 2. Two letters of recommendation; 3. Photocopy of passport, including pages with photo, date and place of birth, issue and expiry dates and other personal details; 4. Current organizational information, with position at organization and work responsibilities; 5. Daytime contact: phone, fax or email; 6. Curriculum Vitae; 7. Personal Statement of Purpose (200-250 words) which outlines reasons for participation in the training, including, but not limited to, how training will benefit the candidate or his/her organization and community, what the candidate will seek to accomplish with training, and why the candidate feels she or he should be selected. All the above materials must be sent together, at the same time, with the application letter. - All applications received must be post-marked, otherwise they will be rejected. Hand-delivered applications will not be accepted. Completed applications should be sent through regular postal mail service only to the following address: THE LES ASPIN CENTER FOR GOVERNMENT P. O. BOX 50309 CITY SQUARE NAIROBI DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS: Strictly, ALL APPLICATIONS must be received not later than November 20, 2008. Any application received after this date will be automatically disqualified.

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Opportunities fund for urban youth development
by carthy 30 Oct '08

30 Oct '08

Introduction During the 21st session of the Governing Council that oversees the work programme and budget of UN-HABITAT, member countries in 2007 passed a resolution calling on the executive director of UN HABITAT to set up a special fund to help young people living in poverty. A high proportion of the worlds population is young, especially in the developing world, and this segment of the population is disproportionately affected by the problems of unsustainable development. At the same time, urban 15-24-year-olds in developing countries have immense potential to contribute to social and economic development if given the right opportunities. UN-HABITAT recognizes that young people need to be active participants in the future of cities. Its Strategy for Enhanced Engagement of Youth aims to promote leadership and participation of young women and men in all its efforts to improve the lives of people living in the rapidly expanding cities of the world. It sees the urgent need to create opportunities for youth to play a much more active and constructive role in making cities the engines of development. Championed by Norway, the new Opportunities Fund for Urban Youth-led Development is designed to improve understanding, and lead to more effective ways of involving young people in sustainable urban development. UN HABITAT in partnership with the Norwegian government will be launching the Opportunities Fund for Youth Led Development, a fund which will fund youth led initiatives globally at the third World Urban Youth Forum from (WUYF) 1 to 2 November, 2008, prior to the main Fourth Session of the World Urban Forum, building on the huge success of the previous two forums in Vancouver and Barcelona. 2 Why Youth-led Development? All over the world young people are responding to the development needs of their communities through social projects and youth-led businesses. Youth want to be involved and all development actors should take youth-led development (YLD) seriously in their efforts to achieve the UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), as well as the Convention on the Rights of the Child (art.12), which guarantees youth the right to participate in decision-making. Putting youth at the centre of development can be compared to the challenge, two decades ago, of putting gender issues on the development agenda. A similar shift in societys thinking is now required for youth in urban development. Young people are the most vulnerable to social problems caused by unemployment and poverty. Girls and young women are most at risk. With over 200 million youth living in poverty, 130 million illiterate, 88 million unemployed and 10 million young people with HIV/AIDS, there is a clear need to direct efforts and resources to youth. While youth are the promise of the future, failure to invest in them greatly reduces potential for future development. YLD is about young people making a living and future for themselves and their communities. YLD involves business and community improvement projects, devised and managed by young people, often working alongside adults with skills to mentor them. The Opportunities Fund for Urban Youth-led Development has been set-up by UN-HABITAT to catalyze innovative approaches to YLD that can improve understanding, and lead to more effective policies and strategies to strengthen the role of youth in sustainable urban development. 3 THE INTENTION The Opportunities Fund aims to facilitate achievement of the Millennium Development Goals and their youth-related targets. It will help young people in the poorer neighbourhoods of cities in the developing world find new opportunities in life, especially in employment and entrepreneurship. The fund will strengthen youth-related policies, help governments, civil society organizations and the private sector address youth concerns, and support new information and learning channels for young people. The Fund will promote collaboration with the private sector, CSOs and other UN bodies, who can propose relevant initiatives to the fund as well as contribute their own resources. More specifically, the fund will support youth-led initiatives in the following areas: · Mobilization of young people to help strengthen youth-related policy formulation; · Building capacities of governments, civil society organizations and the private sector to better address youth needs and issues; · Supporting information and communication oriented networks; · Piloting innovative ideas on employment, governance, shelter and secure tenure; · Sharing of best practices; · Vocational training and credit mechanisms to promote entrepreneurship and employment for young women and men; · Promoting gender mainstreaming in all activities of urban youth. While the Youth Fund will clearly benefit many youth and youth groups through direct support to their initiatives, it is intended to creating greater awareness of the urgency to mainstream a youth focus in development policy and strategies. It will thus promote strengthening capacity of youth organizations to participate in local development planning, as well as helping local and national governments to address youth issues as part of democratic processes. Knowledge about youth-led initiatives around the world is very weak. One of the benefits of a mechanism for supporting local initiatives is that information on what is happening on the ground can be easily obtained. In this way the Fund will contribute to learning on the role of youth in development, providing input to strengthening international and national youth policies. 4 How will it work? The Opportunities Fund is being set up under the authority of the Executive Director of UN-HABITAT. The operation of the Fund will be managed by a committee of experts drawn from UNHABITAT, donor governments and youth representatives. At least two youth representatives will also sit as members of the Advisory Committee. Funding activities will be based on applications from relevant groups. A Steering Committee will assess proposals and develop strategies to enhance access to and effective implementation of the fund. The Committee will facilitate linkages with partner agencies, and put in place procedures for promoting the fund, monitoring and evaluation of projects and documentation and dissemination of best practices. The Youth fund will represent a milestone marking recognition at the highest levels of the need to practically support youth-led initiatives and lead the way for other organizations and governments to place youth at the centre of their development strategies. For more information: Partners & Youth Section, UN-HABITAT, P.O. Box 30030, Nairobi, Kenya Tel: + 254-20-7623710/4218; Fax: + 254-20 -7624588, 3080; E-mail: partners(a)unhabitat.org

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Fw: Security Alert-Kidnap
by Lucy Mathai 29 Oct '08

29 Oct '08

The World is not dangerous because of those who do harm but because of those who look at it without doing anything. - Albert Einstein Date: Friday, October 24, 2008, 7:55 AM _________________________________________________________________ -------------------- End of message text -------------------- Visit our Careers website at: www.pwc.com/ke/careers ------------------------------------------------------------------------- The information transmitted is intended only for the person or entity to which it is addressed and may contain confidential and/or privileged material. Any review, retransmission, dissemination or other use of, or taking of any action in reliance upon, this information by persons or entities other than the intended recipient is prohibited. If you received this in error, please contact the sender and delete the material from any computer. ______________________________________________________________________ This email has been scanned by the MessageLabs Email Security System. For more information please contact the IT department. ______________________________________________________________________ This message and any attachment is confidential and may be privileged or otherwise protected from disclosure. If you are not an intended recipient, please notify the sender and delete this message and any attachment immediately. If you are not an intended recipient you must not copy this message or attachment or disclose the contents to any other person. Unless otherwise specifically stated no legally binding commitments are created by this email. Any opinions expressed in this message are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of any member of the Actis group. The Actis group parent, Actis LLP, is a limited liability partnership registered in England and Wales (registered no. OC305927), authorised and regulated in the UK by the Financial Services Authority. A list of the members of Actis LLP is open to inspection at its registered office, 2 More London Riverside, London SE1 2JT, England. Actis LLP acts for the funds and clients it manages or advises and not for anyone else. It will not act for, advise or be responsible for providing protections afforded to its clients to anyone other than such funds and clients. Others working with Actis LLP should be aware of this and should not expect that they will be treated as clients of Actis LLP or any of its subsidiary and related companies. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - http://www.avg.com Version: 8.0.175 / Virus Database: 270.8.4/1751 - Release Date: 10/27/2008 10:44 PM

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Rural communication: Is there still a need for telecentres now that , there are mobile phones?"
by alice 28 Oct '08

28 Oct '08

(Apologies for cross posting) A new report out on wireless in rural Africa. Please help circulate. The rationale for the report is featured in an APCNews article out today "Rural communication: Is there still a need for telecentres now that there are mobile phones?" http://www.apc.org/en/news/wireless/all/rural-communication-there-still-nee… which is also available in French and Spanish. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Unbounded possibilities: Observations on sustaining rural ICTs in Africa http://www.apc.org/en/system/files/SustainingRuralICTs_0.pdf This study commissioned by APC and written by wireless expert Ian Howard explores sustainable ICT and the need for wireless internet access for development (W4D). Intended to serve as a guide to members of the W4D community involved in African initiatives, Howard draws conclusions based on his observations of two telecentres in Tanzania with very different business models. Howard’s work is intended to inspire others to share their observations about viable sustainability models for rural telecentres. Future plans include publishing it online in a participative format that will allow others to contribute to it, thus building a knowledge base on the topic. These two communities featured in this study illustrate that the need for internet access is strong, especially in countries where WiMAX and similar wireless bands are available, challenging the current hype that rural communities ICT needs are being met by mobiles phones. The study consists of five main sections. The author begins by describing sustainable ICT in the preface, followed by a rationale section, in which he questions whether or not the need for wireless exists. A methodology section explains the data collection process and how the two case studies were selected, followed by the two case studies. Each case study is broken down into four sections: Background, observations, financial analysis and conclusion. The author then adds his final notes and appendices at the end of the study. The first case study, the Family Alliance for Development and Cooperation, is an initiative by a self-taught technician, Joseph Sekiku, who created a telecentre on his property with the help of small grants. Due to the exorbitant dial-up prices and sluggish connection speeds, Sekiku turned to wireless and began building a network. Though he struggles financially to keep the centre running, the centre is kept operational through the collaboration and dedication of the community. Because of the ongoing need for resourcefulness Sekiku has become a highly knowledgeable individual who is now a leader and expert in computer technologies in his community. Howard draws certain conclusions based on Sekiku’s experience, which can serve other newly emerging telecentres. Through Sekiku’s story, Howard demonstrates how a low-cost, sole-proprietor telecentre can be built and flourish in rural areas. Some 200 km away, in the bigger but largely underdeveloped town of Mwanza, the Seregama telecentre, is the end result of several initiatives carried out over the past four years. It boasts many different services for its numerous clients including a cyber café, a conference room, an e-training lab and so on, which generate revenue. However, the revenue does not cover all the maintenance expenses of the centre and so it is dependant on grants and other sources of financial assistance. The telecentre is a useful example of a sustainable ICT initiative in rural Tanzania, as it serves as a model for community engagement and is a symbol of hope for youth within the community While it is not financially self-reliant, it remains sustainable because it is embraced by all of its stakeholders. APC thanks Open Society Institute (OSI) for its additional support of the study. http://www.apc.org/en/system/files/SustainingRuralICTs_0.pdf ======================================= APC Forum is a meeting place for the APC community - people and institutions who are or have been involved in collaboration with APC, and share the APC vision - a world in which all people have easy, equal and affordable access to the creative potential of information and communication technologies (ICTs) to improve their lives and create more democratic and egalitarian societies. _______________________________________________ apc.forum mailing list apc.forum(a)lists.apc.org http://lists.apc.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/apc.forum

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Re: [kictanet] East Africa Internet Governance Forum (EAIGF): Opening the Internet Governance Debate in East Africa,“Thinking Globally; Acting Locally”
by John Maina 28 Oct '08

28 Oct '08

Can we share this in other fora or its for KICTANET only? ________________________________ From: alice <alice(a)apc.org> To: j.maina(a)ymail.com Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> Sent: Monday, October 27, 2008 5:51:35 PM Subject: [kictanet] East Africa Internet Governance Forum (EAIGF): Opening the Internet Governance Debate in East Africa,“Thinking Globally; Acting Locally” (Apologies for cross posting) The Kenya ICT Board in conjunction with the Kenya Network Information Center (KENIC), the Kenya ICT Action Network (KICTANet), Communications Commission of Kenya (CCK) the East African ICT for Development Network (EA ICT4D), International Development and Research Center (IDRC) and other participating organizations invite you to the East Africa Internet Governance Forum (EAIGF) to be held between the 10th and 12th of November, 2008 in Nairobi Kenya. The EAIGF is a follow up to the National Internet Governance Forums (NIGF's) being held in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and Rwanda in October 2008 and which are aimed at identifying, exploring and building consensus around national level Internet Governance issues. The East Africa Internet Governance Forum (EAIGF) aims at: • creating awareness, • instituting a consensus building process to develop a common understanding of East African Internet governance • building policy capacity in order to enable meaningful participation in global Internet policy, governance and development. The outcomes of the EAIGF will be submitted and presented at the third global Internet Governance Forum taking place in India in December 2008. As a key player in the Internet industry, it is our pleasure to invite you to the Kenya IGF. A detailed programme for the event will be sent in due course. For planning purposes, please register for the meeting at: http://www.eaigf.or.ke or send an email to: meeting(a)eaigf.or.ke confirming your attendance. _______________________________________________ kictanet mailing list kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet This message was sent to: j.maina(a)ymail.com Unsubscribe or change your options at http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/j.maina%40ymail.com

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East Africa Internet Governance Forum (EAIGF): Opening the Internet Governance Debate in East Africa,“Thinking Globally; Acting Locally”
by alice 27 Oct '08

27 Oct '08

(Apologies for cross posting) The Kenya ICT Board in conjunction with the Kenya Network Information Center (KENIC), the Kenya ICT Action Network (KICTANet), Communications Commission of Kenya (CCK) the East African ICT for Development Network (EA ICT4D), International Development and Research Center (IDRC) and other participating organizations invite you to the East Africa Internet Governance Forum (EAIGF) to be held between the 10th and 12th of November, 2008 in Nairobi Kenya. The EAIGF is a follow up to the National Internet Governance Forums (NIGF's) being held in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and Rwanda in October 2008 and which are aimed at identifying, exploring and building consensus around national level Internet Governance issues. The East Africa Internet Governance Forum (EAIGF) aims at: • creating awareness, • instituting a consensus building process to develop a common understanding of East African Internet governance • building policy capacity in order to enable meaningful participation in global Internet policy, governance and development. The outcomes of the EAIGF will be submitted and presented at the third global Internet Governance Forum taking place in India in December 2008. As a key player in the Internet industry, it is our pleasure to invite you to the Kenya IGF. A detailed programme for the event will be sent in due course. For planning purposes, please register for the meeting at: http://www.eaigf.or.ke or send an email to: meeting(a)eaigf.or.ke confirming your attendance.

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Kenya’s ICT players cautioned over Internet security
by alice 27 Oct '08

27 Oct '08

(Apologies for cross posting) Kenya’s ICT players cautioned over Internet security <http://www.itnewsafrica.com/?p=1526>http://www.itnewsafrica.com/?p=1526 October 22, 2008 in Top Stories <http://www.itnewsafrica.com/?cat=15> kibaki.jpg <http://www.itnewsafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/kibaki.jpg>ICT stakeholders and industry players have been urged to upgrade their internet security. The call was made by Charles Njoroge, the Director-General of the Communications Commission of Kenya during the recent Kenyan Internet Governance Forum (KIGF). According to The East African Standard KIGF is meant to act as a central forum through which Internet stakeholders in Kenya can contribute to the global Internet Governance Forum. Njoroge outlined the Government’s priority areas relating to the Internet, among them ensuring improved access and increasing the number of users from the current 2.5 million. Target areas Others are infrastructure and technology deployment; tackling policy issues in the face of increased internet penetration and human capacity development. The CCK Director-General said it is important for the country to start moving forward with the existing policy framework then improve on it to take care and address emerging concerns. He also appealed for intensified public private partnerships. Information and Communications Permanent Secretary Dr Bitange Ndemo said the country’s ICT sector was key to the development of other productive sectors. Emphasising the need for effective management of the internet resource, Dr Ndemo urged those who represent the country at international fora to ensure they articulate Kenya’s position on these issues. Efficiency The PS added that in order to improve efficiency in operations, there’s needed to manage the internet resource effectively. To address internet issues in the country, the PS said his ministry established a taskforce, which incorporated all stakeholder groups to address IPv6 (internet protocol version 6). This was done to protect the country’s internet users from the effects resulting from the depletion of internet protocol.

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CEO Africa Online dies in boating accident
by Brian Munyao Longwe 27 Oct '08

27 Oct '08

KICTANET extends their condolences to AfricaOnline, friends and family of Mr. John Joseph. Brian --------------------------- http://www.nation.co.ke/News/-/1056/484266/-/tlhobo/-/ The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Africa Online has died. John Joseph, who was appointed to the position in March 2007, died in a boating accident on Friday while on holiday in Mombasa. He was 47 years old. Officials of the company declined to reveal more details on the circumstances surrounding Mr Joseph’s death as the family had requested for privacy on the matter. Africa Online is a subsidiary of Telkom South Africa and Mr Joseph was also a director of UUNET Ltd. Reacting to the death, Telkom CEO Reuben September said, “John was an invaluable member of our team, a larger than life character who had been integral to establishing and building the Africa Online brand and developing a portfolio of service offerings across all segments in nine African countries. “We are deeply saddened by his passing and on behalf of the company; I would like to convey my deepest condolences to John’s family and friends, as well as staff at Africa Online.” Before ascending to the CEO position at Africa Online, Mr Joseph had occupied various positions at Telkom since 1995. In 2000, he was tasked with establishing Telkom Wholesale Marketing. “John made a tremendous contribution in realizing Telkom’s ambition to play a leading ICT services provider role on the continent. He will be sorely missed, “said Mr September. A new CEO has not yet been appointed and the management of Telkom is set to appoint his replacement soon, said a statement sent to newsrooms. _______

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No free pass: global financial crisis will impact Africa’s telecoms sector
by alice 24 Oct '08

24 Oct '08

(From Balancing Act) No free pass: global financial crisis will impact Africa’s telecoms sector It’s early days but the conventional wisdom so far has been that Africa will avoid the worst of the backwash from the global financial crisis. Its banks are less over-committed as lenders and its relatively small number of consumers still struggle to find credit. However, as everything is connected globally, Africa is bound to take a hit like every other continent and that hit will impact directly on Africa’s telecom’s sector. Russell Southwood tries to read the tea leaves. Over the last five years about half of the countries on the continent have experienced above average economic growth. This growth amongst the “fast track” economies has fed through directly into wealth levels among the people affected. For example, the middle class in Kenya grew by 3% over the last three years: this is a small percentage of a big number so it affects several million people. The slower moving economies have often been those emerging from civil war so any growth has been a bonus compared to past years. A significant part of the economic growth of the “fast track” African countries has come from the giant emerging economies of China and India buying food and mineral resources. However, if people in developed economies buy less of the consumer goods that have fuelled the growth of China’s economy then it in turn will need less mineral resources from places like Africa. Less demand for mineral resources will mean lower prices for things like oil and copper. The only upside of the latter is that there may be less organised cable vandalism. But if China sneezes, Africa catches a cold. So how does this general economic analysis feed through into Africa’s telecoms sector and what’s it likely to mean for your business?: - If you’re trying to raise funds to invest in Africa, life has got significantly harder. Some of those who were in the process of doing this were talking deals with financial institutions that have now been rescued by the US Government. Sovereign wealth funds (largely from oil-based economies) may be more immune to the liquidity crisis but the fall in the price of oil will cut the scale of these funds over time. Africa’s local stock exchanges may still be good for some fundraising but the scale of funds available is modest alongside the size of past deals. The interesting one to watch is Nigeria where the banks still appear to be anxious to lend and open for business. Also, barring a major financial crisis, the Chinese Government (which has a considerable amount of US dollars) will continue to support its export drive by offering soft loans to Africa’s impoverished state-owned telco incumbents. Perhaps some mobile operators will join them in this queue? - Africa’s mobile opportunities have been seen as a licence to print money and even with proliferating competition, newcomers have been keen to enter the market, paying top dollar. However, it’s noticeable that some of the more opportunistic investors without a background in telecoms have decided to take money and run: for example, Hits Telecom has sold out to France Telecom (see news item below). Nevertheless, they probably passed coming in the other direction Orascom’s new Africa unit, Telecel Globe. The global tides of financial panic wash people in and out: remember Vivendi who quit Africa during the telecoms finance crisis but returned as things got better. The logic of the current global crisis dictates that less available money will mean lower prices and less contenders. But the number of opportunities for new mobile licences or market entry points through acquisition are limited. Therefore Africa will do what it’s always done best up till now and “sell shortage” at a premium. For there are not many places in the world where you can get an above average return on your money within eighteen months to two years and there’s still another 5-10% of the addressable market untouched. And investing in mobile telephony is probably a better bet than giving people 120% mortgages on their houses in the current climate. - Less investment means less money going into African economies means less growth. Again the specifics are that if a mobile operator invests US$200-400 million in a country operation, a large part of that goes into things like employing people, buying local services and advertising. In advertising terms, the mobile operators have been among the top 5 spenders in any country where tracking exists. With potential buyers of mobile services possibly having less money to spend, the competition for the market share they already have will intensify. There will be a lot of soothing talk about the importance of service and new features before price wars set in. The smaller, one-country or small number of country operations will feel this heat hardest and will come up for acquisition or may even go out of business if the heat gets too intense. - The glimmer of hope against this backdrop is that the African consumer (the person with a monthly salary and some disposable income) is largely not in debt to anything like the same level as his or her European or American counterpart. They will not splash out wildly in the current context but they will continue to spend. The poor who have not yet become consumers will continue to scrape by as ever. However, the level of remittances from relatives abroad may drop as they become affected by the downturn in developed economies. Last week South Africa’s Finance Minister Trevor Manuel was telling people not to panic which is usually a prelude to people heading for the lifeboats. However, the worst that appears to be in store is a strong dose of wage inflation. Telkom’s failure to address its overstaffing may seem like a victory for its employees but if wages continue to rise above inflation, it will begin to squeeze the companies already pressured profits. Whatever the political pressures, hard times will demand drastic solutions. - Economic slowdown means that Government will have lower tax revenues and private companies less income. Both will impact on the replacement and purchase cycle for ICT equipment. SAP commented in its Q3 results that results from BRICs (the key grouping of developing countries) were mixed. And whilst Cisco reported a resurgence in emerging markets orders, bookings in Africa were very weak. Money spent on rescuing deserving causes like banks may also turn into money not spent on foreign aid. Since the latter supports a great deal of the ICT purchases by African Governments, this will also create a tightening in the market, particularly for the larger IT multinationals with a presence on the continent. All have put feet on the ground in the promise of business tomorrow and the more timid or financially windswept may pull back. - On a counter-cyclical basis, there are two key factors: the big change in the cost of international fibre capacity with the arrival of new cables and for South Africa, the World Cup in 2010. The first (in Q2,2009) will be a welcome boost as bandwidth prices will fall from US$5-6,000 a meg on the east coast to nearer to US$500-1,000 a meg. This will not be good news for those selling high-priced bandwidth as a way of making a living but will benefit those selling services and applications on top of the network. On the west coast, this fall will happen in Q2, 2010 and will be slightly less dramatic. The World Cup in 2010 will be a welcome boost to growth for South Africa and is allowing it to put in place key infrastructure. The only question is: will it be finished on time? - The hardest part to read is the sheer irrationality of financial markets: the kind of cold sweat fear that's been gripping the markets in the North does not always relate to fundamentals but it may convey itself South. Asia is already anticipating the worst. But this will probably only happen if the global crisis keeps extending and there is a feeling that Government money simply won’t contain the difficulties. Everything hangs on that difficult word confidence. So hang on to your hat because it may get bumpy….

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[Fwd: [AfrICANN-discuss] Vint Cerf warns on IPv6 uptake]
by alice 23 Oct '08

23 Oct '08

Vint Cerf warns on IPv6 uptake You have until mid-2010, says Google sage. Mikael Ricknäs, IDG News Service 21 October 2008 The Internet will get support for IPv6, a more secure domain name system and international characters, during the next couple of years, according to Vint Cerf, chief Internet evangelist at Google. "This year and the next year are probably the most significant years for Internet's evolution that I can remember," said Cerf, who was one of the keynote speakers at the Internetdagarna (The Internet Days) conference in Stockholm. The biggest change is the move to IPv6, which will give the Internet a much larger address space and ensure future growth. The current estimate is that the number of IPv4 addresses that can be allocated will be exhausted around the middle of 2010, according to Cerf. "It's slowly entering into the network, but people haven't felt very much pressure up until now to implement it," said Cerf. But the deadline is coming closer, and it's becoming more apparent to many people that it's time to start implementing IPv6 in parallel with IPv4, according to Cerf. Besides its 128-bit address space, IPv6 has other benefits. "One of them is that if the other side says I need to go into encrypted mode you are supposed to comply with that, it's optional in IPv4," said Cerf. There are also some problems, the network management tools are for example not yet as mature the ones for IPv4, according to Cerf. He says the current lack of addresses, and the IPv4 32-bit address space, is his fault. "My only defence is that decision was made in 1977, at a time when it was uncertain if the Internet would work," said Cerf, and adding that a 128-bit address space seemed excessive back then. But IPv6 isn't the only project that will keep the industry busy. The implementation of domain name system security using DNSSEC (Domain Name System Security Extensions) has also got off the ground. "The idea here is to improve the assurance that when you do a domain name hookup you get back the IP address that was intended, as opposed to something that was modified by a hacker," said Cerf. If the DNSSEC is supposed to improve security on the Internet, the addition of internationalised domain names (the support for non-Latin character sets) is supposed to make it a more global place. Languages such as Arabic, Cyrillic, Hebrew, Chinese, Japanese, Korean and so on, will all become a part of the domain name systems vocabulary, according to Cerf. "This is a big change, because for the last 30 years the only thing you could use was Latin characters, and just the letters A though Z, digits 0 to 9 and a hyphen," said Cerf. There is still a lot to be done to make the Internet more useful than it is today. Broadcast and support for multihoming, which can make it convenient for users to have more than one ISP, are two areas where there is room for improvement, according to Cerf. "So we have lots of potential, new designs to add to the Internet to make it more functional and effective than it is today," said Cerf. This article was printed from Techworld : www.techworld.com <http://www.techworld.com/> The UK's infrastructure & network knowledge centre © 2008 : All rights reserved -- Anne-Rachel Inne _______________________________________________ AfrICANN mailing list AfrICANN(a)afrinic.net https://lists.afrinic.net/mailman/listinfo.cgi/africann

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Re: [kictanet] Kenya’s Banks ask for regulation on Mobile Money Transfers
by John Maina 22 Oct '08

22 Oct '08

Lizette and wainaina Banks in this country never invest in innovation. They invest on alot of research but never innovation. Where were they when Safaricom was researching and investing on technology? regulatingg MPESA will be so catastrophic. It should just be policed but not regulated and I believe thaat if at all Bw. Njuguna and PS. Ndemo are going to fall for the tricks of these banks then we are in for intersting times. Banks must invest in innovation and they can easily get to Kenyan universities and sponsors competitions which will bring very much good results. JM ----- Original Message ---- From: Lizette Kraft <lfkraft(a)gmail.com> To: j.maina(a)ymail.com Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> Sent: Tuesday, October 21, 2008 2:26:29 PM Subject: Re: [kictanet] Kenya’s Banks ask for regulation on Mobile Money Transfers Hey what's up with these Banks who give their customers a real raw deal anyway!! The banks have never done anything for the people other than use them! Now they want to crush the one system that helps and allows the rich and the poor and marginalised to send funds without having to pay the drastic fees the banks charge. Everytime there is something that works for the masses and not just the priviledged there is an uproar to defeat the purpose!! The banks need the competition so they can learn to respect all. People in business in Kenya have for too long ripped off the wanainchi and they will have to learn to respect the consumers. Good on CBK not to agree bring M-Pesa and the like under their ACT. It shouldn't be allowed to operate without rules and regulations of course, to protect peoples money but we should do all possible to help technology take root that can help the people. My opinion entirely! On 10/18/08, alice <alice(a)apc.org> wrote: (From Balancing Act) Kenya's Banks ask for regulation on Mobile Money Transfers The banking fraternity is crying foul over what it described as unfair and increasing competition from money transfer operators. The industry says the operators are enjoying privileges similar to those extended to deposit taking institutions despite not being covered by the same regulatory regime. "Currently, there is no legal framework within which these entities provide their services despite behaving like current account institutions," says John Wanyela, executive director of the Kenya Bankers Association. "If these operators want to join the financial sector, they have to be properly licensed." The bankers are calling on the government to subject the services to prudential regulations "for robust and secure movement of funds across the economy." Under the proposed guideline, the services will have to be supervised by a specialised financial regulatory authority that will oversee their financial soundness and stability. Currently, the two leading mobile phone service providers - Zain and Safaricom - are offering money-transfer services in the country under Sokotele and M-Pesa brands respectively. Like other deposit takers, the bankers association wants the mobile cash transfer operators restricted on how much deposits they can take. To avert undue competition with the banking fraternity, Wanyela says, M-Pesa and Sokotele services have to meet the capitalisation requirement as stipulated in the Banking Act. According to the Act, a deposit taking institution should maintain a minimum capitalisation of Ksh250 million ($3.5 million). This is however expected to double come December next year before hitting Ksh1 billion ($14.2 million) by 2010 after capitalisation requirements were amended in this financial year's budget. The bankers also say the "digital money" has implications for the conduct of monetary policy by the Central Bank of Kenya. To control inflation levels in the country, CBK continuously monitors the amount of money in circulation, mainly in the hands of people and commercial banks. With the monies in circulation, CBK is in a position to maintain a reserve money target and, therefore, intervene to control inflation. Observers say it is this huge amount of money circulating electronically that has defeated CBK in the fight against inflation. Wanyela says it is time the government stepped in to ensure M-Pesa and Sokotele services are regulated before "something goes wrong." Debate has been rife on who should regulate the mobile phone money transfer operators, with some arguing that the CBK should be party to the issuance of guidelines as "part of M-Pesa and Sokotele services fall under the national payments system." Fundamentally, the two mobile operations are guided by the Communications Commission of Kenya. Early last month, CBK said it had no intention of bringing the mobile cash transfer services under the Banking Act. It claimed that treating the money transfer services under the Act may impede competition in sector that is still at its infancy in a country whose majority population has limited access to financial services. Safaricom statistics show that as at the end of the first quarter of this year, more than Ksh3.1 billion ($44.2 million) had been transferred. From its launch in March 2007 till May this year, the service has facilitated the transfer of more than Ksh23.77 billion ($339.5 million). (Source: The East African) For further information on mobile payments in Africa purchase Balancing Act's report "M-Money - Finances, Banking and Payments through mobile phones" _______________________________________________ kictanet mailing list kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet This message was sent to: lfkraft(a)gmail.com Unsubscribe or change your options at http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/lfkraft%40gmail.com -- Lizette Kraft P.O. Box 18488, 00500 Nairobi, Kenya Cell: 0722-800362

4 4

Fwd: Official Invitation Letter from Chinese Government
by waudo siganga 22 Oct '08

22 Oct '08

This could interest some collegaues, particularly those in BPO On Wed, 22 Oct 2008 17:15:20 +0800, "AP-SUMMIT " <admin(a)ap-summit.org> sa id: Dear sir or madam, We are honored to extend to you our cordial invitation to: The 2^nd Global Outsourcing Summit (2008) Date: 4^th Dec, 2008-6^th Dec, 2008 Venue: Yuda Palace Hotel, Zhengzhou City, Henan Province, China Theme: Global Outsourcings Role in Promoting the Prosperity of World Eco nomy Organizers: Asia-Pacific CEO Association (APCEO) Zhengzhou Municipal Peoples Government, P.R. China International Outsourcing Center (IOC) The 4^TH International Cooperation Summit for CEOs ??Provincial Governors and Mayors Special Investment Project: Reconstructing Sichuan with the Help of International Business Community Date: 7^th Dec, 2008-9^th Dec, 2008 Venue: InterContinental Hotel, Chengdu City, Sichuan Province, China Organizers: Asia-Pacific CEO Association (APCEO) Chengdu Municipal Peoples Government, P.R. China Topics: l Strategic thinking on the variable aspects of the Global econom y l Global industrial Transfer & Innovation throughout World Econom ies l Reconstructing Sichuan with the help of international business community The Municipal Government and People of Zhengzhou Welcome You! The Municipal Government and People of Chengdu Welcome You! Respectfully yours: ZHAO Jiancai, Mayor of Zhengzhou City GE Honglin, Mayor of Chengdu City Organizing Committee of the Global Outsourcing Summit (GOS) Organizing Committee of the International Cooperation Summit for CEOs ?Pr ovincial Governors and Mayors (ICS) NOTE: The governmental support to the attendees: · No participation fee will be charged; · Free hotel accommodation and meals during the conferences; · Complimentary shuttle bus for attendees will run from International Air port to the conference location and the hotels; · Free translation service and match service. ** If for any reason you are unable to come to the summit, we would appre ciate that you extend our invitation to others in your organization who might be able to attend in your stead .** Liaison Person: Barbteana Deng Organizing Committee of ICS & GOS Tel: +86-10-64987220 Fax: +86-10-64973173 Mobile: +86 13381370016 Website: [1]www.ap-summit.org [2]www.ioutsourcing.org/gos/ Address: D1-18 Floor, Sunshine Plaza, No.68, Anli Road, Chaoyang District , Beijing 100101, P.R. China References Visible links 1. http://www.ap-summit.org/ 2. http://www.ioutsourcing.org/gos/ Hidden links: 3. http://www.ioem.org/gos Men trip not not mountains, the stumble on stones - Chinese Proverb

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[Fwd: [i-network Uganda] Wall Street Simplified]
by alice 21 Oct '08

21 Oct '08

a look at the current financial situation with a light touch....from Uganda -------- Original Message -------- Subject: [i-network] Wall Street Simplified Date: Tue, 21 Oct 2008 15:14:20 +0300 From: Stephen S. Musoke <smusoke(a)infoma.com> Reply-To: I-Network Uganda <i-network(a)dgroups.org> To: I-Network Uganda <i-network(a)dgroups.org> If you have difficulty understanding the current world financial situation, the following should help... Once upon a time in a village in India, a man announced to the villagers that he would buy monkeys for $10. The villagers seeing there were many monkeys around, went out to the forest and started catching them. The man bought thousands at $10, but, as the supply started to diminish, the villagers stopped their efforts. The man further announced that he would now buy at $20. This renewed the efforts of the villagers and they started catching monkeys again. Soon the supply diminished even further and people started going back to their farms. The offer rate increased to $25 and the supply of monkeys became so little that it was an effort to even see a monkey, let alone catch it! The man now announced that he would buy monkeys at $50! However, since he had to go to the city on some business, his assistant would now act as buyer, on his behalf. In the absence of the man, the assistant told the villagers: 'Look at all these monkeys in the big cage that the man has collected. I will sell them to you at $35 and when he returns from the city, you can sell them back to him for $50.' The villagers squeezed together their savings and bought all the monkeys. Then they never saw the man or his assistant again, only monkeys everywhere! Welcome to WALL STREET. Stephen The I-Network Dgroup is a platform for ICT Knowledge Sharing:- Dgroups is a joint initiative of Bellanet, DFID, Hivos, ICA, ICCO, IICD, OneWorld, UNAIDS and World Bank:-You are currently subscribed to subst('i-network(a)dgroups.org') as: alice(a)apc.org To unsubscribe send a blank email to leave-i-network-1222184T(a)dgroups.org

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Kenya’s Banks ask for regulation on Mobile Money Transfers
by alice 21 Oct '08

21 Oct '08

(From Balancing Act) Kenya’s Banks ask for regulation on Mobile Money Transfers The banking fraternity is crying foul over what it described as unfair and increasing competition from money transfer operators. The industry says the operators are enjoying privileges similar to those extended to deposit taking institutions despite not being covered by the same regulatory regime. "Currently, there is no legal framework within which these entities provide their services despite behaving like current account institutions," says John Wanyela, executive director of the Kenya Bankers Association. "If these operators want to join the financial sector, they have to be properly licensed." The bankers are calling on the government to subject the services to prudential regulations "for robust and secure movement of funds across the economy." Under the proposed guideline, the services will have to be supervised by a specialised financial regulatory authority that will oversee their financial soundness and stability. Currently, the two leading mobile phone service providers - Zain and Safaricom - are offering money-transfer services in the country under Sokotele and M-Pesa brands respectively. Like other deposit takers, the bankers association wants the mobile cash transfer operators restricted on how much deposits they can take. To avert undue competition with the banking fraternity, Wanyela says, M-Pesa and Sokotele services have to meet the capitalisation requirement as stipulated in the Banking Act. According to the Act, a deposit taking institution should maintain a minimum capitalisation of Ksh250 million ($3.5 million). This is however expected to double come December next year before hitting Ksh1 billion ($14.2 million) by 2010 after capitalisation requirements were amended in this financial year's budget. The bankers also say the "digital money" has implications for the conduct of monetary policy by the Central Bank of Kenya. To control inflation levels in the country, CBK continuously monitors the amount of money in circulation, mainly in the hands of people and commercial banks. With the monies in circulation, CBK is in a position to maintain a reserve money target and, therefore, intervene to control inflation. Observers say it is this huge amount of money circulating electronically that has defeated CBK in the fight against inflation. Wanyela says it is time the government stepped in to ensure M-Pesa and Sokotele services are regulated before "something goes wrong." Debate has been rife on who should regulate the mobile phone money transfer operators, with some arguing that the CBK should be party to the issuance of guidelines as "part of M-Pesa and Sokotele services fall under the national payments system." Fundamentally, the two mobile operations are guided by the Communications Commission of Kenya. Early last month, CBK said it had no intention of bringing the mobile cash transfer services under the Banking Act. It claimed that treating the money transfer services under the Act may impede competition in sector that is still at its infancy in a country whose majority population has limited access to financial services. Safaricom statistics show that as at the end of the first quarter of this year, more than Ksh3.1 billion ($44.2 million) had been transferred. From its launch in March 2007 till May this year, the service has facilitated the transfer of more than Ksh23.77 billion ($339.5 million). (Source: The East African) For further information on mobile payments in Africa purchase Balancing Act’s report “M-Money - Finances, Banking and Payments through mobile phones”

7 6

ICANN Posts Draft Implementation Plan for the Add Grace Period (AGP) Limits Policy
by alice 21 Oct '08

21 Oct '08

http://www.icann.org/en/announcements/announcement-20oct08-en.htm ICANN Posts Draft Implementation Plan for the Add Grace Period (AGP) Limits Policy ICANN is today opening a public comment period on the draft implementation plan for the AGP Limits Policy. http://www.icann.org/en/tlds/agp-draft-20oct08-en.html This recently approved consensus policy is intended to limit the behavior known as domain tasting through modifications to the AGP. The Policy will affect gTLD Operators (hereinafter referred to as "Operators") and ICANN-accredited registrars (hereinafter referred to as "Registrars") and become effective following appropriate comment and notice periods on the implementation plan. On 26 June 2008, at its meeting in Paris, the ICANN Board resolved http://www.icann.org/en/minutes/resolutions-26jun08.htm#_Toc76113173 to adopt the GNSO recommendation on domain tasting. Following implementation of the Policy, Operators will be prohibited from making refunds of registration fees to Registrars for AGP deletes that exceed the threshold limits set by the Policy unless an exemption has been granted by an Operator. The limits defined by the Policy are (i) 10% of that Registrar's net new registrations ( calculated as the total number of net adds of one-year through ten-year registrations as defined in Operator Agreements) in that month, or (ii) fifty (50) domain names, whichever is greater. The draft implementation plan details how this Policy will be implemented. Comments on the proposed AGP Limits Policy implementation may be submitted to agp-limits-policy(a)icann.org and will be considered until 20 November 2008 23:59 UTC. Comments may be viewed at http://forum.icann.org/lists/agp-limits-policy/. Glen de Saint Géry GNSO Secretariat gnso.secretariat(a)gnso.icann.org http://gnso.icann.org _______________________________________________ AfrICANN mailing list AfrICANN(a)afrinic.net https://lists.afrinic.net/mailman/listinfo.cgi/africann

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Re: [kictanet] What should the Investment Policy Be?
by mwananchi＠hushmail.com 21 Oct '08

21 Oct '08

Walu, That was actually PS Ndemo's proposal in 2007 and it appears to have been part of the proposed ICT bill. It was: What we are saying is that a foreign investor needs time to (get to) know whom he can work with," Ndemo says. "In three years he can do a private placement or in five years do an IPO (initial public offering) or introduce employee option plans, but they must give 30 per cent to locals." It is good that PS Ndemo is sharing details about the foreign investors and what they actually said, contrary to what was reported about the companies not wanting to partner with Kenyans. Lost in this debate is the wide scope of the ICT sector. Some businesses such as BPOs don't tend to be capital intensive projects requiring upwards of greater than US$5 million. BPOs bring in inflows and foreign exchange earnings into the country. The same case with manufacturing through exports even though those tend to be capital intensive. I will return to these two points shortly in regards to the application of FDI policies. Lets visit some of the points raised by PS Ndemo. I believe we are getting closer to tackling some of the real causes of these problems or obstacles. 1. The case where a foreign investor is tied to non-performing locals in Telecom operator licensing more so those conducted through public procurement procedures: The problem can be easily solved by CCK amending its tender specific rules or the law as applicable to: a) Keep the current provision of not changing the nature of the consortium prior to the announcement of the tender outcome. This is to prevent manipulation of the evaluation process by the lead applicant or technical operator who may defect to other consortia in the middle of evaluations after private or political lobbying. b) Change the current provision addressing the post tender results to allow the removal of any equity participant without consequence to the licence when the regulator has satisfied itself that there is a valid case of a failure to contribute capital to meet licence fee requirements. The poison pill however should be that the removal of the technical partner should certainly be fatal to the ability of the consortium to roll out. The lead applicant if its not the technical operator should only be replaced under extreme circumstances. These provisions however should not be abused to engage in unrelated shareholder battles other than those involving the ability to contribute to licence fee payments. c) Allow a consortium to take on additional investors after the tender results and before roll out of the licence following approval by the regulator in cases where the regulator is satisfied that capital constraints are a hindrance to paying for the licence or roll out. d) If all else fails, allow Government intervention as outlined by the PS in early 2007 (can be improved on) except where the technical partner/foreign investor is the cause of the failure through application by the investor to the Government. Other options include the Government taking an equity stake in trust to prevent the collapse of the investment where all else has failed and the investor is short on capital to cover the local component. This would prevent the failures of Reliance and Vtel as the PS mentions. 2. Reform and strengthen the regulator as an institution with a very strong emphasis on financial due diligence during public procurement tenders. Remove any and all loopholes in existing procedures to restore and enhance bidder confidence in the process. In this and other regards the Global Communication and Information Technology Policy Division of the World Bank could be approached to play a key advisory role based on its expertise: http://www.worldbank.org/ict/policy Noted above were references to BPO's and manufacturers. The growth of which has somewhat stagnated if not yet to take off (manufacturing). Given the ICT board's recent initiatives regarding BPOs, shouldn't we give local operators a chance to harness these new opportunities? The use of blanket policy without specificity should be avoided if possible. Take for instance the following varying characteristics of a telecom operator, a BPO and a manufacturing facility: a) The BPO and Manufacturer export goods and services while a Telecom operator more often than not will serve a domestic market solely. b) Telecom projects build significant infrastructure as do Manufacturers. c) All three without exception create local jobs. d) Out of the 3, BPOs and Manufacturing are budding if not yet to bud industries in Kenya. e) Manufacturers and BPOs can primarily be located in EPZs. The policies PS Ndemo referred to were announced in conjunction with the intention to licence a 5th mobile operator within the next 18 months. One might as well have assumed the policy adjustments were being made for a 100% foreign owned operator to enter the mobile telephony market. In which case one would be justified as was the case, to ask who the foreigners were and if they indeed demanded these adjustments to suit their business ambitions including the pre-planning of an upcoming tender. Now that more has been revealed, it is apparent that some exemptions from policy are needed rather than blanket rules and regulations. Below are some additional suggestions: a) Temporarily lift the local component requirement for the first X number of manufacturers to set up shop in the country. However provide additional incentives for including local components both in shareholding and the manufacturing process. Local equity participants need not provide cash as they could provide capital inputs such as land and physical facilities. The government could give free land as an incentive if the manufacturing facility was set up in areas targetted for development for instance. b) Evaluate BPO requests for exemption on a case by case basis after demonstration that the local equity component could not be filled (See PS Ndemo's 2007 proposal as a starting point). A blanket, inflexible policy could have the potential effects of foreign BPO's fleeing from rising costs elsewhere to potentially upstage the efforts of indigenous BPOs as well as the ICT board. This should not be misread to mean that competition is unwelcome. c) Make no changes as pertains to Telco's except as suggested above for tendering procedures. Adopt something similar to PS Ndemo's original suggestion. d) Seek the World Bank's advice as suggested above. This does not mean succumbing to arm twisting rather it means drawing upon the World Bank's experience and expertise in an area where it has advised several Governments facing similar matters: http://www.worldbank.org/ict/policy All in all there should be some key incentives granted for investors who voluntarily include locals in entity equity participation. Peterson On Fri, 17 Oct 2008 10:59:27 +0000 John Walubengo <jwalu(a)yahoo.com> wrote: >Plse lets hear more opinions on this issue. I heard one opinion >that in the vent local investors are unable to raise funding, we >could allow the foreing investor get in at 100% ownership on >condition that they offload 20% to local investors within 3- >5years. Is this workable? > >Yet another opinion was that local investors do have the funds - >its just NOT structured i.e. well consolidated and cordinated. I >think this may also be true if the recent Safaricom IPO is >anything to go by. So it looks like we do have the funds for ICT >investments while at the same time we dont! Where is the catch, >bottleneck? How could this be resolved? > >walu. >--- On Fri, 10/17/08, bitange(a)jambo.co.ke <bitange(a)jambo.co.ke> >wrote: > >> From: bitange(a)jambo.co.ke <bitange(a)jambo.co.ke> >> Subject: What should the Investment Policy Be? >> To: jwalu(a)yahoo.com >> Cc: bitange(a)jambo.co.ke, "KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions" ><kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> >> Date: Friday, October 17, 2008, 11:22 AM >> Dear Listers, >> A number of you have written to me off-list seeking to know >> the >> organizations that have sought excemption from the 20% >> local equity >> partcipation. >> >> These are four of the World's largets call centers and >> two ICT equipment >> manufacturers. They have said very clearly that they do >> not want to go >> through what some of the investors in telecoms sector went >> through or are >> going through. By this they mean local >> "Investors" who fail to raise >> their part of the bargain. We failed thrice to get the SNO >> simply because >> our local investors could not live up to their promises >> (Vtel, Reliance >> etc). This is an annormally in the current policy that >> does not allow the >> investor to seek for another local investor in the event of >> a disagreement >> in the first marriage (Do not read Econet since law is >> never applied >> retrospectively). >> >> Any progressive policy would give a chance to other people >> instead of >> forcing investors to stay in a marriage that does not bear >> fruit. You >> recall in past meeting we have called for such investments >> to seek for >> partnership at the stock exchange. This would mean then >> that the current >> policy is changed to allow that in the event there is a >> disagreement, the >> foreign investor can seek for a nother partner or better go >> to the stock >> market. >> >> My responsibility among others is to ensure that we achieve >> vision 2030 >> objectives as presicribed in the vision. In order to >> achieve the targets, >> especially of getting at least 50,000 youth into BPO sector >> in the next >> three years, we must get these bigies. This is what >> Ireland, India and >> Philipines did. >> >> Regards >> >> >> Ndemo. >> >> >> >> >> >> >> > Hey Folks, >> > >> > I have lurked in the background for a while and like >> Wainaina I got a bit >> > lost in the exchanges. But I think one fundamental >> thread in all this - >> > despite the muddy exchanges - is the question of how >> do want to engage >> > with Foreign Investors? JM and others may have a >> point here - despite >> > their strong language. >> > >> > So maybe to bring benefit out of all these, we could >> indulge for a day or >> > two on the Policy we want as far as Foreign Direct >> Investments (FDI) into >> > our ICT industry are concerned. >> > >> > Correct me if am wrong but I believe the Government >> position/policy on >> > this has been that the Foreign investor MUST >> incorporate a local investor >> > at minimum ratio 20%(local) to 80%(foreign) >> ownership/equity. I think the >> > members who feel that this should be changed have >> cases/examples where the >> > local equity/investor failed to come up with their 20% >> capital and so the >> > opportunity for investment disappears. On the other >> hand, other members >> > feel that local investors are abundantly rich and can >> come up with even >> > over 50% of any capital/equity required to invest in >> the industry. >> > >> > I honestly dont know which side is right and which one >> is wrong - but what >> > I do know is that there exists cases where the local >> investors have failed >> > to meet their capital requirements - hence the need to >> review or >> > interrogate whether this policy is detrimental or >> indeed beneficial to our >> > industry. >> > >> > Plse lets have objective comments that are devoid of >> personal attacks and >> > we shall make progress. Otherwise we begin to sound >> like a broken record. >> > >> > walu. >> > >> > >> > >> > >> > >> > >> > --- On Thu, 10/16/08, gachuhi anthony >> <gachuhi.anthony(a)gmail.com> wrote: >> > >> >> From: gachuhi anthony >> <gachuhi.anthony(a)gmail.com> >> >> Subject: Re: [kictanet] PS Ndemo, ECONET Scandal >> aand Vested Interests >> >> To: jwalu(a)yahoo.com >> >> Cc: "KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions" >> <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> >> >> Date: Thursday, October 16, 2008, 8:16 AM >> >> Moderator >> >> Is there a way off having an online poll to know >> where we >> >> stand maybe >> >> from there we may be able to know who is for or >> against the >> >> policies >> >> being discussed. >> >> Then we can give reasons as I don't think this >> a list >> >> to decide who is >> >> more kenyan than the other its about what will >> affect us >> >> all >> >> Tony >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> On 10/16/08, Wainaina Mungai >> >> <wainaina(a)madeinkenya.org> wrote: >> >> > Dear all, >> >> > >> >> > What is the desired outcome of this very >> energised >> >> thread? (Select one) >> >> > >> >> > A: That the PS (I&C) announce that >> policies shall >> >> be developed in an >> >> > open, transparent and consultative manner. He >> also >> >> must organise a >> >> > forum to kickstart non-emotive talks by >> mid-November. >> >> > >> >> > B: That PS Ndemo resigns and is replaced with >> a person >> >> of your choice. >> >> > >> >> > C: That the Econet licence, Kencall licence >> and >> >> related MoUs, >> >> > contracts signed by PS (I&C) be >> cancelled. >> >> > >> >> > D: That all stakeholders Govt., KICTANET, >> KIF, CA, etc >> >> organise an >> >> > "ICT Investment" policy forum to be >> held in >> >> Nairobi around mid- >> >> > November 2008. >> >> > >> >> > I hope this shall help us focus on defining >> and >> >> achieving a common >> >> > goal so that we desist from personal attacks >> on >> >> integrity, racial >> >> > profiling and so on... >> >> > >> >> > Good day, >> >> > Wainaina >> >> > >> >> > On 10/16/08, Joseph Manthi >> <jmanthi(a)gmail.com> >> >> wrote: >> >> >> Edith,There are some useful lessons - but >> these >> >> lessons do not include: >> >> >> >> >> >> 1. How to give away your national >> treasures - like >> >> bandwidth - to foreign >> >> >> entities just because they say they can >> not do any >> >> business with local >> >> >> entrepreneurs. In fact I know this for a >> fact, you >> >> would never get a >> >> >> license >> >> >> to operate in UAE if this was your >> argument. >> >> Further to this lesson I >> >> >> would >> >> >> like to point to these additional >> countries that >> >> would laugh you out of >> >> >> town >> >> >> if you made that argument - US (some >> businesses >> >> like Airline, Military and >> >> >> Defense, Telecommunications (not ISP), >> Radio & >> >> TV), India, Singapore, >> >> >> Malaysia, Taiwan, Hong Kong, China, the >> whole of >> >> Middle East, South >> >> >> Africa, >> >> >> Japan (especially Japan) >> >> >> >> >> >> 2. How not be conned. Kenya seems to >> heading there >> >> with its eyes opened. >> >> >> When a man approaches a woman, it would >> be a very >> >> stupid woman, who >> >> >> knowing >> >> >> what a man is capable of, to accept the >> BS that >> >> the man is feeding her. >> >> >> And >> >> >> if she does then she deserves what she >> gets. Kenya >> >> will get what it >> >> >> deserves >> >> >> and very soon. A good example is Russia >> and its >> >> oligarchs - all members of >> >> >> the Forbes Richest. >> >> >> >> >> >> 3. Great leadership is necessary to grow >> a >> >> country. A leadership with >> >> >> intestinal fortitude to say no under >> pressure. Top >> >> to bottom, >> >> >> >> >> >> 4. That the local mwananchi can invest in >> their >> >> own country and manage its >> >> >> growth >> >> >> >> >> >> 5. That a great nation looks upon its >> diaspora to >> >> grow it - a la Israel >> >> >> and >> >> >> India >> >> >> >> >> >> 6. That a great nation does not wait to >> be raped >> >> twice - We seem to be >> >> >> following a process that will guarantee >> our raping >> >> despite how Kenyan some >> >> >> members of this committee think they are. >> Its just >> >> a matter of time before >> >> >> they pick up their bags and leave. I >> really do not >> >> think that as a >> >> >> national >> >> >> planner I should be putting my eggs in >> that >> >> basket. >> >> >> >> >> >> Joe >> >> >> >> >> >> On Wed, Oct 15, 2008 at 4:55 PM, >> >> <eadera(a)idrc.or.ke> wrote: >> >> >> >> >> >>> Anyone has taken the time to >> thoroughly study >> >> the secret behind >> >> >>> Dubai's tremendous growth? (U.A.E >> in >> >> general). There are some useful >> >> >>> lessons! >> >> >>> >> >> >>> >> >> >>> > >> >> >>> >---- Original Message ---- >> >> >>> >From: j.maina(a)ymail.com >> >> >>> >To: eadera(a)idrc.or.ke >> >> >>> >Subject: Re: [kictanet] Fwd: PS >> Ndemo, >> >> ECONET Scandal aand Vested >> >> >>> >Interests >> >> >>> >Date: Wed, 15 Oct 2008 09:03:50 >> -0700 >> >> (PDT) >> >> >>> > >> >> >>> >>Lizette >> >> >>> >> >> >> >>> >>I think that you have >> racially >> >> inclined your mind. >> >> >>> >> >> >> >>> >>When did KENCALL directors >> become >> >> Kenyans? After getting good >> >> >>> >friends to bribe their way to >> this >> >> country. And let me tell you that >> >> >>> >the money the so called investors >> are >> >> using are Kenyan money not >> >> >>> >money from foreign banks. >> >> >>> >> >> >> >>> >>They have come and borrowed >> from >> >> Kenyan banks. How much does the >> >> >>> >most profitable telecomms >> companies leave >> >> in this country, very small >> >> >>> >amount. We have Telecomms >> companies which >> >> are on their marks. They >> >> >>> >have very inferior systems and >> dont >> >> actually deliver in service but >> >> >>> >make billions and run away with >> the >> >> billions. >> >> >>> >> >> >> >>> >>Dada Lizette, we know that >> there are >> >> Kenyans who are white, black >> >> >>> >coloured and all but know that I >> am a >> >> mixed race Kenyan and really >> >> >>> >sad when our brotehrs have to >> suffer >> >> because of bad policies from >> >> >>> >people like PS >> >> >>> >> >> >> >>> >>JM >> >> >>> >> >> >> >>> >> >> >> >>> >> >> >> >>> >>----- Original Message ---- >> >> >>> >>From: Lizette Kraft >> >> <lfkraft(a)gmail.com> >> >> >>> >>To: j.maina(a)ymail.com >> >> >>> >>Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy >> Discussions >> >> <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> >> >> >>> >>Sent: Tuesday, October 14, >> 2008 >> >> 1:52:07 PM >> >> >>> >>Subject: [kictanet] Fwd: PS >> Ndemo, >> >> ECONET Scandal aand Vested >> >> >>> >Interests >> >> >>> >> >> >> >>> >> >> >> >>> >>Just my two pennies worth >> here. >> >> >>> >> >> >> >>> >>Kenya is not an Island that >> it can >> >> survive on its own even through >> >> >>> >local investment. Most times we >> dont have >> >> the funds. I do agree >> >> >>> >though about the Government and >> banks not >> >> supporting local investors >> >> >>> >with loans etc. They must start >> giving >> >> them the opportunity to setup >> >> >>> >local expertise and turn them in >> money >> >> making ventures, if only they >> >> >>> >wouldn't fleece their own >> companies. >> >> Even America, the giant needs >> >> >>> >investors!!! You all have a valid >> point >> >> but use it for the best >> >> >>> >interests of Kenya and its people >> first >> >> and foremost. Not just self >> >> >>> >interest for the few. And by the >> way >> >> Kenyans come in all shapes, >> >> >>> >sizes, COLOURS, and creed. So >> please >> >> don't generalise who is kenyan >> >> >>> >and who is not!!! Kencall >> directors and >> >> owners are Kenyan and not >> >> >>> >outsiders if I understand >> correctly. When >> >> we are taxed whether >> >> >>> >individually or coorporately, the >> money is >> >> used for Kenya and Kenyans >> >> >>> >and not for outsiders who >> invested! >> >> Forcing local partnership in >> >> >>> >foreign owned companies has >> >> >>> >> its negative and positive >> effects. >> >> >>> >>This needs to be look at more >> >> seriously to make it a win-win >> >> >>> >situation. It has been known in >> the past >> >> that foreign investors with >> >> >>> >forced local partnership have >> been >> >> subjected to threats and >> >> >>> >intimidation by the local >> partners when >> >> they wanted more than their >> >> >>> >fare share, (given to them mind >> you). Thus >> >> the weariness o >> >> >>> >>of being forced now. This >> does not >> >> attract any investor. But the >> >> >>> >foreigners should not fleece the >> country >> >> either! >> >> >>> >> >> >> >>> >>Let us have some constructive >> >> critisism without being racially >> >> >>> >inclined. Fight to make things >> right no >> >> matter what but without >> >> >>> >pinpointing nationalities or >> colours of >> >> people. >> >> >>> >> >> >> >>> >> >> >> >>> >> >> >> >>> >> >> >> >>> >>On 10/7/08, John Maina >> >> <j.maina(a)ymail.com> wrote: >> >> >>> >> >> >> >>http://www.wananchiforums.com/showthread.php?p=3150#poest3150 >> >> >>> >> >> >> >>> >> >> >> >>_______________________________________________ >> >> >>> >>kictanet mailing list >> >> >>> >>kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke >> >> >>> >> >> >> >>http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet >> >> >>> >> >> >> >>> >>This message was sent to: >> >> lfkraft(a)gmail.com >> >> >>> >>Unsubscribe or change your >> options at >> >> >>> >> >> >> >>http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/lfkraft%40gma >il. >> >> >>> >com >> >> >>> >> >> >> >>> >> >> >> >>> >> >> >> >>> >> >> >> >>> >>-- >> >> >>> >>Lizette Kraft >> >> >>> >>P.O. Box 18488, 00500 >> >> >>> >>Nairobi, Kenya >> >> >>> >>Cell: 0722-800362 >> >> >>> >> >> >> >>> >> >> >> >>> >> >> >> >>> >> >> >>> >> >> >>> >> >> >>> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> >> >>> kictanet mailing list >> >> >>> kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke >> >> >>> >> >> >> http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet >> >> >>> >> >> >>> This message was sent to: >> jmanthi(a)gmail.com >> >> >>> Unsubscribe or change your options at >> >> >>> >> >> >> >http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/jmanthi%40gmai >l.com >> >> >>> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> -- >> >> >> Joseph Manthi >> >> >> CEO >> >> >> MEO Ltd >> >> >> http://www.meoltd.com >> >> >> >> >> > >> >> > -- >> >> > Sent from my mobile device >> >> > >> >> > Made in Kenya Network >> >> > Apt. B-8, Elite Park >> >> > Ole Odume Road >> >> > P. O. Box 72031 - 00200 >> >> > Nairobi. Kenya >> >> > Tel: +254-20-3590451 >> >> > Cel: +254-722-811171 >> >> > Cel: +254-735-370840 >> >> > www.madeinkenya.org >> >> > >> >> > http://www.bungesms.com >> >> > >> >> > >> _______________________________________________ >> >> > kictanet mailing list >> >> > kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke >> >> > >> http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet >> >> > >> >> > This message was sent to: >> gachuhi.anthony(a)gmail.com >> >> > Unsubscribe or change your options at >> >> > >> >> >> >http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/gachuhi.anthon >y%40gmail.com >> >> > >> >> >> >> -- >> >> Sent from Gmail for mobile | mobile.google.com >> >> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> >> 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: bitange(a)jambo.co.ke >> > Unsubscribe or change your options at >> > >> >http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/bitange%40jamb >o.co.ke >> > >> > ---------------------------------------------- >> > This message has been scanned for viruses and >> > dangerous content by Jambo MailScanner, and is >> > believed to be clean. >> > --------------------------------------------- >> > "easy access to the world" >> > >> > >> >> >> >> ---------------------------------------------- >> This message has been scanned for viruses and >> dangerous content by Jambo MailScanner, and is >> believed to be clean. >> --------------------------------------------- >> "easy access to the world" > >__________________________________________________ >Do You Yahoo!? >Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around >http://mail.yahoo.com > >_______________________________________________ >kictanet mailing list >kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke >http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > >This message was sent to: mwananchi(a)hushmail.com >Unsubscribe or change your options at >http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/mwananchi%40hu >shmail.com -- Click here to find travel and cruise franchise opportunities. http://tagline.hushmail.com/fc/Ioyw6h4frktsUNAhpwVFG3Jkg5yjygvxZp3xF7JkRFMT…

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Local software now set for exponential growth.:
by Gakuru Alex 19 Oct '08

19 Oct '08

[Business Daily] Experts praise new State guidelines on IT budgets Written by Okuttah Mark October 20, 2008: Government institutions will be required to spend half of their IT budgets in the local market in a move meant to promote software development. ... With the growth of mobile phone industry and the increase of Internet usage in the country, the move could also spur more innovative software on mobile phone applications for education, commerce and health. Information and Communication minister, Samuel Poghisio, says the decision was aimed at boosting the local industry as well as creating job opportunities. Mr Poghisio asked the multinationals in ICT industry to offer special development tools, training, certification and marketing support to local software developers. "The Government is keen on promoting local software development by encouraging a scheme to ensure that at least 50 per cent of Government software procurement is sourced from local developers," said Mr Poghisio. <http://www.bdafrica.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=10707&Ite…> ---excerpt-- This move closely follows Linux Professional Association of Kenya research that established that approximately 99% of government software was proprietary clearly marking the beginning of public sector software procurement correction alongside, expected Free and Open Source Software (FOSS) benefiting much;) Due salutes to the Minister and Permament Secretary. Sincerely, Alex

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The E Whiteband - ICTs WORKING FOR DEVELOPMENT
by Constance Georgina Khaendi Walyaro 19 Oct '08

19 Oct '08

THE E WHITE BAND http://www.whiteband.org/Action/join-us The electronic white band (E-White Band) is a virtual white band where you can leave your message to end poverty and inequality ….as long as poverty, injustice and gross inequality persist in our world, none of us can truly rest. Nelson Mandela freedom, democracy, trade justice, equity, accountability, development, human rights for all, ...... nothing worthwhile comes cheap, or easy halving poverty by 2015 is entirely doable if enough people are willing to get involved; no doubt we are the generation that can see an end to poverty, we have helped create the most powerful tools ever, but they are worthless unless they can be effectively applied to address the greatest challenges at the core of the real global development agenda. supporting the global fight against poverty and inequality is about invoking the human spirit, seeking more hands and generating fresh perspectives to fashion a lever long enough to move society to a much better place; comprehensively improving the human condition. “Give me a place to stand and a lever long enough and I will move the world” Archimedes, 220 BC the human family is suffering and greater leveraging can help, STAND UP NOW, TAKE ACTION TODAY! Constance Georgina Khaendi Walyaro Director, Chair FWG International Young Professionals Foundation constancewalyaro(a)iypf.org www.iypf.org --- On Fri, 17/10/08, Gakuru Alex <alexgakuru.lists(a)gmail.com> wrote: From: Gakuru Alex <alexgakuru.lists(a)gmail.com> Subject: Re: [kictanet] MAKE ICTs WORK FOR DEVELOPMENT - STAND UP NOW, TAKE ACTION TODAY! To: constance(a)youthaidscoalition.org, "Wainaina Mungai" <wainaina(a)madeinkenya.org> Cc: kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke Date: Friday, 17 October, 2008, 9:19 AM > > 1. Tell your MP what you think: send SMS messages to the number 3454 with > the word STAND UP. > United in eradicating poverty! but, won't the SMS action path actually leave poor senders poorer? Regards, Alex On Fri, Oct 17, 2008 at 3:10 AM, Constance Georgina Khaendi Walyaro <constance(a)youthaidscoalition.org> wrote: > > > > > Poverty > affects us all > > > > > > 'Today is the UN's official World Poverty Day. But every day is poverty day > for the two billion people worldwide who have less than two dollars a day to > live on. Of those, just under one billion live on just one dollar a day. In > September 2000, 189 countries pledged to halve the number of those in > poverty by 2015. When we look at the results so far, hope mixes with > despair. Over 100 million children are still unable to go to school. Each > year, 10 million children die before their 5th birthday. 40 million are > living with HIV and AIDS, and 5 million die of it each year.'17th Oct 2004 > Hilary Benn, UK Secretary of State for International Development > > > > > > Today, nearly half of the world's people live in poverty, 70% are women. > 50,000 people still die daily as a result of extreme poverty, and yet …..we > have the power to change this. www.standagainstpoverty.org > > > > > Last year, 43.7 million people around the world took part in the biggest > global mobilization to end poverty and inequality, and to promote the > Millennium Development Goals. This year, at a time of global financial > crises and food shortages, more than ever we need to ACT together in order > to send an even stronger message to push world leaders for more and better > aid, debt cancellation, education for all, healthcare, trade justice, gender > equality, public accountability and an end to extreme poverty by 2015. > > > > > > As the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty unfolds across the > world we're hoping to mobilize 1% of the global population - over 67 million > people around the world to STAND UP and TAKE ACTION [17th - 19th Oct] > against Poverty for the MDGs. Your actions count! > > > > > > 1. Tell your MP what you think: send SMS messages to the number 3454 with > the word STAND UP. > > > > 2. Attend Global Gatherings: a series of parallel IYPF events held in over > 30 different countries focused on mobilizing and engaging young > professionals in activities and processes that are holding governments and > leaders accountable and contributing to the achievement of the MDGs. > www.iypf.org > > > > 3. Join Virtual Stand Up: log in from October 17th to 19th and interact with > the world on MDGs; build a more peaceful, equitable and sustainable world. > Facebook IYPF StandUp Global Gathering www.iypf.org > > > > > > > > We have the power and an obligation to make ICTs work for development! > STAND UP NOW, TAKE ACTION TODAY, Make Poverty History! > > > > > > > > Constance Georgina Khaendi Walyaro > > Director, Chair FWG > > International Young Professionals Foundation > > constancewalyaro(a)iypf.org > > www.iypf.org > > > > > > Wainaina P. Mungai > > Make in Kenya Network > > wainaina(a)madeinkenya.org > > www.madeinkenya.org > > > > > > > > > > StandUp is an initiative of the Make Poverty History and Global Call to > Action Against Poverty (GCAP) campaigns. IYPF is a GCAP Global Mobilization > Partner. www.makepovertyhistory.org > > > > > 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: alexgakuru.lists(a)gmail.com > Unsubscribe or change your options at > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/alexgakuru.lists%40gma… > Send instant messages to your online friends http://uk.messenger.yahoo.com

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AfNOG 2009 ANNOUNCEMENT
by Dorcas Muthoni 19 Oct '08

19 Oct '08

*AfNOG-10 and AfriNIC-10: Meetings 10 - 22 May, 2009* The African Network Operators' Group (AfNOG) and the African Network Information Centre (AfriNIC) are pleased to announce that the 10th AfNOG Meeting and the AfriNIC-10 Meeting would be held in Cairo, Egypt, in May 200 9. *AfNOG 10 & AfriNIC 10 will be our 10th Anniversary in our journey from Cape Town to Cairo!* *About the Entire Event* AfNOG and AfriNIC are jointly organizing a two-week event that includes the AfNOG Workshop on Network Technology (offering advanced training in a week-long hands-on workshop), several full-day Advanced Tutorials, a one-day AfNOG Meeting, and a two-day AfriNIC Meeting. In addition, several side meetings and workshops will be hosted in collaboration with other organizations such as the AAU and ISOC. Additional information about the event may be found at http://www.afnog.org/afnog2009/ and http://www.afrinic.net/meeting/.<http://www.afrinic.net/meeting/> *Timetable* Unix Boot Camp <http://www.ws.afnog.org/afnog2008/unix-intro/index.html> 9 - 10 May 2009 (Saturday - Sunday) AfNOG Workshop <http://www.ws.afnog.org/afnog2008/> 11 - 15 May 2009 (Monday - Friday) AfriNIC IPv6 Workshop <http://www.afrinic.net/training/> 16 – 17 May 2009 (Saturday - Sunday) AfREN Meeting <http://www.aau.org/renu/ws/afren08/progr.htm> 16 – 17 May 2009 (Saturday - Sunday) AfNOG Tutorials <http://www.afnog.org/afnog2008/tutorial/> 17 - 18 May 2008 (Sunday - Monday) AfriNIC LIR Workshop <http://www.afrinic.net/training/> 18 May 2009 (Monday) AfNOG -10 Meeting <http://www.afnog.org/afnog2008/conference/> 19 May 2009 (Tuesday) AfriNIC-10Meeting <http://www.afrinic.net/meeting/afrinic-8/> 20 - 21 May 2009 (Wednesday - Friday) Africa INET Day <http://www.isoc.org/isoc/conferences/inet/08/> 22 May 2009 (Friday) *Venue* Venue for the event will be announced shortly. * * *Hotel & Conferences*** Hotel will be announced shortly * * *About AfNOG* AfNOG (see <http://www.afnog.org/>) <http://www.afnog.org> is a forum for cooperation and the exchange of technical information between operators of Internet-connected networks in Africa. AfNOG has organized an event like this one every year since 2000. *About AfriNIC* AfriNIC (see <http://www.afrinic.net/>) <http://www.afrinic.net> is a Regional Internet Registry (RIR), responsible for Internet Number resources Mangement in the Africa region. AfriNIC organizes two Public Policy meetings every year (see < http://www.afrinic.net/meeting/>). *AfNOG Workshop on Network Technology* The AfNOG Workshop on Network Technology aims to offer advanced training to people who are in the process of developing and enhancing an Internet-connected network with regional and international connectivity. The target audience includes senior and mid-level technical staff of commercial Internet service providers (ISPs), academic networks, government networks, or NGO networks. This workshop builds on the experience of previous AfNOG workshops held annually from 2000 to 2008 in nine different African countries, and also the Internet Society's INET workshops, held annually from 1993 to 2000 at eight locations around the world. The workshop's instructors are an international team with many years of experience operating large networks and teaching about network operations. The workshop is divided into four parallel tracks: - SA-E - Unix System Administration (in English), focused on using a Unix-like operating system as a platform for delivery of Internet services. - SS-E - Scalable Internet Services (in English), focused on the design and operation of email, web, and other Internet services, in ways that can scale to handle large numbers of end users. - SI-E - Scalable Network Infrastructure (in English), focused on the design and operation of networks using routers and switches, in ways that can scale to handle large numbers of interconnected sites. - SI-F - Infrastructure Reseaux IP (en francais), similar to track E2, but given in French. Further information and application forms for the workshop are available at <http://www.afnog.org/afnog2009/workshop/> *AfREN Meeting* The Africa Research and Education Networking community will be holding a two-day meeting on 16 - 17 May 2009. The meeting will discuss issues of interest to the NREN community such as coordination on activites in the region, advocacy, bandwidth consortia, regional RENs etc. Additional information about AfREN 2009 will be provided shortly at : < http://www.aau.org/renu/ws/afren09/intro.htm> *AfNOG Tutorials* AfNOG will offer 1 to 2 full-day(s) tutorials on advanced topics. Tutorials take place in a classroom-style environment, and may include a hands-on practical component. Tutorials are non-commercial in nature, and most are technically oriented. They are intended to offer advanced training on technology already deployed or soon to be deployed on networking and related services provisioning for ISP operations. For additional information and the Tutorial schedule see: < http://www.afnog.org/afnog2009/tutorial/> *10th AfNOG Meeting* The 9th AfNOG meeting will be held in Cairo, Egypt, on 19 May 2009. AfNOG conferences provide a forum for the coordination and dissemination of technical information related to backbone/enterprise networking technologies and operational practices. The meetings are informal, with an emphasis on relevance to current and future African backbone engineering practices. The AfNOG 2008 conference in Rabat, Morocco, drew over 179 participants, mainly consisting of network engineering staff from national service providers, and members of the research and education community. For additional information and the Conference schedule see: < http://www.afnog.org/afnog2009/conference/> *AfriNIC-10 Meeting* The AfriNIC-10 meeting will be held in Cairo, Egypt, from 20 21 May 2009. AfriNIC Meetings are open to everyone and provide an excellent opportunity to take part in Internet policy discussions. These policies, which describe how Internet Number Resources should be managed and distributed, are developed by the community. The meeting will include tutorials, presentations, update on the various working groups and the AfriNIC Public Policy Meeting. The two day meeting will be preceeded by a two-day IPv6 training. The meeting will focus on the IPv6 protocol and its deployment, especially in Africa and the issue of the exhaustion of the IPv4 pool of address space. There will be an opportunity to discuss the challenges which our region will be facing with the exhaustion. Further information is available at <http://www.afrinic.net/meeting/>. *ISOC - INET Africa Conference* The Internet Society will be organizing an INET Africa Conference on 22 May 2009 in conjunction with the AfriNIC 10 and AfNOG 10 meetings in Cairo, Egypt. It will discuss about the situation of the Internet Interconnection in Africa, the challenges as well as the solutions, including Internet Exchange Points. The meeting agenda is available at < http://www.isoc.org/isoc/conferences/inet/09/> *Visa Requirements* Citizens of certain countries require visa to enter Egypt. Please check from the Egypt Embassy in your country. *Information on Visa to Egypt: * (source http://www.mfa.gov.eg/MFA_Portal/en-GB/Services/Rules+and+Regulations/) *Egyptian Visa Regulations* Non-Egyptian visitors arriving in Egypt are required to be in possession of a valid passport. Entry visas may be obtained from Egyptian Diplomatic and Consular Missions Abroad or from the Entry Visa Department at the Travel Documents, Immigration and Nationality Administration (TDINA). It is, however, possible for most tourists and visitors to obtain an entry visa at any of the Major Ports of Entry. Please check with the nearest Egyptian Consulate for specific details and regulations relevant to your nationality. *Notes* *There are three types of Egyptian visa:* - Tourist Visa: is usually valid for a period not exceeding three months and granted on either single or multiple entry basis. - Entry Visa: is required for any foreigner arriving in Egypt for purposes other than tourism, e.g. work, study, etc. The possession of a valid Entry Visa is needed to complete the residence procedure in Egypt. - Transit Visa. *Major Ports of Entry to Egypt Airports:* - Cairo International (2 terminals) - Alexandria Nozha - Luxor, Upper Egypt - Aswan, Upper Egypt - Hurghaga, Red Sea - Sharm El-Sheikh, South Sinai *Health* * * *Airport* Information to be provided shortly.

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Re: [kictanet] PS Ndemo, ECONET Scandal aand Vested Interests
by John Maina 18 Oct '08

18 Oct '08

Gachui What is this list for? Can we please discuss issues with open heart. One claimed that this list is not the police. Is this list also parliament to discuss bills? Please lets all handle issues openly because if we be discriminative and very rigid then we will be going nowhere JM ----- Original Message ---- From: gachuhi anthony <gachuhi.anthony(a)gmail.com> To: j.maina(a)ymail.com Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> Sent: Thursday, October 16, 2008 7:16:22 AM Subject: Re: [kictanet] PS Ndemo, ECONET Scandal aand Vested Interests Moderator Is there a way off having an online poll to know where we stand maybe from there we may be able to know who is for or against the policies being discussed. Then we can give reasons as I don't think this a list to decide who is more kenyan than the other its about what will affect us all Tony On 10/16/08, Wainaina Mungai <wainaina(a)madeinkenya.org> wrote: > Dear all, > > What is the desired outcome of this very energised thread? (Select one) > > A: That the PS (I&C) announce that policies shall be developed in an > open, transparent and consultative manner. He also must organise a > forum to kickstart non-emotive talks by mid-November. > > B: That PS Ndemo resigns and is replaced with a person of your choice. > > C: That the Econet licence, Kencall licence and related MoUs, > contracts signed by PS (I&C) be cancelled. > > D: That all stakeholders Govt., KICTANET, KIF, CA, etc organise an > "ICT Investment" policy forum to be held in Nairobi around mid- > November 2008. > > I hope this shall help us focus on defining and achieving a common > goal so that we desist from personal attacks on integrity, racial > profiling and so on... > > Good day, > Wainaina > > On 10/16/08, Joseph Manthi <jmanthi(a)gmail.com> wrote: >> Edith,There are some useful lessons - but these lessons do not include: >> >> 1. How to give away your national treasures - like bandwidth - to foreign >> entities just because they say they can not do any business with local >> entrepreneurs. In fact I know this for a fact, you would never get a >> license >> to operate in UAE if this was your argument. Further to this lesson I >> would >> like to point to these additional countries that would laugh you out of >> town >> if you made that argument - US (some businesses like Airline, Military and >> Defense, Telecommunications (not ISP), Radio & TV), India, Singapore, >> Malaysia, Taiwan, Hong Kong, China, the whole of Middle East, South >> Africa, >> Japan (especially Japan) >> >> 2. How not be conned. Kenya seems to heading there with its eyes opened. >> When a man approaches a woman, it would be a very stupid woman, who >> knowing >> what a man is capable of, to accept the BS that the man is feeding her. >> And >> if she does then she deserves what she gets. Kenya will get what it >> deserves >> and very soon. A good example is Russia and its oligarchs - all members of >> the Forbes Richest. >> >> 3. Great leadership is necessary to grow a country. A leadership with >> intestinal fortitude to say no under pressure. Top to bottom, >> >> 4. That the local mwananchi can invest in their own country and manage its >> growth >> >> 5. That a great nation looks upon its diaspora to grow it - a la Israel >> and >> India >> >> 6. That a great nation does not wait to be raped twice - We seem to be >> following a process that will guarantee our raping despite how Kenyan some >> members of this committee think they are. Its just a matter of time before >> they pick up their bags and leave. I really do not think that as a >> national >> planner I should be putting my eggs in that basket. >> >> Joe >> >> On Wed, Oct 15, 2008 at 4:55 PM, <eadera(a)idrc.or.ke> wrote: >> >>> Anyone has taken the time to thoroughly study the secret behind >>> Dubai's tremendous growth? (U.A.E in general). There are some useful >>> lessons! >>> >>> >>> > >>> >---- Original Message ---- >>> >From: j.maina(a)ymail.com >>> >To: eadera(a)idrc.or.ke >>> >Subject: Re: [kictanet] Fwd: PS Ndemo, ECONET Scandal aand Vested >>> >Interests >>> >Date: Wed, 15 Oct 2008 09:03:50 -0700 (PDT) >>> > >>> >>Lizette >>> >> >>> >>I think that you have racially inclined your mind. >>> >> >>> >>When did KENCALL directors become Kenyans? After getting good >>> >friends to bribe their way to this country. And let me tell you that >>> >the money the so called investors are using are Kenyan money not >>> >money from foreign banks. >>> >> >>> >>They have come and borrowed from Kenyan banks. How much does the >>> >most profitable telecomms companies leave in this country, very small >>> >amount. We have Telecomms companies which are on their marks. They >>> >have very inferior systems and dont actually deliver in service but >>> >make billions and run away with the billions. >>> >> >>> >>Dada Lizette, we know that there are Kenyans who are white, black >>> >coloured and all but know that I am a mixed race Kenyan and really >>> >sad when our brotehrs have to suffer because of bad policies from >>> >people like PS >>> >> >>> >>JM >>> >> >>> >> >>> >> >>> >>----- Original Message ---- >>> >>From: Lizette Kraft <lfkraft(a)gmail.com> >>> >>To: j.maina(a)ymail.com >>> >>Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> >>> >>Sent: Tuesday, October 14, 2008 1:52:07 PM >>> >>Subject: [kictanet] Fwd: PS Ndemo, ECONET Scandal aand Vested >>> >Interests >>> >> >>> >> >>> >>Just my two pennies worth here. >>> >> >>> >>Kenya is not an Island that it can survive on its own even through >>> >local investment. Most times we dont have the funds. I do agree >>> >though about the Government and banks not supporting local investors >>> >with loans etc. They must start giving them the opportunity to setup >>> >local expertise and turn them in money making ventures, if only they >>> >wouldn't fleece their own companies. Even America, the giant needs >>> >investors!!! You all have a valid point but use it for the best >>> >interests of Kenya and its people first and foremost. Not just self >>> >interest for the few. And by the way Kenyans come in all shapes, >>> >sizes, COLOURS, and creed. So please don't generalise who is kenyan >>> >and who is not!!! Kencall directors and owners are Kenyan and not >>> >outsiders if I understand correctly. When we are taxed whether >>> >individually or coorporately, the money is used for Kenya and Kenyans >>> >and not for outsiders who invested! Forcing local partnership in >>> >foreign owned companies has >>> >> its negative and positive effects. >>> >>This needs to be look at more seriously to make it a win-win >>> >situation. It has been known in the past that foreign investors with >>> >forced local partnership have been subjected to threats and >>> >intimidation by the local partners when they wanted more than their >>> >fare share, (given to them mind you). Thus the weariness o >>> >>of being forced now. This does not attract any investor. But the >>> >foreigners should not fleece the country either! >>> >> >>> >>Let us have some constructive critisism without being racially >>> >inclined. Fight to make things right no matter what but without >>> >pinpointing nationalities or colours of people. >>> >> >>> >> >>> >> >>> >> >>> >>On 10/7/08, John Maina <j.maina(a)ymail.com> wrote: >>> >>http://www.wananchiforums.com/showthread.php?p=3150#poest3150 >>> >> >>> >>_______________________________________________ >>> >>kictanet mailing list >>> >>kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke >>> >>http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet >>> >> >>> >>This message was sent to: lfkraft(a)gmail.com >>> >>Unsubscribe or change your options at >>> >http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/lfkraft%40gmail. >>> >com >>> >> >>> >> >>> >> >>> >> >>> >>-- >>> >>Lizette Kraft >>> >>P.O. Box 18488, 00500 >>> >>Nairobi, Kenya >>> >>Cell: 0722-800362 >>> >> >>> >> >>> >> >>> >>> >>> >>> _______________________________________________ >>> kictanet mailing list >>> kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke >>> http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet >>> >>> This message was sent to: jmanthi(a)gmail.com >>> Unsubscribe or change your options at >>> http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/jmanthi%40gmail.com >>> >> >> >> >> -- >> Joseph Manthi >> CEO >> MEO Ltd >> http://www.meoltd.com >> > > -- > Sent from my mobile device > > Made in Kenya Network > Apt. B-8, Elite Park > Ole Odume Road > P. O. Box 72031 - 00200 > Nairobi. Kenya > Tel: +254-20-3590451 > Cel: +254-722-811171 > Cel: +254-735-370840 > www.madeinkenya.org > > http://www.bungesms.com > > _______________________________________________ > kictanet mailing list > kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > > This message was sent to: gachuhi.anthony(a)gmail.com > Unsubscribe or change your options at > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/gachuhi.anthony%40gmai… > -- Sent from Gmail for mobile | mobile.google.com _______________________________________________ kictanet mailing list kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet This message was sent to: j.maina(a)ymail.com Unsubscribe or change your options at http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/j.maina%40ymail.com __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com

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KENYA ICT BOARD ANNOUNCES COMMENCEMENT OF BPO BANDWIDTH CAPACITY SUPPORT
by Lucy Odhiambo 18 Oct '08

18 Oct '08

Dear All, This morning the board held a press conference where our CEO , Paul Kukubo together with our Deputy CEOs, Eunice Kariuki and Victor Kyalo, and BPO operators, announced the commencement of disbursement of capacity support to the BPO industry. This is great news for the industry as it will go a long way to ensure the development and growth of this sub-sector. We have placed a notice to the same effect in today's Standard Newspapers and will place another one in tomorrow's Saturday Nation. The team also briefed the press on the upcoming Silicon Valley Trip and the great impact it will have on the broader ICT industry in terms of capacity and relationship building. We wish our colleagues ,directors and industry players all the best as they leave this weekend for San Jose, California. The press releases and FAQ sheet are herewith for your perusal. Regards, Lucy Gachui-Odhiambo Communications Manager Kenya ICT Board 12th Floor Telposta Towers Koinange Lane 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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Mobile messaging for the masses – an idea whose time has come
by alice 18 Oct '08

18 Oct '08

(From Balancing Act) MobileActive 08: Mobile messaging for the masses – an idea whose time has come Three hundred and eighty people gathered from all over the world in Johannesburg this week to discuss how mobile phones might be used for social and political purposes in developing countries. The organisers and hosts Sangonet had expected 150 people but the topic clearly touched a nerve. The event crackled with the kind of energy that happens when people gather on a topic for the first time. Russell Southwood looks at the issues raised by the event’s subject. At the core of all this energy was a very simple notion. The technology device of choice for the majority of people in developing continents like Africa is the mobile phone. If you want to deliver messages to people or get them to respond then SMS or voice is an obvious route to go down. But mobiles are not just a delivery channel but are fast becoming a media in their own right. National consumer surveys in Balancing Act’s report African Broadcast and Film Markets showed that between 3-9% of respondents in a variety of countries named the mobile as one of the most used daily sources of information. But like the old Hollywood saying, there were only really five stories at MobileActive 08. These were identified by snappy tags like M-health or M-education: indeed, M- almost any development sector you care to think of. Well, there were actually eight areas of M-something: health, education, rural livelihoods (agriculture), governance (political campaigning), disaster warning and women. Mobiles are now being used to: send out bulk mailings to key target groups (nurses); mobilise supporters; poll people and gather data; to provide answers to enquiries; to offer information support for activities; and raise funds. The majority of this activity is based on the 160 characters available in SMS. In other words, it’s an instantaneous, wide angle media but you can’t say that much using it. But you can send several messages to overcome this limitation. However, as one-long time veteran of using technology for development in Africa told me:”Everyone knows how to use it and most people have access to it.” The sheer inventiveness of many of the different services was impressive. For example, I attended a presentation by Zimbabwe’s Kubatana.net who used the call centre functionality of Asterisk to create Freedom Fone. This was designed to counteract the tight control of media in that country by allowing users to phone in and listen to short radio-style programming. In the example aired musician Thomas Mapfumo talked of a campaign of “tough love” towards the Government. The early pioneers of using mobiles for social purposes go back in Africa to the funding of the agricultural pricing service pioneered by Senegal’s Manobi in 1998. But like a lot of new development-based activity, the use of mobiles seems to operate in a memory-free present tense. The early precursors of this activity were those who gathered at the beginning of the millennium to try and use the Internet as way to break out of seemingly intractable development issues: technology would provide a magic pill that opened up new solutions. On the one side you had the wild-eyed (often American) tech enthusiasts and on the other side, the mumbling choir of African policy makers who seemed to want something called the Information Society. And somewhere in between were the development professionals who were trying to make sense of it all. The hopes for technology as a magic solution were dashed upon the rocks of a lack of infrastructure, a consequent shortage of users and the inability of the mumbling choir to remove the policy blockages to achieve the much-mentioned Information Society. The disillusioned and pragmatic headed in a number of different directions. Some of them moved from focusing on the Internet to thinking about how to use mobile phones. People like Peter Armstrong of One World who set up an SMS jobs service in Nairobi’s Kibera were part of this group. Others started campaigning to change both the fundamentals of price and infrastructure. Whilst others, like Geek Corps founder Ethan Zuckerman (who has been a moving force behind encouraging blogging through Global Voices) moved off in new directions. The absence of those promoting the Internet at MobileActive perhaps reflects these changes. The Internet enthusiasts had to break through the standard development response which might be cruelly summarised as: how can you spend money on technology when poor people need _________ ?(insert the word reflecting your own particular work area). For whatever else, this interest in technology did, it began at the edges to challenge long-established funding patterns and the thinking around it. But it also initiated a debate about the efficacy of different types of media. The Internet was compared unfavourably with radio and in time also with mobile phones: something always had to be the answer to everything. But in reality, no-one thing is ever the answer to everything. People make use of a range of media and any process of communicating with them will be “hybrid”: in other words, it will be sent and received using a range of methods. The same righteous position-taking about what approach was morally superior was also present at the conference, best exemplified by a person who seemed to pop up at almost every session I attended and make the point that voice messages were more effective in communicating with the poor than text SMSs. Whilst the position has a useful grain of truth, it rather ignores the many millions of messages sent by the functionally and completely illiterate every month. And as I learned, the presence of SMS writers (who have sprung up alongside letter writers) in places like Pakistan, who charge the illiterate to send messages they compose for them. Unlike the initial world-changing promises for the Internet, those working with mobiles make more modest claims. Cell-Life which works in HIV-AIDS information says that missed appointments at Themba Lethu clinic in Johannesburg among the 9,000 patients using TxtAlert has dropped from 10% to 3%. SocialTxt which uses the 120 unused characters on the “please call me” message to insert calls to action about HIV-AIDS has driven an increase in people calling national helplines. One call centre reported that over two weeks 41% of users had accessed services following a campaign of this sort. These claims are merely illustrative of the various ways in which mobiles can change social circumstances favourably. Others included: using MIXIT to teach basic maths; mobilising protest by using SMS; “dating” agricultural growers with produce buyers using text alerts (TradeNet in Ghana); getting people to speak out against domestic violence (WOUGNET in Uganda); gathering data using Java-apps to create simple menus; weekly farming tips to farmers (CELAC project in Uganda); using a mobile phone on a table for conference calls with farmers; and many, many others. So whilst NGO professionals now make far greater use of PCs and the Internet in their work (according to the Worldwide Worx survey for 2007, 99% of South African NGOs use e-mail), there is a growing acknowledgement that mobile phones can be used effectively for wider communication. As Peter Benjamin of CellLife told me:”There’s a huge demand for information. Very good information already exists (in the HIV-AIDS field) and there are high levels of cell-phone usage. (For most of the people we want to talk to) e-mails and the Internet are from another planet. The mobile is the device in the hands of the majority and it can do interactions.” So if it’s such an obviously good idea, why can’t I name more successful, long-standing projects that have begun to change the fundamentals of communication or the lives of people? On the fingers of one hand, you have the aforementioned jobs service from One World and Safaricom’s M-Pesa service (which was initially funded by DFID through Vodafone) and errrr…that’s it? Readers may wish to write and tell me what a fool I am for forgetting to mention other long-standing projects but I doubt that I will find myself using the fingers of more than two hands. The immediate and seemingly reasonable response is that many of these projects are in their early stages. There did not seem to be a single project I spoke to at the conference that was not a pilot: in other words it will be funded for a year to three years and then may disappear. However, the early pioneers stretch back further and few have found their financial feet or scaled up in such a way that they have made a significant major impact. Indeed one might ask: with so many pilots around, when are we going to see some flying? An uncomfortable circle of circumstances involving what the service is, who might use and how it is funded chases its own tail to no little or no effect. You need scale to demonstrate effect. Scale takes time and money to establish. SMS itself in Africa did not spring out suddenly newly-formed with millions of users, it took time to develop. With certain notable exceptions, donors and foundations are keen to seed but do not take a long view. Impact only comes with scale. A few hundred users is hopeless, a few thousand users is promising, a few hundred thousand users is suggestive and over a million means you’re actually getting somewhere. For complex systems, like agriculture, you need to have “critical mass” across several countries. Faced with the daunting cliff of “scaling-up” or “rolling-out”, some in the development community go squishy and start saying things like cultures are different and things work differently in different places. But whilst this is undoubtedly true, these are what we know technically speaking as “excuses”. Mobile phones and the practice of using them differs from country to country but that hasn’t stopped them rolling out in every country in the world. The same will be true for services on mobile phones and their use as media: ways will be differ but certain things will be the same and the challenge is to make it so useful that people can’t fail to want it. It’s not about technology, it’s about what makes people’s lives easier. The big abstract concept areas of development (like health) may sound important and “do you good” but they have to fit into how people lead their lives and their sense of priorities. For as Mark Davies of TradeNet (who wrestles with the complicated issues affecting farmers) said:”It’s all about understanding the agents of change and that’s anthropology not technology.” People in development all too often think they know what’s good for people and for all the rhetoric about “bottom-up approaches” simply fail to observe what people are saying or doing. To be fair, that listening process is not as simple as it sounds. Gary Marsden of University of Cape Town ran a session that looked at the important relationship between potential users and developers. The design community’s version of “bottom-up” is “user-centred design”: the user becomes part of the design team in a warm, humane Scandinavian version of co-creation after you show them a prototype. The real difficulty faced by developers, according to Marsden, was that the potential users had no familiarity or conceptual framework to make a useful input. To use an analogy, it would be a bit like showing a pre-automobile, horse-rider a car and asking for design input. Why are there no stirrups? One Mexican group simply watched closely the intended users making use of the tools provided and used paper to sketch out what might happen with them. But this observation probably applies better to more complex apps for computers or menu-driven apps for mobiles, not SMS. But even with SMS simple design flaws can upset the process. One application for data collection using SMS involved using the hash key as separators but the hash key was different when the phone was in SMS mode for some users. From my own experience, African users want to be helpful and will often consciously or unconsciously simply mirror back what the project’s initiators want to hear. The conference had a session on “sustainability” which is one version of development-speak for: how will it pay for itself? I was unable to attend this session as I was speaking in another session but having closely grilled two or three people who attended, there didn’t seem to be a whole lot of answers that were aired. In truth, there are only three broad, long-term answers and none make very comfortable listening for those who want these projects to succeed. The user pays, the Government pays or as with other media, a sponsor or advertiser pays. There is an interesting sub-set of the user pays which is political issues and the campaigning that goes with them: Greenpeace Argentina can use phone calls to find supporters and ask some of them for funds to pay for this work. If it’s important to you and you want it enough, you’ll find a way of paying for it. The development sector usually assumes that if people are poor, then a service will need to be “free-at-the-point-of-delivery”: it costs money to have the service but it comes out of general taxation. But at one level poor people are not so different from the more well-off. The Orange Foundation ran a scheme in a poor part of Mali’s capital Bamako. Mothers would bring their babies to be weighed and the weights of the babies would be mailed to a paediatrician. He or she checked their progress and if and when weight progress fell below a certain level, advice or medication would be provided. There were 300 subscribers paying US$1.05 a month and by any description this is a health insurance scheme. As with using mobile phones, the poor will pay for what they really value. Therefore one challenge is to produce a service that they really value and large number can afford to pay a small amount for: Safaricom’s M-Pesa has 2.5 million users because it is a service that is really valued by its users. No capacity building workshops were run to help users, they taught themselves based on the service’s marketing information. There will be some services that cannot be commercialised because they are simply a public service: these will either need to be fundraised for or ultimately become part of the budget of Government. For the latter, the justification for spending will be two-fold. It communicates more effectively with a group of people and/or it is more cost effective. So for example, collecting data electronically is challenging but almost certainly quicker and cheaper than its paper and physical collection equivalent. But for African Governments, it implies overhauling a sclerotic and often inert civil service by moving money out of existing ways of doing things into new more effective ways of doing them. In terms of advertising and sponsors, the level of activity needs to be at a critical mass to attract interest. Praekelt Foundation’s use of advertising slogans on Call Me messages can reach 13 million people daily in South Africa. But for only 120 characters, the few thousand dollars they charge per million users seems reasonable. Nevertheless nw advertising media take time to establish themselves. But whatever the challenges and limitations of using mobiles as a media, this one will run and run as all those involved wrestle with different ways to make it work.

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Re: [kictanet] What should the Investment Policy Be?
by John Walubengo 17 Oct '08

17 Oct '08

Plse lets hear more opinions on this issue. I heard one opinion that in the vent local investors are unable to raise funding, we could allow the foreing investor get in at 100% ownership on condition that they offload 20% to local investors within 3-5years. Is this workable? Yet another opinion was that local investors do have the funds - its just NOT structured i.e. well consolidated and cordinated. I think this may also be true if the recent Safaricom IPO is anything to go by. So it looks like we do have the funds for ICT investments while at the same time we dont! Where is the catch, bottleneck? How could this be resolved? walu. --- On Fri, 10/17/08, bitange(a)jambo.co.ke <bitange(a)jambo.co.ke> wrote: > From: bitange(a)jambo.co.ke <bitange(a)jambo.co.ke> > Subject: What should the Investment Policy Be? > To: jwalu(a)yahoo.com > Cc: bitange(a)jambo.co.ke, "KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions" <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> > Date: Friday, October 17, 2008, 11:22 AM > Dear Listers, > A number of you have written to me off-list seeking to know > the > organizations that have sought excemption from the 20% > local equity > partcipation. > > These are four of the World's largets call centers and > two ICT equipment > manufacturers. They have said very clearly that they do > not want to go > through what some of the investors in telecoms sector went > through or are > going through. By this they mean local > "Investors" who fail to raise > their part of the bargain. We failed thrice to get the SNO > simply because > our local investors could not live up to their promises > (Vtel, Reliance > etc). This is an annormally in the current policy that > does not allow the > investor to seek for another local investor in the event of > a disagreement > in the first marriage (Do not read Econet since law is > never applied > retrospectively). > > Any progressive policy would give a chance to other people > instead of > forcing investors to stay in a marriage that does not bear > fruit. You > recall in past meeting we have called for such investments > to seek for > partnership at the stock exchange. This would mean then > that the current > policy is changed to allow that in the event there is a > disagreement, the > foreign investor can seek for a nother partner or better go > to the stock > market. > > My responsibility among others is to ensure that we achieve > vision 2030 > objectives as presicribed in the vision. In order to > achieve the targets, > especially of getting at least 50,000 youth into BPO sector > in the next > three years, we must get these bigies. This is what > Ireland, India and > Philipines did. > > Regards > > > Ndemo. > > > > > > > > Hey Folks, > > > > I have lurked in the background for a while and like > Wainaina I got a bit > > lost in the exchanges. But I think one fundamental > thread in all this - > > despite the muddy exchanges - is the question of how > do want to engage > > with Foreign Investors? JM and others may have a > point here - despite > > their strong language. > > > > So maybe to bring benefit out of all these, we could > indulge for a day or > > two on the Policy we want as far as Foreign Direct > Investments (FDI) into > > our ICT industry are concerned. > > > > Correct me if am wrong but I believe the Government > position/policy on > > this has been that the Foreign investor MUST > incorporate a local investor > > at minimum ratio 20%(local) to 80%(foreign) > ownership/equity. I think the > > members who feel that this should be changed have > cases/examples where the > > local equity/investor failed to come up with their 20% > capital and so the > > opportunity for investment disappears. On the other > hand, other members > > feel that local investors are abundantly rich and can > come up with even > > over 50% of any capital/equity required to invest in > the industry. > > > > I honestly dont know which side is right and which one > is wrong - but what > > I do know is that there exists cases where the local > investors have failed > > to meet their capital requirements - hence the need to > review or > > interrogate whether this policy is detrimental or > indeed beneficial to our > > industry. > > > > Plse lets have objective comments that are devoid of > personal attacks and > > we shall make progress. Otherwise we begin to sound > like a broken record. > > > > walu. > > > > > > > > > > > > > > --- On Thu, 10/16/08, gachuhi anthony > <gachuhi.anthony(a)gmail.com> wrote: > > > >> From: gachuhi anthony > <gachuhi.anthony(a)gmail.com> > >> Subject: Re: [kictanet] PS Ndemo, ECONET Scandal > aand Vested Interests > >> To: jwalu(a)yahoo.com > >> Cc: "KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions" > <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> > >> Date: Thursday, October 16, 2008, 8:16 AM > >> Moderator > >> Is there a way off having an online poll to know > where we > >> stand maybe > >> from there we may be able to know who is for or > against the > >> policies > >> being discussed. > >> Then we can give reasons as I don't think this > a list > >> to decide who is > >> more kenyan than the other its about what will > affect us > >> all > >> Tony > >> > >> > >> > >> On 10/16/08, Wainaina Mungai > >> <wainaina(a)madeinkenya.org> wrote: > >> > Dear all, > >> > > >> > What is the desired outcome of this very > energised > >> thread? (Select one) > >> > > >> > A: That the PS (I&C) announce that > policies shall > >> be developed in an > >> > open, transparent and consultative manner. He > also > >> must organise a > >> > forum to kickstart non-emotive talks by > mid-November. > >> > > >> > B: That PS Ndemo resigns and is replaced with > a person > >> of your choice. > >> > > >> > C: That the Econet licence, Kencall licence > and > >> related MoUs, > >> > contracts signed by PS (I&C) be > cancelled. > >> > > >> > D: That all stakeholders Govt., KICTANET, > KIF, CA, etc > >> organise an > >> > "ICT Investment" policy forum to be > held in > >> Nairobi around mid- > >> > November 2008. > >> > > >> > I hope this shall help us focus on defining > and > >> achieving a common > >> > goal so that we desist from personal attacks > on > >> integrity, racial > >> > profiling and so on... > >> > > >> > Good day, > >> > Wainaina > >> > > >> > On 10/16/08, Joseph Manthi > <jmanthi(a)gmail.com> > >> wrote: > >> >> Edith,There are some useful lessons - but > these > >> lessons do not include: > >> >> > >> >> 1. How to give away your national > treasures - like > >> bandwidth - to foreign > >> >> entities just because they say they can > not do any > >> business with local > >> >> entrepreneurs. In fact I know this for a > fact, you > >> would never get a > >> >> license > >> >> to operate in UAE if this was your > argument. > >> Further to this lesson I > >> >> would > >> >> like to point to these additional > countries that > >> would laugh you out of > >> >> town > >> >> if you made that argument - US (some > businesses > >> like Airline, Military and > >> >> Defense, Telecommunications (not ISP), > Radio & > >> TV), India, Singapore, > >> >> Malaysia, Taiwan, Hong Kong, China, the > whole of > >> Middle East, South > >> >> Africa, > >> >> Japan (especially Japan) > >> >> > >> >> 2. How not be conned. Kenya seems to > heading there > >> with its eyes opened. > >> >> When a man approaches a woman, it would > be a very > >> stupid woman, who > >> >> knowing > >> >> what a man is capable of, to accept the > BS that > >> the man is feeding her. > >> >> And > >> >> if she does then she deserves what she > gets. Kenya > >> will get what it > >> >> deserves > >> >> and very soon. A good example is Russia > and its > >> oligarchs - all members of > >> >> the Forbes Richest. > >> >> > >> >> 3. Great leadership is necessary to grow > a > >> country. A leadership with > >> >> intestinal fortitude to say no under > pressure. Top > >> to bottom, > >> >> > >> >> 4. That the local mwananchi can invest in > their > >> own country and manage its > >> >> growth > >> >> > >> >> 5. That a great nation looks upon its > diaspora to > >> grow it - a la Israel > >> >> and > >> >> India > >> >> > >> >> 6. That a great nation does not wait to > be raped > >> twice - We seem to be > >> >> following a process that will guarantee > our raping > >> despite how Kenyan some > >> >> members of this committee think they are. > Its just > >> a matter of time before > >> >> they pick up their bags and leave. I > really do not > >> think that as a > >> >> national > >> >> planner I should be putting my eggs in > that > >> basket. > >> >> > >> >> Joe > >> >> > >> >> On Wed, Oct 15, 2008 at 4:55 PM, > >> <eadera(a)idrc.or.ke> wrote: > >> >> > >> >>> Anyone has taken the time to > thoroughly study > >> the secret behind > >> >>> Dubai's tremendous growth? (U.A.E > in > >> general). There are some useful > >> >>> lessons! > >> >>> > >> >>> > >> >>> > > >> >>> >---- Original Message ---- > >> >>> >From: j.maina(a)ymail.com > >> >>> >To: eadera(a)idrc.or.ke > >> >>> >Subject: Re: [kictanet] Fwd: PS > Ndemo, > >> ECONET Scandal aand Vested > >> >>> >Interests > >> >>> >Date: Wed, 15 Oct 2008 09:03:50 > -0700 > >> (PDT) > >> >>> > > >> >>> >>Lizette > >> >>> >> > >> >>> >>I think that you have > racially > >> inclined your mind. > >> >>> >> > >> >>> >>When did KENCALL directors > become > >> Kenyans? After getting good > >> >>> >friends to bribe their way to > this > >> country. And let me tell you that > >> >>> >the money the so called investors > are > >> using are Kenyan money not > >> >>> >money from foreign banks. > >> >>> >> > >> >>> >>They have come and borrowed > from > >> Kenyan banks. How much does the > >> >>> >most profitable telecomms > companies leave > >> in this country, very small > >> >>> >amount. We have Telecomms > companies which > >> are on their marks. They > >> >>> >have very inferior systems and > dont > >> actually deliver in service but > >> >>> >make billions and run away with > the > >> billions. > >> >>> >> > >> >>> >>Dada Lizette, we know that > there are > >> Kenyans who are white, black > >> >>> >coloured and all but know that I > am a > >> mixed race Kenyan and really > >> >>> >sad when our brotehrs have to > suffer > >> because of bad policies from > >> >>> >people like PS > >> >>> >> > >> >>> >>JM > >> >>> >> > >> >>> >> > >> >>> >> > >> >>> >>----- Original Message ---- > >> >>> >>From: Lizette Kraft > >> <lfkraft(a)gmail.com> > >> >>> >>To: j.maina(a)ymail.com > >> >>> >>Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy > Discussions > >> <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> > >> >>> >>Sent: Tuesday, October 14, > 2008 > >> 1:52:07 PM > >> >>> >>Subject: [kictanet] Fwd: PS > Ndemo, > >> ECONET Scandal aand Vested > >> >>> >Interests > >> >>> >> > >> >>> >> > >> >>> >>Just my two pennies worth > here. > >> >>> >> > >> >>> >>Kenya is not an Island that > it can > >> survive on its own even through > >> >>> >local investment. Most times we > dont have > >> the funds. I do agree > >> >>> >though about the Government and > banks not > >> supporting local investors > >> >>> >with loans etc. They must start > giving > >> them the opportunity to setup > >> >>> >local expertise and turn them in > money > >> making ventures, if only they > >> >>> >wouldn't fleece their own > companies. > >> Even America, the giant needs > >> >>> >investors!!! You all have a valid > point > >> but use it for the best > >> >>> >interests of Kenya and its people > first > >> and foremost. Not just self > >> >>> >interest for the few. And by the > way > >> Kenyans come in all shapes, > >> >>> >sizes, COLOURS, and creed. So > please > >> don't generalise who is kenyan > >> >>> >and who is not!!! Kencall > directors and > >> owners are Kenyan and not > >> >>> >outsiders if I understand > correctly. When > >> we are taxed whether > >> >>> >individually or coorporately, the > money is > >> used for Kenya and Kenyans > >> >>> >and not for outsiders who > invested! > >> Forcing local partnership in > >> >>> >foreign owned companies has > >> >>> >> its negative and positive > effects. > >> >>> >>This needs to be look at more > >> seriously to make it a win-win > >> >>> >situation. It has been known in > the past > >> that foreign investors with > >> >>> >forced local partnership have > been > >> subjected to threats and > >> >>> >intimidation by the local > partners when > >> they wanted more than their > >> >>> >fare share, (given to them mind > you). Thus > >> the weariness o > >> >>> >>of being forced now. This > does not > >> attract any investor. But the > >> >>> >foreigners should not fleece the > country > >> either! > >> >>> >> > >> >>> >>Let us have some constructive > >> critisism without being racially > >> >>> >inclined. Fight to make things > right no > >> matter what but without > >> >>> >pinpointing nationalities or > colours of > >> people. > >> >>> >> > >> >>> >> > >> >>> >> > >> >>> >> > >> >>> >>On 10/7/08, John Maina > >> <j.maina(a)ymail.com> wrote: > >> >>> > >> > >>http://www.wananchiforums.com/showthread.php?p=3150#poest3150 > >> >>> >> > >> >>> > >> > >>_______________________________________________ > >> >>> >>kictanet mailing list > >> >>> >>kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke > >> >>> > >> > >>http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > >> >>> >> > >> >>> >>This message was sent to: > >> lfkraft(a)gmail.com > >> >>> >>Unsubscribe or change your > options at > >> >>> > >> > >http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/lfkraft%40gmail. > >> >>> >com > >> >>> >> > >> >>> >> > >> >>> >> > >> >>> >> > >> >>> >>-- > >> >>> >>Lizette Kraft > >> >>> >>P.O. Box 18488, 00500 > >> >>> >>Nairobi, Kenya > >> >>> >>Cell: 0722-800362 > >> >>> >> > >> >>> >> > >> >>> >> > >> >>> > >> >>> > >> >>> > >> >>> > >> _______________________________________________ > >> >>> kictanet mailing list > >> >>> kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke > >> >>> > >> > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > >> >>> > >> >>> This message was sent to: > jmanthi(a)gmail.com > >> >>> Unsubscribe or change your options at > >> >>> > >> > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/jmanthi%40gmail.com > >> >>> > >> >> > >> >> > >> >> > >> >> -- > >> >> Joseph Manthi > >> >> CEO > >> >> MEO Ltd > >> >> http://www.meoltd.com > >> >> > >> > > >> > -- > >> > Sent from my mobile device > >> > > >> > Made in Kenya Network > >> > Apt. B-8, Elite Park > >> > Ole Odume Road > >> > P. O. Box 72031 - 00200 > >> > Nairobi. Kenya > >> > Tel: +254-20-3590451 > >> > Cel: +254-722-811171 > >> > Cel: +254-735-370840 > >> > www.madeinkenya.org > >> > > >> > http://www.bungesms.com > >> > > >> > > _______________________________________________ > >> > kictanet mailing list > >> > kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke > >> > > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > >> > > >> > This message was sent to: > gachuhi.anthony(a)gmail.com > >> > Unsubscribe or change your options at > >> > > >> > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/gachuhi.anthony%40gmai… > >> > > >> > >> -- > >> Sent from Gmail for mobile | mobile.google.com > >> > >> _______________________________________________ > >> 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: bitange(a)jambo.co.ke > > Unsubscribe or change your options at > > > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/bitange%40jambo.co.ke > > > > ---------------------------------------------- > > This message has been scanned for viruses and > > dangerous content by Jambo MailScanner, and is > > believed to be clean. > > --------------------------------------------- > > "easy access to the world" > > > > > > > > ---------------------------------------------- > This message has been scanned for viruses and > dangerous content by Jambo MailScanner, and is > believed to be clean. > --------------------------------------------- > "easy access to the world" __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? 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Re: [kictanet] What should the Investment Policy Be?
by mwananchi＠hushmail.com 17 Oct '08

17 Oct '08

Walu, Asante for setting the stage for policy discussions on FDI as relates to ICT policy. First and foremost, it is important to offer views as to some of the real causes of local investors failing to meet capital requirements. The points on this need not be belaboured. I believe we are making a scapegoat out of the wrong parties in order to punish other legitimate local investors through arbitrary changes in investment policies. In all the mentioned cases of capital issues, it is quite clear it was the duty of the regulator to conduct due diligence on the bidding consortia financial capacities. Had the regulator conducted this duty, we would not have had bidding entities that were near bankruptcy or in virtual bankruptcy itself sailing past the pre qualification stage and somehow beating industry giants with trillions (not billions) of shillings in turnover complete with their international experience and expertise in operations including in Uganda, Tanzania and tens of other countries, and then failing to pay for licence fees for years as they use the licence as an "asset" to shop for funding to pay for it. It is a rather simple matter to conclude that if one has Ksh 100, in the bank that one cannot afford to write a check for Ksh 10000. This is why we should stop blaming local investors as a group and focus on these repeated failures to conduct due diligence. The insolvency of one such member of a consortium that last bid in the last major tender points to a complete failure in due diligence. Secondly inept and poor tendering procedures have led to credible international investors ditching Kenya. This results in bidding entities that lack the type of financials any major bank would be happy to work with. Why would international bidders who have succeeded across Africa and in our neighbouring countries keep being disqualified on suspect reasons while relatively unknown and untested non performers sail through with high marks only to disappoint? Why should bidders keep spending anywhere from US$500,000 to US$1m or more bidding when its indisputable that they are amongst the best in the world only for novices and unknowns in the industry to score so highly then fail to deliver to Kenyans for years on end? Even if the local investors had healthy financials, by virtue of being co-shareholders with international entities that no bank is eager to touch, they are as good as sunk when it comes to obtaining funding for capital intensive projects. We seem to quickly forget that when investment policy demanded 40% equity holding by local shareholders, it did not deter Vodafone and Vivendi from coming to Kenya with 60% stakes. If the opportunities are there, there will always be takers as long as one is assured of fair play in the process. Confidence once dented is a difficult thing to rebuild. The failure by the regulator to conduct due diligence and failures in tendering process are scaring away the type of international operators whose name recognition alone would be sufficient for local investors to walk into banks and obtain funding for their capital contributions. Take the findings for instance from the then named Public Procurement Complaints Review and Appeals Board in regards to the first SNO tender. "Taking into account the critical failure in evaluation by CCK and also the interference in the tender process and disclosure of information by CCK, we find that the procurement process has been seriously flawed and compromised," the board concluded. or An article in the Sunday Standard, "How Broke Company Won Tender", September 18 2005, citing KACC officials investigating the matter of the 3rd mobile licence tender before investigations were prematurely and suddenly interrupted by certain interests: "Initial investigations by the Kenya Anti-Corruption Commission into the award of the license in 2003 show that two of the major shareholders in consortium were had financial difficulties at the time of the award. ... With the other partners not being financially stable, the consortium fell short of the minimum financial requirements by well over $80 million." Why is it that KACC is able to see what the regulator apparently did not see or realise? For these and other reasons we cannot continue to solely blame the vast majority of local investors. We must place blame failure on the lack of financial due diligence and failed tendering procedures that instead attract the types of international investors that banks would not feel comfortable dealing with due to their lack of a lengthy track record and weak financials that don't suit capital intensive projects. So let us look at the root causes, not the symptoms and tackle those root causes instead, majority of which lie within our institutions to resolve the problems. Foreigners while welcome to invest in Kenya should not be thought of as the number one solution when the problems that cause local investors problems lie within institutions and policies. That said views on FDI per ICT policies will be forthcoming separately. Peterson On Thu, 16 Oct 2008 12:37:09 +0000 John Walubengo <jwalu(a)yahoo.com> wrote: >Hey Folks, > >I have lurked in the background for a while and like Wainaina I >got a bit lost in the exchanges. But I think one fundamental >thread in all this - despite the muddy exchanges - is the question >of how do want to engage with Foreign Investors? JM and others >may have a point here - despite their strong language. > >So maybe to bring benefit out of all these, we could indulge for a >day or two on the Policy we want as far as Foreign Direct >Investments (FDI) into our ICT industry are concerned. > >Correct me if am wrong but I believe the Government >position/policy on this has been that the Foreign investor MUST >incorporate a local investor at minimum ratio 20%(local) to >80%(foreign) ownership/equity. I think the members who feel that >this should be changed have cases/examples where the local >equity/investor failed to come up with their 20% capital and so >the opportunity for investment disappears. On the other hand, >other members feel that local investors are abundantly rich and >can come up with even over 50% of any capital/equity required to >invest in the industry. > >I honestly dont know which side is right and which one is wrong - >but what I do know is that there exists cases where the local >investors have failed to meet their capital requirements - hence >the need to review or interrogate whether this policy is >detrimental or indeed beneficial to our industry. > >Plse lets have objective comments that are devoid of personal >attacks and we shall make progress. Otherwise we begin to sound >like a broken record. > >walu. > > > > > > >--- On Thu, 10/16/08, gachuhi anthony <gachuhi.anthony(a)gmail.com> >wrote: > >> From: gachuhi anthony <gachuhi.anthony(a)gmail.com> >> Subject: Re: [kictanet] PS Ndemo, ECONET Scandal aand Vested >Interests >> To: jwalu(a)yahoo.com >> Cc: "KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions" ><kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> >> Date: Thursday, October 16, 2008, 8:16 AM >> Moderator >> Is there a way off having an online poll to know where we >> stand maybe >> from there we may be able to know who is for or against the >> policies >> being discussed. >> Then we can give reasons as I don't think this a list >> to decide who is >> more kenyan than the other its about what will affect us >> all >> Tony >> >> >> >> On 10/16/08, Wainaina Mungai >> <wainaina(a)madeinkenya.org> wrote: >> > Dear all, >> > >> > What is the desired outcome of this very energised >> thread? (Select one) >> > >> > A: That the PS (I&C) announce that policies shall >> be developed in an >> > open, transparent and consultative manner. He also >> must organise a >> > forum to kickstart non-emotive talks by mid-November. >> > >> > B: That PS Ndemo resigns and is replaced with a person >> of your choice. >> > >> > C: That the Econet licence, Kencall licence and >> related MoUs, >> > contracts signed by PS (I&C) be cancelled. >> > >> > D: That all stakeholders Govt., KICTANET, KIF, CA, etc >> organise an >> > "ICT Investment" policy forum to be held in >> Nairobi around mid- >> > November 2008. >> > >> > I hope this shall help us focus on defining and >> achieving a common >> > goal so that we desist from personal attacks on >> integrity, racial >> > profiling and so on... >> > >> > Good day, >> > Wainaina >> > >> > On 10/16/08, Joseph Manthi <jmanthi(a)gmail.com> >> wrote: >> >> Edith,There are some useful lessons - but these >> lessons do not include: >> >> >> >> 1. How to give away your national treasures - like >> bandwidth - to foreign >> >> entities just because they say they can not do any >> business with local >> >> entrepreneurs. In fact I know this for a fact, you >> would never get a >> >> license >> >> to operate in UAE if this was your argument. >> Further to this lesson I >> >> would >> >> like to point to these additional countries that >> would laugh you out of >> >> town >> >> if you made that argument - US (some businesses >> like Airline, Military and >> >> Defense, Telecommunications (not ISP), Radio & >> TV), India, Singapore, >> >> Malaysia, Taiwan, Hong Kong, China, the whole of >> Middle East, South >> >> Africa, >> >> Japan (especially Japan) >> >> >> >> 2. How not be conned. Kenya seems to heading there >> with its eyes opened. >> >> When a man approaches a woman, it would be a very >> stupid woman, who >> >> knowing >> >> what a man is capable of, to accept the BS that >> the man is feeding her. >> >> And >> >> if she does then she deserves what she gets. Kenya >> will get what it >> >> deserves >> >> and very soon. A good example is Russia and its >> oligarchs - all members of >> >> the Forbes Richest. >> >> >> >> 3. Great leadership is necessary to grow a >> country. A leadership with >> >> intestinal fortitude to say no under pressure. Top >> to bottom, >> >> >> >> 4. That the local mwananchi can invest in their >> own country and manage its >> >> growth >> >> >> >> 5. That a great nation looks upon its diaspora to >> grow it - a la Israel >> >> and >> >> India >> >> >> >> 6. That a great nation does not wait to be raped >> twice - We seem to be >> >> following a process that will guarantee our raping >> despite how Kenyan some >> >> members of this committee think they are. Its just >> a matter of time before >> >> they pick up their bags and leave. I really do not >> think that as a >> >> national >> >> planner I should be putting my eggs in that >> basket. >> >> >> >> Joe >> >> >> >> On Wed, Oct 15, 2008 at 4:55 PM, >> <eadera(a)idrc.or.ke> wrote: >> >> >> >>> Anyone has taken the time to thoroughly study >> the secret behind >> >>> Dubai's tremendous growth? (U.A.E in >> general). There are some useful >> >>> lessons! >> >>> >> >>> >> >>> > >> >>> >---- Original Message ---- >> >>> >From: j.maina(a)ymail.com >> >>> >To: eadera(a)idrc.or.ke >> >>> >Subject: Re: [kictanet] Fwd: PS Ndemo, >> ECONET Scandal aand Vested >> >>> >Interests >> >>> >Date: Wed, 15 Oct 2008 09:03:50 -0700 >> (PDT) >> >>> > >> >>> >>Lizette >> >>> >> >> >>> >>I think that you have racially >> inclined your mind. >> >>> >> >> >>> >>When did KENCALL directors become >> Kenyans? After getting good >> >>> >friends to bribe their way to this >> country. And let me tell you that >> >>> >the money the so called investors are >> using are Kenyan money not >> >>> >money from foreign banks. >> >>> >> >> >>> >>They have come and borrowed from >> Kenyan banks. How much does the >> >>> >most profitable telecomms companies leave >> in this country, very small >> >>> >amount. We have Telecomms companies which >> are on their marks. They >> >>> >have very inferior systems and dont >> actually deliver in service but >> >>> >make billions and run away with the >> billions. >> >>> >> >> >>> >>Dada Lizette, we know that there are >> Kenyans who are white, black >> >>> >coloured and all but know that I am a >> mixed race Kenyan and really >> >>> >sad when our brotehrs have to suffer >> because of bad policies from >> >>> >people like PS >> >>> >> >> >>> >>JM >> >>> >> >> >>> >> >> >>> >> >> >>> >>----- Original Message ---- >> >>> >>From: Lizette Kraft >> <lfkraft(a)gmail.com> >> >>> >>To: j.maina(a)ymail.com >> >>> >>Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions >> <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> >> >>> >>Sent: Tuesday, October 14, 2008 >> 1:52:07 PM >> >>> >>Subject: [kictanet] Fwd: PS Ndemo, >> ECONET Scandal aand Vested >> >>> >Interests >> >>> >> >> >>> >> >> >>> >>Just my two pennies worth here. >> >>> >> >> >>> >>Kenya is not an Island that it can >> survive on its own even through >> >>> >local investment. Most times we dont have >> the funds. I do agree >> >>> >though about the Government and banks not >> supporting local investors >> >>> >with loans etc. They must start giving >> them the opportunity to setup >> >>> >local expertise and turn them in money >> making ventures, if only they >> >>> >wouldn't fleece their own companies. >> Even America, the giant needs >> >>> >investors!!! You all have a valid point >> but use it for the best >> >>> >interests of Kenya and its people first >> and foremost. Not just self >> >>> >interest for the few. And by the way >> Kenyans come in all shapes, >> >>> >sizes, COLOURS, and creed. So please >> don't generalise who is kenyan >> >>> >and who is not!!! Kencall directors and >> owners are Kenyan and not >> >>> >outsiders if I understand correctly. When >> we are taxed whether >> >>> >individually or coorporately, the money is >> used for Kenya and Kenyans >> >>> >and not for outsiders who invested! >> Forcing local partnership in >> >>> >foreign owned companies has >> >>> >> its negative and positive effects. >> >>> >>This needs to be look at more >> seriously to make it a win-win >> >>> >situation. It has been known in the past >> that foreign investors with >> >>> >forced local partnership have been >> subjected to threats and >> >>> >intimidation by the local partners when >> they wanted more than their >> >>> >fare share, (given to them mind you). Thus >> the weariness o >> >>> >>of being forced now. This does not >> attract any investor. But the >> >>> >foreigners should not fleece the country >> either! >> >>> >> >> >>> >>Let us have some constructive >> critisism without being racially >> >>> >inclined. Fight to make things right no >> matter what but without >> >>> >pinpointing nationalities or colours of >> people. >> >>> >> >> >>> >> >> >>> >> >> >>> >> >> >>> >>On 10/7/08, John Maina >> <j.maina(a)ymail.com> wrote: >> >>> >> >>http://www.wananchiforums.com/showthread.php?p=3150#poest3150 >> >>> >> >> >>> >> >>_______________________________________________ >> >>> >>kictanet mailing list >> >>> >>kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke >> >>> >> >>http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet >> >>> >> >> >>> >>This message was sent to: >> lfkraft(a)gmail.com >> >>> >>Unsubscribe or change your options at >> >>> >> >>http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/lfkraft%40gma >il. >> >>> >com >> >>> >> >> >>> >> >> >>> >> >> >>> >> >> >>> >>-- >> >>> >>Lizette Kraft >> >>> >>P.O. Box 18488, 00500 >> >>> >>Nairobi, Kenya >> >>> >>Cell: 0722-800362 >> >>> >> >> >>> >> >> >>> >> >> >>> >> >>> >> >>> >> >>> >> _______________________________________________ >> >>> kictanet mailing list >> >>> kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke >> >>> >> http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet >> >>> >> >>> This message was sent to: jmanthi(a)gmail.com >> >>> Unsubscribe or change your options at >> >>> >> >http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/jmanthi%40gmai >l.com >> >>> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> -- >> >> Joseph Manthi >> >> CEO >> >> MEO Ltd >> >> http://www.meoltd.com >> >> >> > >> > -- >> > Sent from my mobile device >> > >> > Made in Kenya Network >> > Apt. B-8, Elite Park >> > Ole Odume Road >> > P. O. Box 72031 - 00200 >> > Nairobi. Kenya >> > Tel: +254-20-3590451 >> > Cel: +254-722-811171 >> > Cel: +254-735-370840 >> > www.madeinkenya.org >> > >> > http://www.bungesms.com >> > >> > _______________________________________________ >> > kictanet mailing list >> > kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke >> > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet >> > >> > This message was sent to: gachuhi.anthony(a)gmail.com >> > Unsubscribe or change your options at >> > >> >http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/gachuhi.anthon >y%40gmail.com >> > >> >> -- >> Sent from Gmail for mobile | mobile.google.com >> >> _______________________________________________ >> 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: mwananchi(a)hushmail.com >Unsubscribe or change your options at >http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/mwananchi%40hu >shmail.com -- Click here for free information on how to reduce your debt by filing for bankruptcy. http://tagline.hushmail.com/fc/Ioyw6h4elLzQmCONnCaK286MVblIR30PBBcRba4a4pkA…

1 0

Re: [kictanet] Fwd: PS Ndemo, ECONET Scandal aand Vested Interests
by eadera＠idrc.or.ke 17 Oct '08

17 Oct '08

Anyone has taken the time to thoroughly study the secret behind Dubai's tremendous growth? (U.A.E in general). There are some useful lessons! > > > >---- Original Message ---- >From: j.maina(a)ymail.com >To: eadera(a)idrc.or.ke >Subject: Re: [kictanet] Fwd: PS Ndemo, ECONET Scandal aand Vested >Interests >Date: Wed, 15 Oct 2008 09:03:50 -0700 (PDT) > >>Lizette >> >>I think that you have racially inclined your mind. >> >>When did KENCALL directors become Kenyans? After getting good >friends to bribe their way to this country. And let me tell you that >the money the so called investors are using are Kenyan money not >money from foreign banks. >> >>They have come and borrowed from Kenyan banks. How much does the >most profitable telecomms companies leave in this country, very small >amount. We have Telecomms companies which are on their marks. They >have very inferior systems and dont actually deliver in service but >make billions and run away with the billions. >> >>Dada Lizette, we know that there are Kenyans who are white, black >coloured and all but know that I am a mixed race Kenyan and really >sad when our brotehrs have to suffer because of bad policies from >people like PS >> >>JM >> >> >> >>----- Original Message ---- >>From: Lizette Kraft <lfkraft(a)gmail.com> >>To: j.maina(a)ymail.com >>Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> >>Sent: Tuesday, October 14, 2008 1:52:07 PM >>Subject: [kictanet] Fwd: PS Ndemo, ECONET Scandal aand Vested >Interests >> >> >>Just my two pennies worth here. >> >>Kenya is not an Island that it can survive on its own even through >local investment. Most times we dont have the funds. I do agree >though about the Government and banks not supporting local investors >with loans etc. They must start giving them the opportunity to setup >local expertise and turn them in money making ventures, if only they >wouldn't fleece their own companies. Even America, the giant needs >investors!!! You all have a valid point but use it for the best >interests of Kenya and its people first and foremost. Not just self >interest for the few. And by the way Kenyans come in all shapes, >sizes, COLOURS, and creed. So please don't generalise who is kenyan >and who is not!!! Kencall directors and owners are Kenyan and not >outsiders if I understand correctly. When we are taxed whether >individually or coorporately, the money is used for Kenya and Kenyans >and not for outsiders who invested! Forcing local partnership in >foreign owned companies has >> its negative and positive effects. >>This needs to be look at more seriously to make it a win-win >situation. It has been known in the past that foreign investors with >forced local partnership have been subjected to threats and >intimidation by the local partners when they wanted more than their >fare share, (given to them mind you). Thus the weariness o >>of being forced now. This does not attract any investor. But the >foreigners should not fleece the country either! >> >>Let us have some constructive critisism without being racially >inclined. Fight to make things right no matter what but without >pinpointing nationalities or colours of people. >> >> >> >> >>On 10/7/08, John Maina <j.maina(a)ymail.com> wrote: >>http://www.wananchiforums.com/showthread.php?p=3150#poest3150 >> >>_______________________________________________ >>kictanet mailing list >>kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke >>http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet >> >>This message was sent to: lfkraft(a)gmail.com >>Unsubscribe or change your options at >http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/lfkraft%40gmail. >com >> >> >> >> >>-- >>Lizette Kraft >>P.O. Box 18488, 00500 >>Nairobi, Kenya >>Cell: 0722-800362 >> >> >>

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MAKE ICTs WORK FOR DEVELOPMENT - STAND UP NOW, TAKE ACTION TODAY!
by Constance Georgina Khaendi Walyaro 17 Oct '08

17 Oct '08

Poverty affects us all ‘Today is the UN’s official World Poverty Day. But every day is poverty day for the two billion people worldwide who have less than two dollars a day to live on. Of those, just under one billion live on just one dollar a day. In September 2000, 189 countries pledged to halve the number of those in poverty by 2015. When we look at the results so far, hope mixes with despair. Over 100 million children are still unable to go to school. Each year, 10 million children die before their 5th birthday. 40 million are living with HIV and AIDS, and 5 million die of it each year.’17th Oct 2004 Hilary Benn, UK Secretary of State for International Development Today, nearly half of the world’s people live in poverty, 70% are women. 50,000 people still die daily as a result of extreme poverty, and yet …..we have the power to change this. www.standagainstpoverty.org Last year, 43.7 million people around the world took part in the biggest global mobilization to end poverty and inequality, and to promote the Millennium Development Goals. This year, at a time of global financial crises and food shortages, more than ever we need to ACT together in order to send an even stronger message to push world leaders for more and better aid, debt cancellation, education for all, healthcare, trade justice, gender equality, public accountability and an end to extreme poverty by 2015. As the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty unfolds across the world we’re hoping to mobilize 1% of the global population - over 67 million people around the world to STAND UP and TAKE ACTION [17th - 19th Oct] against Poverty for the MDGs. Your actions count! 1. Tell your MP what you think: send SMS messages to the number 3454 with the word STAND UP. 2. Attend Global Gatherings: a series of parallel IYPF events held in over 30 different countries focused on mobilizing and engaging young professionals in activities and processes that are holding governments and leaders accountable and contributing to the achievement of the MDGs. www.iypf.org 3. Join Virtual Stand Up: log in from October 17th to 19th and interact with the world on MDGs; build a more peaceful, equitable and sustainable world. Facebook IYPF StandUp Global Gathering www.iypf.org We have the power and an obligation to make ICTs work for development! STAND UP NOW, TAKE ACTION TODAY, Make Poverty History! Constance Georgina Khaendi Walyaro Director, Chair FWG International Young Professionals Foundation constancewalyaro(a)iypf.org www.iypf.org Wainaina P. Mungai Make in Kenya Network wainaina(a)madeinkenya.org www.madeinkenya.org StandUp is an initiative of the Make Poverty History and Global Call to Action Against Poverty (GCAP) campaigns. IYPF is a GCAP Global Mobilization Partner. www.makepovertyhistory.org Send instant messages to your online friends http://uk.messenger.yahoo.com

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Re: [kictanet] Fwd: PS Ndemo, ECONET Scandal aand Vested Interests
by eadera＠idrc.or.ke 16 Oct '08

16 Oct '08

Joe, UAE is an example of managed FDI that enhances economic growth while ensuring direct benefits for its local investors and citizens. They create incentives for international investors (and local investors too), but manage it to ensure direct local benefits that is largely skewed to local beneficiaries. In some cases, it's abit extreme (and encourages absentee/ghost investors), but in general ensures locals benefit. what would be helpful here is drawing on FDI research and best practice policies in this area to inform our debate and keep it civil. I believe KICTANET or other parties can support an exercise to quickly collate such knowledge to inform our discourse. I'm sure such body of knowledge exists. Edith > > > >---- Original Message ---- >From: jmanthi(a)gmail.com >To: eadera(a)idrc.or.ke >Subject: Re: [kictanet] Fwd: PS Ndemo, ECONET Scandal aand Vested >Interests >Date: Wed, 15 Oct 2008 18:13:16 -0500 > >>Edith,There are some useful lessons - but these lessons do not >include: >> >>1. How to give away your national treasures - like bandwidth - to >foreign >>entities just because they say they can not do any business with >local >>entrepreneurs. In fact I know this for a fact, you would never get a >license >>to operate in UAE if this was your argument. Further to this lesson >I would >>like to point to these additional countries that would laugh you out >of town >>if you made that argument - US (some businesses like Airline, >Military and >>Defense, Telecommunications (not ISP), Radio & TV), India, >Singapore, >>Malaysia, Taiwan, Hong Kong, China, the whole of Middle East, South >Africa, >>Japan (especially Japan) >> >>2. How not be conned. Kenya seems to heading there with its eyes >opened. >>When a man approaches a woman, it would be a very stupid woman, who >knowing >>what a man is capable of, to accept the BS that the man is feeding >her. And >>if she does then she deserves what she gets. Kenya will get what it >deserves >>and very soon. A good example is Russia and its oligarchs - all >members of >>the Forbes Richest. >> >>3. Great leadership is necessary to grow a country. A leadership >with >>intestinal fortitude to say no under pressure. Top to bottom, >> >>4. That the local mwananchi can invest in their own country and >manage its >>growth >> >>5. That a great nation looks upon its diaspora to grow it - a la >Israel and >>India >> >>6. That a great nation does not wait to be raped twice - We seem to >be >>following a process that will guarantee our raping despite how >Kenyan some >>members of this committee think they are. Its just a matter of time >before >>they pick up their bags and leave. I really do not think that as a >national >>planner I should be putting my eggs in that basket. >> >>Joe >> >>On Wed, Oct 15, 2008 at 4:55 PM, <eadera(a)idrc.or.ke> wrote: >> >>> Anyone has taken the time to thoroughly study the secret behind >>> Dubai's tremendous growth? (U.A.E in general). There are some >useful >>> lessons! >>> >>> >>> > >>> >---- Original Message ---- >>> >From: j.maina(a)ymail.com >>> >To: eadera(a)idrc.or.ke >>> >Subject: Re: [kictanet] Fwd: PS Ndemo, ECONET Scandal aand >Vested >>> >Interests >>> >Date: Wed, 15 Oct 2008 09:03:50 -0700 (PDT) >>> > >>> >>Lizette >>> >> >>> >>I think that you have racially inclined your mind. >>> >> >>> >>When did KENCALL directors become Kenyans? After getting good >>> >friends to bribe their way to this country. And let me tell you >that >>> >the money the so called investors are using are Kenyan money not >>> >money from foreign banks. >>> >> >>> >>They have come and borrowed from Kenyan banks. How much does the >>> >most profitable telecomms companies leave in this country, very >small >>> >amount. We have Telecomms companies which are on their marks. >They >>> >have very inferior systems and dont actually deliver in service >but >>> >make billions and run away with the billions. >>> >> >>> >>Dada Lizette, we know that there are Kenyans who are white, >black >>> >coloured and all but know that I am a mixed race Kenyan and >really >>> >sad when our brotehrs have to suffer because of bad policies from >>> >people like PS >>> >> >>> >>JM >>> >> >>> >> >>> >> >>> >>----- Original Message ---- >>> >>From: Lizette Kraft <lfkraft(a)gmail.com> >>> >>To: j.maina(a)ymail.com >>> >>Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions ><kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> >>> >>Sent: Tuesday, October 14, 2008 1:52:07 PM >>> >>Subject: [kictanet] Fwd: PS Ndemo, ECONET Scandal aand Vested >>> >Interests >>> >> >>> >> >>> >>Just my two pennies worth here. >>> >> >>> >>Kenya is not an Island that it can survive on its own even >through >>> >local investment. Most times we dont have the funds. I do agree >>> >though about the Government and banks not supporting local >investors >>> >with loans etc. They must start giving them the opportunity to >setup >>> >local expertise and turn them in money making ventures, if only >they >>> >wouldn't fleece their own companies. Even America, the giant >needs >>> >investors!!! You all have a valid point but use it for the best >>> >interests of Kenya and its people first and foremost. Not just >self >>> >interest for the few. And by the way Kenyans come in all shapes, >>> >sizes, COLOURS, and creed. So please don't generalise who is >kenyan >>> >and who is not!!! Kencall directors and owners are Kenyan and >not >>> >outsiders if I understand correctly. When we are taxed whether >>> >individually or coorporately, the money is used for Kenya and >Kenyans >>> >and not for outsiders who invested! Forcing local partnership in >>> >foreign owned companies has >>> >> its negative and positive effects. >>> >>This needs to be look at more seriously to make it a win-win >>> >situation. It has been known in the past that foreign investors >with >>> >forced local partnership have been subjected to threats and >>> >intimidation by the local partners when they wanted more than >their >>> >fare share, (given to them mind you). Thus the weariness o >>> >>of being forced now. This does not attract any investor. But the >>> >foreigners should not fleece the country either! >>> >> >>> >>Let us have some constructive critisism without being racially >>> >inclined. Fight to make things right no matter what but without >>> >pinpointing nationalities or colours of people. >>> >> >>> >> >>> >> >>> >> >>> >>On 10/7/08, John Maina <j.maina(a)ymail.com> wrote: >>> >>http://www.wananchiforums.com/showthread.php?p=3150#poest3150 >>> >> >>> >>_______________________________________________ >>> >>kictanet mailing list >>> >>kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke >>> >>http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet >>> >> >>> >>This message was sent to: lfkraft(a)gmail.com >>> >>Unsubscribe or change your options at >>> >>http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/lfkraft%40gmail >. >>> >com >>> >> >>> >> >>> >> >>> >> >>> >>-- >>> >>Lizette Kraft >>> >>P.O. Box 18488, 00500 >>> >>Nairobi, Kenya >>> >>Cell: 0722-800362 >>> >> >>> >> >>> >> >>> >>> >>> >>> _______________________________________________ >>> kictanet mailing list >>> kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke >>> http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet >>> >>> This message was sent to: jmanthi(a)gmail.com >>> Unsubscribe or change your options at >>> >http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/jmanthi%40gmail. >com >>> >> >> >> >>-- >>Joseph Manthi >>CEO >>MEO Ltd >>http://www.meoltd.com >>

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Re: [kictanet] Fwd: PS Ndemo, ECONET Scandal aand Vested Interests
by John Maina 16 Oct '08

16 Oct '08

Nick Do you want coffee because I have said I am mixed race or ndugu you want to be honest? JM ----- Original Message ---- From: "nnesbitt(a)kencall.com" <nnesbitt(a)kencall.com> To: John Maina <j.maina(a)ymail.com>; kictanet-bounces+nnesbitt=kencall.com(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> Sent: Thursday, October 16, 2008 1:14:41 AM Subject: Re: [kictanet] Fwd: PS Ndemo, ECONET Scandal aand Vested Interests John, John, John If you would like to meet a family that embodies what it means to be Kenyan, let's have a coffee sometime and I will introduce you to a few generations of my family... Come get to know me. Karibu. Nik Sent from my BlackBerry® -----Original Message----- From: John Maina <j.maina(a)ymail.com> Date: Wed, 15 Oct 2008 09:03:50 To: <nnesbitt(a)kencall.com> Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions<kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> Subject: Re: [kictanet] Fwd: PS Ndemo, ECONET Scandal aand Vested Interests _______________________________________________ kictanet mailing list kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet This message was sent to: nnesbitt(a)kencall.com Unsubscribe or change your options at http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/nnesbitt%40kencall.com

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Re: [kictanet] Fwd: PS Ndemo, ECONET Scandal aand Vested Interests
by John Maina 16 Oct '08

16 Oct '08

Edith One of the lessons is not locking outt locals. Its infact involving the locals like nobody has ever imagine JM ----- Original Message ---- From: "eadera(a)idrc.or.ke" <eadera(a)idrc.or.ke> To: j.maina(a)ymail.com; eadera(a)idrc.or.ke Cc: kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke Sent: Thursday, October 16, 2008 12:55:30 AM Subject: Re: [kictanet] Fwd: PS Ndemo, ECONET Scandal aand Vested Interests Anyone has taken the time to thoroughly study the secret behind Dubai's tremendous growth? (U.A.E in general). There are some useful lessons! > > > >---- Original Message ---- >From: j.maina(a)ymail.com >To: eadera(a)idrc.or.ke >Subject: Re: [kictanet] Fwd: PS Ndemo, ECONET Scandal aand Vested >Interests >Date: Wed, 15 Oct 2008 09:03:50 -0700 (PDT) > >>Lizette >> >>I think that you have racially inclined your mind. >> >>When did KENCALL directors become Kenyans? After getting good >friends to bribe their way to this country. And let me tell you that >the money the so called investors are using are Kenyan money not >money from foreign banks. >> >>They have come and borrowed from Kenyan banks. How much does the >most profitable telecomms companies leave in this country, very small >amount. We have Telecomms companies which are on their marks. They >have very inferior systems and dont actually deliver in service but >make billions and run away with the billions. >> >>Dada Lizette, we know that there are Kenyans who are white, black >coloured and all but know that I am a mixed race Kenyan and really >sad when our brotehrs have to suffer because of bad policies from >people like PS >> >>JM >> >> >> >>----- Original Message ---- >>From: Lizette Kraft <lfkraft(a)gmail.com> >>To: j.maina(a)ymail.com >>Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> >>Sent: Tuesday, October 14, 2008 1:52:07 PM >>Subject: [kictanet] Fwd: PS Ndemo, ECONET Scandal aand Vested >Interests >> >> >>Just my two pennies worth here. >> >>Kenya is not an Island that it can survive on its own even through >local investment. Most times we dont have the funds. I do agree >though about the Government and banks not supporting local investors >with loans etc. They must start giving them the opportunity to setup >local expertise and turn them in money making ventures, if only they >wouldn't fleece their own companies. Even America, the giant needs >investors!!! You all have a valid point but use it for the best >interests of Kenya and its people first and foremost. Not just self >interest for the few. And by the way Kenyans come in all shapes, >sizes, COLOURS, and creed. So please don't generalise who is kenyan >and who is not!!! Kencall directors and owners are Kenyan and not >outsiders if I understand correctly. When we are taxed whether >individually or coorporately, the money is used for Kenya and Kenyans >and not for outsiders who invested! Forcing local partnership in >foreign owned companies has >> its negative and positive effects. >>This needs to be look at more seriously to make it a win-win >situation. It has been known in the past that foreign investors with >forced local partnership have been subjected to threats and >intimidation by the local partners when they wanted more than their >fare share, (given to them mind you). Thus the weariness o >>of being forced now. This does not attract any investor. But the >foreigners should not fleece the country either! >> >>Let us have some constructive critisism without being racially >inclined. Fight to make things right no matter what but without >pinpointing nationalities or colours of people. >> >> >> >> >>On 10/7/08, John Maina <j.maina(a)ymail.com> wrote: >>http://www.wananchiforums.com/showthread.php?p=3150#poest3150 >> >>_______________________________________________ >>kictanet mailing list >>kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke >>http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet >> >>This message was sent to: lfkraft(a)gmail.com >>Unsubscribe or change your options at >http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/lfkraft%40gmail. >com >> >> >> >> >>-- >>Lizette Kraft >>P.O. Box 18488, 00500 >>Nairobi, Kenya >>Cell: 0722-800362 >> >> >>

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Re: [kictanet] Kenya opens door to foreign telecoms investors - From Ugandan
by mwananchi＠hushmail.com 16 Oct '08

16 Oct '08

JM, Only those who dislike other Kenyans would try to propagate such as part of an attempt to make your points of accountability and transparency irrelevant. We have seen some of their true colours come out through their actions. It is important that these matters come to the surface, they cannot be wishfully drowned. Ndugu yesterday there was an article about the problems PS Ndemo and others are ignoring while rushing to bring in foreigners. If they cannot see these as the signs of a larger juggernaut of what ails us in progressing to indigenous equity and wealth generation then it is time perhaps they accepted that policy making in the interests of Kenyans needs to be in more capable hands. We call on PS Ndemo to work with his counterparts in government to correct these problems ailing Kenyans before rushing to embrace foreigners as a "solution". Peterson Banks giving youth a raw deal Published on 15/10/2008 Politicians and the Government have failed to address the youth agenda. It seems like when the sun starts shinning on our politicians or when they get what they want, the youth are shoved aside. For a long time now, the youth agenda has not been addressed, with youth forced to fend for themselves. Critical issues affecting them are never addressed. Last year’s effort by the Government to introduce the youth fund was noble, but it got hijacked by profit hungry banks. The banks’ stringent measures and loan qualification requirements were unfriendly and discouraging. Why did the Government set up a youth fund without strict rules to govern it? http://www.eastandard.net/InsidePage.php?&id=1143997024&catid=17&a=1 On Wed, 15 Oct 2008 15:58:14 +0000 John Maina <j.maina(a)ymail.com> wrote: >Peterson > >And I think these people mistake me with someone in the diaspora. >I live and work in Kenya and purely live on my own business which >has passed alot and been featured as one of the most innovative >businesses around. > >So Alex, guess which one it is and tell me about yours > >JM > > > >----- Original Message ---- >From: "mwananchi(a)hushmail.com" <mwananchi(a)hushmail.com> >To: j.maina(a)ymail.com >Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions ><kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> >Sent: Wednesday, October 15, 2008 4:10:41 PM >Subject: Re: [kictanet] Kenya opens door to foreign telecoms >investors - From Ugandan > >Gichuru, > >Prior to asking your question you doubted whether Kenyans engaged >in holding a public servant to transparently account, actually >worked, actually resided in Kenya, actually contributed to >economic >growth and were only complainants incapable of creating effective >change. In doing so, I believe you answered your own question >before you had a chance to ask it. One can only conclude that your > >call for stories is not sincere. > >Promoting veiled stereotypes, while suggesting that Kenyans who >live in Kenya cannot stand up for their rights, will not detract >non-elitist Kenyans from ensuring that public servants accountably > >engage in service delivery to the Kenyan people. The suggestion >that people are layabouts who wake up one day and raise an issue >that does not affect them in anyway should be consigned to the >proper dustbin. Thank you. > >Peterson > >On Tue, 14 Oct 2008 11:17:05 +0000 gichuru(a)gmail.com wrote: >>I keep asking myself , how much change can you effect by >>complaining >>and criticizing the ones who are actually working? How many of >you >>criticizing the PS and other government initiative are in Kenya >>contributing to the economic growth? How many have tried running >a >>business in this country in the last 10 years and can testify to >>growth? >> >>I am not saying more cant be done, but appreciate what has been >>done..... But if you really have something to say a burning >desire >>to >>share, dont talk about the KLM story, KQ Story, we already know >>about >>them, lets hear about your story.. what are you doing or have you >>done? Lets judge for ourselves if you can deliver given a >>chance.... >> >> >> >>On 10/14/08, John Maina <j.maina(a)ymail.com> wrote: >>> Kenyans and other Africans, >>> >>> Yes, I agree. We have the money. But we need to organize to >stop >>> the hemorrhage of our resources. This is our moment to make our > >>voices >>> heard about our countries' economic sovereignty. What many of >>our >>> leaders are doing giving away our tangible and intangible >assets >>> is treasonous and inexcusable. >>> >>> In Uganda, my country, the president, his family and their >>lackeys >>> have turned themselves into a veritable mafia of commission >>agents >>> carrying water for all sorts of foreign interests. They >proclaim >>from >>> the rooftops how indigenous Ugandans are too poor and dumb to >>own and >>> manage businesses. Yet, there is plenty of evidence to the >>contrary. >>> Some of that evidence points to how foreigners, including South > >>Asians >>> who arrive in the country with only the shirts on their backs, >>are >>> provided with multi-million dollar loans/grants to finance pet >>> enterprises. Ugandans can only dream of such largesse. >>Understandably, >>> many of those foreign "investors" take the money -- pausing >only >>long >>> enough to wreck the business -- and run. A good example is >>Tristar, a >>> textile firm that government set up as a showcase of a >>successful >>> Africa Growth Opportunity Act inspired business, was handd on a > >>silver >>> platter to a pair of Sri Lankan briefcase businessmen with a >>$2.5 >>> million loan from the state-owned Uganda Development bank. >Their >>only >>> qualification was that they were "Indian", a nationality that >>Museveni >>> equates with a natural entrepreneurship. >>> >>> In addition to the free business and loan, the conmen were >>> vigorously and publicly supported by the President's office in >>> exploiting an all-female workforce (including sexually), >>recruited >>> deliberately from rural Uganda and kept in apartheid-era like >>hostels, >>> ostensibly because they would be too docile to rebel against >>their poor >>> working conditions. A parliamentary investigation was sparked >>when the >>> "Agoa girls," as the workers were patronizingly called, >>organized and >>> downed their tools. That's when the sordid details of the sorry > >>venture >>> emerged. >>> >>> The adage that "if you want to look for traitors, start at the >>> top" is all too true for our countries. With leaders such as >>these (and >>> silent lambs as us), is it any wonder that nearly every race >>holds us >>> in contempt and reaps fortunes out of our losses! >>> >>> Vukoni >>> >>> >>> -------- Original Message -------- >>> Subject: [DigAfrica] Re: [africa-oped] Fwd: Re: [picta-kenya] >>Re: Kenya >>> opens door to foreign telecoms investors >>> >>> - Show quoted text - >>> From: "Robert Alai" <alai.robert(a)gmail.com> >>> Date: Mon, October 13, 2008 10:34 am >>> To: digafrica(a)yahoogroups.com, picta-kenya(a)yahoogroups.com >>> >>> >>> - Show quoted text - >>> >>> Matunda >>> >>> Kenyans have the money. >>> >>> France >>> Telekoms came to Kenya and bought Telkom Kenya but is being >>supported >>> by the Kenyan government. It doesnt have money upto now. >>> >>> Kencall >>> and all these foreigners claiming that Kenyans have no money >>came and >>> borrowed in Kenyan banks. Tell me which foreigners brought >their >>own >>> money. Including Safaricom which went to the NSE and put up a >>bond. >>> >>> Lets >>> not be cheated. Matunda, me and you and all people in Dig >Afrika >>and >>> PICTA wont have the opportunity to set up our ICT companies if >>Dr Ndemo >>> is allowed to go ahead. We must insist on local partnership and > >>its not >>> something we should be begging for. We must insist on it >>> >>> Regards >>> Alai >>> >>> - Show quoted text - >>> On Mon, Oct 13, 2008 at 5:34 PM, nmatunda <matunda(a)hotmail.com> > >>wrote: >>> >>> - Show quoted text - >>> >>> --- In picta-kenya(a)yahoogroups.com, "Mike Theuri" >><mi.ke.the.u.r.i@...> >>> wrote: >>> >>> >>> Matunda, >>> >>> I concur with your views and completely agree with the way the >>> Canadian banking industry has weathered the financial storm. >>During a >>> brief visit to Canada I noted that there were 5 major Canadian >>banks >>> and one major international institution (Europe's largest >>institution >>> by way of assets) operating in Canada. According to the WEF: >>"Canada >>> has the world's soundest banking system, according to a more >>recent >>> report released by the World Economic Forum. Canada's banks >>received a >>> score of 6.8 out of possible seven, ahead of the banks of five >>other >>> countries which received a score of 6.7 per cent." We are now >>seeing >>> the US rushing to regulate the banking sector and even going as > >>far as >>> taking ownership stakes in both US and foreign banks because >>Americans >>> interest and not that of foreigners is at stake. There are >>lessons to >>> be learned from this about the consequences of unplanned >>deregulation >>> ie ownership, operational etc in sectors key to the economy. >>> >>> That said we must closely focus on the issue of Kenya and the >>PS' >>> plan to invite foreigners with no conditions on local >ownership. >>My >>> original posting on this issue covered a number of varied >>issues, >>> it appears the discussion has taken on a life of its own after >>it was >>> shared on other forums and has morphed into a protracted battle > >>between >>> pro-PS types engaged in a concerted effort to silence the issue > >>and >>> individuals who despite their rather harsh and tough ways of >>getting >>> the point across raise valid points that are apparently >>unpalatable for >>> some. >>> >>> On Saturday, I received a message from an individual whom I >>shall >>> not name who has gotten rather cosy with the PS of late >>suggesting that >>> certain parties were out to reignite conflict in the nation >>through the >>> revelation of the PS' plan and the resulting debates on lists >>and that >>> I should play a participatory role in "helping them" squelch >the >>> "dissent". I responded saying that the individual was digging >in >>the >>> wrong place as there were no hidden dimensions to the issue >>other than >>> the policies mentioned and that Kenyans should be free to hold >>> individuals in public office to account without interference or >>> intimidation. It was disappointing to read such a message >hinged >>> with hints to unsavoury moments in our recent history coming >>from an >>> individual who once strongly stood for freedom of expression >and >>the >>> right to information. If other individuals have seen it fit to >>raise >>> the issues outside of Picta it is indeed within their rights as > >>Kenyans. >>> >>> Unfortunately the answer to Matunda's question is that there is >>> nobody standing up for Kenyans interests on this issue, we only > >>read in >>> the media about plans to gazette following alleged >consultations >>with >>> foreign stakeholders. There is hardly ever any justification >>made and >>> when it is sought, the PS has repeatedly used isolated but not >>> precedent setting incidents such as the one I mentioned. We all > >>recall >>> the Ksh 100m tax payer funded trip the Finance Minister and the > >>PS >>> amongst other made to the western hemisphere to court Diaspora >>> investors in 2007, only to display high handedness and refusal >>to >>> answer legitimate questions seeking assurances about the >ability >>of the >>> Diaspora to invest in our own country. >>> >>> As a writer observed: >>> http://www.kenyaimagine.com/Economy/Kenya-Finance-Minister- >>courts-investors-abroad.html >>> "Next was the matter of investment, especially that of Kenyans >>> abroad. However much investment opportunities are paraded, >>investors, >>> whether Kenyan or foreign, always have the same questions about > >>the >>> local environment with regard to; bureaucratic bottlenecks, >>regulatory >>> climate, corruption, and insecurity" >>> >>> When such questions were brought up the delegation brushed them >>> aside and refused to answer them. Today, we read about Ndemo >>appearing >>> to disregard the interests of Kenyans through his proposed >>policies and >>> calling for increased foreign participation in the Kenyan >>economy. This >>> is simply wrong, why is Ndemo rushing to make conditions better > >>for >>> foreigners but not exhibiting the same level of effort for >>Kenyans to >>> have a larger stake in the economy? >>> >>> Ndemo should instead be taking on the issues his delegation >>> brushed aside when questioned by would be Kenyan investors. The > >>PS >>> should put his country (Kenya) and its citizens first and that >>means >>> working for the common interests of Kenyans. Any Kenyan who >asks >>the PS >>> or the Government to justify and explain its position on >>> such contentious proposals should be given the opportunity to >>express >>> their views, not condemned and counter attacked as seems to be >>the case >>> now on a discussion list serving industry interests. Kenyans >>should not >>> stand by idly as non-progressive proposals are quietly drafted >>and made >>> binding to Kenyans without the process being open to critique >>and >>> public input. >>> >>> Mike >>> On Sun, Oct 12, 2008 at 7:14 AM, nmatunda >>> >><http://../../../../post?postID=Nwl_acszxFkN4z3b2uNtU8XlfkXWMi8l7F >o >>VzSnzRChXPvqnkZb6vcvKEzgqRf67GjelW9IqJOAw> >>> wrote: >>> >>> Mike, >>> >>> I am with you 200% on this. >>> >>> Every country must always act in its self-interest; this move >by >>> the PS is deplorable and not in line with long term Kenyan >>interests, >>> especially in as a lucrative area as ICT. >>> >>> In my books, we invite foreigners for such things as (a) >>financing >>> (which by the way Kenyans have shown can be raised locally), >(b) >>> operations and management experience & knowledge transfer, (c) >>> relationships that we can leverage through any such joint >>ventures, >>> etc. Joint ventures can also cushion enterprises from predatory >>> illegalities, especially given our weak legal dispute >resolution >>> structures! Of the latter, remember when heads of state >>corporations >>> used to queue up with money bags to state house to prop up the >>Moi >>> excesses! Or when companies could be shaken down for political >>> donations at a whim! >>> >>> For me, a good (not ideal!) joint venture is one of the kind >>that >>> Kenya Airways went into with KLM, when KA had been run down by >>> politically connected individuals. KLM brought in management >and >>> operations experience, facilitated KA's access to markets and >>routes >>> that KA otherwise couldn't easily access and in the process the > >>KA >>> brand rose, as did profits and more! The investment has paid >>well for >>> Kenyans and KLM; a win-win. >>> >>> There is a lesson to be learnt from the current American >>financial >>> crisis with respect to experiences in Canada. This country has >>been >>> under pressure to deregulate its financial services sector for >>the >>> longest time. Banks have argued that they needed mergers to >>allow them >>> to compete globally; and that they needed global partners that >>would >>> help them grow and extend their reach. >>> >>> Canadian government have constantly refused mergers or the kind > >>of >>> deregulation the industry sought! Their argument: the interest >>of the >>> common person whose priority banks should be. >>> >>> Guess what? In the present crisis, Canada has come >substantially >>> well ahead of the US and others. And for what reason: they >stood >>> against unfettered deregulaion! and they stood up for the >>interest of >>> Canadians. >>> >>> I ask all yee this question: who is standing for the interest >of >>Kenyans in >>> this open invitation to exploitation? >>> >>> Dr Ndemo needs to be stopped, I am afraid! >>> >>> Unedited. >>> >>> Matunda Nyanchama >>> >>> >>> >> >> >>-- >> >>Warm Regards >>-------------------------------------- >>Sam Gichuru >>CVO >> >>Register .COM, .co.ke, .NET, .ORG, .INFO and .BIZ domain names >for >>FREE. unlimited email addresses. Business Webhosting and Internet >>Marketing services for only Kshs. 1,000 a month. >> >>Ideas Africa Limited - The Web Design and Hosting Company >>Tel : 020-221199, 230663 - Cell: 0722-730565 >>Web: www.ideasafrica.com >> >>_______________________________________________ >>kictanet mailing list >>kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke >>http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet >> >>This message was sent to: mwananchi(a)hushmail.com >>Unsubscribe or change your options at >>http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/mwananchi%40h >u >>shmail.com > >-- >Save hundreds on an Unsecured Loan - Click here. >http://tagline.hushmail.com/fc/Ioyw6h4d88tmB31ffQ6YfI4lx9Rf7NLWb1ug >iNn2azUFjLf1hzBS4K/ > > >_______________________________________________ >kictanet mailing list >kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke >http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > >This message was sent to: j.maina(a)ymail.com >Unsubscribe or change your options at >http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/j.maina%40ymai >l.com -- Click for air conditioner info, reduce energy costs, affordable prices. http://tagline.hushmail.com/fc/Ioyw6h4dbgvjVFZ4bUCR6fShDMdauKf7s28Z7Xm4oEAC…

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Re: [kictanet] PS Ndemo, ECONET Scandal aand Vested Interests
by mwananchi＠hushmail.com 16 Oct '08

16 Oct '08

Tony, Your suggestion is good, however should a few hundred people make a binding decision on a matter as critical as this one when it affects millions of Kenyans? The issues at hand require wide consultation, some are so serious they might have to be destined for parliament where its a matter affecting ALL Kenyans and what's on the table seems to be working more for foreigners than Kenyans. The ball ultimately is in the PS' court for his to take immediate action and start considering the views of the wider public. I'm with you on the latter point. Peterson On Thu, 16 Oct 2008 04:16:22 +0000 gachuhi anthony <gachuhi.anthony(a)gmail.com> wrote: >Moderator >Is there a way off having an online poll to know where we stand >maybe >from there we may be able to know who is for or against the >policies >being discussed. >Then we can give reasons as I don't think this a list to decide >who is >more kenyan than the other its about what will affect us all >Tony > > > >On 10/16/08, Wainaina Mungai <wainaina(a)madeinkenya.org> wrote: >> Dear all, >> >> What is the desired outcome of this very energised thread? >(Select one) >> >> A: That the PS (I&C) announce that policies shall be developed >in an >> open, transparent and consultative manner. He also must organise >a >> forum to kickstart non-emotive talks by mid-November. >> >> B: That PS Ndemo resigns and is replaced with a person of your >choice. >> >> C: That the Econet licence, Kencall licence and related MoUs, >> contracts signed by PS (I&C) be cancelled. >> >> D: That all stakeholders Govt., KICTANET, KIF, CA, etc organise >an >> "ICT Investment" policy forum to be held in Nairobi around mid- >> November 2008. >> >> I hope this shall help us focus on defining and achieving a >common >> goal so that we desist from personal attacks on integrity, >racial >> profiling and so on... >> >> Good day, >> Wainaina >> >> On 10/16/08, Joseph Manthi <jmanthi(a)gmail.com> wrote: >>> Edith,There are some useful lessons - but these lessons do not >include: >>> >>> 1. How to give away your national treasures - like bandwidth - >to foreign >>> entities just because they say they can not do any business >with local >>> entrepreneurs. In fact I know this for a fact, you would never >get a >>> license >>> to operate in UAE if this was your argument. Further to this >lesson I >>> would >>> like to point to these additional countries that would laugh >you out of >>> town >>> if you made that argument - US (some businesses like Airline, >Military and >>> Defense, Telecommunications (not ISP), Radio & TV), India, >Singapore, >>> Malaysia, Taiwan, Hong Kong, China, the whole of Middle East, >South >>> Africa, >>> Japan (especially Japan) >>> >>> 2. How not be conned. Kenya seems to heading there with its >eyes opened. >>> When a man approaches a woman, it would be a very stupid woman, >who >>> knowing >>> what a man is capable of, to accept the BS that the man is >feeding her. >>> And >>> if she does then she deserves what she gets. Kenya will get >what it >>> deserves >>> and very soon. A good example is Russia and its oligarchs - all >members of >>> the Forbes Richest. >>> >>> 3. Great leadership is necessary to grow a country. A >leadership with >>> intestinal fortitude to say no under pressure. Top to bottom, >>> >>> 4. That the local mwananchi can invest in their own country and >manage its >>> growth >>> >>> 5. That a great nation looks upon its diaspora to grow it - a >la Israel >>> and >>> India >>> >>> 6. That a great nation does not wait to be raped twice - We >seem to be >>> following a process that will guarantee our raping despite how >Kenyan some >>> members of this committee think they are. Its just a matter of >time before >>> they pick up their bags and leave. I really do not think that >as a >>> national >>> planner I should be putting my eggs in that basket. >>> >>> Joe >>> >>> On Wed, Oct 15, 2008 at 4:55 PM, <eadera(a)idrc.or.ke> wrote: >>> >>>> Anyone has taken the time to thoroughly study the secret >behind >>>> Dubai's tremendous growth? (U.A.E in general). There are some >useful >>>> lessons! >>>> >>>> >>>> > >>>> >---- Original Message ---- >>>> >From: j.maina(a)ymail.com >>>> >To: eadera(a)idrc.or.ke >>>> >Subject: Re: [kictanet] Fwd: PS Ndemo, ECONET Scandal aand >Vested >>>> >Interests >>>> >Date: Wed, 15 Oct 2008 09:03:50 -0700 (PDT) >>>> > >>>> >>Lizette >>>> >> >>>> >>I think that you have racially inclined your mind. >>>> >> >>>> >>When did KENCALL directors become Kenyans? After getting >good >>>> >friends to bribe their way to this country. And let me tell >you that >>>> >the money the so called investors are using are Kenyan money >not >>>> >money from foreign banks. >>>> >> >>>> >>They have come and borrowed from Kenyan banks. How much does >the >>>> >most profitable telecomms companies leave in this country, >very small >>>> >amount. We have Telecomms companies which are on their marks. >They >>>> >have very inferior systems and dont actually deliver in >service but >>>> >make billions and run away with the billions. >>>> >> >>>> >>Dada Lizette, we know that there are Kenyans who are white, >black >>>> >coloured and all but know that I am a mixed race Kenyan and >really >>>> >sad when our brotehrs have to suffer because of bad policies >from >>>> >people like PS >>>> >> >>>> >>JM >>>> >> >>>> >> >>>> >> >>>> >>----- Original Message ---- >>>> >>From: Lizette Kraft <lfkraft(a)gmail.com> >>>> >>To: j.maina(a)ymail.com >>>> >>Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions ><kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> >>>> >>Sent: Tuesday, October 14, 2008 1:52:07 PM >>>> >>Subject: [kictanet] Fwd: PS Ndemo, ECONET Scandal aand >Vested >>>> >Interests >>>> >> >>>> >> >>>> >>Just my two pennies worth here. >>>> >> >>>> >>Kenya is not an Island that it can survive on its own even >through >>>> >local investment. Most times we dont have the funds. I do >agree >>>> >though about the Government and banks not supporting local >investors >>>> >with loans etc. They must start giving them the opportunity >to setup >>>> >local expertise and turn them in money making ventures, if >only they >>>> >wouldn't fleece their own companies. Even America, the giant >needs >>>> >investors!!! You all have a valid point but use it for the >best >>>> >interests of Kenya and its people first and foremost. Not >just self >>>> >interest for the few. And by the way Kenyans come in all >shapes, >>>> >sizes, COLOURS, and creed. So please don't generalise who is >kenyan >>>> >and who is not!!! Kencall directors and owners are Kenyan >and not >>>> >outsiders if I understand correctly. When we are taxed >whether >>>> >individually or coorporately, the money is used for Kenya and >Kenyans >>>> >and not for outsiders who invested! Forcing local >partnership in >>>> >foreign owned companies has >>>> >> its negative and positive effects. >>>> >>This needs to be look at more seriously to make it a win-win >>>> >situation. It has been known in the past that foreign >investors with >>>> >forced local partnership have been subjected to threats and >>>> >intimidation by the local partners when they wanted more than >their >>>> >fare share, (given to them mind you). Thus the weariness o >>>> >>of being forced now. This does not attract any investor. But >the >>>> >foreigners should not fleece the country either! >>>> >> >>>> >>Let us have some constructive critisism without being >racially >>>> >inclined. Fight to make things right no matter what but >without >>>> >pinpointing nationalities or colours of people. >>>> >> >>>> >> >>>> >> >>>> >> >>>> >>On 10/7/08, John Maina <j.maina(a)ymail.com> wrote: >>>> >>>http://www.wananchiforums.com/showthread.php?p=3150#poest3150 >>>> >> >>>> >>_______________________________________________ >>>> >>kictanet mailing list >>>> >>kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke >>>> >>http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet >>>> >> >>>> >>This message was sent to: lfkraft(a)gmail.com >>>> >>Unsubscribe or change your options at >>>> >>http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/lfkraft%40gma >il. >>>> >com >>>> >> >>>> >> >>>> >> >>>> >> >>>> >>-- >>>> >>Lizette Kraft >>>> >>P.O. Box 18488, 00500 >>>> >>Nairobi, Kenya >>>> >>Cell: 0722-800362 >>>> >> >>>> >> >>>> >> >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> _______________________________________________ >>>> kictanet mailing list >>>> kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke >>>> http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet >>>> >>>> This message was sent to: jmanthi(a)gmail.com >>>> Unsubscribe or change your options at >>>> >http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/jmanthi%40gmai >l.com >>>> >>> >>> >>> >>> -- >>> Joseph Manthi >>> CEO >>> MEO Ltd >>> http://www.meoltd.com >>> >> >> -- >> Sent from my mobile device >> >> Made in Kenya Network >> Apt. B-8, Elite Park >> Ole Odume Road >> P. O. Box 72031 - 00200 >> Nairobi. Kenya >> Tel: +254-20-3590451 >> Cel: +254-722-811171 >> Cel: +254-735-370840 >> www.madeinkenya.org >> >> http://www.bungesms.com >> >> _______________________________________________ >> kictanet mailing list >> kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke >> http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet >> >> This message was sent to: gachuhi.anthony(a)gmail.com >> Unsubscribe or change your options at >> >http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/gachuhi.anthon >y%40gmail.com >> > >-- >Sent from Gmail for mobile | mobile.google.com > >_______________________________________________ >kictanet mailing list >kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke >http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > >This message was sent to: mwananchi(a)hushmail.com >Unsubscribe or change your options at >http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/mwananchi%40hu >shmail.com -- Free information on a POS system that meets your needs. 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Re: [kictanet] PS Ndemo, ECONET Scandal aand Vested Interests
by mwananchi＠hushmail.com 16 Oct '08

16 Oct '08

Wainaina, The issues are several but lets not muddy the waters by mixing up separate, distinct and in some of the ones you have listed misinterpreted issues to revert back to what the opponents of accountability and transparency did when they rushed in to silence, resulting in a very energised thread on issues that some feel very strongly about. Naturally some will share the same views as those below and others will disagree: >A: That the PS (I&C) announce that policies shall be developed in >an open, transparent and consultative manner. He also must organise a >forum to kickstart non-emotive talks by mid-November. PS Ndemo so far has defended his proposal and has not yielded an inch. The PS does not appear willing to incorporate alternative views into policy making, and has not indicated the way forward as yet. We thank him for responding however and ask him to remember that he serves the greater Kenyan public not foreign interests and in that light his proposal should be shelved for the sake of public input. Your suggestion is appropriate and the PS could also borrow a leaf from CCK who engage in wide reaching public consultations that invite parties to provide views in writing while also publishing them before policies changes are implemented. On a matter so critical as changes in local ownership reductions to ZERO percent wider public consultations should be held or in the alternate the cabinet and parliament can define this policy on behalf of all Kenyans. As a public servant the PS is duty bound to represent all Kenyans and not selective groups of Kenyans or foreigners (a matter that would run afoul of the law -- Public Officer Ethics Act). >B: That PS Ndemo resigns and is replaced with a person of your >choice. Nobody has clearly called for PS Ndemo's resignation, if Ndemo has received a specific request to do so he should let the public know. The executive arm of government makes appointments to the office of the PS, lets not twist issues of accountability and transparency into matters of partisan politics. We want a better Kenya than that, not a Kenya where one's own is the only acceptable choice regardless of whether one can carry out the job or not. Naturally if public servants feel that they are unable to serve the Kenyan public without favour and not just foreigners and special interests then they should make honourable decisions on whether to continue with that office or not. We are simply asking PS Ndemo to act in the interests of ALL Kenyans and not to do by assumption, to respect and uphold the rule of law so as to help Kenyans fight the rotten culture of impunity and to carry out the duties of his office diligently and to the best of his abilities. Naturally doing so does not grant one a licence to act as one deems fit while forgetting who one works for. >C: That the Econet licence, Kencall licence and related MoUs, >contracts signed by PS (I&C) be cancelled. 1. The Econet licence was cancelled by the Minister for I&C. Econet went to court in an attempt to overturn the decision and failed when the High Court through Justice Ibrahim Mohammed made a final ruling in the matter see HC1640/2004. The Econet licence was cancelled and thus remains cancelled as upheld by a court of law. We must respect our institutions, our laws and the judiciary if we hope to bury the rotten culture of acting with impunity kwenye kaburi la kusahau. 2. Kencall obtained its licence legally. It is not operating under the false pretence of operating on a valid licence that was cancelled. Kencall has helped put Kenya on the BPO map. Opportunities or relaxations in policy available to Kencall should also be availed to Kenyans serious about building our economy. There is no quarrel with Kencall from this quarter on this, there may be in others. To thwart further speculation PS Ndemo should name the foreign characters who have been meeting him in his office under circumstances that would amount to blackmailing a government official into submitting to their demands. 3. The MoUs are the matter of a tribunal appointed by the President. PS Ndemo and the Minister for Energy have not told Kenyans of the extent to which Kenyans were committed to. The MoU should be publicly made available and released. The case of MOUs with foreigners, just shows that the PS and other government officials are putting foreigners ahead of Kenyans. Is PS Ndemo willing to sign an MOU with Kenyans promising to work towards increasing their local ownership percentages in ICT firms? I think not, we should not be accountable to foreigners and fail to be accountable to our fellow citizens. Does the MOU Ndemo sign grant Kenyans preferential access to Libya's ICT sector? Kenyans want to know what is in this MOUs which by all indications to date are lop sided and favour foreigners and their nations. 4. Contracts or agreements signed under false pretences should be cancelled. In any case they are invalid under laws of the land as pertains to cancelled documents by public authority. The matter of an agreement that claimed to settle out of court a case that was already out of court before the sham agreement by way of a FINAL ruling should not be misused to subvert the rule of law and our judiciary. We must put a STOP to the culture of impunity and rampant disregard of the law and judiciary. If a public servant is sacked for upholding the rule of law, let it be so, Kenyans will respect them for standing up for what is right. >D: That all stakeholders Govt., KICTANET, KIF, CA, etc organise an >"ICT Investment" policy forum to be held in Nairobi around mid- >November 2008. > 5. Agreed to in principle, all stakeholders including public and the Diaspora should be formally invited. The policy forum should also involve friends of Kenya who realise the value of having Kenyans having increased ownership in the ICT sector more so fellow Africans who are investing in our economy. However Kenyans must drive the discussion, the PS should come to the forum with an open mind ready to incorporate the views of Kenyans. >I hope this shall help us focus on defining and achieving a common >goal so that we desist from personal attacks on integrity, racial >profiling and so on... Some of us obviously feel very impassioned and disturbed at the sheer nature of PS Ndemo's bulldozed actions. Personal and other attacks will not help us define proper policy, let us respect one another going forward. I have to agree with you on this point and ask the self appointed censors of non-concurring opinion to take note of what their actions exacerbated. Asante. Peterson >Good day, >Wainaina > >On 10/16/08, Joseph Manthi <jmanthi(a)gmail.com> wrote: >> Edith,There are some useful lessons - but these lessons do not >include: >> >> 1. How to give away your national treasures - like bandwidth - >to foreign >> entities just because they say they can not do any business with >local >> entrepreneurs. In fact I know this for a fact, you would never >get a license >> to operate in UAE if this was your argument. Further to this >lesson I would >> like to point to these additional countries that would laugh you >out of town >> if you made that argument - US (some businesses like Airline, >Military and >> Defense, Telecommunications (not ISP), Radio & TV), India, >Singapore, >> Malaysia, Taiwan, Hong Kong, China, the whole of Middle East, >South Africa, >> Japan (especially Japan) >> >> 2. How not be conned. Kenya seems to heading there with its eyes >opened. >> When a man approaches a woman, it would be a very stupid woman, >who knowing >> what a man is capable of, to accept the BS that the man is >feeding her. And >> if she does then she deserves what she gets. Kenya will get what >it deserves >> and very soon. A good example is Russia and its oligarchs - all >members of >> the Forbes Richest. >> >> 3. Great leadership is necessary to grow a country. A leadership >with >> intestinal fortitude to say no under pressure. Top to bottom, >> >> 4. That the local mwananchi can invest in their own country and >manage its >> growth >> >> 5. That a great nation looks upon its diaspora to grow it - a la >Israel and >> India >> >> 6. That a great nation does not wait to be raped twice - We seem >to be >> following a process that will guarantee our raping despite how >Kenyan some >> members of this committee think they are. Its just a matter of >time before >> they pick up their bags and leave. I really do not think that as >a national >> planner I should be putting my eggs in that basket. >> >> Joe >> >> On Wed, Oct 15, 2008 at 4:55 PM, <eadera(a)idrc.or.ke> wrote: >> >>> Anyone has taken the time to thoroughly study the secret behind >>> Dubai's tremendous growth? (U.A.E in general). There are some >useful >>> lessons! >>> >>> >>> > >>> >---- Original Message ---- >>> >From: j.maina(a)ymail.com >>> >To: eadera(a)idrc.or.ke >>> >Subject: Re: [kictanet] Fwd: PS Ndemo, ECONET Scandal aand >Vested >>> >Interests >>> >Date: Wed, 15 Oct 2008 09:03:50 -0700 (PDT) >>> > >>> >>Lizette >>> >> >>> >>I think that you have racially inclined your mind. >>> >> >>> >>When did KENCALL directors become Kenyans? After getting good >>> >friends to bribe their way to this country. And let me tell >you that >>> >the money the so called investors are using are Kenyan money >not >>> >money from foreign banks. >>> >> >>> >>They have come and borrowed from Kenyan banks. How much does >the >>> >most profitable telecomms companies leave in this country, >very small >>> >amount. We have Telecomms companies which are on their marks. >They >>> >have very inferior systems and dont actually deliver in >service but >>> >make billions and run away with the billions. >>> >> >>> >>Dada Lizette, we know that there are Kenyans who are white, >black >>> >coloured and all but know that I am a mixed race Kenyan and >really >>> >sad when our brotehrs have to suffer because of bad policies >from >>> >people like PS >>> >> >>> >>JM >>> >> >>> >> >>> >> >>> >>----- Original Message ---- >>> >>From: Lizette Kraft <lfkraft(a)gmail.com> >>> >>To: j.maina(a)ymail.com >>> >>Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions ><kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> >>> >>Sent: Tuesday, October 14, 2008 1:52:07 PM >>> >>Subject: [kictanet] Fwd: PS Ndemo, ECONET Scandal aand >Vested >>> >Interests >>> >> >>> >> >>> >>Just my two pennies worth here. >>> >> >>> >>Kenya is not an Island that it can survive on its own even >through >>> >local investment. Most times we dont have the funds. I do >agree >>> >though about the Government and banks not supporting local >investors >>> >with loans etc. They must start giving them the opportunity to >setup >>> >local expertise and turn them in money making ventures, if >only they >>> >wouldn't fleece their own companies. Even America, the giant >needs >>> >investors!!! You all have a valid point but use it for the >best >>> >interests of Kenya and its people first and foremost. Not just >self >>> >interest for the few. And by the way Kenyans come in all >shapes, >>> >sizes, COLOURS, and creed. So please don't generalise who is >kenyan >>> >and who is not!!! Kencall directors and owners are Kenyan and >not >>> >outsiders if I understand correctly. When we are taxed whether >>> >individually or coorporately, the money is used for Kenya and >Kenyans >>> >and not for outsiders who invested! Forcing local partnership >in >>> >foreign owned companies has >>> >> its negative and positive effects. >>> >>This needs to be look at more seriously to make it a win-win >>> >situation. It has been known in the past that foreign >investors with >>> >forced local partnership have been subjected to threats and >>> >intimidation by the local partners when they wanted more than >their >>> >fare share, (given to them mind you). Thus the weariness o >>> >>of being forced now. This does not attract any investor. But >the >>> >foreigners should not fleece the country either! >>> >> >>> >>Let us have some constructive critisism without being >racially >>> >inclined. Fight to make things right no matter what but >without >>> >pinpointing nationalities or colours of people. >>> >> >>> >> >>> >> >>> >> >>> >>On 10/7/08, John Maina <j.maina(a)ymail.com> wrote: >>> >>http://www.wananchiforums.com/showthread.php?p=3150#poest3150 >>> >> >>> >>_______________________________________________ >>> >>kictanet mailing list >>> >>kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke >>> >>http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet >>> >> >>> >>This message was sent to: lfkraft(a)gmail.com >>> >>Unsubscribe or change your options at >>> >>http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/lfkraft%40gma >il. >>> >com >>> >> >>> >> >>> >> >>> >> >>> >>-- >>> >>Lizette Kraft >>> >>P.O. Box 18488, 00500 >>> >>Nairobi, Kenya >>> >>Cell: 0722-800362 >>> >> >>> >> >>> >> >>> >>> >>> >>> _______________________________________________ >>> kictanet mailing list >>> kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke >>> http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet >>> >>> This message was sent to: jmanthi(a)gmail.com >>> Unsubscribe or change your options at >>> >http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/jmanthi%40gmai >l.com >>> >> >> >> >> -- >> Joseph Manthi >> CEO >> MEO Ltd >> http://www.meoltd.com >> > >-- >Sent from my mobile device > >Made in Kenya Network >Apt. B-8, Elite Park >Ole Odume Road >P. O. Box 72031 - 00200 >Nairobi. Kenya >Tel: +254-20-3590451 >Cel: +254-722-811171 >Cel: +254-735-370840 >www.madeinkenya.org > >http://www.bungesms.com > >_______________________________________________ >kictanet mailing list >kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke >http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > >This message was sent to: mwananchi(a)hushmail.com >Unsubscribe or change your options at >http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/mwananchi%40hu >shmail.com -- Click here to find the perfect picture with our powerful photo search features. http://tagline.hushmail.com/fc/Ioyw6h4dI2gfxcy5JhZSrwtoKGNxH89RgFtnknCdDUWY…

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Re: [kictanet] Fwd: PS Ndemo, ECONET Scandal aand Vested Interests
by John Maina 16 Oct '08

16 Oct '08

Lizette I think that you have racially inclined your mind. When did KENCALL directors become Kenyans? After getting good friends to bribe their way to this country. And let me tell you that the money the so called investors are using are Kenyan money not money from foreign banks. They have come and borrowed from Kenyan banks. How much does the most profitable telecomms companies leave in this country, very small amount. We have Telecomms companies which are on their marks. They have very inferior systems and dont actually deliver in service but make billions and run away with the billions. Dada Lizette, we know that there are Kenyans who are white, black coloured and all but know that I am a mixed race Kenyan and really sad when our brotehrs have to suffer because of bad policies from people like PS JM ----- Original Message ---- From: Lizette Kraft <lfkraft(a)gmail.com> To: j.maina(a)ymail.com Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> Sent: Tuesday, October 14, 2008 1:52:07 PM Subject: [kictanet] Fwd: PS Ndemo, ECONET Scandal aand Vested Interests Just my two pennies worth here. Kenya is not an Island that it can survive on its own even through local investment. Most times we dont have the funds. I do agree though about the Government and banks not supporting local investors with loans etc. They must start giving them the opportunity to setup local expertise and turn them in money making ventures, if only they wouldn't fleece their own companies. Even America, the giant needs investors!!! You all have a valid point but use it for the best interests of Kenya and its people first and foremost. Not just self interest for the few. And by the way Kenyans come in all shapes, sizes, COLOURS, and creed. So please don't generalise who is kenyan and who is not!!! Kencall directors and owners are Kenyan and not outsiders if I understand correctly. When we are taxed whether individually or coorporately, the money is used for Kenya and Kenyans and not for outsiders who invested! Forcing local partnership in foreign owned companies has its negative and positive effects. This needs to be look at more seriously to make it a win-win situation. It has been known in the past that foreign investors with forced local partnership have been subjected to threats and intimidation by the local partners when they wanted more than their fare share, (given to them mind you). Thus the weariness o of being forced now. This does not attract any investor. But the foreigners should not fleece the country either! Let us have some constructive critisism without being racially inclined. Fight to make things right no matter what but without pinpointing nationalities or colours of people. On 10/7/08, John Maina <j.maina(a)ymail.com> wrote: http://www.wananchiforums.com/showthread.php?p=3150#poest3150 _______________________________________________ kictanet mailing list kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet This message was sent to: lfkraft(a)gmail.com Unsubscribe or change your options at http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/lfkraft%40gmail.com -- Lizette Kraft P.O. Box 18488, 00500 Nairobi, Kenya Cell: 0722-800362

2 1

Kenya opens door to foreign telecoms investors - From Ugandan
by John Maina 15 Oct '08

15 Oct '08

Kenyans and other Africans, Yes, I agree. We have the money. But we need to organize to stop the hemorrhage of our resources. This is our moment to make our voices heard about our countries' economic sovereignty. What many of our leaders are doing giving away our tangible and intangible assets is treasonous and inexcusable. In Uganda, my country, the president, his family and their lackeys have turned themselves into a veritable mafia of commission agents carrying water for all sorts of foreign interests. They proclaim from the rooftops how indigenous Ugandans are too poor and dumb to own and manage businesses. Yet, there is plenty of evidence to the contrary. Some of that evidence points to how foreigners, including South Asians who arrive in the country with only the shirts on their backs, are provided with multi-million dollar loans/grants to finance pet enterprises. Ugandans can only dream of such largesse. Understandably, many of those foreign "investors" take the money -- pausing only long enough to wreck the business -- and run. A good example is Tristar, a textile firm that government set up as a showcase of a successful Africa Growth Opportunity Act inspired business, was handd on a silver platter to a pair of Sri Lankan briefcase businessmen with a $2.5 million loan from the state-owned Uganda Development bank. Their only qualification was that they were "Indian", a nationality that Museveni equates with a natural entrepreneurship. In addition to the free business and loan, the conmen were vigorously and publicly supported by the President's office in exploiting an all-female workforce (including sexually), recruited deliberately from rural Uganda and kept in apartheid-era like hostels, ostensibly because they would be too docile to rebel against their poor working conditions. A parliamentary investigation was sparked when the "Agoa girls," as the workers were patronizingly called, organized and downed their tools. That's when the sordid details of the sorry venture emerged. The adage that "if you want to look for traitors, start at the top" is all too true for our countries. With leaders such as these (and silent lambs as us), is it any wonder that nearly every race holds us in contempt and reaps fortunes out of our losses! Vukoni -------- Original Message -------- Subject: [DigAfrica] Re: [africa-oped] Fwd: Re: [picta-kenya] Re: Kenya opens door to foreign telecoms investors - Show quoted text - From: "Robert Alai" <alai.robert(a)gmail.com> Date: Mon, October 13, 2008 10:34 am To: digafrica(a)yahoogroups.com, picta-kenya(a)yahoogroups.com - Show quoted text - Matunda Kenyans have the money. France Telekoms came to Kenya and bought Telkom Kenya but is being supported by the Kenyan government. It doesnt have money upto now. Kencall and all these foreigners claiming that Kenyans have no money came and borrowed in Kenyan banks. Tell me which foreigners brought their own money. Including Safaricom which went to the NSE and put up a bond. Lets not be cheated. Matunda, me and you and all people in Dig Afrika and PICTA wont have the opportunity to set up our ICT companies if Dr Ndemo is allowed to go ahead. We must insist on local partnership and its not something we should be begging for. We must insist on it Regards Alai - Show quoted text - On Mon, Oct 13, 2008 at 5:34 PM, nmatunda <matunda(a)hotmail.com> wrote: - Show quoted text - --- In picta-kenya(a)yahoogroups.com, "Mike Theuri" <mi.ke.the.u.r.i@...> wrote: Matunda, I concur with your views and completely agree with the way the Canadian banking industry has weathered the financial storm. During a brief visit to Canada I noted that there were 5 major Canadian banks and one major international institution (Europe's largest institution by way of assets) operating in Canada. According to the WEF: "Canada has the world's soundest banking system, according to a more recent report released by the World Economic Forum. Canada's banks received a score of 6.8 out of possible seven, ahead of the banks of five other countries which received a score of 6.7 per cent." We are now seeing the US rushing to regulate the banking sector and even going as far as taking ownership stakes in both US and foreign banks because Americans interest and not that of foreigners is at stake. There are lessons to be learned from this about the consequences of unplanned deregulation ie ownership, operational etc in sectors key to the economy. That said we must closely focus on the issue of Kenya and the PS' plan to invite foreigners with no conditions on local ownership. My original posting on this issue covered a number of varied issues, it appears the discussion has taken on a life of its own after it was shared on other forums and has morphed into a protracted battle between pro-PS types engaged in a concerted effort to silence the issue and individuals who despite their rather harsh and tough ways of getting the point across raise valid points that are apparently unpalatable for some. On Saturday, I received a message from an individual whom I shall not name who has gotten rather cosy with the PS of late suggesting that certain parties were out to reignite conflict in the nation through the revelation of the PS' plan and the resulting debates on lists and that I should play a participatory role in "helping them" squelch the "dissent". I responded saying that the individual was digging in the wrong place as there were no hidden dimensions to the issue other than the policies mentioned and that Kenyans should be free to hold individuals in public office to account without interference or intimidation. It was disappointing to read such a message hinged with hints to unsavoury moments in our recent history coming from an individual who once strongly stood for freedom of expression and the right to information. If other individuals have seen it fit to raise the issues outside of Picta it is indeed within their rights as Kenyans. Unfortunately the answer to Matunda's question is that there is nobody standing up for Kenyans interests on this issue, we only read in the media about plans to gazette following alleged consultations with foreign stakeholders. There is hardly ever any justification made and when it is sought, the PS has repeatedly used isolated but not precedent setting incidents such as the one I mentioned. We all recall the Ksh 100m tax payer funded trip the Finance Minister and the PS amongst other made to the western hemisphere to court Diaspora investors in 2007, only to display high handedness and refusal to answer legitimate questions seeking assurances about the ability of the Diaspora to invest in our own country. As a writer observed: http://www.kenyaimagine.com/Economy/Kenya-Finance-Minister-courts-investors… "Next was the matter of investment, especially that of Kenyans abroad. However much investment opportunities are paraded, investors, whether Kenyan or foreign, always have the same questions about the local environment with regard to; bureaucratic bottlenecks, regulatory climate, corruption, and insecurity" When such questions were brought up the delegation brushed them aside and refused to answer them. Today, we read about Ndemo appearing to disregard the interests of Kenyans through his proposed policies and calling for increased foreign participation in the Kenyan economy. This is simply wrong, why is Ndemo rushing to make conditions better for foreigners but not exhibiting the same level of effort for Kenyans to have a larger stake in the economy? Ndemo should instead be taking on the issues his delegation brushed aside when questioned by would be Kenyan investors. The PS should put his country (Kenya) and its citizens first and that means working for the common interests of Kenyans. Any Kenyan who asks the PS or the Government to justify and explain its position on such contentious proposals should be given the opportunity to express their views, not condemned and counter attacked as seems to be the case now on a discussion list serving industry interests. Kenyans should not stand by idly as non-progressive proposals are quietly drafted and made binding to Kenyans without the process being open to critique and public input. Mike On Sun, Oct 12, 2008 at 7:14 AM, nmatunda <http://../../../../post?postID=Nwl_acszxFkN4z3b2uNtU8XlfkXWMi8l7FoVzSnzRChXPvqnkZb6vcvKEzgqRf67GjelW9IqJOAw> wrote: Mike, I am with you 200% on this. Every country must always act in its self-interest; this move by the PS is deplorable and not in line with long term Kenyan interests, especially in as a lucrative area as ICT. In my books, we invite foreigners for such things as (a) financing (which by the way Kenyans have shown can be raised locally), (b) operations and management experience & knowledge transfer, (c) relationships that we can leverage through any such joint ventures, etc. Joint ventures can also cushion enterprises from predatory illegalities, especially given our weak legal dispute resolution structures! Of the latter, remember when heads of state corporations used to queue up with money bags to state house to prop up the Moi excesses! Or when companies could be shaken down for political donations at a whim! For me, a good (not ideal!) joint venture is one of the kind that Kenya Airways went into with KLM, when KA had been run down by politically connected individuals. KLM brought in management and operations experience, facilitated KA's access to markets and routes that KA otherwise couldn't easily access and in the process the KA brand rose, as did profits and more! The investment has paid well for Kenyans and KLM; a win-win. There is a lesson to be learnt from the current American financial crisis with respect to experiences in Canada. This country has been under pressure to deregulate its financial services sector for the longest time. Banks have argued that they needed mergers to allow them to compete globally; and that they needed global partners that would help them grow and extend their reach. Canadian government have constantly refused mergers or the kind of deregulation the industry sought! Their argument: the interest of the common person whose priority banks should be. Guess what? In the present crisis, Canada has come substantially well ahead of the US and others. And for what reason: they stood against unfettered deregulaion! and they stood up for the interest of Canadians. I ask all yee this question: who is standing for the interest of Kenyans in this open invitation to exploitation? Dr Ndemo needs to be stopped, I am afraid! Unedited. Matunda Nyanchama

3 2

Re: [kictanet] Kenya opens door to foreign telecoms investors - From Ugandan
by John Maina 15 Oct '08

15 Oct '08

Peterson And I think these people mistake me with someone in the diaspora. I live and work in Kenya and purely live on my own business which has passed alot and been featured as one of the most innovative businesses around. So Alex, guess which one it is and tell me about yours JM ----- Original Message ---- From: "mwananchi(a)hushmail.com" <mwananchi(a)hushmail.com> To: j.maina(a)ymail.com Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> Sent: Wednesday, October 15, 2008 4:10:41 PM Subject: Re: [kictanet] Kenya opens door to foreign telecoms investors - From Ugandan Gichuru, Prior to asking your question you doubted whether Kenyans engaged in holding a public servant to transparently account, actually worked, actually resided in Kenya, actually contributed to economic growth and were only complainants incapable of creating effective change. In doing so, I believe you answered your own question before you had a chance to ask it. One can only conclude that your call for stories is not sincere. Promoting veiled stereotypes, while suggesting that Kenyans who live in Kenya cannot stand up for their rights, will not detract non-elitist Kenyans from ensuring that public servants accountably engage in service delivery to the Kenyan people. The suggestion that people are layabouts who wake up one day and raise an issue that does not affect them in anyway should be consigned to the proper dustbin. Thank you. Peterson On Tue, 14 Oct 2008 11:17:05 +0000 gichuru(a)gmail.com wrote: >I keep asking myself , how much change can you effect by >complaining >and criticizing the ones who are actually working? How many of you >criticizing the PS and other government initiative are in Kenya >contributing to the economic growth? How many have tried running a >business in this country in the last 10 years and can testify to >growth? > >I am not saying more cant be done, but appreciate what has been >done..... But if you really have something to say a burning desire >to >share, dont talk about the KLM story, KQ Story, we already know >about >them, lets hear about your story.. what are you doing or have you >done? Lets judge for ourselves if you can deliver given a >chance.... > > > >On 10/14/08, John Maina <j.maina(a)ymail.com> wrote: >> Kenyans and other Africans, >> >> Yes, I agree. We have the money. But we need to organize to stop >> the hemorrhage of our resources. This is our moment to make our >voices >> heard about our countries' economic sovereignty. What many of >our >> leaders are doing giving away our tangible and intangible assets >> is treasonous and inexcusable. >> >> In Uganda, my country, the president, his family and their >lackeys >> have turned themselves into a veritable mafia of commission >agents >> carrying water for all sorts of foreign interests. They proclaim >from >> the rooftops how indigenous Ugandans are too poor and dumb to >own and >> manage businesses. Yet, there is plenty of evidence to the >contrary. >> Some of that evidence points to how foreigners, including South >Asians >> who arrive in the country with only the shirts on their backs, >are >> provided with multi-million dollar loans/grants to finance pet >> enterprises. Ugandans can only dream of such largesse. >Understandably, >> many of those foreign "investors" take the money -- pausing only >long >> enough to wreck the business -- and run. A good example is >Tristar, a >> textile firm that government set up as a showcase of a >successful >> Africa Growth Opportunity Act inspired business, was handd on a >silver >> platter to a pair of Sri Lankan briefcase businessmen with a >$2.5 >> million loan from the state-owned Uganda Development bank. Their >only >> qualification was that they were "Indian", a nationality that >Museveni >> equates with a natural entrepreneurship. >> >> In addition to the free business and loan, the conmen were >> vigorously and publicly supported by the President's office in >> exploiting an all-female workforce (including sexually), >recruited >> deliberately from rural Uganda and kept in apartheid-era like >hostels, >> ostensibly because they would be too docile to rebel against >their poor >> working conditions. A parliamentary investigation was sparked >when the >> "Agoa girls," as the workers were patronizingly called, >organized and >> downed their tools. That's when the sordid details of the sorry >venture >> emerged. >> >> The adage that "if you want to look for traitors, start at the >> top" is all too true for our countries. With leaders such as >these (and >> silent lambs as us), is it any wonder that nearly every race >holds us >> in contempt and reaps fortunes out of our losses! >> >> Vukoni >> >> >> -------- Original Message -------- >> Subject: [DigAfrica] Re: [africa-oped] Fwd: Re: [picta-kenya] >Re: Kenya >> opens door to foreign telecoms investors >> >> - Show quoted text - >> From: "Robert Alai" <alai.robert(a)gmail.com> >> Date: Mon, October 13, 2008 10:34 am >> To: digafrica(a)yahoogroups.com, picta-kenya(a)yahoogroups.com >> >> >> - Show quoted text - >> >> Matunda >> >> Kenyans have the money. >> >> France >> Telekoms came to Kenya and bought Telkom Kenya but is being >supported >> by the Kenyan government. It doesnt have money upto now. >> >> Kencall >> and all these foreigners claiming that Kenyans have no money >came and >> borrowed in Kenyan banks. Tell me which foreigners brought their >own >> money. Including Safaricom which went to the NSE and put up a >bond. >> >> Lets >> not be cheated. Matunda, me and you and all people in Dig Afrika >and >> PICTA wont have the opportunity to set up our ICT companies if >Dr Ndemo >> is allowed to go ahead. We must insist on local partnership and >its not >> something we should be begging for. We must insist on it >> >> Regards >> Alai >> >> - Show quoted text - >> On Mon, Oct 13, 2008 at 5:34 PM, nmatunda <matunda(a)hotmail.com> >wrote: >> >> - Show quoted text - >> >> --- In picta-kenya(a)yahoogroups.com, "Mike Theuri" ><mi.ke.the.u.r.i@...> >> wrote: >> >> >> Matunda, >> >> I concur with your views and completely agree with the way the >> Canadian banking industry has weathered the financial storm. >During a >> brief visit to Canada I noted that there were 5 major Canadian >banks >> and one major international institution (Europe's largest >institution >> by way of assets) operating in Canada. According to the WEF: >"Canada >> has the world's soundest banking system, according to a more >recent >> report released by the World Economic Forum. Canada's banks >received a >> score of 6.8 out of possible seven, ahead of the banks of five >other >> countries which received a score of 6.7 per cent." We are now >seeing >> the US rushing to regulate the banking sector and even going as >far as >> taking ownership stakes in both US and foreign banks because >Americans >> interest and not that of foreigners is at stake. There are >lessons to >> be learned from this about the consequences of unplanned >deregulation >> ie ownership, operational etc in sectors key to the economy. >> >> That said we must closely focus on the issue of Kenya and the >PS' >> plan to invite foreigners with no conditions on local ownership. >My >> original posting on this issue covered a number of varied >issues, >> it appears the discussion has taken on a life of its own after >it was >> shared on other forums and has morphed into a protracted battle >between >> pro-PS types engaged in a concerted effort to silence the issue >and >> individuals who despite their rather harsh and tough ways of >getting >> the point across raise valid points that are apparently >unpalatable for >> some. >> >> On Saturday, I received a message from an individual whom I >shall >> not name who has gotten rather cosy with the PS of late >suggesting that >> certain parties were out to reignite conflict in the nation >through the >> revelation of the PS' plan and the resulting debates on lists >and that >> I should play a participatory role in "helping them" squelch the >> "dissent". I responded saying that the individual was digging in >the >> wrong place as there were no hidden dimensions to the issue >other than >> the policies mentioned and that Kenyans should be free to hold >> individuals in public office to account without interference or >> intimidation. It was disappointing to read such a message hinged >> with hints to unsavoury moments in our recent history coming >from an >> individual who once strongly stood for freedom of expression and >the >> right to information. If other individuals have seen it fit to >raise >> the issues outside of Picta it is indeed within their rights as >Kenyans. >> >> Unfortunately the answer to Matunda's question is that there is >> nobody standing up for Kenyans interests on this issue, we only >read in >> the media about plans to gazette following alleged consultations >with >> foreign stakeholders. There is hardly ever any justification >made and >> when it is sought, the PS has repeatedly used isolated but not >> precedent setting incidents such as the one I mentioned. We all >recall >> the Ksh 100m tax payer funded trip the Finance Minister and the >PS >> amongst other made to the western hemisphere to court Diaspora >> investors in 2007, only to display high handedness and refusal >to >> answer legitimate questions seeking assurances about the ability >of the >> Diaspora to invest in our own country. >> >> As a writer observed: >> http://www.kenyaimagine.com/Economy/Kenya-Finance-Minister- >courts-investors-abroad.html >> "Next was the matter of investment, especially that of Kenyans >> abroad. However much investment opportunities are paraded, >investors, >> whether Kenyan or foreign, always have the same questions about >the >> local environment with regard to; bureaucratic bottlenecks, >regulatory >> climate, corruption, and insecurity" >> >> When such questions were brought up the delegation brushed them >> aside and refused to answer them. Today, we read about Ndemo >appearing >> to disregard the interests of Kenyans through his proposed >policies and >> calling for increased foreign participation in the Kenyan >economy. This >> is simply wrong, why is Ndemo rushing to make conditions better >for >> foreigners but not exhibiting the same level of effort for >Kenyans to >> have a larger stake in the economy? >> >> Ndemo should instead be taking on the issues his delegation >> brushed aside when questioned by would be Kenyan investors. The >PS >> should put his country (Kenya) and its citizens first and that >means >> working for the common interests of Kenyans. Any Kenyan who asks >the PS >> or the Government to justify and explain its position on >> such contentious proposals should be given the opportunity to >express >> their views, not condemned and counter attacked as seems to be >the case >> now on a discussion list serving industry interests. Kenyans >should not >> stand by idly as non-progressive proposals are quietly drafted >and made >> binding to Kenyans without the process being open to critique >and >> public input. >> >> Mike >> On Sun, Oct 12, 2008 at 7:14 AM, nmatunda >> ><http://../../../../post?postID=Nwl_acszxFkN4z3b2uNtU8XlfkXWMi8l7Fo >VzSnzRChXPvqnkZb6vcvKEzgqRf67GjelW9IqJOAw> >> wrote: >> >> Mike, >> >> I am with you 200% on this. >> >> Every country must always act in its self-interest; this move by >> the PS is deplorable and not in line with long term Kenyan >interests, >> especially in as a lucrative area as ICT. >> >> In my books, we invite foreigners for such things as (a) >financing >> (which by the way Kenyans have shown can be raised locally), (b) >> operations and management experience & knowledge transfer, (c) >> relationships that we can leverage through any such joint >ventures, >> etc. Joint ventures can also cushion enterprises from predatory >> illegalities, especially given our weak legal dispute resolution >> structures! Of the latter, remember when heads of state >corporations >> used to queue up with money bags to state house to prop up the >Moi >> excesses! Or when companies could be shaken down for political >> donations at a whim! >> >> For me, a good (not ideal!) joint venture is one of the kind >that >> Kenya Airways went into with KLM, when KA had been run down by >> politically connected individuals. KLM brought in management and >> operations experience, facilitated KA's access to markets and >routes >> that KA otherwise couldn't easily access and in the process the >KA >> brand rose, as did profits and more! The investment has paid >well for >> Kenyans and KLM; a win-win. >> >> There is a lesson to be learnt from the current American >financial >> crisis with respect to experiences in Canada. This country has >been >> under pressure to deregulate its financial services sector for >the >> longest time. Banks have argued that they needed mergers to >allow them >> to compete globally; and that they needed global partners that >would >> help them grow and extend their reach. >> >> Canadian government have constantly refused mergers or the kind >of >> deregulation the industry sought! Their argument: the interest >of the >> common person whose priority banks should be. >> >> Guess what? In the present crisis, Canada has come substantially >> well ahead of the US and others. And for what reason: they stood >> against unfettered deregulaion! and they stood up for the >interest of >> Canadians. >> >> I ask all yee this question: who is standing for the interest of >Kenyans in >> this open invitation to exploitation? >> >> Dr Ndemo needs to be stopped, I am afraid! >> >> Unedited. >> >> Matunda Nyanchama >> >> >> > > >-- > >Warm Regards >-------------------------------------- >Sam Gichuru >CVO > >Register .COM, .co.ke, .NET, .ORG, .INFO and .BIZ domain names for >FREE. unlimited email addresses. Business Webhosting and Internet >Marketing services for only Kshs. 1,000 a month. > >Ideas Africa Limited - The Web Design and Hosting Company >Tel : 020-221199, 230663 - Cell: 0722-730565 >Web: www.ideasafrica.com > >_______________________________________________ >kictanet mailing list >kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke >http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > >This message was sent to: mwananchi(a)hushmail.com >Unsubscribe or change your options at >http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/mwananchi%40hu >shmail.com -- Save hundreds on an Unsecured Loan - Click here. http://tagline.hushmail.com/fc/Ioyw6h4d88tmB31ffQ6YfI4lx9Rf7NLWb1ugiNn2azUF… _______________________________________________ kictanet mailing list kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet This message was sent to: j.maina(a)ymail.com Unsubscribe or change your options at http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/j.maina%40ymail.com

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Re: [kictanet] Kenya opens door to foreign telecoms investors - From Ugandan
by mwananchi＠hushmail.com 15 Oct '08

15 Oct '08

Gichuru, Prior to asking your question you doubted whether Kenyans engaged in holding a public servant to transparently account, actually worked, actually resided in Kenya, actually contributed to economic growth and were only complainants incapable of creating effective change. In doing so, I believe you answered your own question before you had a chance to ask it. One can only conclude that your call for stories is not sincere. Promoting veiled stereotypes, while suggesting that Kenyans who live in Kenya cannot stand up for their rights, will not detract non-elitist Kenyans from ensuring that public servants accountably engage in service delivery to the Kenyan people. The suggestion that people are layabouts who wake up one day and raise an issue that does not affect them in anyway should be consigned to the proper dustbin. Thank you. Peterson On Tue, 14 Oct 2008 11:17:05 +0000 gichuru(a)gmail.com wrote: >I keep asking myself , how much change can you effect by >complaining >and criticizing the ones who are actually working? How many of you >criticizing the PS and other government initiative are in Kenya >contributing to the economic growth? How many have tried running a >business in this country in the last 10 years and can testify to >growth? > >I am not saying more cant be done, but appreciate what has been >done..... But if you really have something to say a burning desire >to >share, dont talk about the KLM story, KQ Story, we already know >about >them, lets hear about your story.. what are you doing or have you >done? Lets judge for ourselves if you can deliver given a >chance.... > > > >On 10/14/08, John Maina <j.maina(a)ymail.com> wrote: >> Kenyans and other Africans, >> >> Yes, I agree. We have the money. But we need to organize to stop >> the hemorrhage of our resources. This is our moment to make our >voices >> heard about our countries' economic sovereignty. What many of >our >> leaders are doing giving away our tangible and intangible assets >> is treasonous and inexcusable. >> >> In Uganda, my country, the president, his family and their >lackeys >> have turned themselves into a veritable mafia of commission >agents >> carrying water for all sorts of foreign interests. They proclaim >from >> the rooftops how indigenous Ugandans are too poor and dumb to >own and >> manage businesses. Yet, there is plenty of evidence to the >contrary. >> Some of that evidence points to how foreigners, including South >Asians >> who arrive in the country with only the shirts on their backs, >are >> provided with multi-million dollar loans/grants to finance pet >> enterprises. Ugandans can only dream of such largesse. >Understandably, >> many of those foreign "investors" take the money -- pausing only >long >> enough to wreck the business -- and run. A good example is >Tristar, a >> textile firm that government set up as a showcase of a >successful >> Africa Growth Opportunity Act inspired business, was handd on a >silver >> platter to a pair of Sri Lankan briefcase businessmen with a >$2.5 >> million loan from the state-owned Uganda Development bank. Their >only >> qualification was that they were "Indian", a nationality that >Museveni >> equates with a natural entrepreneurship. >> >> In addition to the free business and loan, the conmen were >> vigorously and publicly supported by the President's office in >> exploiting an all-female workforce (including sexually), >recruited >> deliberately from rural Uganda and kept in apartheid-era like >hostels, >> ostensibly because they would be too docile to rebel against >their poor >> working conditions. A parliamentary investigation was sparked >when the >> "Agoa girls," as the workers were patronizingly called, >organized and >> downed their tools. That's when the sordid details of the sorry >venture >> emerged. >> >> The adage that "if you want to look for traitors, start at the >> top" is all too true for our countries. With leaders such as >these (and >> silent lambs as us), is it any wonder that nearly every race >holds us >> in contempt and reaps fortunes out of our losses! >> >> Vukoni >> >> >> -------- Original Message -------- >> Subject: [DigAfrica] Re: [africa-oped] Fwd: Re: [picta-kenya] >Re: Kenya >> opens door to foreign telecoms investors >> >> - Show quoted text - >> From: "Robert Alai" <alai.robert(a)gmail.com> >> Date: Mon, October 13, 2008 10:34 am >> To: digafrica(a)yahoogroups.com, picta-kenya(a)yahoogroups.com >> >> >> - Show quoted text - >> >> Matunda >> >> Kenyans have the money. >> >> France >> Telekoms came to Kenya and bought Telkom Kenya but is being >supported >> by the Kenyan government. It doesnt have money upto now. >> >> Kencall >> and all these foreigners claiming that Kenyans have no money >came and >> borrowed in Kenyan banks. Tell me which foreigners brought their >own >> money. Including Safaricom which went to the NSE and put up a >bond. >> >> Lets >> not be cheated. Matunda, me and you and all people in Dig Afrika >and >> PICTA wont have the opportunity to set up our ICT companies if >Dr Ndemo >> is allowed to go ahead. We must insist on local partnership and >its not >> something we should be begging for. We must insist on it >> >> Regards >> Alai >> >> - Show quoted text - >> On Mon, Oct 13, 2008 at 5:34 PM, nmatunda <matunda(a)hotmail.com> >wrote: >> >> - Show quoted text - >> >> --- In picta-kenya(a)yahoogroups.com, "Mike Theuri" ><mi.ke.the.u.r.i@...> >> wrote: >> >> >> Matunda, >> >> I concur with your views and completely agree with the way the >> Canadian banking industry has weathered the financial storm. >During a >> brief visit to Canada I noted that there were 5 major Canadian >banks >> and one major international institution (Europe's largest >institution >> by way of assets) operating in Canada. According to the WEF: >"Canada >> has the world's soundest banking system, according to a more >recent >> report released by the World Economic Forum. Canada's banks >received a >> score of 6.8 out of possible seven, ahead of the banks of five >other >> countries which received a score of 6.7 per cent." We are now >seeing >> the US rushing to regulate the banking sector and even going as >far as >> taking ownership stakes in both US and foreign banks because >Americans >> interest and not that of foreigners is at stake. There are >lessons to >> be learned from this about the consequences of unplanned >deregulation >> ie ownership, operational etc in sectors key to the economy. >> >> That said we must closely focus on the issue of Kenya and the >PS' >> plan to invite foreigners with no conditions on local ownership. >My >> original posting on this issue covered a number of varied >issues, >> it appears the discussion has taken on a life of its own after >it was >> shared on other forums and has morphed into a protracted battle >between >> pro-PS types engaged in a concerted effort to silence the issue >and >> individuals who despite their rather harsh and tough ways of >getting >> the point across raise valid points that are apparently >unpalatable for >> some. >> >> On Saturday, I received a message from an individual whom I >shall >> not name who has gotten rather cosy with the PS of late >suggesting that >> certain parties were out to reignite conflict in the nation >through the >> revelation of the PS' plan and the resulting debates on lists >and that >> I should play a participatory role in "helping them" squelch the >> "dissent". I responded saying that the individual was digging in >the >> wrong place as there were no hidden dimensions to the issue >other than >> the policies mentioned and that Kenyans should be free to hold >> individuals in public office to account without interference or >> intimidation. It was disappointing to read such a message hinged >> with hints to unsavoury moments in our recent history coming >from an >> individual who once strongly stood for freedom of expression and >the >> right to information. If other individuals have seen it fit to >raise >> the issues outside of Picta it is indeed within their rights as >Kenyans. >> >> Unfortunately the answer to Matunda's question is that there is >> nobody standing up for Kenyans interests on this issue, we only >read in >> the media about plans to gazette following alleged consultations >with >> foreign stakeholders. There is hardly ever any justification >made and >> when it is sought, the PS has repeatedly used isolated but not >> precedent setting incidents such as the one I mentioned. We all >recall >> the Ksh 100m tax payer funded trip the Finance Minister and the >PS >> amongst other made to the western hemisphere to court Diaspora >> investors in 2007, only to display high handedness and refusal >to >> answer legitimate questions seeking assurances about the ability >of the >> Diaspora to invest in our own country. >> >> As a writer observed: >> http://www.kenyaimagine.com/Economy/Kenya-Finance-Minister- >courts-investors-abroad.html >> "Next was the matter of investment, especially that of Kenyans >> abroad. However much investment opportunities are paraded, >investors, >> whether Kenyan or foreign, always have the same questions about >the >> local environment with regard to; bureaucratic bottlenecks, >regulatory >> climate, corruption, and insecurity" >> >> When such questions were brought up the delegation brushed them >> aside and refused to answer them. Today, we read about Ndemo >appearing >> to disregard the interests of Kenyans through his proposed >policies and >> calling for increased foreign participation in the Kenyan >economy. This >> is simply wrong, why is Ndemo rushing to make conditions better >for >> foreigners but not exhibiting the same level of effort for >Kenyans to >> have a larger stake in the economy? >> >> Ndemo should instead be taking on the issues his delegation >> brushed aside when questioned by would be Kenyan investors. The >PS >> should put his country (Kenya) and its citizens first and that >means >> working for the common interests of Kenyans. Any Kenyan who asks >the PS >> or the Government to justify and explain its position on >> such contentious proposals should be given the opportunity to >express >> their views, not condemned and counter attacked as seems to be >the case >> now on a discussion list serving industry interests. Kenyans >should not >> stand by idly as non-progressive proposals are quietly drafted >and made >> binding to Kenyans without the process being open to critique >and >> public input. >> >> Mike >> On Sun, Oct 12, 2008 at 7:14 AM, nmatunda >> ><http://../../../../post?postID=Nwl_acszxFkN4z3b2uNtU8XlfkXWMi8l7Fo >VzSnzRChXPvqnkZb6vcvKEzgqRf67GjelW9IqJOAw> >> wrote: >> >> Mike, >> >> I am with you 200% on this. >> >> Every country must always act in its self-interest; this move by >> the PS is deplorable and not in line with long term Kenyan >interests, >> especially in as a lucrative area as ICT. >> >> In my books, we invite foreigners for such things as (a) >financing >> (which by the way Kenyans have shown can be raised locally), (b) >> operations and management experience & knowledge transfer, (c) >> relationships that we can leverage through any such joint >ventures, >> etc. Joint ventures can also cushion enterprises from predatory >> illegalities, especially given our weak legal dispute resolution >> structures! Of the latter, remember when heads of state >corporations >> used to queue up with money bags to state house to prop up the >Moi >> excesses! Or when companies could be shaken down for political >> donations at a whim! >> >> For me, a good (not ideal!) joint venture is one of the kind >that >> Kenya Airways went into with KLM, when KA had been run down by >> politically connected individuals. KLM brought in management and >> operations experience, facilitated KA's access to markets and >routes >> that KA otherwise couldn't easily access and in the process the >KA >> brand rose, as did profits and more! The investment has paid >well for >> Kenyans and KLM; a win-win. >> >> There is a lesson to be learnt from the current American >financial >> crisis with respect to experiences in Canada. This country has >been >> under pressure to deregulate its financial services sector for >the >> longest time. Banks have argued that they needed mergers to >allow them >> to compete globally; and that they needed global partners that >would >> help them grow and extend their reach. >> >> Canadian government have constantly refused mergers or the kind >of >> deregulation the industry sought! Their argument: the interest >of the >> common person whose priority banks should be. >> >> Guess what? In the present crisis, Canada has come substantially >> well ahead of the US and others. And for what reason: they stood >> against unfettered deregulaion! and they stood up for the >interest of >> Canadians. >> >> I ask all yee this question: who is standing for the interest of >Kenyans in >> this open invitation to exploitation? >> >> Dr Ndemo needs to be stopped, I am afraid! >> >> Unedited. >> >> Matunda Nyanchama >> >> >> > > >-- > >Warm Regards >-------------------------------------- >Sam Gichuru >CVO > >Register .COM, .co.ke, .NET, .ORG, .INFO and .BIZ domain names for >FREE. unlimited email addresses. Business Webhosting and Internet >Marketing services for only Kshs. 1,000 a month. > >Ideas Africa Limited - The Web Design and Hosting Company >Tel : 020-221199, 230663 - Cell: 0722-730565 >Web: www.ideasafrica.com > >_______________________________________________ >kictanet mailing list >kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke >http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > >This message was sent to: mwananchi(a)hushmail.com >Unsubscribe or change your options at >http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/mwananchi%40hu >shmail.com -- Save hundreds on an Unsecured Loan - Click here. http://tagline.hushmail.com/fc/Ioyw6h4d88tmB31ffQ6YfI4lx9Rf7NLWb1ugiNn2azUF…

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President Bush Signs New IP Enforcement Bill Into Law
by Gakuru Alex 14 Oct '08

14 Oct '08

[Intellectual Property Watch] 14 October 2008 By Catherine Saez President Bush on Monday signed into law a bill strengthening civil and criminal laws against counterfeiting and piracy, boosting resources for enforcement and prosecution, and changing coordination of IP enforcement issues within the Executive Branch. Under the Prioritizing Resources and Organization for Intellectual Property (PRO-IP) Act of 2008, copyright registration would not be a prerequisite to criminal action, and a civil infringement action could be brought regardless of errors in registration unless those errors were made knowingly. The bill, S 3325, sponsored by Senator Patrick Leahy, a Vermont Democrat, and Pennsylvania Republican Arlen Specter, passed the Senate on 26 September and the House on 28 September. Industry Hails Victory Industry reacted to the enactment of the bill with statements highlighting the economic contribution of greater enforcement. "By signing into law this important legislation, President Bush has sent a resounding message not only to businesses, workers and consumers, but also to those who would harm Americans through piracy of pharmaceuticals, auto parts and health and safety products," said John Engler, president of the National Association of Manufacturers. Motion Picture Association of America CEO Dan Glickman also applauded the bill. "At this critical time for our economy, it's important to send a message that the jobs created and maintained by the protection of intellectual property is a national priority," he said. "As intellectual property rights are enforced, US artists and creators can maintain their leading role in the world of producing creative works that enrich our culture and drive our economy," said Copyright Alliance Director Patrick Ross. S 3325 creates an Intellectual Property Enforcement Coordinator (IPEC), within the Executive Office of the President to replace the National Intellectual Property Law Enforcement Coordination Council, an interagency group responsible for coordinating US domestic and international intellectual property enforcement activities, co-chaired by the US Patent and Trademark Office director (IPW, Enforcement, 1 October 2008). Consumer groups such as Public Knowledge and the Electronic Frontier Foundation opposed S 3325 out of concern over the treatment of non-infringing third parties and the federal government assuming a private enforcement role. The Justice and Commerce departments sent the Senate Judiciary Committee a letter opposing several parts of the bill, amongst which the claim that public resource be used to protect private interests. "Department of Justice prosecutors serving as pro bono lawyers for private copyright holders regardless of their resources," the letter states. The committee later removed provisions that would have involved federal prosecutors in civil copyright cases. <http://www.ip-watch.org/weblog/index.php?p=1268>

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PS Ndemo, ECONET Scandal aand Vested Interests
by John Maina 14 Oct '08

14 Oct '08

http://www.wananchiforums.com/showthread.php?p=3150#post3150

11 12

Re: [kictanet] [ke-internetusers] Re: PS Ndemo, ECONET Scandal aand Vested Interests
by mwananchi＠hushmail.com 14 Oct '08

14 Oct '08

Very good questions indeed, except that these are some of the very same questions in the inverse PS Ndemo has dodged answering in full regarding the foreigners he has been meeting with behind closed doors. Who are these mysterious foreigners, are they the British Telecom's of this world or arm twisting fraudsters operating out of Dubai, Zimbabwe and Guernsey Islands? As PS Ndemo says there should be nothing to hide, if BT wants to come to Kenya they should publicly do so. If they want changes, they can demand changes in investment policy openly through press conferences and vocal diplomats and not secretly in PS Ndemo's office out of public eye sight and ear shot if they have nothing to be afraid of. Logic demands that questions are not answered with evasive questions more so from public servants. That is obsolete reasoning that belonged to yesteryears gone by. Kenyans should never agree to return to the down trodden eras where accountability and transparency did not exist in public servants books. Gone are the days when public servants could do as they pleased and contemptuously remark "so what?" Kenyan citizens do not have to account to anybody for demanding that public servants account for and carry out their duties responsibly. Responsible Kenyans should never apologise to anyone for asking public servants to account for their actions. Any individual who maliciously furthers the interests of foreigners while ignoring those of Kenyans does not deserve to be in public office. The Kenyan taxpayer does not spend their hard earned money to pay public servants so they can turn around, forget about Kenyans and promote foreign interests. It is disheartening to see some Kenyans 45 years after independence seemingly paralysed by a form of inferiority complex. These are the parties who believe that Kenyans or Africans are incapable and that foreign not indigenous is always better. It can hoped for in prayer that they are one day cured of this backward African disease that prevents us from collectively moving forward. If a public servant cannot protect and uphold Kenyans interests then they should leave those offices to responsible Kenyans who can. Individuals who embrace foreigners more than they embrace their own nation should perhaps be seeking public office in foreign lands not the Kenya their actions will retrogress. Anyone who is tired of Kenyans standing up for their rights is obviously free to renounce their citizenship and depart to foreign lands. A Kenyan need not have any other motive other than that of acting as a true Mwananchi when holding public servants and political appointees to account for their actions. Again, what list of policies and activities has PS Ndemo conducted to promote the ability of Kenyans to own and increase significant local shareholding in significant ICT enterprises before beginning to champion the cause of foreigners? Peterson On Mon, 13 Oct 2008 07:42:01 +0000 aki <aki275(a)googlemail.com> wrote: >Dear Dr Ndemo and all, > >I beg to differ with the point raised so far. My opinion as a >techie much >lower in the food chain, we deal with logics. And the logic so far >is as >follows, which makes its even more interesting and since no one is >mixing >words, actually bordering on the egde of a conspiracy.... but I'll >leave the >strong words and chain of events for you all to figure out. > >It seems the bone of contention is the local share holdings >portion but >seems from the emails there are other agendas involved, including >justifying >" nationalism". > >So lets raise the questions, regarding the percentage of local >ownership >shareholdings in telco sector : > >1) Why is this such a problem and to whom? > >2) What lack of benefits will result from a 100% owned telcos and >to whom? > >3) What kenyas will suffer from the lack of ownership in such >telcos? > >4) Who are these kenyans who want to be part of the telcos and for >some >reason are going to be stopped ? > >5) Where is the money coming from, for kenyans to own shares in >the telco >sectors? > >In a nutshell, it is becoming clear that some are going to feel >the pinch of >a complete open market and will use tactics like corruption, name >calling >and etc to try and stop the messenger ( Bwana PS ) from >implementing the >necessary changes. > >I short, I suspect there is something much much bigger going on >here. I hope >someone with an insight into this will open up the entire story >and LAY IT >BARE. > >If you need to ban me from this list then go ahead, I'm getting >bored with >the one way traffic from the so called protectors of kenyan >interests. Who >are they? What interests do they have? > >Rgds. -- Taking a trip? Click here to compare hotel rates and find a great deal. http://tagline.hushmail.com/fc/Ioyw6h4eRClASu0dm5wx2JL4WXc5Lrm5ZOA1JR2Aue02…

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Re: [kictanet] [ke-internetusers] Re: PS Ndemo, ECONET Scandal aand Vested Interests
by mwananchi＠hushmail.com 14 Oct '08

14 Oct '08

Eric, Thank you for your feedback. In general I believe we are in agreement, it is when we get to the finer details where fine tuning and compromise will be. PS Ndemo should commit to putting Kenyan interests first and working towards removing obstacles that prevent local investors from succeeding such as policies that fail to take local investors into account. So that the message is not lost, this is not an argument that foreigners should be locked out, rather they should be allowed into the country under conditions favourable to Kenyans, the Nation and of course the investor. If PS Ndemo proceeds with his new policy lacking significant amendments, while saying he has discussed it with stakeholders, there will be no point in participating in sham PR exercises that give the false appearance of consultative meetings. It is good see the debate take a Pan African dimension on other lists with views from other continental Africans and it is evident the present day issue of economic sovereignty also afflicts other nations such as Uganda. I believe that an appropriate forum should host the policy discussions and until then, new policy should be suspended until the public and stakeholders have provided their input. The IGF would be great however it may not be within the scope of the IGF to do so. However if others do agree then let it be so. PO On Mon, 13 Oct 2008 06:18:19 +0000 "Eric M.K Osiakwan" <emko(a)internetresearch.com.gh> wrote: >Peterson, > >Yes, i did spend sometime with this piece and it does echoes >exactly >our considerations. I think we agree on the principles of >empowering >local entrepeurs and investors to pitch up in a globalised >context. > >I would submit that the relevant forum, ie KICTANET or KICTB etc >should table a policy discussion on the various options and lets >apply our minds seriously to the substance and come out with a >clear >"win-win" situation because to a large extent i agree with PS >Ndemo >that we should not let the opportunity of outsourcing pass us by >but >we need to engage with the best output. > >One suggestion would be to include this in the Kenya IGF that is >coming up or in the EA IGF discussions or an entirely different >forum. > >Eric here > > >On 11 Oct 2008, at 16:12, mwananchi(a)hushmail.com wrote: > >> Dear Eric, >> >> Some weekend reading for you, this article was directed at NEPAD >> and the then Finance Minister and it covers some of the issues >we >> have been discussing. >> >> Africa, Kimunya should seek monetary policies that serve local >> interests >> >http://www.bdafrica.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=8 >2 >> 62&Itemid=5821 >> >> "This, however, remains the quintessential question of African >> development: how to achieve economic independence in an >> international and regional context where the profit motives of >most >> investors and lenders rarely correspond to our growth and >> development goals." >> >> We simply cannot achieve economic independence when over 80 >percent >> of the economy is in the hands of foreigners more so non >Africans >> and PS Ndemo now wants to eliminate indigenous ownership >> requirements. Local ownership requirements did not deter the >> credible and serious Zain's, Vodafone's, France Telecom's, >Altech's >> of this world from coming into Kenya. Has PS Ndemo forgotten >that >> Kenya's FDI in the last year rose by over 1300 percent? >> >> Is it fair that some local individuals could use multiple >separate >> companies in which they have substantial shareholding so as to >> maximize their effective share of TEAMS while other legitimate >> local and international investors are locked out? These and >other >> criteria (total beneficial ownership etc) need to be looked at >and >> analysed to get to the core of the matter. >> >> It is a pity that PS Ndemo seems to believe that it is a bad >thing >> when Peterson asks the Government to listen to local investors >and >> take their interests into consideration while striking a balance >in >> the same way he listens to foreign investors and makes arbitrary >> non-consultative policy changes just because the Nesbitt's of >this >> world (who already have a tax holiday) have already arm twisted >him >> behind closed doors into submission. We want these unnamed >vested >> interests to take their case to the Kenyan public and to stop >> coercing public servants behind closed doors, if they can >convince >> the public openly that what they need is good for Kenya then the >> public through their representatives will effect such changes >> openly and transparently. >> >> As for the other matters, they don't require endorsement or >> agreement, the facts stand on their own, they are facts anyone >can >> verify by going to the High Court registrar, providing the case >> number and obtaining the same documents and rulings. The near >> collapse and disrespect of our institutions is as a result of >the >> permeation and embrace of a culture of impunity. If these >> institutions were respected by among others, PS Ndemo, it would >not >> be an issue affecting the nation. >> >> I challenge anyone with any contradicting documents to dispute >the >> facts by presenting the same rather than attempting to >assassinate >> the messenger for blowing the whistle. >> >> Have a good weekend. >> >> Regards, >> >> Peterson >> >> On Fri, 10 Oct 2008 15:38:36 +0000 "Eric M.K Osiakwan" >> <emko(a)internetresearch.com.gh> wrote: >>> Dear Peterson, >>> >>> I go with you on the wheel that the vested interest of the >country >>> in >>> paramount..... >>> >>> The elements of my case though disappointing, i went with the >>> established criteria since was applied across board but then in >>> the >>> situation where most of the local companies are majority owned >by >>> non- >>> Africans, then one needs to look into the criteria again. >>> >>> The larger question, we need to raise is how do we ensure that >the >>> >>> interest of other African investors can be unheld in another >>> African >>> jurisdiction, in the context of developing Africa by Africans. >You >>> >>> know the TEAMS process is still ongoing so lets allow the >>> establish >>> procedures and policies to work, am patient and dont have any >hard >>> >>> feelings at all. >>> >>> The other big question that we need to answer is, these huge >>> infrastructure projects require huge sums of money, personally >am >>> not >>> a deep pocket in that sense but at least i can raise the money, >>> may >>> be from another African country or worse case outside the >>> continent >>> if the amounts are way over. The TEAMS model where public funds >>> are >>> used to underwrite the risk in order to ensure that the entry >>> barriers for investment are minimised so local investors and >>> entrepreneurs can participate are innovative and i personally >want >>> to >>> give the TEAMS model a chance to succeed. We as Africans need >to >>> evolve solutions to our unique problems, ofcourse borrowing in >>> same >>> cases from others who have gone ahead. >>> >>> Unfortunately, i would have to distant myself from some of the >>> allegations though you establish them on factual basis, it >would >>> be >>> good for the right authorities to follow it through so that we >>> have >>> conclusive situations. Also, those involved must be given a >chance >>> to >>> present their side of the argument so that those in this forum >can >>> be >>> more knowledgable. Again, if we can keep it tactful, then the >>> common >>> good is preserved for the sake of posterity. >>> >>> Have a good weekend, good people. >>> >>> >>> >>> On 10 Oct 2008, at 20:16, mwananchi(a)hushmail.com wrote: >>> >>>> Dear Eric, >>>> >>>> At the end of the day, Kenyans only want the best for our >>> nation. >>>> Kenyans certainly are not against beneficial foreign direct >>>> investment and welcome it provided it is conducted under >>> policies >>>> that result in a win-win situation for Kenyans and the >investor. >>>> Unfortunately the country's policies particularly those being >>>> fronted now do not reflect that wish, which is why it is >>> important >>>> that the Government pay attention to what local and would be >>>> international investors are saying and strike a balance that >is >>> a >>>> win-win for both. >>>> >>>> In your case, had PS Ndemo stuck with his proposal that he >made >>> in >>>> 2007, Internet Research would not be experiencing any hurdles. >>> The >>>> local component would also have been preserved in a manner not >>>> detrimental to your company. >>>> >>>> I hope that PS Ndemo will address the issue of your company. >>> Kenya >>>> as an African country should not be deterring Kenyan or any >>> other >>>> African investors who are credible and who operate and respect >>> our >>>> laws and institutions instead of trampling them underfoot and >in >>>> the one case that has been mentioned, deliberately failing to >>> meet >>>> their obligations for over 4 years. These are the same types >of >>>> investors who have been rejected by Altech, the nations of >Papua >>>> New Guinea, Malawi, Nigeria. The same characters who failed to >>> meet >>>> their licence obligations for years in New Zealand and were >>> lucky >>>> to get token percentage ownership of what was left when >credible >>>> investors took over and who in Lesotho have been engaged in >tax >>> and >>>> roaming link frauds. >>>> >>>> http://rapidshare.com/files/152715858/fraud_in_lesotho.pdf >>>> >>>> They finally found a safe haven to land in Kenya embraced by a >>>> culture of impunity where it does not matter if you meet your >>>> obligations or if you operate with cancelled licences provided >>>> powerful vested interests pave and coerce the way for you. >>>> >>>> When we reject investors whom we know such as Eric and embrace >>>> undesirable investors instead, it shows why we precisely are >>>> lagging behind in FDI. Indeed if Kenya gave investors 5 years >as >>> it >>>> did in this particular case to pay licencing fees, the country >>>> would be overwhelmed with numerous investors. As the occassion >>> of >>>> Moi Day graces us today, the Moi government despite its many >>> flaws >>>> was quick to realize what type of animal this was and >correctly >>>> rejected them not just once but twice. >>>> >>>> Peterson >>>> >>>> On Fri, 10 Oct 2008 03:31:48 +0000 "Eric M.K Osiakwan" >>>> <emko(a)internetresearch.com.gh> wrote: >>>>> Dear Peterson, >>>>> >>>>> Thanks for establishing a set of facts and am sure the right >>>>> people >>>>> would respond to the issues you have riased. I hope the >>> discussion >>>>> >>>>> would continue on a factual basis and not degenerate. >>>>> >>>>> I want to also present one set of facts regarding my >>> participation >>>>> in >>>>> the TEAMS project. My company, Internet Research went through >>> the >>>>> >>>>> entire process and indeed qualified to be allocated shares >but >>> at >>>>> one >>>>> of the proposed shareholders meeting, the issue of local >>> ownership >>>>> >>>>> came up. >>>>> >> >> -- >> Learn from the comfort of your home. Choose your degree and >> receive a free info pak. >> http://tagline.hushmail.com/fc/ >> Ioyw6h4eS5zglpKiYQ1E4QV7ya3V7OQilSPtQZA6nTe5QdbJulIxcO/ >> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> 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%40internetresearch.com.gh >> > >Eric M.K Osiakwan >ICT Integrator >Internet Research >www.internetresearch.com.gh >emko(a)internetresearch.com.gh >42 Ring Road Central, Accra-North >Tel: +233.21.258800 ext 2031 >Fax: +233.21.258811 >Cell: +233.24.4386792 -- Suffering from back pain? Click now for the latest treatment options! http://tagline.hushmail.com/fc/Ioyw6h4eyKVlbJeKV9y8heuwIbU9qrkHdp372nIDg38V…

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Re: [kictanet] [ke-internetusers] Re: PS Ndemo, ECONET Scandal aand Vested Interests
by John Maina 14 Oct '08

14 Oct '08

Fello Kenyans I am actually amazed by what PS Ndemo is trying to do with the assistance of some people who are just out to make a quick kill. I was at the Strathmore ICT conference and was suprised the way PS Ndemo was actually talking about what he does not practise. PS Ndemo talked about the students participating in start ups and also being assisted in business incubationn. How can students from Kenya be innovators when all business investments are supposed to be owned by foreigners? I listened to Mr Paul Kukubo who rushed to the defense of private sector when one of the participant asked CBA, Safariicom, and other private companies what they were doing to assist students in achieving dreams and nurturing innovation. Paul Kukubo, instead of leaving the private sectoor to answer, rushed to their defence and said that the private sector cannot do that because they are not venture capitalist. So sad Kenyans. So sad when you hear that. There is a clause of CSR on the business lincense whicch these companies are given and when Paul rush to defend companies then you realise what kind of mess we are in. I have nothing against Paul and really admire his work but let me tell you Kamotho, Alex, Maina, and all that our children and us cannot be innovators and good investors when we buildd the mentality that the foreigners are the best. The people who pose as the foreigners are actually local corrupt officials and so opportunity must be given equally. The said foreigners all come and borrow in Kenyan banks and use Kenyan expertise and those who have trried to use pure foreign expertise have failed. Kenyans lets wake up and stop seeing our children and ourselves as stupid. We are smart and caan make it and KICTANET should support us on this and not stop the people who expose cons. The cons in ICT must be stopped on their tracks. Njeri Rionge, Kukubo, Dr Adera, Gilda, Alice Kinyua, bernard Kioko, Moses Kemobaro are all local guys really setting up the pace and trend in ICt in this country. They didd what they did because they were given a chance. We must stop Dr Ndemo from giving foreigners exclusive righst in ripping this country. We have no apologies for the crooked people who have all thought that we can just spit on locals like Nick Nesbitt and Crystal watley have tried to do here. We dont owe Nick and Crystal anything. They owe us alot Regards JM ----- Original Message ---- From: kamotho Njenga <kamothonjenga(a)gmail.com> To: j.maina(a)ymail.com Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> Sent: Monday, October 13, 2008 5:51:39 PM Subject: Re: [kictanet] [ke-internetusers] Re: PS Ndemo, ECONET Scandal aand Vested Interests Seems like the polemical arsenal and vitriol is now shifting towards my direction. I humbly rest my case on this issue. Another topic might be a better idea for us. Kamotho Njenga On Sat, Oct 11, 2008 at 8:30 PM, <mwananchi(a)hushmail.com> wrote: Kamotho, If the issues are too intertwined for you to follow then you should say so and ask for simplification to enhance your ability to follow through and distinguish what is what. Nonetheless, has PS Ndemo denied the occurrence of any the facts? What PS Ndemo has, is a different interpretation of the facts and how they took place. There is no issue personally with PS Ndemo, what there are issues with are specific actions he is carrying out while in his capacity as a public servant. - Ndemo admitted he signed an MOU with Libyans. - Ndemo admitted that before he left for Malaysia he made pronouncements about changes in local shareholding requirements - Ndemo admitted he signed a "settlement agreement" with a certain foreign company - Ndemo admitted there are problems with current investment policies PS Ndemo is public servant who serves the Kenyan public not just special interests in Kictanet. If other Wananchi have found it on their own accord to forward discussions to other forums then do your duty to take it up as an issue on those forums. As PS Ndemo says, there is nothing to hide! In the same spirit of openness, Ndemo's response has also been cross posted on other discussion lists by other listers who saw it fit to do so. You see Kamotho, you've not presented a single iota of evidence or fact, just empty rhetoric and belligerence. If you have any facts, have conducted any investigations, gone to the relevant High Court registrars, consulted the Attorney General, gone to archives to determine whether what Ndemo said has been manufactured and contradicts what has been shared here, then by all means speedily share the documents and facts, debunk each specific fact and let these matters be put to rest. PS Ndemo is free to start a lawsuit against the High Court of South Africa, the High Court of Kenya and any other party all from which the facts have been sourced from so that the same facts can be gladly repeated and established under oath and public record. It is however understandable that belligerent empty rhetoric seems to be the only defence one can possibly turn to in a feeble attempt of censorship when faced with indisputable facts. Good day. Peterson On Sat, 11 Oct 2008 15:21:11 +0000 kamotho Njenga <kamothonjenga(a)gmail.com> wrote: >Friends, > >Beyond question, Kenyans have a right to seek information as well >clarity >on any issue pertinent to the ICT sector.That right includes >expressing >views on matters where in ones opinion a route less than optimal >in their >opinion has been followed. The freedom of expression is not a >preserve to >any individual or group. But as a necessity such fundamental >rights must be >exercised within some confines of responsibility, propriety and >decorum. > >Without over generalizing, this is the first time that allegations >have been >pursued with profundity, relentlessness and zeal of a unique >magnitude and >has been extended beyond KICTANET. For I have personally received >similar >messages in my other mail accounts that are not subscribed to this >forum. >The personalized overtones that have accompanied the pursuit of >this matter >whose goal is yet to be specified can neither be denied nor >ignored. > >What is not in dispute is that the drivers of these allegations >have their >issues mixed up.At one point their claim is on MOUs, the next is >on >localization and at times its on "crooks" and so on. In a >nutshell; alot of >generalities and unguided missile whose clear intention is to >finish >somebody in one way or the other. Its so evident that there is an >unwavering >struggle to demonise the PS by depicting him in bad light. Since >then, the >PS has come out clearly on all points of accusations never mind >that all the >allegations are anchored on conjecture. > >On this basis and on the premise of objectivity, one canly >conclude that the >authors of these allegations are at best riding on the back of far >fetched >malice and wallowing entirely in the miasma of hollow vendetta.The >alarmist >tell tales (Whistle blowing/Whistling) should be dismissed with >all the >contempt they deserve. > > >Kamotho Njenga > > > > >On Sat, Oct 11, 2008 at 6:12 AM, <mwananchi(a)hushmail.com> wrote: > >> Dear Eric, >> >> Some weekend reading for you, this article was directed at NEPAD >> and the then Finance Minister and it covers some of the issues >we >> have been discussing. >> >> Africa, Kimunya should seek monetary policies that serve local >> interests >> >http://www.bdafrica.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=8 >2 >> >62&Itemid=5821<http://www.bdafrica.com/index.php?option=com_content >&task=view&id=8262&Itemid=5821> >> >> "This, however, remains the quintessential question of African >> development: how to achieve economic independence in an >> international and regional context where the profit motives of >most >> investors and lenders rarely correspond to our growth and >> development goals." >> >> We simply cannot achieve economic independence when over 80 >percent >> of the economy is in the hands of foreigners more so non >Africans >> and PS Ndemo now wants to eliminate indigenous ownership >> requirements. Local ownership requirements did not deter the >> credible and serious Zain's, Vodafone's, France Telecom's, >Altech's >> of this world from coming into Kenya. Has PS Ndemo forgotten >that >> Kenya's FDI in the last year rose by over 1300 percent? >> >> Is it fair that some local individuals could use multiple >separate >> companies in which they have substantial shareholding so as to >> maximize their effective share of TEAMS while other legitimate >> local and international investors are locked out? These and >other >> criteria (total beneficial ownership etc) need to be looked at >and >> analysed to get to the core of the matter. >> >> It is a pity that PS Ndemo seems to believe that it is a bad >thing >> when Peterson asks the Government to listen to local investors >and >> take their interests into consideration while striking a balance >in >> the same way he listens to foreign investors and makes arbitrary >> non-consultative policy changes just because the Nesbitt's of >this >> world (who already have a tax holiday) have already arm twisted >him >> behind closed doors into submission. We want these unnamed >vested >> interests to take their case to the Kenyan public and to stop >> coercing public servants behind closed doors, if they can >convince >> the public openly that what they need is good for Kenya then the >> public through their representatives will effect such changes >> openly and transparently. >> >> As for the other matters, they don't require endorsement or >> agreement, the facts stand on their own, they are facts anyone >can >> verify by going to the High Court registrar, providing the case >> number and obtaining the same documents and rulings. The near >> collapse and disrespect of our institutions is as a result of >the >> permeation and embrace of a culture of impunity. If these >> institutions were respected by among others, PS Ndemo, it would >not >> be an issue affecting the nation. >> >> I challenge anyone with any contradicting documents to dispute >the >> facts by presenting the same rather than attempting to >assassinate >> the messenger for blowing the whistle. >> >> Have a good weekend. >> >> Regards, >> >> Peterson >> >> On Fri, 10 Oct 2008 15:38:36 +0000 "Eric M.K Osiakwan" >> <emko(a)internetresearch.com.gh> wrote: >> >Dear Peterson, >> > >> >I go with you on the wheel that the vested interest of the >country >> >in >> >paramount..... >> > >> >The elements of my case though disappointing, i went with the >> >established criteria since was applied across board but then in >> >the >> >situation where most of the local companies are majority owned >by >> >non- >> >Africans, then one needs to look into the criteria again. >> > >> >The larger question, we need to raise is how do we ensure that >the >> > >> >interest of other African investors can be unheld in another >> >African >> >jurisdiction, in the context of developing Africa by Africans. >You >> > >> >know the TEAMS process is still ongoing so lets allow the >> >establish >> >procedures and policies to work, am patient and dont have any >hard >> > >> >feelings at all. >> > >> >The other big question that we need to answer is, these huge >> >infrastructure projects require huge sums of money, personally >am >> >not >> >a deep pocket in that sense but at least i can raise the money, >> >may >> >be from another African country or worse case outside the >> >continent >> >if the amounts are way over. The TEAMS model where public funds >> >are >> >used to underwrite the risk in order to ensure that the entry >> >barriers for investment are minimised so local investors and >> >entrepreneurs can participate are innovative and i personally >want >> >to >> >give the TEAMS model a chance to succeed. We as Africans need >to >> >evolve solutions to our unique problems, ofcourse borrowing in >> >same >> >cases from others who have gone ahead. >> > >> >Unfortunately, i would have to distant myself from some of the >> >allegations though you establish them on factual basis, it >would >> >be >> >good for the right authorities to follow it through so that we >> >have >> >conclusive situations. Also, those involved must be given a >chance >> >to >> >present their side of the argument so that those in this forum >can >> >be >> >more knowledgable. Again, if we can keep it tactful, then the >> >common >> >good is preserved for the sake of posterity. >> > >> >Have a good weekend, good people. >> > >> > >> > >> >On 10 Oct 2008, at 20:16, mwananchi(a)hushmail.com wrote: >> > >> >> Dear Eric, >> >> >> >> At the end of the day, Kenyans only want the best for our >> >nation. >> >> Kenyans certainly are not against beneficial foreign direct >> >> investment and welcome it provided it is conducted under >> >policies >> >> that result in a win-win situation for Kenyans and the >investor. >> >> Unfortunately the country's policies particularly those being >> >> fronted now do not reflect that wish, which is why it is >> >important >> >> that the Government pay attention to what local and would be >> >> international investors are saying and strike a balance that >is >> >a >> >> win-win for both. >> >> >> >> In your case, had PS Ndemo stuck with his proposal that he >made >> >in >> >> 2007, Internet Research would not be experiencing any >hurdles. >> >The >> >> local component would also have been preserved in a manner >not >> >> detrimental to your company. >> >> >> >> I hope that PS Ndemo will address the issue of your company. >> >Kenya >> >> as an African country should not be deterring Kenyan or any >> >other >> >> African investors who are credible and who operate and >respect >> >our >> >> laws and institutions instead of trampling them underfoot and >in >> >> the one case that has been mentioned, deliberately failing to >> >meet >> >> their obligations for over 4 years. These are the same types >of >> >> investors who have been rejected by Altech, the nations of >Papua >> >> New Guinea, Malawi, Nigeria. The same characters who failed >to >> >meet >> >> their licence obligations for years in New Zealand and were >> >lucky >> >> to get token percentage ownership of what was left when >credible >> >> investors took over and who in Lesotho have been engaged in >tax >> >and >> >> roaming link frauds. >> >> >> >> http://rapidshare.com/files/152715858/fraud_in_lesotho.pdf >> >> >> >> They finally found a safe haven to land in Kenya embraced by >a >> >> culture of impunity where it does not matter if you meet your >> >> obligations or if you operate with cancelled licences >provided >> >> powerful vested interests pave and coerce the way for you. >> >> >> >> When we reject investors whom we know such as Eric and >embrace >> >> undesirable investors instead, it shows why we precisely are >> >> lagging behind in FDI. Indeed if Kenya gave investors 5 years >as >> >it >> >> did in this particular case to pay licencing fees, the >country >> >> would be overwhelmed with numerous investors. As the >occassion >> >of >> >> Moi Day graces us today, the Moi government despite its many >> >flaws >> >> was quick to realize what type of animal this was and >correctly >> >> rejected them not just once but twice. >> >> >> >> Peterson >> >> >> >> On Fri, 10 Oct 2008 03:31:48 +0000 "Eric M.K Osiakwan" >> >> <emko(a)internetresearch.com.gh> wrote: >> >>> Dear Peterson, >> >>> >> >>> Thanks for establishing a set of facts and am sure the right >> >>> people >> >>> would respond to the issues you have riased. I hope the >> >discussion >> >>> >> >>> would continue on a factual basis and not degenerate. >> >>> >> >>> I want to also present one set of facts regarding my >> >participation >> >>> in >> >>> the TEAMS project. My company, Internet Research went >through >> >the >> >>> >> >>> entire process and indeed qualified to be allocated shares >but >> >at >> >>> one >> >>> of the proposed shareholders meeting, the issue of local >> >ownership >> >>> >> >>> came up. >> >>> >> >> -- >> Learn from the comfort of your home. Choose your degree and >receive a free >> info pak. >> >> >http://tagline.hushmail.com/fc/Ioyw6h4eS5zglpKiYQ1E4QV7ya3V7OQilSPt >QZA6nTe5QdbJulIxcO/ >> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> 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.com >> -- Click here to find the perfect picture with our powerful photo search features. http://tagline.hushmail.com/fc/Ioyw6h4dI2fuQk9musd2YGyqHzxlI5AZaivXRccLVnr9… _______________________________________________ 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.…

2 1

Re: [kictanet] [ke-internetusers] Re: PS Ndemo, ECONET Scandal aand Vested Interests
by John Maina 14 Oct '08

14 Oct '08

Ndugu Dr Ndemo is stopping Kenyans from owning Telecos and thats the crux of the matter. Dr Ndemo sees it fit to engage shoddy people posing as foreigners to loot this country withoutt quality but just by registering companies ion Dubai and wherever Dr Ndemo is the enemy of Kenyans and not anybody else JM ----- Original Message ---- From: aki <aki275(a)googlemail.com> To: j.maina(a)ymail.com Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> Sent: Monday, October 13, 2008 10:42:01 AM Subject: Re: [kictanet] [ke-internetusers] Re: PS Ndemo, ECONET Scandal aand Vested Interests Dear Dr Ndemo and all, I beg to differ with the point raised so far. My opinion as a techie much lower in the food chain, we deal with logics. And the logic so far is as follows, which makes its even more interesting and since no one is mixing words, actually bordering on the egde of a conspiracy.... but I'll leave the strong words and chain of events for you all to figure out. It seems the bone of contention is the local share holdings portion but seems from the emails there are other agendas involved, including justifying " nationalism". So lets raise the questions, regarding the percentage of local ownership shareholdings in telco sector : 1) Why is this such a problem and to whom? 2) What lack of benefits will result from a 100% owned telcos and to whom? 3) What kenyas will suffer from the lack of ownership in such telcos? 4) Who are these kenyans who want to be part of the telcos and for some reason are going to be stopped ? 5) Where is the money coming from, for kenyans to own shares in the telco sectors? In a nutshell, it is becoming clear that some are going to feel the pinch of a complete open market and will use tactics like corruption, name calling and etc to try and stop the messenger ( Bwana PS ) from implementing the necessary changes. I short, I suspect there is something much much bigger going on here. I hope someone with an insight into this will open up the entire story and LAY IT BARE. If you need to ban me from this list then go ahead, I'm getting bored with the one way traffic from the so called protectors of kenyan interests. Who are they? What interests do they have? Rgds.

1 0

Re: [kictanet] [ke-internetusers] Re: PS Ndemo, ECONET Scandal aand Vested Interests
by John Maina 14 Oct '08

14 Oct '08

Ndugu Dr Ndemo is stopping Kenyans from owning Telecos and thats the crux of the matter. Dr Ndemo sees it fit to engage shoddy people posing as foreigners to loot this country withoutt quality but just by registering companies ion Dubai and wherever Dr Ndemo is the enemy of Kenyans and not anybody else JM ----- Original Message ---- From: aki <aki275(a)googlemail.com> To: j.maina(a)ymail.com Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> Sent: Monday, October 13, 2008 10:42:01 AM Subject: Re: [kictanet] [ke-internetusers] Re: PS Ndemo, ECONET Scandal aand Vested Interests Dear Dr Ndemo and all, I beg to differ with the point raised so far. My opinion as a techie much lower in the food chain, we deal with logics. And the logic so far is as follows, which makes its even more interesting and since no one is mixing words, actually bordering on the egde of a conspiracy.... but I'll leave the strong words and chain of events for you all to figure out. It seems the bone of contention is the local share holdings portion but seems from the emails there are other agendas involved, including justifying " nationalism". So lets raise the questions, regarding the percentage of local ownership shareholdings in telco sector : 1) Why is this such a problem and to whom? 2) What lack of benefits will result from a 100% owned telcos and to whom? 3) What kenyas will suffer from the lack of ownership in such telcos? 4) Who are these kenyans who want to be part of the telcos and for some reason are going to be stopped ? 5) Where is the money coming from, for kenyans to own shares in the telco sectors? In a nutshell, it is becoming clear that some are going to feel the pinch of a complete open market and will use tactics like corruption, name calling and etc to try and stop the messenger ( Bwana PS ) from implementing the necessary changes. I short, I suspect there is something much much bigger going on here. I hope someone with an insight into this will open up the entire story and LAY IT BARE. If you need to ban me from this list then go ahead, I'm getting bored with the one way traffic from the so called protectors of kenyan interests. Who are they? What interests do they have? Rgds.

1 0

Registration
by n_macharia＠yahoo.co.uk 13 Oct '08

13 Oct '08

I would like to join this very informative forum n share with ICT colleagues. Hope to be included in the mailing list henceforth. Nancy macharia Sent from my BlackBerry®

1 0

Re: [kictanet] [ke-internetusers] Re: PS Ndemo, ECONET Scandal aand Vested Interests
by mwananchi＠hushmail.com 13 Oct '08

13 Oct '08

Kamotho, If the issues are too intertwined for you to follow then you should say so and ask for simplification to enhance your ability to follow through and distinguish what is what. Nonetheless, has PS Ndemo denied the occurrence of any the facts? What PS Ndemo has, is a different interpretation of the facts and how they took place. There is no issue personally with PS Ndemo, what there are issues with are specific actions he is carrying out while in his capacity as a public servant. - Ndemo admitted he signed an MOU with Libyans. - Ndemo admitted that before he left for Malaysia he made pronouncements about changes in local shareholding requirements - Ndemo admitted he signed a "settlement agreement" with a certain foreign company - Ndemo admitted there are problems with current investment policies PS Ndemo is public servant who serves the Kenyan public not just special interests in Kictanet. If other Wananchi have found it on their own accord to forward discussions to other forums then do your duty to take it up as an issue on those forums. As PS Ndemo says, there is nothing to hide! In the same spirit of openness, Ndemo's response has also been cross posted on other discussion lists by other listers who saw it fit to do so. You see Kamotho, you've not presented a single iota of evidence or fact, just empty rhetoric and belligerence. If you have any facts, have conducted any investigations, gone to the relevant High Court registrars, consulted the Attorney General, gone to archives to determine whether what Ndemo said has been manufactured and contradicts what has been shared here, then by all means speedily share the documents and facts, debunk each specific fact and let these matters be put to rest. PS Ndemo is free to start a lawsuit against the High Court of South Africa, the High Court of Kenya and any other party all from which the facts have been sourced from so that the same facts can be gladly repeated and established under oath and public record. It is however understandable that belligerent empty rhetoric seems to be the only defence one can possibly turn to in a feeble attempt of censorship when faced with indisputable facts. Good day. Peterson On Sat, 11 Oct 2008 15:21:11 +0000 kamotho Njenga <kamothonjenga(a)gmail.com> wrote: >Friends, > >Beyond question, Kenyans have a right to seek information as well >clarity >on any issue pertinent to the ICT sector.That right includes >expressing >views on matters where in ones opinion a route less than optimal >in their >opinion has been followed. The freedom of expression is not a >preserve to >any individual or group. But as a necessity such fundamental >rights must be >exercised within some confines of responsibility, propriety and >decorum. > >Without over generalizing, this is the first time that allegations >have been >pursued with profundity, relentlessness and zeal of a unique >magnitude and >has been extended beyond KICTANET. For I have personally received >similar >messages in my other mail accounts that are not subscribed to this >forum. >The personalized overtones that have accompanied the pursuit of >this matter >whose goal is yet to be specified can neither be denied nor >ignored. > >What is not in dispute is that the drivers of these allegations >have their >issues mixed up.At one point their claim is on MOUs, the next is >on >localization and at times its on "crooks" and so on. In a >nutshell; alot of >generalities and unguided missile whose clear intention is to >finish >somebody in one way or the other. Its so evident that there is an >unwavering >struggle to demonise the PS by depicting him in bad light. Since >then, the >PS has come out clearly on all points of accusations never mind >that all the >allegations are anchored on conjecture. > >On this basis and on the premise of objectivity, one canly >conclude that the >authors of these allegations are at best riding on the back of far >fetched >malice and wallowing entirely in the miasma of hollow vendetta.The >alarmist >tell tales (Whistle blowing/Whistling) should be dismissed with >all the >contempt they deserve. > > >Kamotho Njenga > > > > >On Sat, Oct 11, 2008 at 6:12 AM, <mwananchi(a)hushmail.com> wrote: > >> Dear Eric, >> >> Some weekend reading for you, this article was directed at NEPAD >> and the then Finance Minister and it covers some of the issues >we >> have been discussing. >> >> Africa, Kimunya should seek monetary policies that serve local >> interests >> >http://www.bdafrica.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=8 >2 >> >62&Itemid=5821<http://www.bdafrica.com/index.php?option=com_content >&task=view&id=8262&Itemid=5821> >> >> "This, however, remains the quintessential question of African >> development: how to achieve economic independence in an >> international and regional context where the profit motives of >most >> investors and lenders rarely correspond to our growth and >> development goals." >> >> We simply cannot achieve economic independence when over 80 >percent >> of the economy is in the hands of foreigners more so non >Africans >> and PS Ndemo now wants to eliminate indigenous ownership >> requirements. Local ownership requirements did not deter the >> credible and serious Zain's, Vodafone's, France Telecom's, >Altech's >> of this world from coming into Kenya. Has PS Ndemo forgotten >that >> Kenya's FDI in the last year rose by over 1300 percent? >> >> Is it fair that some local individuals could use multiple >separate >> companies in which they have substantial shareholding so as to >> maximize their effective share of TEAMS while other legitimate >> local and international investors are locked out? These and >other >> criteria (total beneficial ownership etc) need to be looked at >and >> analysed to get to the core of the matter. >> >> It is a pity that PS Ndemo seems to believe that it is a bad >thing >> when Peterson asks the Government to listen to local investors >and >> take their interests into consideration while striking a balance >in >> the same way he listens to foreign investors and makes arbitrary >> non-consultative policy changes just because the Nesbitt's of >this >> world (who already have a tax holiday) have already arm twisted >him >> behind closed doors into submission. We want these unnamed >vested >> interests to take their case to the Kenyan public and to stop >> coercing public servants behind closed doors, if they can >convince >> the public openly that what they need is good for Kenya then the >> public through their representatives will effect such changes >> openly and transparently. >> >> As for the other matters, they don't require endorsement or >> agreement, the facts stand on their own, they are facts anyone >can >> verify by going to the High Court registrar, providing the case >> number and obtaining the same documents and rulings. The near >> collapse and disrespect of our institutions is as a result of >the >> permeation and embrace of a culture of impunity. If these >> institutions were respected by among others, PS Ndemo, it would >not >> be an issue affecting the nation. >> >> I challenge anyone with any contradicting documents to dispute >the >> facts by presenting the same rather than attempting to >assassinate >> the messenger for blowing the whistle. >> >> Have a good weekend. >> >> Regards, >> >> Peterson >> >> On Fri, 10 Oct 2008 15:38:36 +0000 "Eric M.K Osiakwan" >> <emko(a)internetresearch.com.gh> wrote: >> >Dear Peterson, >> > >> >I go with you on the wheel that the vested interest of the >country >> >in >> >paramount..... >> > >> >The elements of my case though disappointing, i went with the >> >established criteria since was applied across board but then in >> >the >> >situation where most of the local companies are majority owned >by >> >non- >> >Africans, then one needs to look into the criteria again. >> > >> >The larger question, we need to raise is how do we ensure that >the >> > >> >interest of other African investors can be unheld in another >> >African >> >jurisdiction, in the context of developing Africa by Africans. >You >> > >> >know the TEAMS process is still ongoing so lets allow the >> >establish >> >procedures and policies to work, am patient and dont have any >hard >> > >> >feelings at all. >> > >> >The other big question that we need to answer is, these huge >> >infrastructure projects require huge sums of money, personally >am >> >not >> >a deep pocket in that sense but at least i can raise the money, >> >may >> >be from another African country or worse case outside the >> >continent >> >if the amounts are way over. The TEAMS model where public funds >> >are >> >used to underwrite the risk in order to ensure that the entry >> >barriers for investment are minimised so local investors and >> >entrepreneurs can participate are innovative and i personally >want >> >to >> >give the TEAMS model a chance to succeed. We as Africans need >to >> >evolve solutions to our unique problems, ofcourse borrowing in >> >same >> >cases from others who have gone ahead. >> > >> >Unfortunately, i would have to distant myself from some of the >> >allegations though you establish them on factual basis, it >would >> >be >> >good for the right authorities to follow it through so that we >> >have >> >conclusive situations. Also, those involved must be given a >chance >> >to >> >present their side of the argument so that those in this forum >can >> >be >> >more knowledgable. Again, if we can keep it tactful, then the >> >common >> >good is preserved for the sake of posterity. >> > >> >Have a good weekend, good people. >> > >> > >> > >> >On 10 Oct 2008, at 20:16, mwananchi(a)hushmail.com wrote: >> > >> >> Dear Eric, >> >> >> >> At the end of the day, Kenyans only want the best for our >> >nation. >> >> Kenyans certainly are not against beneficial foreign direct >> >> investment and welcome it provided it is conducted under >> >policies >> >> that result in a win-win situation for Kenyans and the >investor. >> >> Unfortunately the country's policies particularly those being >> >> fronted now do not reflect that wish, which is why it is >> >important >> >> that the Government pay attention to what local and would be >> >> international investors are saying and strike a balance that >is >> >a >> >> win-win for both. >> >> >> >> In your case, had PS Ndemo stuck with his proposal that he >made >> >in >> >> 2007, Internet Research would not be experiencing any >hurdles. >> >The >> >> local component would also have been preserved in a manner >not >> >> detrimental to your company. >> >> >> >> I hope that PS Ndemo will address the issue of your company. >> >Kenya >> >> as an African country should not be deterring Kenyan or any >> >other >> >> African investors who are credible and who operate and >respect >> >our >> >> laws and institutions instead of trampling them underfoot and >in >> >> the one case that has been mentioned, deliberately failing to >> >meet >> >> their obligations for over 4 years. These are the same types >of >> >> investors who have been rejected by Altech, the nations of >Papua >> >> New Guinea, Malawi, Nigeria. The same characters who failed >to >> >meet >> >> their licence obligations for years in New Zealand and were >> >lucky >> >> to get token percentage ownership of what was left when >credible >> >> investors took over and who in Lesotho have been engaged in >tax >> >and >> >> roaming link frauds. >> >> >> >> http://rapidshare.com/files/152715858/fraud_in_lesotho.pdf >> >> >> >> They finally found a safe haven to land in Kenya embraced by >a >> >> culture of impunity where it does not matter if you meet your >> >> obligations or if you operate with cancelled licences >provided >> >> powerful vested interests pave and coerce the way for you. >> >> >> >> When we reject investors whom we know such as Eric and >embrace >> >> undesirable investors instead, it shows why we precisely are >> >> lagging behind in FDI. Indeed if Kenya gave investors 5 years >as >> >it >> >> did in this particular case to pay licencing fees, the >country >> >> would be overwhelmed with numerous investors. As the >occassion >> >of >> >> Moi Day graces us today, the Moi government despite its many >> >flaws >> >> was quick to realize what type of animal this was and >correctly >> >> rejected them not just once but twice. >> >> >> >> Peterson >> >> >> >> On Fri, 10 Oct 2008 03:31:48 +0000 "Eric M.K Osiakwan" >> >> <emko(a)internetresearch.com.gh> wrote: >> >>> Dear Peterson, >> >>> >> >>> Thanks for establishing a set of facts and am sure the right >> >>> people >> >>> would respond to the issues you have riased. I hope the >> >discussion >> >>> >> >>> would continue on a factual basis and not degenerate. >> >>> >> >>> I want to also present one set of facts regarding my >> >participation >> >>> in >> >>> the TEAMS project. My company, Internet Research went >through >> >the >> >>> >> >>> entire process and indeed qualified to be allocated shares >but >> >at >> >>> one >> >>> of the proposed shareholders meeting, the issue of local >> >ownership >> >>> >> >>> came up. >> >>> >> >> -- >> Learn from the comfort of your home. Choose your degree and >receive a free >> info pak. >> >> >http://tagline.hushmail.com/fc/Ioyw6h4eS5zglpKiYQ1E4QV7ya3V7OQilSPt >QZA6nTe5QdbJulIxcO/ >> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> 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.com >> -- Click here to find the perfect picture with our powerful photo search features. http://tagline.hushmail.com/fc/Ioyw6h4dI2fuQk9musd2YGyqHzxlI5AZaivXRccLVnr9…

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Kenya Internet Governance Forum (Kenya IGF) - Tomorrow
by Harry Hare 13 Oct '08

13 Oct '08

Just a reminder for those wishing to attend this forum and also to confirm that the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information and Communication and the Director General of Communication Commission of Kenya have confirmed their participation. If you have not confirmed your participation, and you wish to attend, please do so before the end of business today to help us with the planning. Kindest Regards Harry +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Dear Colleagues The Kenya ICT Board (KICTB) in conjunction with the Kenya Network Information Centre (KENIC), the Kenya ICT Action Network (KICTANet), the East African ICT for Development Network (EA ICT4D) and other participating organisations are pleased to announce the Kenya Internet Governance Forum (Kenya IGF) to be held on the 14th of October, 2008 at the Jacaranda hotel in Westlands. The Kenya IGF will offer a central forum through which Internet stakeholders in Kenya can contribute to the global Internet Governance Forum. The Kenya IGF is a follow up to the KICTANet mailing list discussions on Internet Governance, which were held in August 2008, and aimed at beginning to identify and explore national level Internet Governance issues. The national forum aims at: · creating awareness on IGF issues, · instituting a consensus building process to develop a common understanding of Kenyan Internet Governance issues and · building policy capacity in order to enable meaningful participation in global Internet policy, governance and development. The outcome of the Kenya IGF will be collated with that from the other national IGF¹s which will take place in Uganda, Tanzania and Rwanda, to form the agenda for the East African IGF (EAIGF) scheduled for 10th-12th November 2008, Nairobi Kenya. As a key player in the Internet industry, it is my pleasure to invite you to the Kenya IGF. Below is a summary of the programme: ++++++++++++++++++++++ 08:45 - 09:00 Registration 09:00 - 09:10 Opening Remarks - Paul Kukubo, CEO, KICTB 09:10 - 09:30 What is internet governance and why should we care? - Brian Longwe/KENIC 09:30 - 10:00 Kenyan stakeholders IG issues: KICTANet Online Discussion Report; validating issues discussed John Walubengo/Mwende Njiraini 10:00 - 10:10 Government & the IGF Charles J. K. Njoroge, Director General, CCK 10:10 - 10:30 Official Launch of Kenya IGF - Dr. Bitange Ndemo, PS, Ministry of Information & Communications 10:30 - 11:00 Coffee Break 11:00 - 11:30 So what are Kenya¹s Priority IG issues? Issue Prioritization & Consensus - KICTANet/KENIC 11:30 - 12:00 What Policy and Technical capacity do we need to engage? Identifying Issues for Capacity Building John Walubengo/Mwende Njiraini 12:00 - 12:30 Closing Remarks/Vote of Thanks - EAICT4D Harry Hare 12:30 Lunch +++++++++++++++++++++++++ Kindly confirm your participation by sending an email to <evelyne(a)kictanet.or.ke> Regards, Harry Hare

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Re: [kictanet] [ke-internetusers] Re: PS Ndemo, ECONET Scandal aand Vested Interests
by mwananchi＠hushmail.com 13 Oct '08

13 Oct '08

Dear Dr. Ndemo, Thank you for taking the time to respond to the issues at hand. The tone of the Kictanet debate might have appeared antagonistic and even degenerated to extreme lows at some points, but rest assured that these are not issues of a personal nature as some have cheekily tried to paint them. The issues at hand revolve around official acts and policies. We simply as I indicated in a separate message want the Government to do the right thing and that is to uphold the law and do what is best for Kenyans. We do and must detest xenophobia, but far from that, foreigners are welcome as long as there are beneficial conditions for Kenyans attached to their entry into key sectors that promote and enhance Kenya's technological capacities, create indigenous wealth (not just employment), and help propel Kenya to achieving new grounds and heights of indigenous accomplishment. Take the case of India, Tata is now an international conglomerate, more so in the area of motor vehicle manufacturing as a result of the Indian government's requirements for joint ventures which demand significant local ownership and benefits for other local industries. Another example are tenders held by the Indian Government which require up to as much as 50-50 participation, despite such steep local equity requirements, there are multinational companies clambering over one another for such opportunities. http://www.mobilepundit.com/2005/12/05/zte-beats-huawei-for-bsnl- tie-up/ Taking up the case of the briefcase businessmen. Isn't this a failure of our institutions more so the regulator in conducting proper due diligence? The failure to do this is the key issue which is being used to give local businessmen a bad name, if proper due diligence had been properly conducted the consortia not meeting the bar should never have been allowed to bid in the first place. Instead due to a lack of diligence we let in unscrupulous parties who want to reap where they have no sowed. The "multinationals" are not so innocent either, we have seen a classic example of international investors fail to repeatedly pay their licence fees for over 4 years while conveniently blaming it on local investors. We can agree on the fact that there are serious Kenyan investors in the ICT sector. As noted above, the way to eliminate extortionists is to conduct proper due diligence and prosecute parties for economic crimes that involve a failure to conduct due diligence. If extortionists persist, they should also be prosecuted under the existing economic crimes statutes as the law provides regarding delivery of revenue due to the Government. If there are no consequences, the problems will likely continue. I beg to differ on Safaricom as this was attributed to foreign investors dumping Safaricom Shares leading to the depression of the share price. Below is the article as published in the Business Daily. I did not purport to be an economist rather just pointed out what NSE insiders were stating: http://www.bdafrica.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=88 47&Itemid=5812 As I mentioned earlier, FDI inflows indeed improved tremendously but it seems as though the policy changes are trying to fix something that may not be broken. Certainly FDI inflows should be improved as one of the Government's goals, but why not try to create policies that promote local ownership and beneficial joint ventures? Regards, Peterson On Fri, 10 Oct 2008 04:20:13 +0000 bitange(a)jambo.co.ke wrote: >Dear Mr. Olale, >I have carefully read your contribution but I do not see any point >you >raise to support Kenyanization of ICT development. Let us not >confuse >xenophobia with nationalism. As I stated earlier, we must learn >from the >past to shape our future. A lot of the so called local Investors >are >briefcase businessmen often specialized in extorting >multinationals at the >expense of the majority Kenyans. This is what we must fight. > >There are serious Kenyan investors in the ICT sector and we are >seeing >these investments grow to the extent of merging with MNCs. This >is a more >sustainable rout to follow than licensing extortionists. We care >for all >Kenyan investors but we must also deal with bad apples. The major >telkom >companies are variously owned by Kenyans. > >It is absurd that you to attribute the drop of Safaricom share >price to >foreigners yet a first year student of economics will tell you >that the >trend worldwide is the same and even the most capitalist countries >are >rushing to bail out troubled companies. Secondly, too many people >borrowed to finance the Safaricom share and hoped to cash-in >quickly >leading to excess supply of shares that means price would drop >and in >the long run will eventually stabilize and begin to rise. My >brother one >needs to understand this simple economics, before attempting to >become a >labour economist. > >Please note that almost 90% of FDI last year to Kenya was in >Telecommunications. The more reason we should encourage more FDI >this >year through policy change. > > >Regards > > >Ndemo. > > > >> John, >> >> Dr. Bonny Khalwale on Wednesday in parliament as Chairman of the >> Parliamentary Accounts Committee in Parliament questioned why >the >> Government, presumably through the Info. and Comm. and other >> related dockets was jeopardising our national security by >selling >> shares in the telecoms sector to foreigners. >> http://www.nation.co.ke/News/politics/-/1064/478582/-/ywrqttz/- >> /index.html >> >> Dr. Khalwale was obviously not aware of PS Ndemo's latest and >> seemingly hurried initiative to abolish local shareholding >> requirements in the ICT sector and it should no doubt be brought >to >> Parliament's attention and the public's notice. >> http://africa.reuters.com/business/news/usnJOE4950WH.html >> >> It is time PS Ndemo presented himself in his official capacity >to >> Kenyans before the Parliamentary committee and named the foreign >> companies that have threatened not to invest in Kenya because >they >> cannot allegedly partner with Kenyans! Kenyans should never >condone >> blackmail, let alone from foreigners whose sole goal is to make >hay >> while the sun shines from Kenyans without engaging in knowledge >and >> technology transfer, indigenous wealth creation and other >derived >> benefits that newly industrialised countries (China, India etc) >> have reaped from enforcing local ownership requirements. >> >> It is time such critical decisions that affect the nation were >> taken out of the hands of individuals who through possibly >coerced >> strokes of pens to gazettements seriously compromise the >nation's >> march to progression in indigenous ownership of sectors of the >> economy. Such critical decisions should belong in the hands of >> Wananchi through Parliamentarians who should debate and ratify >such >> critical and arbitrary gazettements. >> >> Recently we saw the results of ill advised policies that favour >> foreigners at the expense of indigenous Kenyans. We saw >Safaricom's >> share price become thoroughly depressed by foreigners who were >in a >> rush to dump the shares. The greatest sufferers were local >> investors many of whom were already short changed with their >paltry >> 21 percent share allocation. Yet the powers that be, sought to >> favour foreigners who have no allegiance to the nation at the >> expense of Wananchi. >> >> What has PS Ndemo done to improve and increase local ownership >in >> the ICT sector before concluding that such efforts and >approaches >> were futile and that Kenyans were useless investors? If Ndemo >truly >> had the interests of Kenyans at heart he wouldn't be putting >> foreigners ahead of Kenyans! Similarly why has Ndemo been >appending >> his signature to documents that favour Libyans amongst other >> foreigners that undermine Wananchi while holding a public office >> that demands maintaining public trust and protecting public >> interest? >> http://www.eastandard.net/InsidePage.php?id=1143990641&cid=4 >> >> The Law regarding Acting on behalf of foreigners interests: >> >http://www.kenyalaw.org/kenyalaw/klr_app/view_content.php?ContentHi >s >> toryID=12838 >> >> Why is PS Ndemo purporting to fix what is not broken? Kenya >> recorded a 1330% increase in FDI in 2007, perhaps PS Ndemo could >be >> excused for the oversight at the time of his arbitrary >> pronouncement. Surely something must be working right.. >> >> http://africa.reuters.com/country/TZ/news/usnLO172755.html >> The report showed that FDI to Kenya rose to $728 million in >> 2007 compared with $51 million in the previous year, a rise >> of close to 1,330 percent. "Kenya's FDI increased due to >> large privatisation sales in the telecommunications industry >> and investment in railways," Naiko said. >> >> The Econet sham has been misused repeatedly by PS Ndemo as the >> reason for his rationale in first reducing local shareholding >> requirements from 30%, down to 20% and now to his envisioned >ZERO%. >> Instead of looking at the root cause of the matter which are >> unfavorable policies towards local investors, a hostile lending >> environment towards startups, poor vetting, poor tendering >> procedures, poor due diligence and irregularities by the >regulator >> and reforming those, he appears keen to lambast and blame >anything >> and everything else on Wananchi rather than address the root >causes >> by instituting and promoting professional changes and >improvements >> in the afflicted public institutions. Indeed how did bankrupt >KNFC >> and Econet meet the US$100m threshhold of turnover for tendering >> when Deloitte and Touche audited accounts show Econet's largest >> operation (before they were bundled out of Nigeria for not >having >> paid for their shares) having a turnover then of a mere US$8 >> million and KNFC's total assets valued at Ksh 20million as of >2006? >> The poor financials and the exercise of due care in conducting >due >> diligence by the regulator are the reasons why the licence fee >> could not be paid to the GK within the proscribed period and it >has >> nothing to do with the vast majority of local investors whom >Ndemo >> is trying to vilify. PS Ndemo and Treasury should let the public >> know if Econet has forfeited and paid in full its US$1.3 million >> bid bond to the exchequer for failure to pay the licence fees in >> cash as required: >> >> Audited Financials: >> http://rapidshare.com/files/152242139/Financials.pdf >> Miscellaneous: >> http://rapidshare.com/files/152242138/NjiriSA.pdf >> http://rapidshare.com/files/152242137/EconetSA.pdf >> >> For all we know PS Ndemo could have been misled by vested and >> powerful interests in the matter. Naturally the principles of >> justice dictate that he ought to be given the accordance of the >> benefit of doubt but if his deliberate actions show otherwise >then >> the wheels of justice must run their course. If it takes 14 >years >> as it did for the eventual trial and judgement of Oluga and >Somaia >> for fraud against the Republic, then so be it. >> >> This is why if Ndemo is indeed innocent, he should not hesitate >to >> speedily request KACC, the CID, Kenya's numerous independent >anti- >> corruption organisations, any willing international partners >with >> forensic investigation capacities, members of the public to work >> towards investigating the matter. It is also important that the >PS' >> accomplishments on behalf of the nation are not blighted by a >few >> but serious malfeasances if he was indeed misled. PS Ndemo's >> involvement in the matter is a serious issue considering what >the >> law states about deliberately subverting directives and rulings >> such as the Minister's cancellation of the licence, given that >> deliberate ignorance of court rulings and Ministerial >cancellations >> is classified under law as fraud. >> >> The law as regards Misleading the public: >> >http://www.kenyalaw.org/kenyalaw/klr_app/view_content.php?ContentHi >s >> toryID=12843 >> >> Section 354 of Chapter XXXV (Miscellaneous Offences Against >Public >> Authority) of the Laws of Kenya: >> >> âANY PERSON WHO KNOWINGLY UTTERS AS AND FOR A SUBSISTING >> AND EFFECTUAL DOCUMENT ANY DOCUMENT WHICH HAS BY ANY >> LAWFUL AUTHORITY BEEN ORDERED TO BE REVOKED, CANCELLED >> OR SUSPENDED, or the operation of which has ceased by >> effluxion of time, or by death, or by the happening of >> any other event, is guilty of an offence of the same >> kind, and IS LIABLE TO THE SAME PUNISHMENT, AS IF HE HAD >> FORGED THE DOCUMENT,â >> >http://www.kenyalaw.org/kenyalaw/klr_app/view_content.php?ContentHi >s >> toryID=9961 >> >> Amos Wako as the AG should let Kenyans know whether he was >> consulted by PS Ndemo, what his legal opinion was if any, by >> releasing the relevant correspondence, and if so, what rationale >he >> employed in purporting to settle a case the Government had >already >> won through a final court ruling! >> >> Judge's final Ruling upholding cancellation of licence: >> http://rapidshare.com/files/152242136/Econet_v_Minister.pdf >> >> video of PS Ndemo personally signing the sham "settlement >> agreement": >> >http://rapidshare.com/files/152229210/en_bs_250707_econectknfc.mp4 >> >> Laws of Kenya regarding the Giving of advice: >> >http://www.kenyalaw.org/kenyalaw/klr_app/view_content.php?ContentHi >s >> toryID=12842 >> >> AG Wako has shown previously that in matters where the >Government >> will ultimately prevail, the Government will not hesitate to >uphold >> the public interest even where the outcome could embarrass the >> executive as was the unprecedented case of Kenya Duty Free v GK >> where the Government's winning defence was that the former >> President had taken a US$2 million bribe from the applicant. >> >http://www.freshfields.com/news/mediareleases/mediarelease.asp?id=1 >0 >> 19 >> >> It is an inescapable fact that PS Ndemo seems to wish away that >the >> Econet licence was Scandal number 10 in Edward Clay's list of 20 >> scandals committed against the nation: >> http://rapidshare.com/files/152246719/20Scandals.pdf >> >> What happened to Ndemo's rather reasonable previous requirement >in >> 2007 about local ownership, did vested foreign and "local - >> Mobitelea like" interests twist his arm and coerce him to change >> his mind?? >> >> What we are saying is that a foreign investor needs time to >> (get to) know whom he can work with," Ndemo says. "In three >> years he can do a private placement or in five years do an >> IPO (initial public offering) or introduce employee option >> plans, but they must give 30 per cent to locals." >> >> The issues are very simple, Ndemo should come clean and cease >> condoning and abetting the commission of illegal acts against >the >> public trust and interest that involve a permanently CANCELLED >and >> thus null and void license; open the matter to public scrutiny >and >> investigation and mostly importantly it is his duty as a Kenyan >to >> find constructive ways of promoting indigenous Kenyan ownership >> instead of working day and night to find ways to increase >ownership >> by foreigners at the expense of Wananchi. It is indeed absurd >that >> when Mama Mboga attempts to make a living without having a valid >> licence, she will certainly face the wrath of askaris, how >> foreigners can blantantly walk into Kenya, disenfranchise their >> local component with blessings from vested interests and when >their >> licence is cancelled continue to operate without a valid licence >> and without a new tender being called reeks of impunity at best. >> >> When 48 members of Parliament in 2003 rose up to be counted, >they >> surely knew what the animal they were pointing out, the same >animal >> that now disrespects Kenyan institutions as it continues to run >> around while flashing a long cancelled and now null and void >> licence as part of a grand and colossal fraud. >> http://www.telegeography.com/cu/article.php?article_id=2030 >> >> Peterson Olale >> >> On Thu, 09 Oct 2008 15:59:44 +0000 John Maina ><j.maina(a)ymail.com> >> wrote: >>>Brian >>> >>>We dont dispute that. >>> >>>We are asking about the fact that the government is ignoring >court >>>injuctions which were shown there >>> >>>Why ignore court cases? >>> >>>JM >>> >>>----- Original Message ---- >>>From: Gakuru Alex <alexgakuru.lists(a)gmail.com> >>>To: j.maina(a)ymail.com >>>Cc: kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke >>>Sent: Thursday, October 9, 2008 4:54:50 PM >>>Subject: Re: [kictanet] Econet Haters.... :-D >>> >>>Brian, >>> >>>As kictanet chairman with all the 'forum powers', I honestly >feel >>>that it is unfair for you to drag on this conversation at least >>>from a >>>"fair play" perspective.... >>> >>>If you choose not to kill the thread, at least you should avoid >>>being >>>a discussant? >>> >>>regards, >>> >>>Alex >>> >> >> -- >> Click now for fast, reliable freight services! >> >http://tagline.hushmail.com/fc/Ioyw6h4c9uglgm0nbIOqilxqN6aFkwmGgX3I >12EQDEHE2v5xWXwRnE/ >> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> 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%40jamb >o.co.ke >> >> ---------------------------------------------- >> This message has been scanned for viruses and >> dangerous content by Jambo MailScanner, and is >> believed to be clean. >> --------------------------------------------- >> "easy access to the world" >> >> > > > >---------------------------------------------- >This message has been scanned for viruses and >dangerous content by Jambo MailScanner, and is >believed to be clean. >--------------------------------------------- >"easy access to the world" -- Click here to find the perfect picture with our powerful photo search features. http://tagline.hushmail.com/fc/Ioyw6h4dI2gEjhKYHNaeyRQ7Q6yCWo3FWPjoMUxjWNTg…

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Re: [kictanet] [ke-internetusers] Re: PS Ndemo, ECONET Scandal aand Vested Interests
by mwananchi＠hushmail.com 13 Oct '08

13 Oct '08

Dear Eric, Some weekend reading for you, this article was directed at NEPAD and the then Finance Minister and it covers some of the issues we have been discussing. Africa, Kimunya should seek monetary policies that serve local interests http://www.bdafrica.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=82 62&Itemid=5821 "This, however, remains the quintessential question of African development: how to achieve economic independence in an international and regional context where the profit motives of most investors and lenders rarely correspond to our growth and development goals." We simply cannot achieve economic independence when over 80 percent of the economy is in the hands of foreigners more so non Africans and PS Ndemo now wants to eliminate indigenous ownership requirements. Local ownership requirements did not deter the credible and serious Zain's, Vodafone's, France Telecom's, Altech's of this world from coming into Kenya. Has PS Ndemo forgotten that Kenya's FDI in the last year rose by over 1300 percent? Is it fair that some local individuals could use multiple separate companies in which they have substantial shareholding so as to maximize their effective share of TEAMS while other legitimate local and international investors are locked out? These and other criteria (total beneficial ownership etc) need to be looked at and analysed to get to the core of the matter. It is a pity that PS Ndemo seems to believe that it is a bad thing when Peterson asks the Government to listen to local investors and take their interests into consideration while striking a balance in the same way he listens to foreign investors and makes arbitrary non-consultative policy changes just because the Nesbitt's of this world (who already have a tax holiday) have already arm twisted him behind closed doors into submission. We want these unnamed vested interests to take their case to the Kenyan public and to stop coercing public servants behind closed doors, if they can convince the public openly that what they need is good for Kenya then the public through their representatives will effect such changes openly and transparently. As for the other matters, they don't require endorsement or agreement, the facts stand on their own, they are facts anyone can verify by going to the High Court registrar, providing the case number and obtaining the same documents and rulings. The near collapse and disrespect of our institutions is as a result of the permeation and embrace of a culture of impunity. If these institutions were respected by among others, PS Ndemo, it would not be an issue affecting the nation. I challenge anyone with any contradicting documents to dispute the facts by presenting the same rather than attempting to assassinate the messenger for blowing the whistle. Have a good weekend. Regards, Peterson On Fri, 10 Oct 2008 15:38:36 +0000 "Eric M.K Osiakwan" <emko(a)internetresearch.com.gh> wrote: >Dear Peterson, > >I go with you on the wheel that the vested interest of the country >in >paramount..... > >The elements of my case though disappointing, i went with the >established criteria since was applied across board but then in >the >situation where most of the local companies are majority owned by >non- >Africans, then one needs to look into the criteria again. > >The larger question, we need to raise is how do we ensure that the > >interest of other African investors can be unheld in another >African >jurisdiction, in the context of developing Africa by Africans. You > >know the TEAMS process is still ongoing so lets allow the >establish >procedures and policies to work, am patient and dont have any hard > >feelings at all. > >The other big question that we need to answer is, these huge >infrastructure projects require huge sums of money, personally am >not >a deep pocket in that sense but at least i can raise the money, >may >be from another African country or worse case outside the >continent >if the amounts are way over. The TEAMS model where public funds >are >used to underwrite the risk in order to ensure that the entry >barriers for investment are minimised so local investors and >entrepreneurs can participate are innovative and i personally want >to >give the TEAMS model a chance to succeed. We as Africans need to >evolve solutions to our unique problems, ofcourse borrowing in >same >cases from others who have gone ahead. > >Unfortunately, i would have to distant myself from some of the >allegations though you establish them on factual basis, it would >be >good for the right authorities to follow it through so that we >have >conclusive situations. Also, those involved must be given a chance >to >present their side of the argument so that those in this forum can >be >more knowledgable. Again, if we can keep it tactful, then the >common >good is preserved for the sake of posterity. > >Have a good weekend, good people. > > > >On 10 Oct 2008, at 20:16, mwananchi(a)hushmail.com wrote: > >> Dear Eric, >> >> At the end of the day, Kenyans only want the best for our >nation. >> Kenyans certainly are not against beneficial foreign direct >> investment and welcome it provided it is conducted under >policies >> that result in a win-win situation for Kenyans and the investor. >> Unfortunately the country's policies particularly those being >> fronted now do not reflect that wish, which is why it is >important >> that the Government pay attention to what local and would be >> international investors are saying and strike a balance that is >a >> win-win for both. >> >> In your case, had PS Ndemo stuck with his proposal that he made >in >> 2007, Internet Research would not be experiencing any hurdles. >The >> local component would also have been preserved in a manner not >> detrimental to your company. >> >> I hope that PS Ndemo will address the issue of your company. >Kenya >> as an African country should not be deterring Kenyan or any >other >> African investors who are credible and who operate and respect >our >> laws and institutions instead of trampling them underfoot and in >> the one case that has been mentioned, deliberately failing to >meet >> their obligations for over 4 years. These are the same types of >> investors who have been rejected by Altech, the nations of Papua >> New Guinea, Malawi, Nigeria. The same characters who failed to >meet >> their licence obligations for years in New Zealand and were >lucky >> to get token percentage ownership of what was left when credible >> investors took over and who in Lesotho have been engaged in tax >and >> roaming link frauds. >> >> http://rapidshare.com/files/152715858/fraud_in_lesotho.pdf >> >> They finally found a safe haven to land in Kenya embraced by a >> culture of impunity where it does not matter if you meet your >> obligations or if you operate with cancelled licences provided >> powerful vested interests pave and coerce the way for you. >> >> When we reject investors whom we know such as Eric and embrace >> undesirable investors instead, it shows why we precisely are >> lagging behind in FDI. Indeed if Kenya gave investors 5 years as >it >> did in this particular case to pay licencing fees, the country >> would be overwhelmed with numerous investors. As the occassion >of >> Moi Day graces us today, the Moi government despite its many >flaws >> was quick to realize what type of animal this was and correctly >> rejected them not just once but twice. >> >> Peterson >> >> On Fri, 10 Oct 2008 03:31:48 +0000 "Eric M.K Osiakwan" >> <emko(a)internetresearch.com.gh> wrote: >>> Dear Peterson, >>> >>> Thanks for establishing a set of facts and am sure the right >>> people >>> would respond to the issues you have riased. I hope the >discussion >>> >>> would continue on a factual basis and not degenerate. >>> >>> I want to also present one set of facts regarding my >participation >>> in >>> the TEAMS project. My company, Internet Research went through >the >>> >>> entire process and indeed qualified to be allocated shares but >at >>> one >>> of the proposed shareholders meeting, the issue of local >ownership >>> >>> came up. >>> -- Learn from the comfort of your home. Choose your degree and receive a free info pak. http://tagline.hushmail.com/fc/Ioyw6h4eS5zglpKiYQ1E4QV7ya3V7OQilSPtQZA6nTe5…

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Re: [kictanet] Malaysia/Policy Clarifications
by mwananchi＠hushmail.com 13 Oct '08

13 Oct '08

Many thanks to PS Ndemo for his responses in answering the numerous issues raised despite the determined attempts of some list members to prevent that from happening. PS Ndemo says he does not understand how the transaction was done yet he went ahead to somehow sign documents and commit the Government. This level of transparency is commendable as there are few in government who would give their honest assessment of such a matter. There is a very short and simple chronology to the facts on the transaction. 1. April 13, 2006 - Justice Ibrahim Mohammed in Case 1640/2004 in the High Court of Kenya rules that the Econet licence remains cancelled as ordered by the Minister for Information and Communications. The case had been filed by Econet against the Government and CCK in an attempt to reverse the cancellation of the Econet licence by the Minister. http://rapidshare.com/files/152947988/final_court_ruling.pdf 2. July 20, 2007 - PS Ndemo signs a "settlement agreement" purporting to settle case 1640 which the Government had already won through the High Court's ruling upholding the Minister's cancellation of the licence. The Government had already won the case! Econet was ordered to pay the Government and taxpayers costs and the court upheld the cancellation of the licence! There was nothing left to settle other than for Econet to meet its obligation of paying Tax Payers legal costs! The second case which was filed personally against the Minister became moot, academic and died a natural death following the ruling. In any case Econet was unable to raise the US$15 million security it was ordered to deposit with the court in the case against the Minister. The cover of "sub judice" does not hold when cases have already reached their logical conclusion and there are no ongoing cases. The facts are simple: - There were no cases to be settled against the Government, the Government won its case fair and square against Econet. - The "settlement" appears to have been a public relations stunt aimed at keeping from public notice Justice Mohammed's ruling. - The Government faced no liability contrary to PS Ndemo's statements following the rulings in favour of GK. - Econet was liable to the Government and thus Taxpayers per the Judge's ruling and not as PS Ndemo inaccurately claims. - Econet having failed to meet its licence obligations stood to legally and correctly loose any monies it had paid to the Government without the Government incurring any liability. The Government won its case square and fair in court but PS Ndemo is misleading Wananchi that the Government was going to loose long after the case had already concluded. We are simply requesting the Government to treat all scams in the same commendable way the PS has taken on the Postapay and satellite crooks without engaging in selective justice. Regards, Peterson On Fri, 10 Oct 2008 06:59:23 +0000 Bill Kagai <billkagai(a)gmail.com> wrote: >Daktari, >This response is a clear sign of top notch leadership. >Thx for clarifying for those of us who were in the dark. > > >On Thu, Oct 9, 2008 at 8:07 PM, <bitange(a)jambo.co.ke> wrote: > >> Dear All, >> I am in Malaysia. This country's development is awesome. Their >> e-applications are indeed something we all aught to learn from. >You can >> see the positive energy to move their country out of poverty in >their >> eyes. We must find ways to emulate these people and move away >from self >> interest that is tearing our country apart. >> >> Prior to my travel here, I made some statements regarding local >ownership >> of ICT investments with the aim of reviewing our policy. This >is what I >> am employed to do and I am still consulting with stakeholders to >see how >> to advance the policy change. Specifically, I argued as >follows: >> • The drop in Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in our >sector is as a >> result >> of rigid policy on ownership of investments; >> • We must work toward attracting FDI if we have to sort >out >> unemployment >> of our youth which has reached crisis levels; >> • Large ICT multinationals have requested exemptions to >this policy >> and >> would rather have the local ownership through the stock market; >> • That those who have in the past purported to have the >capacity to >> raise >> sufficient local capital have failed and cannot raise new >capital thus >> compromising the competitiveness of these firms; >> • Protectionism leads to poor service and uncompetitive >environment; >> • The problem of local equity participation can be >summarized by the >> experience we went through during the search for the SNO – >promises of >> non-existent funds and extortionism; >> • The absence of local equity participation in some >foreign banks did >> not >> stop Equity Bank from growing phenomenally; >> • There is no threat to domination from foreigners since >local firms >> have >> made great strides to eventually partner with multinationals >from points >> of strength (read KDN/Altech; Safaricom/Onecom partnerships) and >it is >> encouraging to see other local firms such as Access, Jamii, >Wananchi etc >> coming up strongly that we don't need to require multinationals >to seek >> for partners up front at the expense of our unemployed youths; >and >> • My liberalist economic approach is what in my view would >make our >> country considering that some decisions we made along the same >lines have >> greatly impacted all our lives. >> Take for example the liberalization of International Gateways. >There were >> threats to our lives that we could not survive to see the >benefits. These >> were threats made by those who benefited from illegal >terminations of >> calls through Telkom Network leading to losses in excess of one >billion >> shillings per year. I am surprised that this move pains some >people to >> date when we are enjoying lower tariffs with a more efficient >Telkom. I >> have no regrets on Telkom reforms at all and I am sure you all >know that I >> never run from any responsibility. >> >> The Libyan matter has never been an issue before considering the >fact that >> this are standard MOUs that we sign regularly whenever we market >Kenya out >> there as an investment destination. Yes I signed the MOU and >the two ICT >> items in the MOU, that is, Telkom Kenya and Teams never went to >Libyans >> since they lost in the bid process and rejected by local >investors >> respectively. In the same MOU were Energy items and of course >Grand >> Regency but MOUs are not sale agreements. We sign lots of these >MOUs and >> even today here in Malaysia I have had to sign two. These are >public >> documents accessible to any Kenyan and there is nothing to hide >in the >> course of serving our country. >> >> I have never in my life met Moi and as far as I am concerned I >have never >> crossed his path either in his business or himself as a person. >The >> decision to extricate the Government from the Econet saga in my >view saved >> the tax payers a great deal of money. I was not there when this >matter >> started and I still do not understand the whole transaction but >it makes >> great sense to remove the Government from any liability. If >such a >> decision did not favour anybody, then the courts can settle and >in any >> case, this matter is still sub judice. >> >> Back to policy. If you have noted, we are launching an average >of two ICT >> firms per a week. Large BPO multinationals have told me to my >face that >> until we sort out the local ownership issue, they are going >elsewhere. >> These are firms that employ in excess of 30,000 BPO agents. >Investment in >> the sector runs into billions of shillings which people like >myself cannot >> even dream of raising even 1% (and this is true for many of us >in Kenya). >> Do we let such opportunities slip by because we want to be >nationalists? >> >> Regards >> >> >> Ndemo. >> >> >> >> >> >> ---------------------------------------------- >> This message has been scanned for viruses and >> dangerous content by Jambo MailScanner, and is >> believed to be clean. >> --------------------------------------------- >> "easy access to the world" >> >> -- Click here to learn more about nursing jobs. http://tagline.hushmail.com/fc/Ioyw6h4eKMGXhTQTmbf6gMPaKpzEItCperpbR6uzYlGP…

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Kenya opens door to foreign telecoms investors
by John Maina 13 Oct '08

13 Oct '08

----- Forwarded Message ---- From: nmatunda <matunda(a)hotmail.com> To: picta-kenya(a)yahoogroups.com Sent: Sunday, October 12, 2008 3:14:36 PM Subject: [picta-kenya] Re: Kenya opens door to foreign telecoms investors Mike, I am with you 200% on this. Every country must always act in its self-interest; this move by the PS is deplorable and not in line with long term Kenyan interests, especially in as a lucrative area as ICT. In my books, we invite foreigners for such things as (a) financing (which by the way Kenyans have shown can be raised locally), (b) operations and management experience & knowledge transfer, (c) relationships that we can leverage through any such joint ventures, etc. Joint ventures can also cushion enterprises from predatory illegalities, especially given our weak legal dispute resolution structures! Of the latter, remember when heads of state corporations used to queue up with money bags to state house to prop up the Moi excesses! Or when companies could be shaken down for political donations at a whim! For me, a good (not ideal!) joint venture is one of the kind that Kenya Airways went into with KLM, when KA had been run down by politically connected individuals. KLM brought in management and operations experience, facilitated KA's access to markets and routes that KA otherwise couldn't easily access and in the process the KA brand rose, as did profits and more! The investment has paid well for Kenyans and KLM; a win-win. There is a lesson to be learnt from the current American financial crisis with respect to experiences in Canada. This country has been under pressure to deregulate its financial services sector for the longest time. Banks have argued that they needed mergers to allow them to compete globally; and that they needed global partners that would help them grow and extend their reach. Canadian government have constantly refused mergers or the kind of deregulation the industry sought! Their argument: the interest of the common person whose priority banks should be. Guess what? In the present crisis, Canada has come substantially well ahead of the US and others. And for what reason: they stood against unfettered deregulaion! and they stood up for the interest of Canadians. I ask all yee this question: who is standing for the interest of Kenyans in this open invitation to exploitation? Dr Ndemo needs to be stopped, I am afraid! Unedited. Matunda Nyanchama --- In picta-kenya@ yahoogroups. com, "matunda25" <matunda@...> wrote: > > > --- In picta-kenya@ yahoogroups. com, "matunda25" matunda@ wrote: > > > > > > --- In picta-kenya@ yahoogroups. com, "Mike Theuri" mike.theuri@ > > wrote: > > > > > > Once again the PS uses the Econet fiasco to put foreigners ahead of > > Kenyans > > > while failing to acknowledge that the failure to pay by Econet was a > > result > > > of failure within his own docket and the regulator. Ndemo and the > > regulator > > > illegally licenced an operator whose financial books were in the red > > and > > > that by extension it was obvious that there was no sane bank that > > would > > > have funded the local component of the consortium if the foreign > > component > > > was in such poor financial health. The regulator simply failed to > > conduct > > > its fiduciary duties to the Kenyan public by failing to conduct > proper > > due > > > diligence on the licencee. > > > > > > A sworn affidavit by the Econet CFO backs these facts when it states > > that > > > the company had no money to the extent that an unscrupulous european > > vendor > > > (acting in an anti-competitive manner possibly contrary to EU > > anti-trust > > > regulations) sold equipment worth $15m for $15,000 which was the > only > > way > > > the licencee could go to a bank to present an "asset" as their > balance > > sheet > > > was useless in this regard (see extract of affidavit page 13, item > > 17.1). > > > > > > These are the types of foreigners the PS is so eager to fight for at > > the > > > expense of the progression of indigenous Kenyans. The PS blames > > ordinary > > > Kenyans but conveniently forgets that some well known international > > > operators pulled out of the SNO tender without submitting a bid > > because of > > > the known shenanigans of public relations exercises where a winner > is > > > already known long before a tender is announced. > > > > > > How does Kenya stand to gain when investors are 100% foreign? Are > they > > > Kenyans masquerading as foreigners mobitelea style waiting to > receive > > the > > > licence he plans to issue in 18 months? Are they the Libyans Ndemo > > > promised access to the Kenyan economy when he signed away access to > > the > > > Kenyan economy? Countries such as India which the PS fondly refers > to > > as > > > newly industrialized countries demand that foreign investors engage > in > > joint > > > ventures with local companies particularly in key sectors such as > ICT. > > > > > > Today, India's Tata is a well known brand as a result of such > forward > > > thinking policies that result in the transfer of knowledge and > > technology, > > > not to mention indigenous wealth creation. > > > > > > Who are the foreigners the PS is eager to let into the country? He > > seems > > > star struck with foreigners unfortunately, considering his signature > > was > > > amongst those that signed the agreement that brought Libyans into > the > > > country. > > > > > > In 2006 Justice Ibrahim Mohammed ruled that the Econet licence > > remained > > > cancelled, but the PS continues to blantantly bulldoze the way for > > > foreigners by trampling all over a bonafide court ruling (attached) > > which > > > is sympomatic of the culture of impunity that the PS' actions > embrace. > > > > > > This is the same case that the PS attempts to mislead the public was > a > > case > > > that was settled. How would the government be settling a case in > which > > a > > > Judge had already issued a final ruling? Is the PS telling the > public > > he is > > > above the law? Another fallacy put forward is that the case was > > between KNFC > > > and Econet, it is quite clear that the case was between Econet and > the > > > Government and the Government (including the regulator) won a ruling > > that > > > stated that the Econet licence remained cancelled. So which licence > > are > > > Econet operating on? There was only one gazettement ever done in the > > history > > > of the licence, so there can only be one licence that a court of law > > > ruled was to remain cancelled. > > > > > > At times one could be forgiven for thinking that the PS is a foreign > > agent > > > working for the interests of foreign paymasters. The Safaricom IPO > > proved > > > once and for all that local investors have the means and capacity to > > invest > > > in the right ventures if the playing field was leveled and special > > interests > > > were kept to the sidelines. Instead the PS would like to paint > Kenyans > > as > > > hapless investors who must look to foreigners to increase their > > already > > > strong stranglehold on the Kenyan economy. > > > > > > --------- > > > > > > Several agreements between the two nations accorded Libya > preferential > > > access to > > > invest in Kenya's oil and hotel sectors and guaranteed legal > > protection of > > > acquired properties. > > > > > > Murungi and Information PS Bitange Ndemo signed the agreement > > proposing to > > > allow > > > Libyans to buy and upgrade the refinery, establish a new pipeline > > between > > > Nairobi and Mombasa and build storage and handling facilities for > > Liquified > > > Petroleum Gas. > > > > > > They also signed a memorandum promising to consider Libya Africa > > Investment > > > Portfolio (LAP) and its subsidiaries' bids to buy the Grand Regency > > Hotel > > > and > > > co-own now sold Telkom Kenya and The East Africa Marine System > (TEAMS) > > fibre > > > > > > optic project. > > > > > > http://www.eastanda rd.net/InsidePag e.php?id= 1143990641&cid=4 > > > > > > > > > http://africa. reuters.com/ business/ news/usnJOE4950W H.html > > > Kenya opens door to foreign telecoms investors > > > Mon 6 Oct 2008, 12:58 GMT > > > > > > [-] Text [+] By Duncan Miriri > > > NAIROBI (Reuters) - Kenya will scrap a law requiring foreign > telecoms > > > investors > > > to have local partners because it has choked funding for the > > fast-growing > > > sector, the government said on Monday. > > > > > > Previously, foreign firms that wanted to invest in telecoms projects > > in east > > > > > > Africa's biggest economy needed to find Kenyan partners who would > own > > > between > > > 20-30 percent of any venture. > > > > > > "This rule is messing us up in terms of investments. There are > large > > > companies > > > which want to invest in this country without partnering with other > > > individuals, " Bitange Ndemo, permanent secretary at the Information > > > Ministry, > > > said in an interview. > > > > > > "We must do everything to bring more foreign direct investment to > this > > > country," > > > he told Reuters. He did not give a date when the change would come > > into > > > effect. > > > Ndemo said the government was considering issuing another mobile > > operator > > > licence in about 18 months time. > > > > > > "We want those who are in place to recoup their investments, and at > > the same > > > > > > time we will study the market and see whether it is working > > efficiently, " he > > > > > > said. > > > > > > Kenya's Safaricom is the market leader followed by Kuwait's Zain. > The > > only > > > fixed-line operator, Telkom Kenya, which is majority owned by France > > > Telecom, > > > launched mobile operations last month under the Orange brand. > > > A fourth licensee, Econet Kenya, is expected to launch its service > in > > > November. > > > Ndemo said competition was driving down prices for consumers and > > encouraging > > > > > > providers to expand coverage quickly. > > > > > > "That is why we predicted that in the next three years we would have > > more > > > than > > > 60 percent penetration rate, and that would be the highest in > Africa," > > he > > > said. > > > He said there were now 14 million subscribers in Kenya, out of a > total > > > population of about 36 million. > > > > > > __._,_.___ Messages in this topic (4) Reply (via web post) | Start a new topic Messages | Files | Photos | Links | Database | Polls | Members | Calendar Change settings via the Web (Yahoo! ID required) Change settings via email: Switch delivery to Daily Digest | Switch format to Traditional Visit Your Group | Yahoo! Groups Terms of Use | Unsubscribe Recent Activity * 2 New MembersVisit Your Group Moderator Central Get answers to your questions about running Y! Groups. Learn to live a full life with these healthy living groups on Yahoo! Yahoo! Groups Special K Challenge Join others who are losing pounds. .. __,_._,___

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Praemonitus praemunitus
by Gakuru Alex 12 Oct '08

12 Oct '08

Latin for "Forewarned is forearmed" This message is solely meant to help *all* information consumers. To assist their defense against majambazi na maharamia was mtandao They hide behind "anonymous" email features. They are afraid of public meeting....never show up.... A month ago I gave a talk "Social Implications of Modern Communication Technologies" at a conference and below are excerpts and added my advice and tips ----excerpt-- - emails are typed away and sent so fast - mass circulation and forwarding ability - have potential to cause immense anxieties - email "stalking" after participation in public mailing lists - more recent trend of faked online e-identities - to plant other/self-motive interests in online fora/discussions - hiding behind "anonymous" technologies convenience. --excerpts-- -My Advice? - Until you verify they exist, refer to *hot* new 'unknown' subscribers as 'John Doe', - Ask technology experts, for example , skunkworks, to analyse suspicious messages origins, - Diaspora purporting 'John Doe' ALAS! could be sending messages from inside here in Kenya - email messages carry along and shows IP addresses of the route they traveled:) - We remember netiquette guidelines (www.ietf.org/rfc/rfc1855.txt) - All else failing, dump bad eggs, bad apples, etc where they belong --ends-- Have a peaceful Sunday and happy new week:) Regards, Alex

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Re: [kictanet] Solving Flareups Nole Prosequi
by mwananchi＠hushmail.com 11 Oct '08

11 Oct '08

PS Ndemo's persistent interference with and ignorance of court rulings and proceedings that involve the ICT sector are not the only issues that have been raised. http://rapidshare.com/files/152947988/final_court_ruling.pdf "We are not going to be held at ransom by court cases" - PS Ndemo, vowing to disrespect the Judiciary The Standard, February 21 2006 "Telecom Sector Braces for More Radical Changes" We will not be silenced, not through cowardly anonymous threats, bribes, phone tapping or retrogressive acts so that we become the proverbial ostrich that buries its head in the sand to pretend that it cannot see the dangerous lion that's next to it. It is rather foolish and retrogressive to pretend that PS Ndemo's arbitrary policies, the same ill conceived policies that deter local investors from entering the ICT sector and put foreigners ahead and which retrogress the efforts of indigenous Kenyans are good for the country, the same interferences that deter the judiciary from independently carrying out its work in disputes involving the ICT sector. Right things cannot take place at the right place when PS Ndemo is busy trampling binding and final court rulings at the behest of vested interests and turning around to mislead the ICT fraternity that cases that have been long concluded in the Government's favour are still ongoing! That is what one calls retrogressive! Peterson On Sat, 11 Oct 2008 07:33:09 +0000 Barrack Otieno <otieno.barrack(a)gmail.com> wrote: >Better still, let court battles be fought in courts, we are >talking >about doing the right thing at the right place Bill. This kind of >debate does'nt add any value to the ICT sector let alone the list. >At >best, it is retrogressive >Regards > >On Fri, Oct 10, 2008 at 11:16 AM, Gakuru Alex ><alexgakuru.lists(a)gmail.com> wrote: >> Bill, >> >> I repeat, if the only contributions one ever makes are anti- >consumer >> mailing list objectives, principles, and values. Negative to the >> extent that they distractive and destructive hard-won gains and >long >> established list engagement principles and >> framework. Outbursts that cost the list humble and loyal >subscribers. >> >> We have not build what we have today easily and shall not allow >> *anyone* to use it as platform to advance unclear private >interests. >> >> I promise you I will suspend (and if need be unsubscribe) such >an >> individual very fast and without a flinch. The decision or >action and >> the necessitating circumstances are communicated openly to avoid >your >> alluded "officially instigated" fears. This also removes gaps >for >> credibility tarnishing - we have losts of experience in that >area... >> >> Regards, >> >> Alex >> >> >> On Fri, Oct 10, 2008 at 10:45 AM, Bill Kagai ><billkagai(a)gmail.com> wrote: >>> On Thu, Oct 9, 2008 at 12:18 PM, Gakuru Alex ><alexgakuru.lists(a)gmail.com> >>> wrote: >>>> >>>> Hustler, >>>> Therefore, my openly announced decision to suspend discussants >was >>>> based on this line of though/argument. I am not sorry for it >and >>>> re-state nor have the stomach to allow *any such distractions* >to come >>>> in the way of diverting valued "information consumers" >attention view >>>> and best-interests pursuit. >>> >>> Alex, >>> This statement coming from a self confessed consumer rights >advocate does >>> indeed catch my attention. It is dictatorial and akin to >'playing god' and >>> gagging flow/freedom of information. >>> >>> If u allow me to suggest a good read, pls re-visit the Akiwumi >Report and >>> you will realise that this attitude of fearing the truth and >solving >>> problems has been a fundamental impediment to our development. >Thats why I >>> laud how Daktari boldly clarified his position (whether we >agree with it or >>> not) rather than taking the route earlier suggested by >many...that this is >>> not the forum nor the channel to discuss a key ICT issue. >>> >>> Fear of/for truth/information made the old 'Special Branch' >infamous, but >>> today we look at Nyati and Nyayo Houses with mixed relic >reflections. I >>> mean...if we see the Director General of NSIS appearing in >public inquiries >>> such as Okemo's and Waki's to help in establishing truth, how >can some ICT >>> leaders in this list drag us back to information gagging and >side-stepping >>> issues in the pretext of lacking mandate?? >>> >>> Its food for thought...I can go on and on.... >>> >>> >>> _______________________________________________ >>> kictanet mailing list >>> kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke >>> http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet >>> >>> This message was sent to: alexgakuru.lists(a)gmail.com >>> Unsubscribe or change your options at >>> >http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/alexgakuru.lis >ts%40gmail.com >>> >>> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> 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.com >> > > > >-- >Barrack O. Otieno >ICWE Africa LTD >P.o. Box 746 >Nairobi 00100 >Tel: >+254721325277 >+254726544442 >+254202343960 >www.icwe.co.ke >http://projectdiscovery.or.ke >National Bank Building >Harambee Avenue 12th Floor > >_______________________________________________ >kictanet mailing list >kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke >http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > >This message was sent to: mwananchi(a)hushmail.com >Unsubscribe or change your options at >http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/mwananchi%40hu >shmail.com -- Inventors: Does your idea have potential for millions? Click for info. http://tagline.hushmail.com/fc/Ioyw6h4dkcm4URk7LoeifzUW1781c0yV3E0GOalorO9u…

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Re: [kictanet] Solving Flareups Nole Prosequi
by Barrack Otieno 11 Oct '08

11 Oct '08

Better still, let court battles be fought in courts, we are talking about doing the right thing at the right place Bill. This kind of debate does'nt add any value to the ICT sector let alone the list. At best, it is retrogressive Regards On Fri, Oct 10, 2008 at 11:16 AM, Gakuru Alex <alexgakuru.lists(a)gmail.com> wrote: > Bill, > > I repeat, if the only contributions one ever makes are anti-consumer > mailing list objectives, principles, and values. Negative to the > extent that they distractive and destructive hard-won gains and long > established list engagement principles and > framework. Outbursts that cost the list humble and loyal subscribers. > > We have not build what we have today easily and shall not allow > *anyone* to use it as platform to advance unclear private interests. > > I promise you I will suspend (and if need be unsubscribe) such an > individual very fast and without a flinch. The decision or action and > the necessitating circumstances are communicated openly to avoid your > alluded "officially instigated" fears. This also removes gaps for > credibility tarnishing - we have losts of experience in that area... > > Regards, > > Alex > > > On Fri, Oct 10, 2008 at 10:45 AM, Bill Kagai <billkagai(a)gmail.com> wrote: >> On Thu, Oct 9, 2008 at 12:18 PM, Gakuru Alex <alexgakuru.lists(a)gmail.com> >> wrote: >>> >>> Hustler, >>> Therefore, my openly announced decision to suspend discussants was >>> based on this line of though/argument. I am not sorry for it and >>> re-state nor have the stomach to allow *any such distractions* to come >>> in the way of diverting valued "information consumers" attention view >>> and best-interests pursuit. >> >> Alex, >> This statement coming from a self confessed consumer rights advocate does >> indeed catch my attention. It is dictatorial and akin to 'playing god' and >> gagging flow/freedom of information. >> >> If u allow me to suggest a good read, pls re-visit the Akiwumi Report and >> you will realise that this attitude of fearing the truth and solving >> problems has been a fundamental impediment to our development. Thats why I >> laud how Daktari boldly clarified his position (whether we agree with it or >> not) rather than taking the route earlier suggested by many...that this is >> not the forum nor the channel to discuss a key ICT issue. >> >> Fear of/for truth/information made the old 'Special Branch' infamous, but >> today we look at Nyati and Nyayo Houses with mixed relic reflections. I >> mean...if we see the Director General of NSIS appearing in public inquiries >> such as Okemo's and Waki's to help in establishing truth, how can some ICT >> leaders in this list drag us back to information gagging and side-stepping >> issues in the pretext of lacking mandate?? >> >> Its food for thought...I can go on and on.... >> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> kictanet mailing list >> kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke >> http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet >> >> This message was sent to: alexgakuru.lists(a)gmail.com >> Unsubscribe or change your options at >> http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/alexgakuru.lists%40gma… >> >> > > _______________________________________________ > 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 ICWE Africa LTD P.o. Box 746 Nairobi 00100 Tel: +254721325277 +254726544442 +254202343960 www.icwe.co.ke http://projectdiscovery.or.ke National Bank Building Harambee Avenue 12th Floor

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Re: [kictanet] Malaysia/Policy Clarifications
by Eric M.K Osiakwan 10 Oct '08

10 Oct '08

Well said Bwana Ndemo, If others can learn from us and advance their cause then we can too, Africa CAN. I believe alot in the champion approach which is that if one country gets it right, the others would follow and i may be wrong but am strongly convinced that Kenya has the mantle in our time to shoot off and stand tall for all other African countries to follow. I pray Kenya does not disappoint destiny. Eric here On 10 Oct 2008, at 21:10, bitange(a)jambo.co.ke wrote: > Dear Eric, > Thanks for your comments. The current Malaysian Prime Minister was > among > the delegation in 1972 that came to Kenya and other African > countries to > learn the magic of growing an economy at rate of 7%. They were > shocked to > visit cities in Africa that had no shanties. They grabbled with > the issue > of poverty, disease and ignorance. The poverty level here is at 3% > and > every Malaysian has a house. Their ICT corridor is 70Km long and > 30 Km > wide. They are now working on a biotechnology corridor which shall be > even bigger than the ICT one. > > In meetings to chart the way forward on these projects, the > attendance is > greater than 95%. Contrast this with our Africa. We call meetings to > discuss policy and you hadly see anybody but when it comes to > criticism > everybody has something to say. More often in the negative. A good > example is the policy proposals that I have made here. Peterson is > already criticizing and saying the Government should ... strike a > balance. > Should we be asking where our problems are? We are simply too > argumentative and have fallen flat on our bellies when it comes to > responsibility. > > We do not need to reinvent the wheel, we simply have to learn what the > Newly Industrialized Countries (NICs) did. They allowed the MNCs but > ensured that components were manufactured locally. The backward and > forward linkages enabled them to develop sufficient confidence to > go it > alone. The assembly of Motor Vehicle industry in Kenya had > attained 60% > local content before it slid. In 1985 we attempted to make a local > car, > Nyayo. Incidentally, that is the same year the Malaysians started > their > Proton. The initial production both in Malaysia and Kenya were so > expensive that we ridiculed our Nyayo car to oblivion. Malaysians > on the > other hand knew they had a learning curve to go through in order > cut the > cost. Today we import the Protons to Kenya. Our technicians from > General > Motors helped India with the Tata and Mahindra but we still have > not quite > gotten it correct. I have always wondered whether God made us > perpetual > pessimists? > > Had we trusted ourselves even by a tinge, we could very easily be > competing with Japanese or better. The situation is not getting any > better since it is common to see 40 year old men living with their > parents. Are we really creating independent minded Kenyans who can > change > this country or Africa for that matter? These are the people who make > comments on subjects they have no idea in. > > > Eric I worry a lot for our continent. Per harps I shouldn't. > > Regards > > > Ndemo. > > > ---------------------------------------------- > This message has been scanned for viruses and > dangerous content by Jambo MailScanner, and is > believed to be clean. > --------------------------------------------- > "easy access to the world" > > Eric M.K Osiakwan ICT Integrator Internet Research www.internetresearch.com.gh emko(a)internetresearch.com.gh 42 Ring Road Central, Accra-North Tel: +233.21.258800 ext 2031 Fax: +233.21.258811 Cell: +233.24.4386792

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Re: [kictanet] [ke-internetusers] Re: PS Ndemo, ECONET Scandal aand Vested Interests
by mwananchi＠hushmail.com 10 Oct '08

10 Oct '08

Dear Eric, At the end of the day, Kenyans only want the best for our nation. Kenyans certainly are not against beneficial foreign direct investment and welcome it provided it is conducted under policies that result in a win-win situation for Kenyans and the investor. Unfortunately the country's policies particularly those being fronted now do not reflect that wish, which is why it is important that the Government pay attention to what local and would be international investors are saying and strike a balance that is a win-win for both. In your case, had PS Ndemo stuck with his proposal that he made in 2007, Internet Research would not be experiencing any hurdles. The local component would also have been preserved in a manner not detrimental to your company. I hope that PS Ndemo will address the issue of your company. Kenya as an African country should not be deterring Kenyan or any other African investors who are credible and who operate and respect our laws and institutions instead of trampling them underfoot and in the one case that has been mentioned, deliberately failing to meet their obligations for over 4 years. These are the same types of investors who have been rejected by Altech, the nations of Papua New Guinea, Malawi, Nigeria. The same characters who failed to meet their licence obligations for years in New Zealand and were lucky to get token percentage ownership of what was left when credible investors took over and who in Lesotho have been engaged in tax and roaming link frauds. http://rapidshare.com/files/152715858/fraud_in_lesotho.pdf They finally found a safe haven to land in Kenya embraced by a culture of impunity where it does not matter if you meet your obligations or if you operate with cancelled licences provided powerful vested interests pave and coerce the way for you. When we reject investors whom we know such as Eric and embrace undesirable investors instead, it shows why we precisely are lagging behind in FDI. Indeed if Kenya gave investors 5 years as it did in this particular case to pay licencing fees, the country would be overwhelmed with numerous investors. As the occassion of Moi Day graces us today, the Moi government despite its many flaws was quick to realize what type of animal this was and correctly rejected them not just once but twice. Peterson On Fri, 10 Oct 2008 03:31:48 +0000 "Eric M.K Osiakwan" <emko(a)internetresearch.com.gh> wrote: >Dear Peterson, > >Thanks for establishing a set of facts and am sure the right >people >would respond to the issues you have riased. I hope the discussion > >would continue on a factual basis and not degenerate. > >I want to also present one set of facts regarding my participation >in >the TEAMS project. My company, Internet Research went through the > >entire process and indeed qualified to be allocated shares but at >one >of the proposed shareholders meeting, the issue of local ownership > >came up. > >Majority of the proposed shareholders at that meeting made the >argument that Kenyan tax payers money was being used to >"underwrite" >the risk associated with the project so only local operators or >companies which meet the local ownership structure should be >allowed. >My company and a few others which did not meet the criteria >establish >at that meeting, gracefully exited. > >My lawyers represented me at the said meeting and further on, the > >explanation of local operators meant East African companies which > >again, i did not qualify to. Now, while i really wished i was part >of >the project, i did see much reasoning in the principles >established. >However my other company which had majority Kenyan ownership got >allocations and is since part of the TEAMS shareholders. > >Eric here > > >On 10 Oct 2008, at 06:10, mwananchi(a)hushmail.com wrote: > >> John, >> >> Dr. Bonny Khalwale on Wednesday in parliament as Chairman of the >> Parliamentary Accounts Committee in Parliament questioned why >the >> Government, presumably through the Info. and Comm. and other >> related dockets was jeopardising our national security by >selling >> shares in the telecoms sector to foreigners. >> http://www.nation.co.ke/News/politics/-/1064/478582/-/ywrqttz/- >> /index.html >> >> Dr. Khalwale was obviously not aware of PS Ndemo's latest and >> seemingly hurried initiative to abolish local shareholding >> requirements in the ICT sector and it should no doubt be brought >to >> Parliament's attention and the public's notice. >> http://africa.reuters.com/business/news/usnJOE4950WH.html >> >> It is time PS Ndemo presented himself in his official capacity >to >> Kenyans before the Parliamentary committee and named the foreign >> companies that have threatened not to invest in Kenya because >they >> cannot allegedly partner with Kenyans! Kenyans should never >condone >> blackmail, let alone from foreigners whose sole goal is to make >hay >> while the sun shines from Kenyans without engaging in knowledge >and >> technology transfer, indigenous wealth creation and other >derived >> benefits that newly industrialised countries (China, India etc) >> have reaped from enforcing local ownership requirements. >> >> It is time such critical decisions that affect the nation were >> taken out of the hands of individuals who through possibly >coerced >> strokes of pens to gazettements seriously compromise the >nation's >> march to progression in indigenous ownership of sectors of the >> economy. Such critical decisions should belong in the hands of >> Wananchi through Parliamentarians who should debate and ratify >such >> critical and arbitrary gazettements. >> >> Recently we saw the results of ill advised policies that favour >> foreigners at the expense of indigenous Kenyans. We saw >Safaricom's >> share price become thoroughly depressed by foreigners who were >in a >> rush to dump the shares. The greatest sufferers were local >> investors many of whom were already short changed with their >paltry >> 21 percent share allocation. Yet the powers that be, sought to >> favour foreigners who have no allegiance to the nation at the >> expense of Wananchi. >> >> What has PS Ndemo done to improve and increase local ownership >in >> the ICT sector before concluding that such efforts and >approaches >> were futile and that Kenyans were useless investors? If Ndemo >truly >> had the interests of Kenyans at heart he wouldn't be putting >> foreigners ahead of Kenyans! Similarly why has Ndemo been >appending >> his signature to documents that favour Libyans amongst other >> foreigners that undermine Wananchi while holding a public office >> that demands maintaining public trust and protecting public >> interest? >> http://www.eastandard.net/InsidePage.php?id=1143990641&cid=4 >> >> The Law regarding Acting on behalf of foreigners interests: >> >http://www.kenyalaw.org/kenyalaw/klr_app/view_content.php?ContentHi >s >> toryID=12838 >> >> Why is PS Ndemo purporting to fix what is not broken? Kenya >> recorded a 1330% increase in FDI in 2007, perhaps PS Ndemo could >be >> excused for the oversight at the time of his arbitrary >> pronouncement. Surely something must be working right.. >> >> http://africa.reuters.com/country/TZ/news/usnLO172755.html >> The report showed that FDI to Kenya rose to $728 million in >> 2007 compared with $51 million in the previous year, a rise >> of close to 1,330 percent. "Kenya's FDI increased due to >> large privatisation sales in the telecommunications industry >> and investment in railways," Naiko said. >> >> The Econet sham has been misused repeatedly by PS Ndemo as the >> reason for his rationale in first reducing local shareholding >> requirements from 30%, down to 20% and now to his envisioned >ZERO%. >> Instead of looking at the root cause of the matter which are >> unfavorable policies towards local investors, a hostile lending >> environment towards startups, poor vetting, poor tendering >> procedures, poor due diligence and irregularities by the >regulator >> and reforming those, he appears keen to lambast and blame >anything >> and everything else on Wananchi rather than address the root >causes >> by instituting and promoting professional changes and >improvements >> in the afflicted public institutions. Indeed how did bankrupt >KNFC >> and Econet meet the US$100m threshhold of turnover for tendering >> when Deloitte and Touche audited accounts show Econet's largest >> operation (before they were bundled out of Nigeria for not >having >> paid for their shares) having a turnover then of a mere US$8 >> million and KNFC's total assets valued at Ksh 20million as of >2006? >> The poor financials and the exercise of due care in conducting >due >> diligence by the regulator are the reasons why the licence fee >> could not be paid to the GK within the proscribed period and it >has >> nothing to do with the vast majority of local investors whom >Ndemo >> is trying to vilify. PS Ndemo and Treasury should let the public >> know if Econet has forfeited and paid in full its US$1.3 million >> bid bond to the exchequer for failure to pay the licence fees in >> cash as required: >> >> Audited Financials: >> http://rapidshare.com/files/152242139/Financials.pdf >> Miscellaneous: >> http://rapidshare.com/files/152242138/NjiriSA.pdf >> http://rapidshare.com/files/152242137/EconetSA.pdf >> >> For all we know PS Ndemo could have been misled by vested and >> powerful interests in the matter. Naturally the principles of >> justice dictate that he ought to be given the accordance of the >> benefit of doubt but if his deliberate actions show otherwise >then >> the wheels of justice must run their course. If it takes 14 >years >> as it did for the eventual trial and judgement of Oluga and >Somaia >> for fraud against the Republic, then so be it. >> >> This is why if Ndemo is indeed innocent, he should not hesitate >to >> speedily request KACC, the CID, Kenya's numerous independent >anti- >> corruption organisations, any willing international partners >with >> forensic investigation capacities, members of the public to work >> towards investigating the matter. It is also important that the >PS' >> accomplishments on behalf of the nation are not blighted by a >few >> but serious malfeasances if he was indeed misled. PS Ndemo's >> involvement in the matter is a serious issue considering what >the >> law states about deliberately subverting directives and rulings >> such as the Minister's cancellation of the licence, given that >> deliberate ignorance of court rulings and Ministerial >cancellations >> is classified under law as fraud. >> >> The law as regards Misleading the public: >> >http://www.kenyalaw.org/kenyalaw/klr_app/view_content.php?ContentHi >s >> toryID=12843 >> >> Section 354 of Chapter XXXV (Miscellaneous Offences Against >Public >> Authority) of the Laws of Kenya: >> >> “ANY PERSON WHO KNOWINGLY UTTERS AS AND FOR A SUBSISTING >> AND EFFECTUAL DOCUMENT ANY DOCUMENT WHICH HAS BY ANY >> LAWFUL AUTHORITY BEEN ORDERED TO BE REVOKED, CANCELLED >> OR SUSPENDED, or the operation of which has ceased by >> effluxion of time, or by death, or by the happening of >> any other event, is guilty of an offence of the same >> kind, and IS LIABLE TO THE SAME PUNISHMENT, AS IF HE HAD >> FORGED THE DOCUMENT,” >> >http://www.kenyalaw.org/kenyalaw/klr_app/view_content.php?ContentHi >s >> toryID=9961 >> >> Amos Wako as the AG should let Kenyans know whether he was >> consulted by PS Ndemo, what his legal opinion was if any, by >> releasing the relevant correspondence, and if so, what rationale >he >> employed in purporting to settle a case the Government had >already >> won through a final court ruling! >> >> Judge's final Ruling upholding cancellation of licence: >> http://rapidshare.com/files/152242136/Econet_v_Minister.pdf >> >> video of PS Ndemo personally signing the sham "settlement >> agreement": >> >http://rapidshare.com/files/152229210/en_bs_250707_econectknfc.mp4 >> >> Laws of Kenya regarding the Giving of advice: >> >http://www.kenyalaw.org/kenyalaw/klr_app/view_content.php?ContentHi >s >> toryID=12842 >> >> AG Wako has shown previously that in matters where the >Government >> will ultimately prevail, the Government will not hesitate to >uphold >> the public interest even where the outcome could embarrass the >> executive as was the unprecedented case of Kenya Duty Free v GK >> where the Government's winning defence was that the former >> President had taken a US$2 million bribe from the applicant. >> >http://www.freshfields.com/news/mediareleases/mediarelease.asp?id=1 >0 >> 19 >> >> It is an inescapable fact that PS Ndemo seems to wish away that >the >> Econet licence was Scandal number 10 in Edward Clay's list of 20 >> scandals committed against the nation: >> http://rapidshare.com/files/152246719/20Scandals.pdf >> >> What happened to Ndemo's rather reasonable previous requirement >in >> 2007 about local ownership, did vested foreign and "local - >> Mobitelea like" interests twist his arm and coerce him to change >> his mind?? >> >> What we are saying is that a foreign investor needs time to >> (get to) know whom he can work with," Ndemo says. "In three >> years he can do a private placement or in five years do an >> IPO (initial public offering) or introduce employee option >> plans, but they must give 30 per cent to locals." >> >> The issues are very simple, Ndemo should come clean and cease >> condoning and abetting the commission of illegal acts against >the >> public trust and interest that involve a permanently CANCELLED >and >> thus null and void license; open the matter to public scrutiny >and >> investigation and mostly importantly it is his duty as a Kenyan >to >> find constructive ways of promoting indigenous Kenyan ownership >> instead of working day and night to find ways to increase >ownership >> by foreigners at the expense of Wananchi. It is indeed absurd >that >> when Mama Mboga attempts to make a living without having a valid >> licence, she will certainly face the wrath of askaris, how >> foreigners can blantantly walk into Kenya, disenfranchise their >> local component with blessings from vested interests and when >their >> licence is cancelled continue to operate without a valid licence >> and without a new tender being called reeks of impunity at best. >> >> When 48 members of Parliament in 2003 rose up to be counted, >they >> surely knew what the animal they were pointing out, the same >animal >> that now disrespects Kenyan institutions as it continues to run >> around while flashing a long cancelled and now null and void >> licence as part of a grand and colossal fraud. >> http://www.telegeography.com/cu/article.php?article_id=2030 >> >> Peterson Olale >> >> On Thu, 09 Oct 2008 15:59:44 +0000 John Maina ><j.maina(a)ymail.com> >> wrote: >>> Brian >>> >>> We dont dispute that. >>> >>> We are asking about the fact that the government is ignoring >court >>> injuctions which were shown there >>> >>> Why ignore court cases? >>> >>> JM >>> >>> ----- Original Message ---- >>> From: Gakuru Alex <alexgakuru.lists(a)gmail.com> >>> To: j.maina(a)ymail.com >>> Cc: kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke >>> Sent: Thursday, October 9, 2008 4:54:50 PM >>> Subject: Re: [kictanet] Econet Haters.... :-D >>> >>> Brian, >>> >>> As kictanet chairman with all the 'forum powers', I honestly >feel >>> that it is unfair for you to drag on this conversation at least >>> from a >>> "fair play" perspective.... >>> >>> If you choose not to kill the thread, at least you should avoid >>> being >>> a discussant? >>> >>> regards, >>> >>> Alex >>> >> >> -- >> Click now for fast, reliable freight services! >> http://tagline.hushmail.com/fc/ >> Ioyw6h4c9uglgm0nbIOqilxqN6aFkwmGgX3I12EQDEHE2v5xWXwRnE/ >> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> 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%40internetresearch.com.gh > >Eric M.K Osiakwan >ICT Integrator >Internet Research >www.internetresearch.com.gh >emko(a)internetresearch.com.gh >42 Ring Road Central, Accra-North >Tel: +233.21.258800 ext 2031 >Fax: +233.21.258811 >Cell: +233.24.4386792 -- Click here to find the perfect picture with our powerful photo search features. http://tagline.hushmail.com/fc/Ioyw6h4dI2fuieHUs9u60CARmGzNKq95mRuRCufOKcZ4…

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India's Draft Innovation Law
by John Maina 10 Oct '08

10 Oct '08

http://www.wananchiforums.com/showthread.php?p=3445#post3445

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Re: [kictanet] Malaysia/Policy Clarifications
by Bill Kagai 10 Oct '08

10 Oct '08

Daktari, This response is a clear sign of top notch leadership. Thx for clarifying for those of us who were in the dark. On Thu, Oct 9, 2008 at 8:07 PM, <bitange(a)jambo.co.ke> wrote: > Dear All, > I am in Malaysia. This country's development is awesome. Their > e-applications are indeed something we all aught to learn from. You can > see the positive energy to move their country out of poverty in their > eyes. We must find ways to emulate these people and move away from self > interest that is tearing our country apart. > > Prior to my travel here, I made some statements regarding local ownership > of ICT investments with the aim of reviewing our policy. This is what I > am employed to do and I am still consulting with stakeholders to see how > to advance the policy change. Specifically, I argued as follows: > • The drop in Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in our sector is as a > result > of rigid policy on ownership of investments; > • We must work toward attracting FDI if we have to sort out > unemployment > of our youth which has reached crisis levels; > • Large ICT multinationals have requested exemptions to this policy > and > would rather have the local ownership through the stock market; > • That those who have in the past purported to have the capacity to > raise > sufficient local capital have failed and cannot raise new capital thus > compromising the competitiveness of these firms; > • Protectionism leads to poor service and uncompetitive environment; > • The problem of local equity participation can be summarized by the > experience we went through during the search for the SNO – promises of > non-existent funds and extortionism; > • The absence of local equity participation in some foreign banks did > not > stop Equity Bank from growing phenomenally; > • There is no threat to domination from foreigners since local firms > have > made great strides to eventually partner with multinationals from points > of strength (read KDN/Altech; Safaricom/Onecom partnerships) and it is > encouraging to see other local firms such as Access, Jamii, Wananchi etc > coming up strongly that we don't need to require multinationals to seek > for partners up front at the expense of our unemployed youths; and > • My liberalist economic approach is what in my view would make our > country considering that some decisions we made along the same lines have > greatly impacted all our lives. > Take for example the liberalization of International Gateways. There were > threats to our lives that we could not survive to see the benefits. These > were threats made by those who benefited from illegal terminations of > calls through Telkom Network leading to losses in excess of one billion > shillings per year. I am surprised that this move pains some people to > date when we are enjoying lower tariffs with a more efficient Telkom. I > have no regrets on Telkom reforms at all and I am sure you all know that I > never run from any responsibility. > > The Libyan matter has never been an issue before considering the fact that > this are standard MOUs that we sign regularly whenever we market Kenya out > there as an investment destination. Yes I signed the MOU and the two ICT > items in the MOU, that is, Telkom Kenya and Teams never went to Libyans > since they lost in the bid process and rejected by local investors > respectively. In the same MOU were Energy items and of course Grand > Regency but MOUs are not sale agreements. We sign lots of these MOUs and > even today here in Malaysia I have had to sign two. These are public > documents accessible to any Kenyan and there is nothing to hide in the > course of serving our country. > > I have never in my life met Moi and as far as I am concerned I have never > crossed his path either in his business or himself as a person. The > decision to extricate the Government from the Econet saga in my view saved > the tax payers a great deal of money. I was not there when this matter > started and I still do not understand the whole transaction but it makes > great sense to remove the Government from any liability. If such a > decision did not favour anybody, then the courts can settle and in any > case, this matter is still sub judice. > > Back to policy. If you have noted, we are launching an average of two ICT > firms per a week. Large BPO multinationals have told me to my face that > until we sort out the local ownership issue, they are going elsewhere. > These are firms that employ in excess of 30,000 BPO agents. Investment in > the sector runs into billions of shillings which people like myself cannot > even dream of raising even 1% (and this is true for many of us in Kenya). > Do we let such opportunities slip by because we want to be nationalists? > > Regards > > > Ndemo. > > > > > > ---------------------------------------------- > This message has been scanned for viruses and > dangerous content by Jambo MailScanner, and is > believed to be clean. > --------------------------------------------- > "easy access to the world" > >

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Solving Flareups
by Gakuru Alex 10 Oct '08

10 Oct '08

Hustler, As a foundation engagement principles factuality and best courteous are fundamentals. When the starting point is for *bizzare* example;) "X sleeps with Y's wife" (or vice-versa) then 'diplomatically' asking "defend yourself?" would be uncivil and pretentious democratic maturity. Accepting such tangents of engagement implies embedding hearsay 'free expression' on otherwise intelligent discussions. In fact, responding to as such framed types of accusations, whether correct or misplaced, qualifies them or at the very least honours or dignifies the accusations with an answer. I beleive one is better off rising above these attacks because they are not just below the belt, they are waaaay below if not from under the feet;) Therefore, my openly announced decision to suspend discussants was based on this line of though/argument. I am not sorry for it and re-state nor have the stomach to allow *any such distractions* to come in the way of diverting valued "information consumers" attention view and best-interests pursuit. Needless to say, don't we all know the havoc reckless and fast e-communications can cause? Ili hili liwe funzo kwa wanaochochea e-fitina. Regards, Alex PS: Note: I suspend *hot* discussants to cool off a little then I re-state, sawa? (in so far as ke-internet users list moderation is concerned) AG On Thu, Oct 9, 2008 at 11:26 AM, Bill Kagai <billkagai(a)gmail.com> wrote: > > On Thu, Oct 9, 2008 at 11:15 AM, John Walubengo <jwalu(a)yahoo.com> wrote: >> >> The point is that as an ICT online forum, we are neither the Police, >> Anti-corruption Authority nor the Judiciary. >> >> Whether or not the accusations are true or false is really out of depth >> for this forum and members are encourage to seek the correct forum for the >> same. > > In other words, Kictanet consists a bunch of hoi polloi. We need to grow > balls otherwise, what's the point of being in a toothless list. Sometimes, > you do not wait to be given powers and roles....you create them for > yourself. > > _______________________________________________ > kictanet mailing list > kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > > This message was sent to: alexgakuru.lists(a)gmail.com > Unsubscribe or change your options at > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/alexgakuru.lists%40gma… > >

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www.voicesofafrica.org is LIVE
by Crystal Watley 10 Oct '08

10 Oct '08

http://www.voicesofafrica.org <http://www.voicesofafrica.org/>/ Our new website is LIVE and we are proud to launch it to the world! I hope you will find it as amazing as we do. It is a work in progress and we are hoping for feedback. Please, please just donate ten minutes of your time and join. If you have an extra ten minutes, maybe waiting for a download, start a blog. Please post your research and your stories. It is intended to bridge the digital divide and to eradicate poverty through sustainable development. I know that everyone has something to say. When you are on the site check out our three proposals. Two are model telecentres and the third is an ICT4D training school. I want to thank those of you who have helped us to achieve this victory. To those of you who have been waiting for an opportunity to help. This is it. And to those of you who have doubted us and been skeptical, thank you for your encouragement. It is through our trials we become stronger. P.S. If you find any bugs please report them to our exterminator extraordinaire, Andrew Ouko at andrew.ouko(a)gmail.com. Asante sana. Thank you. Many blessings, Crystal -- Crystal "Naliaka" Watley Project Director and Development Innovator Voices of Africa crystal(a)voicesofafrica.org http://www.voicesofafrica.org/ "You must be the change you wish to see" - Gandhi

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Re: [kictanet] [ke-internetusers] Re: PS Ndemo, ECONET Scandal aand Vested Interests
by mwananchi＠hushmail.com 10 Oct '08

10 Oct '08

John, Dr. Bonny Khalwale on Wednesday in parliament as Chairman of the Parliamentary Accounts Committee in Parliament questioned why the Government, presumably through the Info. and Comm. and other related dockets was jeopardising our national security by selling shares in the telecoms sector to foreigners. http://www.nation.co.ke/News/politics/-/1064/478582/-/ywrqttz/- /index.html Dr. Khalwale was obviously not aware of PS Ndemo's latest and seemingly hurried initiative to abolish local shareholding requirements in the ICT sector and it should no doubt be brought to Parliament's attention and the public's notice. http://africa.reuters.com/business/news/usnJOE4950WH.html It is time PS Ndemo presented himself in his official capacity to Kenyans before the Parliamentary committee and named the foreign companies that have threatened not to invest in Kenya because they cannot allegedly partner with Kenyans! Kenyans should never condone blackmail, let alone from foreigners whose sole goal is to make hay while the sun shines from Kenyans without engaging in knowledge and technology transfer, indigenous wealth creation and other derived benefits that newly industrialised countries (China, India etc) have reaped from enforcing local ownership requirements. It is time such critical decisions that affect the nation were taken out of the hands of individuals who through possibly coerced strokes of pens to gazettements seriously compromise the nation's march to progression in indigenous ownership of sectors of the economy. Such critical decisions should belong in the hands of Wananchi through Parliamentarians who should debate and ratify such critical and arbitrary gazettements. Recently we saw the results of ill advised policies that favour foreigners at the expense of indigenous Kenyans. We saw Safaricom's share price become thoroughly depressed by foreigners who were in a rush to dump the shares. The greatest sufferers were local investors many of whom were already short changed with their paltry 21 percent share allocation. Yet the powers that be, sought to favour foreigners who have no allegiance to the nation at the expense of Wananchi. What has PS Ndemo done to improve and increase local ownership in the ICT sector before concluding that such efforts and approaches were futile and that Kenyans were useless investors? If Ndemo truly had the interests of Kenyans at heart he wouldn't be putting foreigners ahead of Kenyans! Similarly why has Ndemo been appending his signature to documents that favour Libyans amongst other foreigners that undermine Wananchi while holding a public office that demands maintaining public trust and protecting public interest? http://www.eastandard.net/InsidePage.php?id=1143990641&cid=4 The Law regarding Acting on behalf of foreigners interests: http://www.kenyalaw.org/kenyalaw/klr_app/view_content.php?ContentHis toryID=12838 Why is PS Ndemo purporting to fix what is not broken? Kenya recorded a 1330% increase in FDI in 2007, perhaps PS Ndemo could be excused for the oversight at the time of his arbitrary pronouncement. Surely something must be working right.. http://africa.reuters.com/country/TZ/news/usnLO172755.html The report showed that FDI to Kenya rose to $728 million in 2007 compared with $51 million in the previous year, a rise of close to 1,330 percent. "Kenya's FDI increased due to large privatisation sales in the telecommunications industry and investment in railways," Naiko said. The Econet sham has been misused repeatedly by PS Ndemo as the reason for his rationale in first reducing local shareholding requirements from 30%, down to 20% and now to his envisioned ZERO%. Instead of looking at the root cause of the matter which are unfavorable policies towards local investors, a hostile lending environment towards startups, poor vetting, poor tendering procedures, poor due diligence and irregularities by the regulator and reforming those, he appears keen to lambast and blame anything and everything else on Wananchi rather than address the root causes by instituting and promoting professional changes and improvements in the afflicted public institutions. Indeed how did bankrupt KNFC and Econet meet the US$100m threshhold of turnover for tendering when Deloitte and Touche audited accounts show Econet's largest operation (before they were bundled out of Nigeria for not having paid for their shares) having a turnover then of a mere US$8 million and KNFC's total assets valued at Ksh 20million as of 2006? The poor financials and the exercise of due care in conducting due diligence by the regulator are the reasons why the licence fee could not be paid to the GK within the proscribed period and it has nothing to do with the vast majority of local investors whom Ndemo is trying to vilify. PS Ndemo and Treasury should let the public know if Econet has forfeited and paid in full its US$1.3 million bid bond to the exchequer for failure to pay the licence fees in cash as required: Audited Financials: http://rapidshare.com/files/152242139/Financials.pdf Miscellaneous: http://rapidshare.com/files/152242138/NjiriSA.pdf http://rapidshare.com/files/152242137/EconetSA.pdf For all we know PS Ndemo could have been misled by vested and powerful interests in the matter. Naturally the principles of justice dictate that he ought to be given the accordance of the benefit of doubt but if his deliberate actions show otherwise then the wheels of justice must run their course. If it takes 14 years as it did for the eventual trial and judgement of Oluga and Somaia for fraud against the Republic, then so be it. This is why if Ndemo is indeed innocent, he should not hesitate to speedily request KACC, the CID, Kenya's numerous independent anti- corruption organisations, any willing international partners with forensic investigation capacities, members of the public to work towards investigating the matter. It is also important that the PS' accomplishments on behalf of the nation are not blighted by a few but serious malfeasances if he was indeed misled. PS Ndemo's involvement in the matter is a serious issue considering what the law states about deliberately subverting directives and rulings such as the Minister's cancellation of the licence, given that deliberate ignorance of court rulings and Ministerial cancellations is classified under law as fraud. The law as regards Misleading the public: http://www.kenyalaw.org/kenyalaw/klr_app/view_content.php?ContentHis toryID=12843 Section 354 of Chapter XXXV (Miscellaneous Offences Against Public Authority) of the Laws of Kenya: “ANY PERSON WHO KNOWINGLY UTTERS AS AND FOR A SUBSISTING AND EFFECTUAL DOCUMENT ANY DOCUMENT WHICH HAS BY ANY LAWFUL AUTHORITY BEEN ORDERED TO BE REVOKED, CANCELLED OR SUSPENDED, or the operation of which has ceased by effluxion of time, or by death, or by the happening of any other event, is guilty of an offence of the same kind, and IS LIABLE TO THE SAME PUNISHMENT, AS IF HE HAD FORGED THE DOCUMENT,” http://www.kenyalaw.org/kenyalaw/klr_app/view_content.php?ContentHis toryID=9961 Amos Wako as the AG should let Kenyans know whether he was consulted by PS Ndemo, what his legal opinion was if any, by releasing the relevant correspondence, and if so, what rationale he employed in purporting to settle a case the Government had already won through a final court ruling! Judge's final Ruling upholding cancellation of licence: http://rapidshare.com/files/152242136/Econet_v_Minister.pdf video of PS Ndemo personally signing the sham "settlement agreement": http://rapidshare.com/files/152229210/en_bs_250707_econectknfc.mp4 Laws of Kenya regarding the Giving of advice: http://www.kenyalaw.org/kenyalaw/klr_app/view_content.php?ContentHis toryID=12842 AG Wako has shown previously that in matters where the Government will ultimately prevail, the Government will not hesitate to uphold the public interest even where the outcome could embarrass the executive as was the unprecedented case of Kenya Duty Free v GK where the Government's winning defence was that the former President had taken a US$2 million bribe from the applicant. http://www.freshfields.com/news/mediareleases/mediarelease.asp?id=10 19 It is an inescapable fact that PS Ndemo seems to wish away that the Econet licence was Scandal number 10 in Edward Clay's list of 20 scandals committed against the nation: http://rapidshare.com/files/152246719/20Scandals.pdf What happened to Ndemo's rather reasonable previous requirement in 2007 about local ownership, did vested foreign and "local - Mobitelea like" interests twist his arm and coerce him to change his mind?? What we are saying is that a foreign investor needs time to (get to) know whom he can work with," Ndemo says. "In three years he can do a private placement or in five years do an IPO (initial public offering) or introduce employee option plans, but they must give 30 per cent to locals." The issues are very simple, Ndemo should come clean and cease condoning and abetting the commission of illegal acts against the public trust and interest that involve a permanently CANCELLED and thus null and void license; open the matter to public scrutiny and investigation and mostly importantly it is his duty as a Kenyan to find constructive ways of promoting indigenous Kenyan ownership instead of working day and night to find ways to increase ownership by foreigners at the expense of Wananchi. It is indeed absurd that when Mama Mboga attempts to make a living without having a valid licence, she will certainly face the wrath of askaris, how foreigners can blantantly walk into Kenya, disenfranchise their local component with blessings from vested interests and when their licence is cancelled continue to operate without a valid licence and without a new tender being called reeks of impunity at best. When 48 members of Parliament in 2003 rose up to be counted, they surely knew what the animal they were pointing out, the same animal that now disrespects Kenyan institutions as it continues to run around while flashing a long cancelled and now null and void licence as part of a grand and colossal fraud. http://www.telegeography.com/cu/article.php?article_id=2030 Peterson Olale On Thu, 09 Oct 2008 15:59:44 +0000 John Maina <j.maina(a)ymail.com> wrote: >Brian > >We dont dispute that. > >We are asking about the fact that the government is ignoring court >injuctions which were shown there > >Why ignore court cases? > >JM > >----- Original Message ---- >From: Gakuru Alex <alexgakuru.lists(a)gmail.com> >To: j.maina(a)ymail.com >Cc: kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke >Sent: Thursday, October 9, 2008 4:54:50 PM >Subject: Re: [kictanet] Econet Haters.... :-D > >Brian, > >As kictanet chairman with all the 'forum powers', I honestly feel >that it is unfair for you to drag on this conversation at least >from a >"fair play" perspective.... > >If you choose not to kill the thread, at least you should avoid >being >a discussant? > >regards, > >Alex > -- Click now for fast, reliable freight services! http://tagline.hushmail.com/fc/Ioyw6h4c9uglgm0nbIOqilxqN6aFkwmGgX3I12EQDEHE…

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Re: [kictanet] [ke-internetusers] Re: PS Ndemo, ECONET Scandal aand Vested Interests
by Joseph Manthi 10 Oct '08

10 Oct '08

Dr NdemoThanks for the response. Its good to see you contributing to this discussion. You must understand the angst of Kenyans all over who took your pronouncements as decisions rather than a request for commends. Please clarify this: Are stating that the decision to allow foreign companies to operate in Kenya without local partners has not been made? Additionally are you also stating that your reported comments were nothing but a request for comments? Please let me know Joe On Thu, Oct 9, 2008 at 12:24 PM, <bitange(a)jambo.co.ke> wrote: > Dear Joseph, > I have never in my life shied away from my responsibility. It is my > responsibility to raise issues that are hurting the industry. Seeking > public views is not a crime. We are going through the discussion in order > to accomodate all views. I expected reasonable contributions. It is > important to note that since independence, we have never had to contribute > to policy making like we are doing it here now. > > > Have a diaspora day. > > Ndemo. > > > > CrystalThis is demeaning to Kenyans. You should stop discussing issues > > about > > Kenya unless you know what you are talking about. > > > > Grameen Bank and Telecom is a Bangladeshi company. Why shouldn't Kenyans > > own > > the major telecomms? Is there a law that states only foreigners can own > > these companies? > > > > Anyway I do not want to belittle this discussion by reading what > > foreigners > > think about Kenyans. Only Kenyans can solve Kenyan issues. > > > > I do not know what John is talking about (and I know John, unlike most of > > you who do not) and I am waiting to hear a response from PS Ndemo. I > think > > the least we can demand of our public servant is a fair hearing. Let Dr > > Ndemo speak for himself. And those who are just heckling should step > > aside. > > The Moi era when people just spoke good of people in power and never > > questioned their public actions (rather than private), and Dr Ndemo's > > pronouncement was a very public action, should be over. At least I hope > > so. > > > > I am looking forward to hearing Dr Ndemo pay us the honor of explaining > > his > > official action. This is serious business. We are talking about the > giving > > away of publicly owned rare resources. > > > > John et al and Brian et al - stop taking sides and making it personal. It > > is > > not personal, it is business. > > > > Joe > > > > On Thu, Oct 9, 2008 at 6:06 AM, John Maina <j.maina(a)ymail.com> wrote: > > > >> Crystal > >> > >> Cheap argument. So Kenya doesnt have small Telekoms? Please stop these > >> roadside mentality > >> > >> We have our small telkoms and know that however long it will take to > >> recover and get the crooks. We will get them > >> > >> JM > >> > >> > >> > >> ----- Original Message ---- > >> From: Crystal Watley <crystal(a)voicesofafrica.org> > >> To: Fred Okono <fredokono(a)cfsk.org> > >> Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke>; > >> ke-users <ke-internetusers(a)bdix.net> > >> Sent: Wednesday, October 8, 2008 6:15:39 PM > >> Subject: [ke-internetusers] Re: [kictanet] PS Ndemo, ECONET Scandal aand > >> Vested Interests > >> > >> Kenyans CAN own their own telecom. There is a minority owned telecom in > >> the > >> US and it is huge in Bangladesh. There is no reason why someone couldn't > >> do > >> it in Kenya. > >> > >> Two questions: Who has the vision? Who has the funding? > >> > >> Minority Owned Telecom in the United States > >> > >> > http://money.cnn.com/magazines/fsb/fsb_archive/2006/12/01/8395123/index.htm > >> > >> Grameen Phone in Bangladesh > >> > >> http://www.grameenphone.com/index.php?id=68 > >> > >> Asante sana, > >> > >> Crystal > >> > >> There comes time in everyone's life, where they have to stop talking and > >> start doing.... > >> > >> > >> > >> On Wed, Oct 8, 2008 at 9:02 AM, Fred Okono <fredokono(a)cfsk.org> wrote: > >> > >>> Dear John, > >>> > >>> You are abviously a very angry person, shooting straight from the hip - > >>> the only redeeming quality of your anger being that on the face of it, > >>> it is > >>> inspired by a love of country. But can we keep it civil? > >>> > >>> Indeed Kenyans should own all our strategic and fundamental > >>> infrastructure, but nothing is wrong with seeking foreign back-up on > >>> our way > >>> to that rarefied goal. I'd rather we had fully foreign-owned > >>> enterprises > >>> operating locally, employing a large number of my compatriots, paying > >>> taxes > >>> to the government, creating greater consumer utility through > >>> competition and > >>> generating auxilliary business opportunities both upstream and > >>> downstream > >>> than have no such investments, locally owned or otherwise. > >>> > >>> And most importantly, there is no law stopping enterprising Kenyans > >>> from > >>> making future bids - WHOLLY KENYAN - for such opportunities! Like you > >>> rightly pointed out, the Safaricom IPO revealed our hunger for sound > >>> investments - what we seem to lack are inspired local entrepreneurs to > >>> harness this. We need more TransCenturies then we can effectively take > >>> on > >>> those foreign investors and competitors without need for extreme > >>> protectionist policies. > >>> > >>> As for PS Ndemo - he is one of our best. The very fact that he is part > >>> of > >>> and an occassional contributor to this forum speaks of his belief in > >>> transparency and accountability. And personal interraction with him > >>> reinforces this impression. Please let us not pull down and drag in the > >>> mud > >>> the few really good people we have! > >>> > >>> ** > >>> *Fredrick Okono ** * > >>> *Deputy Director* > >>> * > >>> ------------------------------ > >>> ** * > >>> *Computers for Schools Kenya * > >>> Semco Business Park | Unit 1, Mombasa Road | P.O. Box 48584-00100 | > >>> Nairobi , Kenya | > >>> Tel:254(0)202060919, Tel/Fax: 254 (0)20 2060920 Mobile > >>> (0)723-527106|Email:fredokono@cfsk.org <Email%3Afredokono(a)cfsk.org> < > mary(a)cfsk.org>|Website: > >>> www.cfsk.org > >>> > >>> > >>> ----- Original Message ----- > >>> *From:* John Maina <j.maina(a)ymail.com> > >>> *To:* fredokono(a)cfsk.org > >>> *Cc:* KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> > ; > >>> ke-users <ke-internetusers(a)bdix.net> > >>> *Sent:* Wednesday, October 08, 2008 2:20 PM > >>> *Subject:* Re: [kictanet] PS Ndemo, ECONET Scandal aand Vested > >>> Interests > >>> > >>> Nick > >>> > >>> You see that its only people like you who are in Kenya not to develope > >>> Kenya but to exploit are the ones supporting Ndemo. Crooks like him. > >>> You are > >>> known and even the BPO society know you as someone who is known not to > >>> support the general development and economic improvement of thee > >>> country. > >>> > >>> You are known as someone who even his own staff he has consistently > >>> paid > >>> poorly. When did Ndemo give Kenyans a chance to buy the companies and > >>> they > >>> said they couldnt? He wouldd rather go to Libya and go and make secret > >>> deals > >>> there. Am not suprised that you support him but know that no matter how > >>> long > >>> it takees. Kenyans will recover Kenya from looters like you > >>> > >>> JM > >>> ----- Original Message ---- > >>> From: nicholasnesbitt <nnesbitt(a)kencall.com> > >>> To: j.maina(a)ymail.com > >>> Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke>; > >>> ke-users <ke-internetusers(a)bdix.net> > >>> Sent: Tuesday, October 7, 2008 7:13:01 PM > >>> Subject: Re: [kictanet] PS Ndemo, ECONET Scandal aand Vested Interests > >>> > >>> I agree totally. > >>> Sounds like someone needs to do something more productive than try to > >>> insinuate there is anything wrong here with Kenya becoming a more > >>> investor > >>> friendly and respectful environment.... Perhaps this person needs to > >>> put > >>> their own money where their mouth is and then they will get a very > >>> different > >>> perspective about how they would like their money to be used if they > >>> were to > >>> invest in anything substantial in Kenya... > >>> > >>> It is Econet's investors' money. It is not Kenya's money... > >>> > >>> Do we want the investment in Kenya, the competition, the jobs, the > >>> participation of Essar, or do we want to play a nationalistic game > >>> based on > >>> rich and passively investing Kenyans getting the lion's share of > >>> someone's > >>> investment in Kenya, just because they are powerful and the law > >>> mandates > >>> that they they should have a piece of someone else's hard earned > >>> investment? > >>> The wananchi wouldn't share in any Econet investment even if it were > >>> still > >>> required by the law to have a local partner, it would be some Mobiletea > >>> kinds of individuals who would slide up to Econet and scare them into > >>> partnering with the locals... just the same way as it always has been > >>> in > >>> Kenya and in such countries that adopt such market distorting and > >>> investment > >>> unfriendly policies... > >>> Bravo, Daktari Ndemo! > >>> > >>> > >>> Nicholas A. Nesbitt > >>> Chief Executive Officer > >>> KenCall EPZ Ltd > >>> P.O. Box 27507 - 00506 > >>> Sameer Industrial Park, Mombasa Road > >>> Nairobi, Kenya > >>> > >>> +254.20.660.2000 (office) > >>> +254.20.660.2222 (fax) > >>> +254.721.458.458 (cell) > >>> > >>> nnesbitt(a)kencall.com > >>> www.kencall.com > >>> > >>> BEST Non-European Contact Centre 2008 > >>> > >>> > >>> > >>> *Fastest Growing Top 100 company* > >>> > >>> On Oct 7, 2008, at 7:01 PM, Crystal Watley wrote: > >>> > >>> I have known Dr. Ndemo for some time now and have found him to be > >>> nothing less than a man of integrity. I have seen his name drawn > >>> through the > >>> mud next to other politicians in the past. Let me be very honest and > >>> frank > >>> in this matter. > >>> > >>> When are we in Kenya going to get past this political mud slinging and > >>> look at the actual WORK performance of our leaders? When I watch the > >>> news I > >>> see very few Kenyan political leaders really working. They are always > >>> campaigning and pretending THAT is their job. In many cases it IS their > >>> way > >>> of making money, although it is NOT what we pay them for doing. > >>> > >>> Most of our political leaders do not have the ACTUAL work performance > >>> record of Dr. Ndemo. We know the long hours he works. I have been in > >>> his > >>> office at 7 am and at 7 pm. Those of us of who know him have seen this > >>> is > >>> the rule NOT the exception. > >>> > >>> Someday I hope in Kenya we understand we must judge everyone in public > >>> office by their actual work PERFORMANCE. Politicians are OUR employees. > >>> They > >>> work for the people of Kenya. They should be judged as an employer > >>> views an > >>> employee. How hard are they working for develoment? What good comes > >>> from > >>> their initiatives? Are they professional? Are they in the office > >>> working? We > >>> need to set higher standards for our government. This is not > >>> accomplished by > >>> breaking the good ones down. > >>> > >>> Asante sana. > >>> > >>> Crystal > >>> > >>> On Tue, Oct 7, 2008 at 9:32 AM, Brian Munyao Longwe > >>> <brian(a)caret.net>wrote: > >>> > >>>> Smells like a smear campaign to me. > >>>> > >>>> I see nothing that Ndemo has done wrong. > >>>> > >>>> B > >>>> > >>>> On Oct 7, 2008, at 8:43 AM, John Maina wrote: > >>>> > >>>> > http://www.wananchiforums.com/showthread.php?p=3150#post3150 > >>>> > > >>>> > _______________________________________________ > >>>> > kictanet mailing list > >>>> > kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke > >>>> > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > >>>> > > >>>> > This message was sent to: brian(a)caret.net > >>>> > Unsubscribe or change your options at http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/ > >>>> > mailman/options/kictanet/brian%40caret.net > >>>> > >>>> > >>>> _______________________________________________ > >>>> kictanet mailing list > >>>> kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke > >>>> http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > >>>> > >>>> This message was sent to: crystal(a)voicesofafrica.org > >>>> Unsubscribe or change your options at > >>>> > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/crystal%40voicesofafri… > >>>> > >>> > >>> > >>> > >>> -- > >>> Crystal "Naliaka" Watley > >>> Voices of Africa > >>> crystal(a)voicesofafrica.org > >>> http://www.voicesofafrica.org/ > >>> > >>> "You must be the change you wish to see" - Gandhi > >>> _______________________________________________ > >>> kictanet mailing list > >>> kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke > >>> http://lists..kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > >>> > >>> This message was sent to: nnesbitt(a)kencall.com > >>> Unsubscribe or change your options at > >>> > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/nnesbitt%40kencall.com > >>> > >>> > >>> > >>> ------------------------------ > >>> > >>> _______________________________________________ > >>> kictanet mailing list > >>> kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke > >>> http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > >>> > >>> This message was sent to: fredokono(a)cfsk.org > >>> Unsubscribe or change your options at > >>> > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/fredokono%40cfsk.org > >>> > >>> ------------------------------ > >>> > >>> > >>> No virus found in this incoming message. > >>> Checked by AVG - http://www.avg.com > >>> Version: 8.0.173 / Virus Database: 270.7.6/1713 - Release Date: > >>> 10/7/2008 > >>> 6:40 PM > >>> > >>> > >>> _______________________________________________ > >>> kictanet mailing list > >>> kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke > >>> http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > >>> > >>> This message was sent to: crystal(a)voicesofafrica.org > >>> Unsubscribe or change your options at > >>> > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/crystal%40voicesofafri… > >>> > >>> > >> > >> > >> -- > >> Crystal "Naliaka" Watley > >> Voices of Africa > >> crystal(a)voicesofafrica.org > >> http://www.voicesofafrica.org/ > >> > >> "You must be the change you wish to see" - Gandhi > >> > >> > >> _______________________________________________ > >> kictanet mailing list > >> kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke > >> http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > >> > >> This message was sent to: jmanthi(a)gmail.com > >> Unsubscribe or change your options at > >> > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/jmanthi%40gmail.com > >> > >> > > > > > > -- > > Joseph Manthi > > CEO > > MEO Ltd > > http://www.meoltd.com > > > > ---------------------------------------------- > > This message has been scanned for viruses and > > dangerous content by Jambo MailScanner, and is > > believed to be clean. > > --------------------------------------------- > > "easy access to the world" > > > > _______________________________________________ > > kictanet mailing list > > kictanet(a)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 > > > > > > ---------------------------------------------- > This message has been scanned for viruses and > dangerous content by Jambo MailScanner, and is > believed to be clean. > --------------------------------------------- > "easy access to the world" > > -- Joseph Manthi CEO MEO Ltd http://www.meoltd.com

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Re: [kictanet] Econet Haters.... :-D
by John Maina 09 Oct '08

09 Oct '08

Brian We dont dispute that. We are asking about the fact that the government is ignoring court injuctions which were shown there Why ignore court cases? JM ----- Original Message ---- From: Gakuru Alex <alexgakuru.lists(a)gmail.com> To: j.maina(a)ymail.com Cc: kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke Sent: Thursday, October 9, 2008 4:54:50 PM Subject: Re: [kictanet] Econet Haters.... :-D Brian, As kictanet chairman with all the 'forum powers', I honestly feel that it is unfair for you to drag on this conversation at least from a "fair play" perspective.... If you choose not to kill the thread, at least you should avoid being a discussant? regards, Alex On Thu, Oct 9, 2008 at 4:42 PM, Brian Munyao Longwe <brian(a)caret.net> wrote: > Well, you know in any bid or competition there have to be winners and > losers. It's just that some know how to lose graciously and politely > accept defeat while others simply cannot accept a loss - and then > resort to all sorts of underhand tactics. I think that this issue > with the 3rd GSM is a perfect example. > > There were many bidders. KTIG was kicked out at the technical (1st > stage) because their bid did not meet the stringent technical > criteria. Why didn't any others bidders (and especially those who > made it to the 2nd (financial) round cry foul? > > It also bemuses me that this chip is still being carried by the KTIG > folk - and that they would so violently attact someone as reputable > as Ndemo, simply because he made a favourable comment about an > investor who is bringing significant investment (over US$ 500m) into > the country and region. > > beats me! > > Brian > > On Oct 9, 2008, at 4:37 PM, Barrack Otieno wrote: > >> Well i may not qualify as a judge but i guess this is not meant for >> Kictanet, better still i am not sure whether Kriegler has left the >> country in my humble opinion what we need is a win win situation >> otherwise tutabaki Nyuma >> Regards >> >> On 10/9/08, Brian Munyao Longwe <brian(a)caret.net> wrote: >>> I strongly suspected that this was all about KTIG (Kenyan diaspora >>> living in America), their loss of 3rd mobile bid and subsequent >>> clumsy attempts to legally obfuscate the eventual award to Econet. >>> >>> It must really feel bad to see that Econet are finally getting their >>> network live. Woyeeeee.... >>> >>> I remember 3-4 years ago saying that when I see the Econet signal >>> (though I understand they are adopting a different brand name) as an >>> available network in Kenya that I would say a silent prayer for the >>> righteous..... >>> >>> Now maybe I should just laugh hysterically! >>> >>> Brian >>> >>> On Oct 9, 2008, at 2:10 PM, John Maina wrote: >>> _______________________________________________ kictanet mailing list kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet This message was sent to: j.maina(a)ymail.com Unsubscribe or change your options at http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/j.maina%40ymail.com

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Re: [kictanet] [ke-internetusers] Re: PS Ndemo, ECONET Scandal aand Vested Interests
by John Maina 09 Oct '08

09 Oct '08

Crystal Cheap argument. So Kenya doesnt have small Telekoms? Please stop these roadside mentality We have our small telkoms and know that however long it will take to recover and get the crooks. We will get them JM ----- Original Message ---- From: Crystal Watley <crystal(a)voicesofafrica.org> To: Fred Okono <fredokono(a)cfsk.org> Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke>; ke-users <ke-internetusers(a)bdix.net> Sent: Wednesday, October 8, 2008 6:15:39 PM Subject: [ke-internetusers] Re: [kictanet] PS Ndemo, ECONET Scandal aand Vested Interests Kenyans CAN own their own telecom. There is a minority owned telecom in the US and it is huge in Bangladesh. There is no reason why someone couldn't do it in Kenya. Two questions: Who has the vision? Who has the funding? Minority Owned Telecom in the United States http://money.cnn.com/magazines/fsb/fsb_archive/2006/12/01/8395123/index.htm Grameen Phone in Bangladesh http://www.grameenphone.com/index.php?id=68 Asante sana, Crystal There comes time in everyone's life, where they have to stop talking and start doing.... On Wed, Oct 8, 2008 at 9:02 AM, Fred Okono <fredokono(a)cfsk.org> wrote: Dear John, You are abviously a very angry person, shooting straight from the hip - the only redeeming quality of your anger being that on the face of it, it is inspired by a love of country. But can we keep it civil? Indeed Kenyans should own all our strategic and fundamental infrastructure, but nothing is wrong with seeking foreign back-up on our way to that rarefied goal. I'd rather we had fully foreign-owned enterprises operating locally, employing a large number of my compatriots, paying taxes to the government, creating greater consumer utility through competition and generating auxilliary business opportunities both upstream and downstream than have no such investments, locally owned or otherwise. And most importantly, there is no law stopping enterprising Kenyans from making future bids - WHOLLY KENYAN - for such opportunities! Like you rightly pointed out, the Safaricom IPO revealed our hunger for sound investments - what we seem to lack are inspired local entrepreneurs to harness this. We need more TransCenturies then we can effectively take on those foreign investors and competitors without need for extreme protectionist policies. As for PS Ndemo - he is one of our best. The very fact that he is part of and an occassional contributor to this forum speaks of his belief in transparency and accountability. And personal interraction with him reinforces this impression. Please let us not pull down and drag in the mud the few really good people we have! Fredrick Okono Deputy Director ________________________________ Computers for Schools Kenya SemcoBusiness Park | Unit 1, Mombasa Road | P.O. Box 48584-00100 | Nairobi , Kenya | Tel:254(0)202060919, Tel/Fax: 254 (0)20 2060920 Mobile (0)723-527106|Email:fredokono@cfsk.org|Website: www.cfsk.org ----- Original Message ----- From: John Maina To: fredokono(a)cfsk.org Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions ; ke-users Sent: Wednesday, October 08, 2008 2:20 PM Subject: Re: [kictanet] PS Ndemo, ECONET Scandal aand Vested Interests Nick You see that its only people like you who are in Kenya not to develope Kenya but to exploit are the ones supporting Ndemo. Crooks like him. You are known and even the BPO society know you as someone who is known not to support the general development and economic improvement of thee country. You are known as someone who even his own staff he has consistently paid poorly. When did Ndemo give Kenyans a chance to buy the companies and they said they couldnt? He wouldd rather go to Libya and go and make secret deals there. Am not suprised that you support him but know that no matter how long it takees. Kenyans will recover Kenya from looters like you JM ----- Original Message ---- From: nicholasnesbitt <nnesbitt(a)kencall.com> To: j.maina(a)ymail.com Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke>; ke-users <ke-internetusers(a)bdix.net> Sent: Tuesday, October 7, 2008 7:13:01 PM Subject: Re: [kictanet] PS Ndemo, ECONET Scandal aand Vested Interests I agree totally. Sounds like someone needs to do something more productive than try to insinuate there is anything wrong here with Kenya becoming a more investor friendly and respectful environment.... Perhaps this person needs to put their own money where their mouth is and then they will get a very different perspective about how they would like their money to be used if they were to invest in anything substantial in Kenya... It is Econet's investors' money. It is not Kenya's money... Do we want the investment in Kenya, the competition, the jobs, the participation of Essar, or do we want to play a nationalistic game based on rich and passively investing Kenyans getting the lion's share of someone's investment in Kenya, just because they are powerful and the law mandates that they they should have a piece of someone else's hard earned investment? The wananchi wouldn't share in any Econet investment even if it were still required by the law to have a local partner, it would be some Mobiletea kinds of individuals who would slide up to Econet and scare them into partnering with the locals... just the same way as it always has been in Kenya and in such countries that adopt such market distorting and investment unfriendly policies... Bravo, Daktari Ndemo! Nicholas A. Nesbitt Chief Executive Officer KenCall EPZ Ltd P.O. Box 27507 - 00506 Sameer Industrial Park, Mombasa Road Nairobi, Kenya +254.20.660.2000 (office) +254.20.660.2222 (fax) +254.721.458.458 (cell) nnesbitt(a)kencall.com www.kencall.com BEST Non-European Contact Centre 2008 Fastest Growing Top 100 company On Oct 7, 2008, at 7:01 PM, Crystal Watley wrote: I have known Dr. Ndemo for some time now and have found him to be nothing less than a man of integrity. I have seen his name drawn through the mud next to other politicians in the past. Let me be very honest and frank in this matter. When are we in Kenya going to get past this political mud slinging and look at the actual WORK performance of our leaders? When I watch the news I see very few Kenyan political leaders really working. They are always campaigning and pretending THAT is their job. In many cases it IS their way of making money, although it is NOT what we pay them for doing. Most of our political leaders do not have the ACTUAL work performance record of Dr. Ndemo. We know the long hours he works. I have been in his office at 7 am and at 7 pm. Those of us of who know him have seen this is the rule NOT the exception. Someday I hope in Kenya we understand we must judge everyone in public office by their actual work PERFORMANCE. Politicians are OUR employees. They work for the people of Kenya. They should be judged as an employer views an employee. How hard are they working for develoment? What good comes from their initiatives? Are they professional? Are they in the office working? We need to set higher standards for our government. This is not accomplished by breaking the good ones down. Asante sana. Crystal On Tue, Oct 7, 2008 at 9:32 AM, Brian Munyao Longwe <brian(a)caret.net> wrote: Smells like a smear campaign to me. I see nothing that Ndemo has done wrong. B On Oct 7, 2008, at 8:43 AM, John Maina wrote: > http://www.wananchiforums.com/showthread.php?p=3150#post3150 > > _______________________________________________ > kictanet mailing list > kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > > This message was sent to: brian(a)caret.net > Unsubscribe or change your options at http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/ > mailman/options/kictanet/brian%40caret.net _______________________________________________ kictanet mailing list kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet This message was sent to: crystal(a)voicesofafrica.org Unsubscribe or change your options at http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/crystal%40voicesofafri… -- Crystal "Naliaka" Watley Voices of Africa crystal(a)voicesofafrica.org http://www.voicesofafrica.org/ "You must be the change you wish to see" - Gandhi _______________________________________________ kictanet mailing list kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke http://lists..kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet This message was sent to: nnesbitt(a)kencall.com Unsubscribe or change your options at http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/nnesbitt%40kencall.com ________________________________ _______________________________________________ kictanet mailing list kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet This message was sent to: fredokono(a)cfsk.org Unsubscribe or change your options at http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/fredokono%40cfsk.org ________________________________ No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - http://www.avg.com Version: 8.0.173 / Virus Database: 270.7.6/1713 - Release Date: 10/7/2008 6:40 PM _______________________________________________ kictanet mailing list kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet This message was sent to: crystal(a)voicesofafrica.org Unsubscribe or change your options at http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/crystal%40voicesofafri… -- Crystal "Naliaka" Watley Voices of Africa crystal(a)voicesofafrica.org http://www.voicesofafrica.org/ "You must be the change you wish to see" - Gandhi

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Re: [kictanet] Econet Haters.... :-D
by John Maina 09 Oct '08

09 Oct '08

Did we expect something different? Utoto and we know that is why you can rhyme with your ilk much. ----- Original Message ---- From: Brian Munyao Longwe <brian(a)caret.net> To: John Maina <j.maina(a)ymail.com> Cc: Gilda Odera <gildaodera(a)gmail.com>; "godera(a)skyweb.co.ke" <godera@skyweb.co..ke>; "bitange(a)jambo.co.ke" <bitange(a)jambo.co.ke>; alice <alice(a)apc.org>; Mark Matunga-Microsoft <mmatunga(a)microsoft.com>; Matunda Nyanchama <matunda(a)matunda.org>; Joseph Manthi <jmanthi(a)gmail.com>; Justin Mburu <jt.alliance(a)gmail.com>; Japheth kemboi <kipkirui2002tz(a)yahoo.com>; Jorum <odiemo(a)gmail.com>; joseph james <jjngatia(a)gmail.com>; Caroline Kekobi <caroline(a)kekobi.or.ke>; KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke>; amosoba(a)ict.go.ke; Gakuru Alex <alexgakuru.lists(a)gmail.com>; Thomas A. Senaji <tasenaji(a)gmail.com>; John Walubengo <jwalu(a)yahoo.com>; Wambui Wakarema <wambuiwakarema(a)yahoo.co.uk>; Crystal Watley <crystal(a)voicesofafrica.org>; nicholasnesbitt <nnesbitt(a)kencall.com>; Shem Ochuodho <shemochuodho(a)yahoo.com>; Mike Theuri <mike.theuri(a)gmail.com> Sent: Thursday, October 9, 2008 3:17:57 PM Subject: Econet Haters.... :-D I strongly suspected that this was all about KTIG (Kenyan diaspora living in America), their loss of 3rd mobile bid and subsequent clumsy attempts to legally obfuscate the eventual award to Econet. It must really feel bad to see that Econet are finally getting their network live. Woyeeeee.... I remember 3-4 years ago saying that when I see the Econet signal (though I understand they are adopting a different brand name) as an available network in Kenya that I would say a silent prayer for the righteous..... Now maybe I should just laugh hysterically! Brian On Oct 9, 2008, at 2:10 PM, John Maina wrote: ----- Forwarded Message ---- From: "mwananchi(a)hushmail.com" <mwananchi(a)hushmail.com> To: j.maina(a)ymail.com Sent: Thursday, October 9, 2008 7:47:34 AM Subject: PS Ndemo and Econet scandal... John, Interesting discussion on Kictanet, perhaps one should have warned you before hand that Kictanet is laden with vested interests who will gladly forego accountability and transparency as long as they themselves benefit or will benefit from Ndemo's rewards for singing his praises and not holding him to account as the public servant he is. Certainly he has done some good things for the country but he has also enabled the commission of monumentally bad matters. Whenever truth is told, hardcore supporters of Ndemo led by one Brian Longwe (who has interestingly benefited in several ways since Ndemo took office) predictably rush to chant "smear", "smear" in an attempt to obfuscate the truth. God forbid should Longwe ever be appointed to public office for that will mark the improper entrance of an individual who believes that accountability and transparency have no room and should exist in Kenya. You may use the below as you deem fit, the truth needs to be told: ---- If Ndemo is so innocent why doesn't he invite the CID, KACC, the Attorney General's office and any other co-operating law enforcement agencies such as the UK's Serious Fraud Office and independent anti- corruption agencies to investigate the issue while inviting the public to forward any evidence they might have of misconduct, law breaking and corruption to the relevant agencies. Perhaps instead of Brian trying to pull wool over wananchis eyes, he could suggest this solution to the PS to help bring these matters to a logical conclusion once and for all. Facts do not lie, naysayers loudly declaring their unwavering and blind support should present hard exonerating facts that rubbish the tip of the iceberg below or continue in their rather misguided act of aiding and cheering on the commission of corrupt and economic crimes against the nation. The below are just the surface of the scam that the PS has worked tirelessly to keep from public view. Fact 1: Econet sought a gag order against its former Chief Financial Officer, Mwaura Njiri, a Kenyan, who forced by his conscience resigned when Econet sought to force him to sign a falsified affidavit that was aimed at defrauding KNFC of their legitimate shareholding in Econet Wireless Kenya. In attempting to do so Econet filed the following case: CASE NO 05/12059 IN THE HIGH COURT OF SOUTH AFRICA (Witwatersrand Local Division) Econet Wireless International Limited - 1st Applicant Econet Wireless Kenya Limited - 2nd Applicant Econet Wireless Ventures Limited - 3rd Applicant v Njiri, Elizaphanson Mwaura - Respondent Entire Econet Court Filing: http://rapidshare.com/files/152242137/EconetSA.pdf Respondent Njiri's Entire Court Filing response to Econet lawsuit: http://rapidshare.com/files/152242138/NjiriSA.pdf 5. Re Paragraph 7 "I have no knowledge whether the First Applicant is a subsidiary of the Third Applicant. I do not know when the "group" was founded, but I deny that it a leading telecommunications operator in Africa." 6. Re Paragraph 8 "I admit my citation and place of residence. I was employed by the First Applicant as Chief Financial Officer and also Head of Corporate Finance Development from July 2000 until 26th October 2004 when I resigned, largely due to the deterioration in my relationship with the First Applicant and Wazara. I admit that I played a central role in establishing the Second Applicant for purposes of the said tender." http://rapidshare.com/files/152242138/NjiriSA.pdf Fact 2: Mwaura Njiri under penalty of perjury unequivocally and in his position as CFO stated the following regarding Econet's finances. This is a damning indictment of the regulator for abandoning its fiduciary duties to the Kenyan public by failing to eliminate the licensee at the pre-qualification stage, thus the licensee was licenced contrary to the tender rules considering their true and correct balance sheets did not show a healthy turnover of over US$100m. The secret of the hundreds of millions of dollars in turnover is a story well told only that it neglected to mention that those were worthless Zimbabwean dollars: "17.1 The First Applicant's balance sheet at that point in time was so bad that it was unable to obtain funds from any bank;" http://rapidshare.com/files/152242138/NjiriSA.pdf Deloitte and Touche, Audited Financials of Econet Wireless Limited, the only Econet company that could have claimed to their long lost "Nigerian" operations that never were showing a mere turnover of $8m at the time of licencing in 2003 when it was necessary to show a consortium turnover of $100m which obviously the now insolvent KNFC did not have: http://rapidshare.com/files/152242139/Financials.pdf Fact 3: Mwaura Njiri, Econet CFO since its early days, under penalty of perjury admits the Econet licence was cancelled by the Minister for Information and Communications despite his best efforts to prevent cancellation: "32. Re Paragraphs 43 I admit the allegations contained herein and point out that when this eventuated Masiyiwa then requested me to assist the First Applicant by returning to Kenya and endeavouring to assist the Applicants by requesting the Minister and the Kenyan authorities not to cancel the licence.I agreed to so assist the First Applicant which then provided me with the necessary air ticket to enable me to travel to Nairobi together with the said Wazara for this purpose.While I tried my best to so assist the First Applicant I was unsuccessful in this regard." http://rapidshare.com/files/152242138/NjiriSA.pdf Fact 4: KNFC was essentially bankrupt or near bankruptcy at the time of licensing culminating in KNFC being declared financially insolvent in 2006. Once again the regulator abandoned its fiduciary duties by deliberately allowing parties who could not pay licence fees as proscribed by the tender rules to be licenced contrary to public procurement regulations. "The Minister for Co-operative Development Njeru Ndwiga yesterday confirmed that the Federation, which was said to have owned as much as 80 per cent of Econet’s bid for the their mobile licence, cannot meet its financial obligations. The union is indebted to the tune of Sh40 million against an asset base of Sh25 million. The minister said the cash-strapped Federation cannot honour its financial obligations that include Sh1.3 million in salary arrears, a Sh10 million loan from the Co-operative Bank, Sh5.6 million in statutory deductions and Sh800,000 in lawyers’ fees" - The Standard 29/6/2005 " KNFC has liabilities in excess of 64 million shillings against a total asset value of 20 million shillings." - 21/1/2006 http://www.kbc.co..ke/story.asp?ID=34599 Fact 5: The Chief legal representative of the Government of Kenya is Attorney General, Amos Wako. In 2007, PS Ndemo purported to settle a case the government had already won upholding the cancellation of the Econet licence by the Minister of Information and Communications. The PS further claimed to settle a case that Econet was destined to loose following a court order ordering them to deposit $15million as security for their $1 billion case against the Minister. Econet could not conceivably pay the $15 million for they still owed the government $12 million. Investigations are necessary to establish: a) Whether PS Ndemo upsurped the powers of the Attorney General b) What the Attorney General's role and legal rationale was in arriving at the "settlement" c) Whether PS Ndemo acted against the interests of the Republic d) Whether PS Ndemo defied a binding and final ruling by Kenya's Judiciary e) Whether PS Ndemo through his actions committed abuse of abuse as defined under the Economic and Anti-Corruption Act of 2003 f) Whether PS Ndemo committed any other unlawful acts through is actions g) Whether PS Ndemo by trampling a bonafide court ruling and a Ministerial order contravened the Section 354 of Chapter XIII (Miscellaneous Offences Against Public Authority) of the Laws of Kenya which in states: “Any person who knowingly utters as and for a subsisting and effectual document any document which has by any lawful authority been ordered to be revoked, cancelled or suspended, or the operation of which has ceased by effluxion of time, or by death, or by the happening of any other event, is guilty of an offence of the same kind, and is liable to the same punishment, as if he had forged the document,” Visual proof of PS Ndemo signing the bogus "settlement agreement": http://rapidshare.com/files/152229210/en_bs_250707_econectknfc.mp4 It cannot be wished away that a legal precedent has already been established in Kenya for Government officials who claim to have been acting on orders from above that they remain responsible for actions carried out on the basis of their own personal actions and thus PS Ndemo bears absolute and full responsibility for appending his signature to the sham "settlement agreement" that he appended his signature to on "behalf" of the Republic: Magistrate Aggrey Muchelule had a stern warning to public officers: "It does not pay to take illegal orders from your superiors. However highly placed, you will still be responsible in the fullness of time." http://www.accessmylibrary.com/coms2/summary_0286-13141577_ITM http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/3591830.stm It took 14 years after the fact to sentence Somaia and Oluga for their fraud against the Republic, public servants should not chide theselves that the passage of time makes one's illegal actions forgotten. Those they enable to engage in illegal acts might get away but the public servant will nonetheless carry their own cross. Fact 6: The Econet matter has recently been planned for Cabinet discussion. This warrants PS Ndemo's investigation for his role in disenfranchising Kenyans and for continuing to make plans to legalise an illegal act of disenfranchisement into law by arbitrarily gazetting regulations that seek to place foreigners ahead of Kenyans: "When contacted, Nyagah confirmed he had received the letter from the KNFC interim board, seeking their intervention on the issue of the shares, and their participation in rolling out the third mobile operator’s services. Nyagah, whose main docket covers the co-operative movement, said he would address the concerns raised by KNFC at the Ministry and Cabinet level." http://www.eastandard.net/InsidePage.php?id=1143995477&cid=14&j=&m=& d= The Cabinet ought to act with no holds barred in looking into PS Ndemo's involvement in the matter as well as his recent pandering to foreign interests at the expense of Kenyans. This is a serious national security matter that involves critical infrastructure in the country particularly coming at a time when foreigners stranglehold exceeds 80% of the economy. The issue of allowing foreigners to own 100% of ICT firms should be submitted to Parliament for those are the elected representatives of the Kenyan people, such critical decisions should not be left in the hands of someone who recently signed away access to the Kenyan Economy to Libyans and frequently echoes his admiration of foreigners. Let PS Ndemo name the foreigners who have approached him and who despise Kenyans so much that they would not dream of partnering with them: "This rule is messing us up in terms of investments. There are large companies which want to invest in this country without partnering with other individuals," Bitange Ndemo, permanent secretary at the Information Ministry, said in an interview. http://africa.reuters.com/business/news/usnJOE4950WH.html Did PS Ndemo sign an agreement with Libyans promising them access to sectors of the Economy? YES http://www.eastandard.net/InsidePage.php?id=1143990641&cid=4 Fact 7: In 2006, Econet rushed to court and obtained exparte orders against the Government and the regulator causing a stay of the Minister's decision to cancel the Econet licence by the Minister of Information and Communications. The presiding and ruling judge, Justice Ibrahim Mohammed in his eventual ruling admonished Econet for abusing the court process and upheld the Minister's decision that cancelled the Econet licence while canceling the orders that Econet had improperly obtain. Case No 1640 of 2004 in the High Court of Kenya that the Republic won is the same case PS Ndemo misled the nation was a case in progress that was to be settled: "Upon consideration, I am of the view that in effect, the Order No 5 to all intents and purposes is an ex parte quia timet injunction disguised as “an order of leave operating as a prohibition”. This Court has no jurisdiction to grant such an order in judicial review proceedings and if it had, it has been granted improperly and in breach of the principles of natural justice as there is no returnable date for an inter partes hearing between the parties. It is a permanent injunctive order which was given in violation of all the cardinal principles of natural justice. To allow it to continue to be in force for a minute longer would amount to a total miscarriage of justice. This Court of course, cannot allow this to happen. This court is supposed to be a harbinger and fountain of justice and not a perpetrator of injustice." Entire Copy of Court Ruling upholding the Minister's decision thus permanently cementing the fact that the cancelled Econet licence remained indefinitely cancelled: http://rapidshare.com/files/152242136/Econet_v_Minister.pdf Fact 8: The Econet scam which the PS continues to deliberately aid was named as scandal number 10 in Sir Edward Clay's list of 20 scandals committed against the Republic: http://rapidshare.com/files/152246719/20Scandals.pdf Only the tip of the iceberg.... -- Click for a credit repair consultation, raise your FICO score.. http://tagline.hushmail.com/fc/Ioyw6h4d7lzmxrPK8SDbjIEfKVScUQcpfeHX7tKvMt8q…

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Re: [kictanet] [ke-internetusers] Re: PS Ndemo, ECONET Scandal aand Vested Interests
by John Maina 09 Oct '08

09 Oct '08

Joe Thanks alot. I think that Dr Ndemo must come clean and we must not be held hostage by people who think that we must be bowing to crooked foreigners who were paupers and came defrauded the country and now think that we should have all been thieves. Nick Nesbitt couldnt afford kencall. He came and borrowed in Kenyan banks because people like Dr Ndemo allowed him. Joe, as a person who is also setting up a pan African ICT network, you must know whom you are dealing with Ndugu. We respect all people in KICTANET but the truth must come out ndugu. Lets all ask for it and all will be fine. JM ----- Original Message ---- From: Joseph Manthi <jmanthi(a)gmail.com> To: John Maina <j.maina(a)ymail.com>; KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> Sent: Thursday, October 9, 2008 6:09:13 PM Subject: Re: [kictanet] [ke-internetusers] Re: PS Ndemo, ECONET Scandal aand Vested Interests Crystal This is demeaning to Kenyans. You should stop discussing issues about Kenya unless you know what you are talking about. Grameen Bank and Telecom is a Bangladeshi company. Why shouldn't Kenyans own the major telecomms? Is there a law that states only foreigners can own these companies? Anyway I do not want to belittle this discussion by reading what foreigners think about Kenyans. Only Kenyans can solve Kenyan issues. I do not know what John is talking about (and I know John, unlike most of you who do not) and I am waiting to hear a response from PS Ndemo. I think the least we can demand of our public servant is a fair hearing. Let Dr Ndemo speak for himself. And those who are just heckling should step aside. The Moi era when people just spoke good of people in power and never questioned their public actions (rather than private), and Dr Ndemo's pronouncement was a very public action, should be over. At least I hope so. I am looking forward to hearing Dr Ndemo pay us the honor of explaining his official action. This is serious business. We are talking about the giving away of publicly owned rare resources. John et al and Brian et al - stop taking sides and making it personal. It is not personal, it is business. Joe On Thu, Oct 9, 2008 at 6:06 AM, John Maina <j.maina(a)ymail.com> wrote: Crystal Cheap argument. So Kenya doesnt have small Telekoms? Please stop these roadside mentality We have our small telkoms and know that however long it will take to recover and get the crooks. We will get them JM ----- Original Message ---- From: Crystal Watley <crystal(a)voicesofafrica.org> To: Fred Okono <fredokono(a)cfsk.org> Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke>; ke-users <ke-internetusers(a)bdix.net> Sent: Wednesday, October 8, 2008 6:15:39 PM Subject: [ke-internetusers] Re: [kictanet] PS Ndemo, ECONET Scandal aand Vested Interests Kenyans CAN own their own telecom. There is a minority owned telecom in the US and it is huge in Bangladesh. There is no reason why someone couldn't do it in Kenya. Two questions: Who has the vision? Who has the funding? Minority Owned Telecom in the United States http://money.cnn.com/magazines/fsb/fsb_archive/2006/12/01/8395123/index.htm Grameen Phone in Bangladesh http://www.grameenphone.com/index.php?id=68 Asante sana, Crystal There comes time in everyone's life, where they have to stop talking and start doing.... On Wed, Oct 8, 2008 at 9:02 AM, Fred Okono <fredokono(a)cfsk.org> wrote: Dear John, You are abviously a very angry person, shooting straight from the hip - the only redeeming quality of your anger being that on the face of it, it is inspired by a love of country. But can we keep it civil? Indeed Kenyans should own all our strategic and fundamental infrastructure, but nothing is wrong with seeking foreign back-up on our way to that rarefied goal. I'd rather we had fully foreign-owned enterprises operating locally, employing a large number of my compatriots, paying taxes to the government, creating greater consumer utility through competition and generating auxilliary business opportunities both upstream and downstream than have no such investments, locally owned or otherwise. And most importantly, there is no law stopping enterprising Kenyans from making future bids - WHOLLY KENYAN - for such opportunities! Like you rightly pointed out, the Safaricom IPO revealed our hunger for sound investments - what we seem to lack are inspired local entrepreneurs to harness this. We need more TransCenturies then we can effectively take on those foreign investors and competitors without need for extreme protectionist policies. As for PS Ndemo - he is one of our best. The very fact that he is part of and an occassional contributor to this forum speaks of his belief in transparency and accountability. And personal interraction with him reinforces this impression. Please let us not pull down and drag in the mud the few really good people we have! Fredrick Okono Deputy Director ________________________________ Computers for Schools Kenya SemcoBusiness Park | Unit 1, Mombasa Road | P.O. Box 48584-00100 | Nairobi , Kenya | Tel:254(0)202060919, Tel/Fax: 254 (0)20 2060920 Mobile (0)723-527106|Email:fredokono@cfsk.org|Website: www.cfsk.org ----- Original Message ----- From: John Maina To: fredokono(a)cfsk.org Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions ; ke-users Sent: Wednesday, October 08, 2008 2:20 PM Subject: Re: [kictanet] PS Ndemo, ECONET Scandal aand Vested Interests Nick You see that its only people like you who are in Kenya not to develope Kenya but to exploit are the ones supporting Ndemo. Crooks like him. You are known and even the BPO society know you as someone who is known not to support the general development and economic improvement of thee country. You are known as someone who even his own staff he has consistently paid poorly. When did Ndemo give Kenyans a chance to buy the companies and they said they couldnt? He wouldd rather go to Libya and go and make secret deals there. Am not suprised that you support him but know that no matter how long it takees. Kenyans will recover Kenya from looters like you JM ----- Original Message ---- From: nicholasnesbitt <nnesbitt(a)kencall.com> To: j.maina(a)ymail.com Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke>; ke-users <ke-internetusers(a)bdix.net> Sent: Tuesday, October 7, 2008 7:13:01 PM Subject: Re: [kictanet] PS Ndemo, ECONET Scandal aand Vested Interests I agree totally. Sounds like someone needs to do something more productive than try to insinuate there is anything wrong here with Kenya becoming a more investor friendly and respectful environment.... Perhaps this person needs to put their own money where their mouth is and then they will get a very different perspective about how they would like their money to be used if they were to invest in anything substantial in Kenya... It is Econet's investors' money. It is not Kenya's money... Do we want the investment in Kenya, the competition, the jobs, the participation of Essar, or do we want to play a nationalistic game based on rich and passively investing Kenyans getting the lion's share of someone's investment in Kenya, just because they are powerful and the law mandates that they they should have a piece of someone else's hard earned investment? The wananchi wouldn't share in any Econet investment even if it were still required by the law to have a local partner, it would be some Mobiletea kinds of individuals who would slide up to Econet and scare them into partnering with the locals... just the same way as it always has been in Kenya and in such countries that adopt such market distorting and investment unfriendly policies... Bravo, Daktari Ndemo! Nicholas A. Nesbitt Chief Executive Officer KenCall EPZ Ltd P.O. Box 27507 - 00506 Sameer Industrial Park, Mombasa Road Nairobi, Kenya +254.20.660.2000 (office) +254.20.660.2222 (fax) +254.721.458.458 (cell) nnesbitt(a)kencall.com www.kencall.com BEST Non-European Contact Centre 2008 Fastest Growing Top 100 company On Oct 7, 2008, at 7:01 PM, Crystal Watley wrote: I have known Dr. Ndemo for some time now and have found him to be nothing less than a man of integrity. I have seen his name drawn through the mud next to other politicians in the past. Let me be very honest and frank in this matter. When are we in Kenya going to get past this political mud slinging and look at the actual WORK performance of our leaders? When I watch the news I see very few Kenyan political leaders really working. They are always campaigning and pretending THAT is their job. In many cases it IS their way of making money, although it is NOT what we pay them for doing. Most of our political leaders do not have the ACTUAL work performance record of Dr. Ndemo. We know the long hours he works. I have been in his office at 7 am and at 7 pm. Those of us of who know him have seen this is the rule NOT the exception. Someday I hope in Kenya we understand we must judge everyone in public office by their actual work PERFORMANCE. Politicians are OUR employees. They work for the people of Kenya. They should be judged as an employer views an employee. How hard are they working for develoment? What good comes from their initiatives? Are they professional? Are they in the office working? We need to set higher standards for our government. This is not accomplished by breaking the good ones down. Asante sana. Crystal On Tue, Oct 7, 2008 at 9:32 AM, Brian Munyao Longwe <brian(a)caret.net> wrote: Smells like a smear campaign to me. I see nothing that Ndemo has done wrong. B On Oct 7, 2008, at 8:43 AM, John Maina wrote: > http://www.wananchiforums.com/showthread.php?p=3150#post3150 > > _______________________________________________ > kictanet mailing list > kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > > This message was sent to: brian(a)caret.net > Unsubscribe or change your options at http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/ > mailman/options/kictanet/brian%40caret.net _______________________________________________ kictanet mailing list kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet This message was sent to: crystal(a)voicesofafrica.org Unsubscribe or change your options at http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/crystal%40voicesofafri… -- Crystal "Naliaka" Watley Voices of Africa crystal(a)voicesofafrica.org http://www.voicesofafrica.org/ "You must be the change you wish to see" - Gandhi _______________________________________________ kictanet mailing list kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke http://lists..kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet This message was sent to: nnesbitt(a)kencall.com Unsubscribe or change your options at http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/nnesbitt%40kencall.com ________________________________ _______________________________________________ kictanet mailing list kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet This message was sent to: fredokono(a)cfsk.org Unsubscribe or change your options at http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/fredokono%40cfsk.org ________________________________ No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - http://www.avg.com Version: 8.0.173 / Virus Database: 270.7.6/1713 - Release Date: 10/7/2008 6:40 PM _______________________________________________ kictanet mailing list kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet This message was sent to: crystal(a)voicesofafrica.org Unsubscribe or change your options at http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/crystal%40voicesofafri… -- Crystal "Naliaka" Watley Voices of Africa crystal(a)voicesofafrica.org http://www.voicesofafrica.org/ "You must be the change you wish to see" - Gandhi _______________________________________________ kictanet mailing list kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet This message was sent to: jmanthi(a)gmail.com Unsubscribe or change your options at http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/jmanthi%40gmail.com -- Joseph Manthi CEO MEO Ltd http://www.meoltd.com

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Re: [kictanet] Econet Haters.... :-D
by John Maina 09 Oct '08

09 Oct '08

Wachington Please admonish people like Brian also equally ndugu. I have nothing personal against anybody in KICTANET. And know that baring anybody from the list wont solve the problem. Some of us have been in the listserve business long enough and we really respect all of you including Alice, John and others but please know that killing the messenger wont help. You can moderate my messages but the messsage will get through since its very easy to open a new email address each time and send the message. Lets all respect each other but Dr Ndemo shoul come clean JM ----- Original Message ---- From: Odhiambo Washington <odhiambo(a)gmail.com> To: John Maina <j.maina(a)ymail.com> Cc: Gilda Odera <gildaodera(a)gmail.com>; Caroline Kekobi <caroline(a)kekobi.or.ke>; Jorum <odiemo(a)gmail.com>; Thomas A. Senaji <tasenaji(a)gmail.com>; Mark Matunga-Microsoft <mmatunga(a)microsoft.com>; amosoba(a)ict.go.ke; KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke>; joseph james <jjngatia(a)gmail.com>; Matunda Nyanchama <matunda(a)matunda.org> Sent: Thursday, October 9, 2008 6:01:07 PM Subject: Re: [kictanet] Econet Haters.... :-D On Thu, Oct 9, 2008 at 5:16 PM, John Maina <j.maina(a)ymail.com> wrote: > Did we expect something different? Utoto and we know that is why you can > rhyme with your ilk much. This doesn't sound like professionals speaking. So let this thread R.I.P. One day, the "dead shall tell tales". For sure. -- Best regards, Odhiambo WASHINGTON, Nairobi,KE +254733744121/+254722743223 _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ "Oh My God! They killed init! You Bastards!" --from a /. post

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Fw: PS Ndemo and Econet scandal...
by John Maina 09 Oct '08

09 Oct '08

----- Forwarded Message ---- From: "mwananchi(a)hushmail.com" <mwananchi(a)hushmail.com> To: j.maina(a)ymail.com Sent: Thursday, October 9, 2008 7:47:34 AM Subject: PS Ndemo and Econet scandal... John, Interesting discussion on Kictanet, perhaps one should have warned you before hand that Kictanet is laden with vested interests who will gladly forego accountability and transparency as long as they themselves benefit or will benefit from Ndemo's rewards for singing his praises and not holding him to account as the public servant he is. Certainly he has done some good things for the country but he has also enabled the commission of monumentally bad matters. Whenever truth is told, hardcore supporters of Ndemo led by one Brian Longwe (who has interestingly benefited in several ways since Ndemo took office) predictably rush to chant "smear", "smear" in an attempt to obfuscate the truth. God forbid should Longwe ever be appointed to public office for that will mark the improper entrance of an individual who believes that accountability and transparency have no room and should exist in Kenya. You may use the below as you deem fit, the truth needs to be told: ---- If Ndemo is so innocent why doesn't he invite the CID, KACC, the Attorney General's office and any other co-operating law enforcement agencies such as the UK's Serious Fraud Office and independent anti- corruption agencies to investigate the issue while inviting the public to forward any evidence they might have of misconduct, law breaking and corruption to the relevant agencies. Perhaps instead of Brian trying to pull wool over wananchis eyes, he could suggest this solution to the PS to help bring these matters to a logical conclusion once and for all. Facts do not lie, naysayers loudly declaring their unwavering and blind support should present hard exonerating facts that rubbish the tip of the iceberg below or continue in their rather misguided act of aiding and cheering on the commission of corrupt and economic crimes against the nation. The below are just the surface of the scam that the PS has worked tirelessly to keep from public view. Fact 1: Econet sought a gag order against its former Chief Financial Officer, Mwaura Njiri, a Kenyan, who forced by his conscience resigned when Econet sought to force him to sign a falsified affidavit that was aimed at defrauding KNFC of their legitimate shareholding in Econet Wireless Kenya. In attempting to do so Econet filed the following case: CASE NO 05/12059 IN THE HIGH COURT OF SOUTH AFRICA (Witwatersrand Local Division) Econet Wireless International Limited - 1st Applicant Econet Wireless Kenya Limited - 2nd Applicant Econet Wireless Ventures Limited - 3rd Applicant v Njiri, Elizaphanson Mwaura - Respondent Entire Econet Court Filing: http://rapidshare.com/files/152242137/EconetSA.pdf Respondent Njiri's Entire Court Filing response to Econet lawsuit: http://rapidshare.com/files/152242138/NjiriSA.pdf 5. Re Paragraph 7 "I have no knowledge whether the First Applicant is a subsidiary of the Third Applicant. I do not know when the "group" was founded, but I deny that it a leading telecommunications operator in Africa." 6. Re Paragraph 8 "I admit my citation and place of residence. I was employed by the First Applicant as Chief Financial Officer and also Head of Corporate Finance Development from July 2000 until 26th October 2004 when I resigned, largely due to the deterioration in my relationship with the First Applicant and Wazara. I admit that I played a central role in establishing the Second Applicant for purposes of the said tender." http://rapidshare.com/files/152242138/NjiriSA.pdf Fact 2: Mwaura Njiri under penalty of perjury unequivocally and in his position as CFO stated the following regarding Econet's finances. This is a damning indictment of the regulator for abandoning its fiduciary duties to the Kenyan public by failing to eliminate the licensee at the pre-qualification stage, thus the licensee was licenced contrary to the tender rules considering their true and correct balance sheets did not show a healthy turnover of over US$100m. The secret of the hundreds of millions of dollars in turnover is a story well told only that it neglected to mention that those were worthless Zimbabwean dollars: "17.1 The First Applicant's balance sheet at that point in time was so bad that it was unable to obtain funds from any bank;" http://rapidshare.com/files/152242138/NjiriSA.pdf Deloitte and Touche, Audited Financials of Econet Wireless Limited, the only Econet company that could have claimed to their long lost "Nigerian" operations that never were showing a mere turnover of $8m at the time of licencing in 2003 when it was necessary to show a consortium turnover of $100m which obviously the now insolvent KNFC did not have: http://rapidshare.com/files/152242139/Financials.pdf Fact 3: Mwaura Njiri, Econet CFO since its early days, under penalty of perjury admits the Econet licence was cancelled by the Minister for Information and Communications despite his best efforts to prevent cancellation: "32. Re Paragraphs 43 I admit the allegations contained herein and point out that when this eventuated Masiyiwa then requested me to assist the First Applicant by returning to Kenya and endeavouring to assist the Applicants by requesting the Minister and the Kenyan authorities not to cancel the licence.I agreed to so assist the First Applicant which then provided me with the necessary air ticket to enable me to travel to Nairobi together with the said Wazara for this purpose.While I tried my best to so assist the First Applicant I was unsuccessful in this regard." http://rapidshare.com/files/152242138/NjiriSA.pdf Fact 4: KNFC was essentially bankrupt or near bankruptcy at the time of licensing culminating in KNFC being declared financially insolvent in 2006. Once again the regulator abandoned its fiduciary duties by deliberately allowing parties who could not pay licence fees as proscribed by the tender rules to be licenced contrary to public procurement regulations. "The Minister for Co-operative Development Njeru Ndwiga yesterday confirmed that the Federation, which was said to have owned as much as 80 per cent of Econet’s bid for the their mobile licence, cannot meet its financial obligations. The union is indebted to the tune of Sh40 million against an asset base of Sh25 million. The minister said the cash-strapped Federation cannot honour its financial obligations that include Sh1.3 million in salary arrears, a Sh10 million loan from the Co-operative Bank, Sh5.6 million in statutory deductions and Sh800,000 in lawyers’ fees" - The Standard 29/6/2005 " KNFC has liabilities in excess of 64 million shillings against a total asset value of 20 million shillings." - 21/1/2006 http://www.kbc.co.ke/story.asp?ID=34599 Fact 5: The Chief legal representative of the Government of Kenya is Attorney General, Amos Wako. In 2007, PS Ndemo purported to settle a case the government had already won upholding the cancellation of the Econet licence by the Minister of Information and Communications. The PS further claimed to settle a case that Econet was destined to loose following a court order ordering them to deposit $15million as security for their $1 billion case against the Minister. Econet could not conceivably pay the $15 million for they still owed the government $12 million. Investigations are necessary to establish: a) Whether PS Ndemo upsurped the powers of the Attorney General b) What the Attorney General's role and legal rationale was in arriving at the "settlement" c) Whether PS Ndemo acted against the interests of the Republic d) Whether PS Ndemo defied a binding and final ruling by Kenya's Judiciary e) Whether PS Ndemo through his actions committed abuse of abuse as defined under the Economic and Anti-Corruption Act of 2003 f) Whether PS Ndemo committed any other unlawful acts through is actions g) Whether PS Ndemo by trampling a bonafide court ruling and a Ministerial order contravened the Section 354 of Chapter XIII (Miscellaneous Offences Against Public Authority) of the Laws of Kenya which in states: “Any person who knowingly utters as and for a subsisting and effectual document any document which has by any lawful authority been ordered to be revoked, cancelled or suspended, or the operation of which has ceased by effluxion of time, or by death, or by the happening of any other event, is guilty of an offence of the same kind, and is liable to the same punishment, as if he had forged the document,” Visual proof of PS Ndemo signing the bogus "settlement agreement": http://rapidshare.com/files/152229210/en_bs_250707_econectknfc.mp4 It cannot be wished away that a legal precedent has already been established in Kenya for Government officials who claim to have been acting on orders from above that they remain responsible for actions carried out on the basis of their own personal actions and thus PS Ndemo bears absolute and full responsibility for appending his signature to the sham "settlement agreement" that he appended his signature to on "behalf" of the Republic: Magistrate Aggrey Muchelule had a stern warning to public officers: "It does not pay to take illegal orders from your superiors. However highly placed, you will still be responsible in the fullness of time." http://www.accessmylibrary.com/coms2/summary_0286-13141577_ITM http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/3591830.stm It took 14 years after the fact to sentence Somaia and Oluga for their fraud against the Republic, public servants should not chide theselves that the passage of time makes one's illegal actions forgotten. Those they enable to engage in illegal acts might get away but the public servant will nonetheless carry their own cross. Fact 6: The Econet matter has recently been planned for Cabinet discussion. This warrants PS Ndemo's investigation for his role in disenfranchising Kenyans and for continuing to make plans to legalise an illegal act of disenfranchisement into law by arbitrarily gazetting regulations that seek to place foreigners ahead of Kenyans: "When contacted, Nyagah confirmed he had received the letter from the KNFC interim board, seeking their intervention on the issue of the shares, and their participation in rolling out the third mobile operator’s services. Nyagah, whose main docket covers the co-operative movement, said he would address the concerns raised by KNFC at the Ministry and Cabinet level." http://www.eastandard.net/InsidePage.php?id=1143995477&cid=14&j=&m=& d= The Cabinet ought to act with no holds barred in looking into PS Ndemo's involvement in the matter as well as his recent pandering to foreign interests at the expense of Kenyans. This is a serious national security matter that involves critical infrastructure in the country particularly coming at a time when foreigners stranglehold exceeds 80% of the economy. The issue of allowing foreigners to own 100% of ICT firms should be submitted to Parliament for those are the elected representatives of the Kenyan people, such critical decisions should not be left in the hands of someone who recently signed away access to the Kenyan Economy to Libyans and frequently echoes his admiration of foreigners. Let PS Ndemo name the foreigners who have approached him and who despise Kenyans so much that they would not dream of partnering with them: "This rule is messing us up in terms of investments. There are large companies which want to invest in this country without partnering with other individuals," Bitange Ndemo, permanent secretary at the Information Ministry, said in an interview. http://africa.reuters.com/business/news/usnJOE4950WH.html Did PS Ndemo sign an agreement with Libyans promising them access to sectors of the Economy? YES http://www.eastandard.net/InsidePage.php?id=1143990641&cid=4 Fact 7: In 2006, Econet rushed to court and obtained exparte orders against the Government and the regulator causing a stay of the Minister's decision to cancel the Econet licence by the Minister of Information and Communications. The presiding and ruling judge, Justice Ibrahim Mohammed in his eventual ruling admonished Econet for abusing the court process and upheld the Minister's decision that cancelled the Econet licence while canceling the orders that Econet had improperly obtain. Case No 1640 of 2004 in the High Court of Kenya that the Republic won is the same case PS Ndemo misled the nation was a case in progress that was to be settled: "Upon consideration, I am of the view that in effect, the Order No 5 to all intents and purposes is an ex parte quia timet injunction disguised as “an order of leave operating as a prohibition”. This Court has no jurisdiction to grant such an order in judicial review proceedings and if it had, it has been granted improperly and in breach of the principles of natural justice as there is no returnable date for an inter partes hearing between the parties. It is a permanent injunctive order which was given in violation of all the cardinal principles of natural justice. To allow it to continue to be in force for a minute longer would amount to a total miscarriage of justice. This Court of course, cannot allow this to happen. This court is supposed to be a harbinger and fountain of justice and not a perpetrator of injustice." Entire Copy of Court Ruling upholding the Minister's decision thus permanently cementing the fact that the cancelled Econet licence remained indefinitely cancelled: http://rapidshare.com/files/152242136/Econet_v_Minister.pdf Fact 8: The Econet scam which the PS continues to deliberately aid was named as scandal number 10 in Sir Edward Clay's list of 20 scandals committed against the Republic: http://rapidshare.com/files/152246719/20Scandals.pdf Only the tip of the iceberg.... -- Click for a credit repair consultation, raise your FICO score.. http://tagline.hushmail.com/fc/Ioyw6h4d7lzmxrPK8SDbjIEfKVScUQcpfeHX7tKvMt8q…

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We Want to hear from Ndemo not some crooked foreigners
by John Maina 09 Oct '08

09 Oct '08

Guys Lets not lie to each other. I have nothing personal against Ndemo but let me tell you that the way Ndemo is running the ICT is wrong for the Kenyans. The fact that Crystal Watley can wax lyrical how she is too Kenyan just because she is in love with Kongoni who is a young confused man while Nick Nesbitt who is known even within the BPO society to be arrogant and never a team player will show you what kind of people we are dealing with. We dont need to be on what is happening. Just this morning if you read the thread you will get all the facts plus all the court cases and injunctions which the PS is not respecting. Is that what KICTANET wants? Walubengo is it that when truth is told with all the policy documents and evidence then we retreat to the corner of KICTANET being sijui what? PLease lets be democratic and know that Kenya is for us all aand not for the arrogant and cheap things we see from Nick Nesbitt andd the like. Nick Nesbitt didnt have the money to invest in Kenya. He borrowed it in Kenyan banks. Telkom France had to beg the government of Kenya to give them money. Did they have money? No. they got it from Kenyan tax payers. So dont tell me about Kenyans not able to buy these companies and run them. We know the truth fellow Kenyans and the best thing we can do is respect divergent opinions and not rush to the defence of people like Crystal and Nesbitt and Longwe who is also a not crook in the Kenyan ICT sector. I dont owe anybody an apology. Lets all be fair to each other and stop licking toes of Ndemo just because you dont want to loose him from the list. More infforrmation about the corruption cases have been added even this morning on http://www.wananchiforums.com/showthread.php?p=3370#post3370 JM ----- Original Message ---- From: Justin Mburu <jt.alliance(a)gmail.com> To: John Maina <j.maina(a)ymail.com> Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> Sent: Thursday, October 9, 2008 8:33:02 AM Subject: Re: [kictanet] PS Ndemo, ECONET Scandal aand Vested Interests AND WHO IS THIS PROFESSOR JOHN MAINA? Professor in what? RUMOUR-MONGERING???? Leave PS Ndemo alone and get a life! PS Ndemo has been doing an incredible job!!! kudos Daktari Ndemo Justin 2008/10/7 John Maina <j.maina(a)ymail.com> http://www.wananchiforums.com/showthread.php?p=3150#post3150 _______________________________________________ kictanet mailing list kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet This message was sent to: jt.alliance(a)gmail.com Unsubscribe or change your options at http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/jt.alliance%40gmail.com

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Solving Scandals
by Bill Kagai 09 Oct '08

09 Oct '08

On Thu, Oct 9, 2008 at 9:56 AM, John Walubengo <jwalu(a)yahoo.com> wrote: > I think the point on online etiquette has been made and we should let this > thread rest. > And there we go. A leading African ICT think-tank has solved the crisis by orchestrating a turn-around based on etiquette...insinuating, now the PS and Maina can meet on the periphery and form an ICT grand coalition thing. I do not condone prosecution in the public domain without establishing the facts, but a professional courtesy call to understand Maina's [maybe miscontrued] thoughts and protocol driven clarification from the PS, would have left us all in better place rather than blanket censure for or against the aggrieved party, which is not clear at this stage. Its pathetic, how we have solved this problem.

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PS Ndemo, ECONET Scandal and Vested Interests - Closed.
by Samuel Gichuru 09 Oct '08

09 Oct '08

Ladies and Gentlemen of this forum, I think its time this thread was rested as the moderator had suggested (Thank you Moderator), Mr Ndemo has proved his worth time and time again, put it to rest and lets discuss more progressive issues, Bwana PS our apologies for letting this drag this long. Thank you PS: The last time this happened Michael Joseph stopped contributing to this forum, Can he be invited back, his contribution is invaluable. -- Warm Regards -------------------------------------- Sam Gichuru CVO We Design websites that build business, Register .COM, .co.ke, .NET, .ORG, .INFO and .BIZ domain names for FREE. unlimited email addresses. Business Webhosting and Internet Marketing services for only Kshs. 1,000 a month. Ideas Africa Limited - The Web Design and Hosting Company Tel : 020-221199, 230663 - Cell: 0722-730565 Web: www.ideasafrica.com

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Locales for over 100 African languages
by Dorcas Muthoni 09 Oct '08

09 Oct '08

For those with passion for seeing Kikuyu, Dholuo, Kikamba, etc on your computers, you cam join the group below: >> ANLoc, the African Network for Localization, has started an initiative to build locales for over 100 African languages. The project is now ready to line up volunteers and get to work. You can view a presentation about the initiative at: http://kamusiproject.org/en/100locales The main requirements for a volunteer are: 1) literate in the target language 2) comfortable using computers 3) can volunteer about 1 or 2 hours 4) finishes what they start If you are willing and able to help, please look through these lists of languages, and contact locales(a)africanlocalization.net if you can work on one that does not yet have a volunteer: * West Africa: http://is.gd/3nJZ * Nigeria: http://is.gd/3nKk * Central Africa: http://is.gd/3nHO * Tanzania and Indian Ocean: http://is.gd/3nJ7 * Great Lakes and Kenya: http://is.gd/3nGQ * Horn of Africa: http://is.gd/3nJd * Southern Africa: http://is.gd/3nJj (Note that we do NOT need volunteers for South Africa, because those languages already have good locales.) You can also help by letting your colleagues from other African language communities know about the project. We want to build all of these locales in a few months, so please let me know quickly if you can help out! Thanks, Martin Benjamin -- 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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Kenya Internet Governance Forum (Kenya IGF) - Reminder
by Harry Hare 08 Oct '08

08 Oct '08

Just a reminder for those wishing to attend this forum to register as advised. Kindest Regards Harry +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Dear Colleagues The Kenya ICT Board (KICTB) in conjunction with the Kenya Network Information Centre (KENIC), the Kenya ICT Action Network (KICTANet), the East African ICT for Development Network (EA ICT4D) and other participating organisations are pleased to announce the Kenya Internet Governance Forum (Kenya IGF) to be held on the 14th of October, 2008 at the Jacaranda hotel in Westlands. The Kenya IGF will offer a central forum through which Internet stakeholders in Kenya can contribute to the global Internet Governance Forum. The Kenya IGF is a follow up to the KICTANet mailing list discussions on Internet Governance, which were held in August 2008, and aimed at beginning to identify and explore national level Internet Governance issues. The national forum aims at: · creating awareness on IGF issues, · instituting a consensus building process to develop a common understanding of Kenyan Internet Governance issues and · building policy capacity in order to enable meaningful participation in global Internet policy, governance and development. The outcome of the Kenya IGF will be collated with that from the other national IGF¹s which will take place in Uganda, Tanzania and Rwanda, to form the agenda for the East African IGF (EAIGF) scheduled for 10th-12th November 2008, Nairobi Kenya. As a key player in the Internet industry, it is my pleasure to invite you to the Kenya IGF. Below is a summary of the programme: ++++++++++++++++++++++ 08:45 - 09:00 Registration 09:00 - 09:10 Opening Remarks - Paul Kukubo, CEO, KICTB 09:10 - 09:30 What is internet governance and why should we care? - Brian Longwe/KENIC 09:30 - 10:00 Kenyan stakeholders IG issues: KICTANet Online Discussion Report; validating issues discussed John Walubengo/Mwende Njiraini 10:00 - 10:10 Government & the IGF Charles J. K. Njoroge, Director General, CCK 10:10 - 10:30 Official Launch of Kenya IGF - Dr. Bitange Ndemo, PS, Ministry of Information & Communications 10:30 - 11:00 Coffee Break 11:00 - 11:30 So what are Kenya¹s Priority IG issues? Issue Prioritization & Consensus - KICTANet/KENIC 11:30 - 12:00 What Policy and Technical capacity do we need to engage? Identifying Issues for Capacity Building John Walubengo/Mwende Njiraini 12:00 - 12:30 Closing Remarks/Vote of Thanks - EAICT4D Harry Hare 12:30 Lunch +++++++++++++++++++++++++ Kindly confirm your participation by sending an email to <evelyne(a)kictanet.or.ke> Regards, Harry Hare

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Re: [kictanet] PS Ndemo, ECONET Scandal aand Vested Interests
by John Maina 08 Oct '08

08 Oct '08

Nick You see that its only people like you who are in Kenya not to develope Kenya but to exploit are the ones supporting Ndemo. Crooks like him. You are known and even the BPO society know you as someone who is known not to support the general development and economic improvement of thee country. You are known as someone who even his own staff he has consistently paid poorly. When did Ndemo give Kenyans a chance to buy the companies and they said they couldnt? He wouldd rather go to Libya and go and make secret deals there. Am not suprised that you support him but know that no matter how long it takees. Kenyans will recover Kenya from looters like you JM ----- Original Message ---- From: nicholasnesbitt <nnesbitt(a)kencall.com> To: j.maina(a)ymail.com Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke>; ke-users <ke-internetusers(a)bdix.net> Sent: Tuesday, October 7, 2008 7:13:01 PM Subject: Re: [kictanet] PS Ndemo, ECONET Scandal aand Vested Interests I agree totally. Sounds like someone needs to do something more productive than try to insinuate there is anything wrong here with Kenya becoming a more investor friendly and respectful environment... Perhaps this person needs to put their own money where their mouth is and then they will get a very different perspective about how they would like their money to be used if they were to invest in anything substantial in Kenya... It is Econet's investors' money. It is not Kenya's money... Do we want the investment in Kenya, the competition, the jobs, the participation of Essar, or do we want to play a nationalistic game based on rich and passively investing Kenyans getting the lion's share of someone's investment in Kenya, just because they are powerful and the law mandates that they they should have a piece of someone else's hard earned investment? The wananchi wouldn't share in any Econet investment even if it were still required by the law to have a local partner, it would be some Mobiletea kinds of individuals who would slide up to Econet and scare them into partnering with the locals... just the same way as it always has been in Kenya and in such countries that adopt such market distorting and investment unfriendly policies... Bravo, Daktari Ndemo! Nicholas A. Nesbitt Chief Executive Officer KenCall EPZ Ltd P.O. Box 27507 - 00506 Sameer Industrial Park, Mombasa Road Nairobi, Kenya +254.20.660.2000 (office) +254.20.660.2222 (fax) +254.721.458.458 (cell) nnesbitt(a)kencall.com www.kencall.com BEST Non-European Contact Centre 2008 Fastest Growing Top 100 company On Oct 7, 2008, at 7:01 PM, Crystal Watley wrote: I have known Dr. Ndemo for some time now and have found him to be nothing less than a man of integrity. I have seen his name drawn through the mud next to other politicians in the past. Let me be very honest and frank in this matter. When are we in Kenya going to get past this political mud slinging and look at the actual WORK performance of our leaders? When I watch the news I see very few Kenyan political leaders really working. They are always campaigning and pretending THAT is their job. In many cases it IS their way of making money, although it is NOT what we pay them for doing. Most of our political leaders do not have the ACTUAL work performance record of Dr. Ndemo. We know the long hours he works. I have been in his office at 7 am and at 7 pm. Those of us of who know him have seen this is the rule NOT the exception. Someday I hope in Kenya we understand we must judge everyone in public office by their actual work PERFORMANCE. Politicians are OUR employees. They work for the people of Kenya. They should be judged as an employer views an employee. How hard are they working for develoment? What good comes from their initiatives? Are they professional? Are they in the office working? We need to set higher standards for our government. This is not accomplished by breaking the good ones down. Asante sana. Crystal On Tue, Oct 7, 2008 at 9:32 AM, Brian Munyao Longwe <brian(a)caret.net> wrote: Smells like a smear campaign to me. I see nothing that Ndemo has done wrong. B On Oct 7, 2008, at 8:43 AM, John Maina wrote: > http://www.wananchiforums.com/showthread.php?p=3150#post3150 > > _______________________________________________ > kictanet mailing list > kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > > This message was sent to: brian(a)caret.net > Unsubscribe or change your options at http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/ > mailman/options/kictanet/brian%40caret.net _______________________________________________ kictanet mailing list kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet This message was sent to: crystal(a)voicesofafrica.org Unsubscribe or change your options at http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/crystal%40voicesofafri… -- Crystal "Naliaka" Watley Voices of Africa crystal(a)voicesofafrica.org http://www.voicesofafrica.org/ "You must be the change you wish to see" - Gandhi _______________________________________________ kictanet mailing list kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet This message was sent to: nnesbitt(a)kencall.com Unsubscribe or change your options at http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/nnesbitt%40kencall.com

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skunkworks@innovation event recap
by Josiah Mugambi 08 Oct '08

08 Oct '08

http://blog.my.co.ke/?p=88 Regards Josiah -- Josiah Mugambi +254 738 504418 Blog: http://blog.josiahmugambi.com

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Re: [kictanet] PS Ndemo, ECONET Scandal aand Vested Interests
by Japheth kemboi 08 Oct '08

08 Oct '08

Dear all, Assuming that this is 'gossip' or ' a smear' as someone might have called it, wouldn't it be better to hear from PS Ndemo? Just to clear the air but not a to put up a defence. I would really like to believe that that there is no foul play at the PS office or is there a dent in the 'work performance' of our PS but I am forced to start thinking 'Lisemwalo lipo na kama hamna basi ......' Thanks, Kipkirui. ----- Original Message ---- From: Harry Hare <harry(a)africanedevelopment.org> To: kipkirui2002tz(a)yahoo.com Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke>; ke-users <ke-internetusers(a)bdix.net> Sent: Wednesday, October 8, 2008 8:38:44 AM Subject: Re: [kictanet] PS Ndemo, ECONET Scandal aand Vested Interests Dear All, I seen to notice a very disturbing trend here...why is the Kenyan Diaspora angry about anything and anyone that seems to be working or doing something. I have noticed that most of the KICTANet flame comes from people in Diaspora. If they feel that strongly about the country, I why not come back home and build the nation from here. Or better still, stop distracting people who are working for the nation. Kindest Regards Harry On 10/7/08 8:57 AM, "Joseph Manthi" <jmanthi(a)gmail.com> wrote: Absolutely astounding. WHat is going on in the old motherland? 2008/10/7 John Maina <j.maina(a)ymail.com> http://www.wananchiforums.com/showthread.php?p=3150#post3150 _______________________________________________ kictanet mailing list kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet This message was sent to: jmanthi(a)gmail.com Unsubscribe or change your options at http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/jmanthi%40gmail.com

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Re: [kictanet] [ke-internetusers] Re: PS Ndemo, ECONET Scandal aand Vested Interests
by Gakuru Alex 08 Oct '08

08 Oct '08

For Your Information, Those intending to continue with this conversation please remove ke-users <ke-internetusers(a)bdix.net> from your circulation. I have just suspended John from that mailing list and we do not wish to receive any more messages under this thread. Thank you Alex Gakuru On Tue, Oct 7, 2008 at 8:11 PM, Alex Gakuru <gakuru(a)gmail.com> wrote: > John, > > I am afraid I am forced to suspend your subscription from this list > and will not allow this conversation to continue. > > Regards, > > Alex > > 2008/10/7 John Maina <j.maina(a)ymail.com>: >> And you dont have to boast of your Kenyanness because having an American >> Tatoo will never make me an American nor is having to exploit a young >> ignorant African >> >> >> >> ----- Original Message ---- >> From: Crystal Watley <crystal(a)voicesofafrica.org> >> To: nicholasnesbitt <nnesbitt(a)kencall.com> >> Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke>; >> ke-users <ke-internetusers(a)bdix.net> >> Sent: Tuesday, October 7, 2008 7:34:47 PM >> Subject: [ke-internetusers] Re: [kictanet] PS Ndemo, ECONET Scandal aand >> Vested Interests >> >> Again. I like honesty. I know how a real Kenyan lives, obviously there is >> much you don't know about me, and I would never use a personal smear in such >> a discussion. Well, then maybe you are RIGHT. If that is the mark of a >> Kenyan. >> >> I have suffered poverty and hunger in the village alongside women. I have >> carried water on my head for kilometers. Every day for over a year I hiked >> everywhere with my three year old daughter tied to my back in a kanga. >> >> Sir, what is the mark of a Kenyan? >> >> I have given everything I owned to Kenya twice. Once when I moved here and >> once when I had to evacuate the post-election violence. How many would be >> willing to give up everything they owned and live in poverty in a rural >> village to understand Kenya? >> >> I respect you as a professional, but you have no right to judge my >> "Kenyanness" through a list forum. >> >> Thank you. >> >> Crystal >> >> On Tue, Oct 7, 2008 at 11:13 AM, nicholasnesbitt <nnesbitt(a)kencall.com> >> wrote: >>> >>> I agree totally. >>> Sounds like someone needs to do something more productive than try to >>> insinuate there is anything wrong here with Kenya becoming a more investor >>> friendly and respectful environment... Perhaps this person needs to put >>> their own money where their mouth is and then they will get a very different >>> perspective about how they would like their money to be used if they were to >>> invest in anything substantial in Kenya... >>> It is Econet's investors' money. It is not Kenya's money... >>> Do we want the investment in Kenya, the competition, the jobs, the >>> participation of Essar, or do we want to play a nationalistic game based on >>> rich and passively investing Kenyans getting the lion's share of someone's >>> investment in Kenya, just because they are powerful and the law mandates >>> that they they should have a piece of someone else's hard earned investment? >>> The wananchi wouldn't share in any Econet investment even if it were still >>> required by the law to have a local partner, it would be some Mobiletea >>> kinds of individuals who would slide up to Econet and scare them into >>> partnering with the locals... just the same way as it always has been in >>> Kenya and in such countries that adopt such market distorting and investment >>> unfriendly policies... >>> Bravo, Daktari Ndemo! >>> >>> Nicholas A. Nesbitt >>> Chief Executive Officer >>> KenCall EPZ Ltd >>> P.O. Box 27507 - 00506 >>> Sameer Industrial Park, Mombasa Road >>> Nairobi, Kenya >>> +254.20.660.2000 (office) >>> +254.20.660.2222 (fax) >>> +254.721.458.458 (cell) >>> nnesbitt(a)kencall.com >>> www.kencall.com >>> BEST Non-European Contact Centre 2008 >>> >>> >>> Fastest Growing Top 100 company >>> On Oct 7, 2008, at 7:01 PM, Crystal Watley wrote: >>> >>> I have known Dr. Ndemo for some time now and have found him to be nothing >>> less than a man of integrity. I have seen his name drawn through the mud >>> next to other politicians in the past. Let me be very honest and frank in >>> this matter. >>> >>> When are we in Kenya going to get past this political mud slinging and >>> look at the actual WORK performance of our leaders? When I watch the news I >>> see very few Kenyan political leaders really working. They are always >>> campaigning and pretending THAT is their job. In many cases it IS their way >>> of making money, although it is NOT what we pay them for doing. >>> >>> Most of our political leaders do not have the ACTUAL work performance >>> record of Dr. Ndemo. We know the long hours he works. I have been in his >>> office at 7 am and at 7 pm. Those of us of who know him have seen this is >>> the rule NOT the exception. >>> >>> Someday I hope in Kenya we understand we must judge everyone in public >>> office by their actual work PERFORMANCE. Politicians are OUR employees. They >>> work for the people of Kenya. They should be judged as an employer views an >>> employee. How hard are they working for develoment? What good comes from >>> their initiatives? Are they professional? Are they in the office working? We >>> need to set higher standards for our government. This is not accomplished by >>> breaking the good ones down. >>> >>> Asante sana. >>> >>> Crystal >>> >>> On Tue, Oct 7, 2008 at 9:32 AM, Brian Munyao Longwe <brian(a)caret.net> >>> wrote: >>>> >>>> Smells like a smear campaign to me. >>>> >>>> I see nothing that Ndemo has done wrong. >>>> >>>> B >>>> >>>> On Oct 7, 2008, at 8:43 AM, John Maina wrote: >>>> >>>> > http://www.wananchiforums.com/showthread.php?p=3150#post3150 >>>> > >>>> > _______________________________________________ >>>> > kictanet mailing list >>>> > kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke >>>> > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet >>>> > >>>> > This message was sent to: brian(a)caret.net >>>> > Unsubscribe or change your options at http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/ >>>> > mailman/options/kictanet/brian%40caret.net >>>> >>>> >>>> _______________________________________________ >>>> kictanet mailing list >>>> kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke >>>> http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet >>>> >>>> This message was sent to: crystal(a)voicesofafrica.org >>>> Unsubscribe or change your options at >>>> http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/crystal%40voicesofafri… >>> >>> >>> >>> -- >>> Crystal "Naliaka" Watley >>> Voices of Africa >>> crystal(a)voicesofafrica.org >>> http://www.voicesofafrica.org/ >>> >>> "You must be the change you wish to see" - Gandhi >>> _______________________________________________ >>> kictanet mailing list >>> kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke >>> http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet >>> >>> This message was sent to: nnesbitt(a)kencall.com >>> Unsubscribe or change your options at >>> http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/nnesbitt%40kencall.com >>> >> >> >> >> -- >> Crystal "Naliaka" Watley >> Voices of Africa >> crystal(a)voicesofafrica.org >> http://www.voicesofafrica.org/ >> >> "You must be the change you wish to see" - Gandhi >> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> ke-internetusers mailing list >> ke-internetusers(a)bdix.net >> http://www.bdix.net/mailman/listinfo/ke-internetusers >> >> > _______________________________________________ > ke-internetusers mailing list > ke-internetusers(a)bdix.net > http://www.bdix.net/mailman/listinfo/ke-internetusers >

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Tusker, Flaming and Google's Mail Goggles
by Francis Hook 08 Oct '08

08 Oct '08

On a very light note - and because someone mentioned Tusker at some point in a recent post. Google are working to ensure "responsible posting" where EABL's "responsible drinking" can't reach ...online see the link: http://gmailblog.blogspot.com/2008/10/new-in-labs-stop-sending-mail-you-lat… kictanet-request@ lists.kictanet.or .ke To Sent by: FHook(a)idc.com kictanet-bounces cc +fhook=idc.com@li sts.kictanet.or.k Subject e kictanet Digest, Vol 17, Issue 13 10/08/2008 02:22 PM Please respond to kictanet(a)lists.ki ctanet.or.ke Send kictanet mailing list submissions to kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit http://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: PS Ndemo, ECONET Scandal aand Vested Interests (John Maina) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Message: 1 Date: Wed, 8 Oct 2008 04:20:47 -0700 (PDT) From: John Maina <j.maina(a)ymail.com> Subject: Re: [kictanet] PS Ndemo, ECONET Scandal aand Vested Interests To: nicholasnesbitt <nnesbitt(a)kencall.com> Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke>, ke-users <ke-internetusers(a)bdix.net> Message-ID: <507379.23402.qm(a)web59514.mail.ac4.yahoo.com> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" Nick You see that its only people like you who are in Kenya not to develope Kenya but to exploit are the ones supporting Ndemo. Crooks like him. You are known and even the BPO society know you as someone who is known not to support the general development and economic improvement of thee country. You are known as someone who even his own staff he has consistently paid poorly. When did Ndemo give Kenyans a chance to buy the companies and they said they couldnt? He wouldd rather go to Libya and go and make secret deals there. Am not suprised that you support him but know that no matter how long it takees. Kenyans will recover Kenya from looters like you JM ----- Original Message ---- From: nicholasnesbitt <nnesbitt(a)kencall.com> To: j.maina(a)ymail.com Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke>; ke-users <ke-internetusers(a)bdix.net> Sent: Tuesday, October 7, 2008 7:13:01 PM Subject: Re: [kictanet] PS Ndemo, ECONET Scandal aand Vested Interests I agree totally. Sounds like someone needs to do something more productive than try to insinuate there is anything wrong here with Kenya becoming a more investor friendly and respectful environment... Perhaps this person needs to put their own money where their mouth is and then they will get a very different perspective about how they would like their money to be used if they were to invest in anything substantial in Kenya... It is Econet's investors' money. It is not Kenya's money... Do we want the investment in Kenya, the competition, the jobs, the participation of Essar, or do we want to play a nationalistic game based on rich and passively investing Kenyans getting the lion's share of someone's investment in Kenya, just because they are powerful and the law mandates that they they should have a piece of someone else's hard earned investment? The wananchi wouldn't share in any Econet investment even if it were still required by the law to have a local partner, it would be some Mobiletea kinds of individuals who would slide up to Econet and scare them into partnering with the locals... just the same way as it always has been in Kenya and in such countries that adopt such market distorting and investment unfriendly policies... Bravo, Daktari Ndemo! Nicholas A. Nesbitt Chief Executive Officer KenCall EPZ Ltd P.O. Box 27507 - 00506 Sameer Industrial Park, Mombasa Road Nairobi, Kenya +254.20.660.2000 (office) +254.20.660.2222 (fax) +254.721.458.458 (cell) nnesbitt(a)kencall.com www.kencall.com BEST Non-European Contact Centre 2008 Fastest Growing Top 100 company On Oct 7, 2008, at 7:01 PM, Crystal Watley wrote: I have known Dr. Ndemo for some time now and have found him to be nothing less than a man of integrity. I have seen his name drawn through the mud next to other politicians in the past. Let me be very honest and frank in this matter. When are we in Kenya going to get past this political mud slinging and look at the actual WORK performance of our leaders? When I watch the news I see very few Kenyan political leaders really working. They are always campaigning and pretending THAT is their job. In many cases it IS their way of making money, although it is NOT what we pay them for doing. Most of our political leaders do not have the ACTUAL work performance record of Dr. Ndemo. We know the long hours he works. I have been in his office at 7 am and at 7 pm. Those of us of who know him have seen this is the rule NOT the exception. Someday I hope in Kenya we understand we must judge everyone in public office by their actual work PERFORMANCE. Politicians are OUR employees. They work for the people of Kenya. They should be judged as an employer views an employee. How hard are they working for develoment? What good comes from their initiatives? Are they professional? Are they in the office working? We need to set higher standards for our government. This is not accomplished by breaking the good ones down. Asante sana. Crystal On Tue, Oct 7, 2008 at 9:32 AM, Brian Munyao Longwe <brian(a)caret.net> wrote: Smells like a smear campaign to me. I see nothing that Ndemo has done wrong. B On Oct 7, 2008, at 8:43 AM, John Maina wrote: > http://www.wananchiforums.com/showthread.php?p=3150#post3150 > > _______________________________________________ > kictanet mailing list > kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > > This message was sent to: brian(a)caret.net > Unsubscribe or change your options at http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/ > mailman/options/kictanet/brian%40caret.net _______________________________________________ kictanet mailing list kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet This message was sent to: crystal(a)voicesofafrica.org Unsubscribe or change your options at http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/crystal%40voicesofafri… -- Crystal "Naliaka" Watley Voices of Africa crystal(a)voicesofafrica.org http://www.voicesofafrica.org/ "You must be the change you wish to see" - Gandhi _______________________________________________ kictanet mailing list kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet This message was sent to: nnesbitt(a)kencall.com Unsubscribe or change your options at http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/nnesbitt%40kencall.com

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Re: [kictanet] PS Ndemo, ECONET Scandal aand Vested Interests
by John Maina 08 Oct '08

08 Oct '08

Brian Stop protecting thieves. If you dont have facts, ask for them. PS Ndemo knows what he has done wrong ----- Original Message ---- From: Brian Munyao Longwe <brian(a)caret.net> To: John Maina <j.maina(a)ymail.com> Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke>; ke-users <ke-internetusers(a)bdix.net> Sent: Tuesday, October 7, 2008 5:32:10 PM Subject: Re: [kictanet] PS Ndemo, ECONET Scandal aand Vested Interests Smells like a smear campaign to me. I see nothing that Ndemo has done wrong. B On Oct 7, 2008, at 8:43 AM, John Maina wrote: > http://www.wananchiforums.com/showthread.php?p=3150#post3150 > > _______________________________________________ > kictanet mailing list > kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > > This message was sent to: brian(a)caret.net > Unsubscribe or change your options at http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/ > mailman/options/kictanet/brian%40caret.net

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Kenyan banks and stock market
by aki 08 Oct '08

08 Oct '08

The global slow down is on. Asian markets have headed down steeply today morning. Kenya is not an island in the global economy. Anyone aware of steps already taken by the Govt/ Companies/Banks to protect/stabilize local market and prevent a crash or closures?

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Webcast Tomorrow: Disaster Risk Management in the Information Age, Oct 8-9
by Harry Hare 08 Oct '08

08 Oct '08

Fyi...might interest some of you. Cheers Harry ------ Forwarded Message From: <edevelopment(a)worldbank.org> Date: Tue, 7 Oct 2008 19:23:55 -0400 To: <e-Development_TG_External(a)worldbank.org>, <e-Development_TG_External_1(a)worldbank.org> Subject: Webcast Tomorrow: Disaster Risk Management in the Information Age, Oct 8-9 Dear colleagues We invite you to participate in the live webcast of a workshop on ?Disaster Risk Management in the Information Age? organized by the World Bank's Global Information Communication and Technology Department, infoDev, Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery (GFDRR), and the Latin American Disaster Risk Management team. Jointly we have put together an exciting program of panel discussions on different aspects of using ICT to assess, mitigate, prepare, and recover from disasters. You can also post comments and questions on our new eDevelopment Blog: http://edevelopmentblog.org Disaster Risk Management in the Information Age Oct. 8-9, 2008, 9:00 - 1:30 pm ET LIVE WEBCAST: http://www.worldbank.org/edevelopment/live All workshop materials will be available at: http://www.worldbank.org/edevelopment Program Description Between 1980 and 2006, natural disasters killed more than 2 million people worldwide and reported damages totaled 1.2 trillion USD. For example, the 2005 Pakistan earthquake caused about $5 billion damages. There were 5,210 disasters worldwide between 1991 and 2005. The World Bank has a large lending portfolio of natural disaster risk management projects: 195 active and pipeline projects amounting to USD 8248 Million. How does the information revolution change the way we deal with disasters? The key objective of this workshop is to raise awareness on the opportunities to improve the impact of disaster risk management projects via innovative and effective use of ICT and to help understand better key lessons learned, success factors and good practices. A series of case studies and presentations will discuss the enabling and transformational role of ICT applications throughout the full cycle of Disaster Risk Management activities: risk assessment, mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery. The Workshop will identify challenges and key issues, best practices and critical success factors, latest trends, solutions and technologies, as well as the policy recommendations and opportunities for mainstreaming and more effective use of ICT in the World Bank disaster risk management portfolio. How to make ICT a transformational enabler of better disaster risk management? What are the critical success factors for effective application of ICT in this area? What is the role of open source, mobile and other Web 2.0 tools? What is the role of Public Private Partnerships? The workshop will feature a number of distinguished experts: Alta Haggarty (UN OCHA) Gianluca Bruni (UN World Food Program, via VC from Rome) Chanuka Wattegama (LIRNEasia, formerly with UNDP) Paul Margie (Telecom Sans Frontiers) Charles Scawthorn (Kyoto University) Carmelle Terborgh (ESRI) Inderjit Claire (RMSI) Eric Rasmussen (InSTEDD) Gisli Olafsson (Microsoft) Andrew Levy (IBM) S. Rangarajan (World Space) John C. Scott (Center for Public Service Communications) Ken Zita (Network Dymanics Associates) Bill Gail (Microsoft) Saroj Jha (GFDRR/World Bank) Francis Ghesquiere (World Bank) Philippe Dongier (World Bank) Valerie D'Costa (infoDev) Deepak Bhatia (World Bank) Uwe Deichmann (World Bank) Samia Melhem (World Bank)) Hemang Karelia (GFDRR) Ramesh Siva (World Bank))) Sanjaya Bhatia (GFDRR) Edward Anderson (World Bank)) Trond Vedeld (World Bank) Reza Firuzabadi (World Bank)) ------ End of Forwarded Message

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Re: [kictanet] [ke-internetusers] Re: PS Ndemo, ECONET Scandal aand Vested Interests
by Crystal Watley 08 Oct '08

08 Oct '08

Is this professional? Please see below. On Tue, Oct 7, 2008 at 11:57 AM, John Maina <j.maina(a)ymail.com> wrote: And you dont have to boast of your Kenyanness because having an American Tatoo will never make me an American nor is having to exploit a young ignorant African Sir, My husband is a well educated Kenyan who is two years my senior. You have no right to make such remarks on list or off. Again, is mud slinging what you consider to be the mark of being a Kenyan? The problem in Kenya is that people turn on each other instead of focusing on the problems and addressing them together. This leads to hate and violence that is uncalled for. Until we all commit to making a change in our mentalities and attitudes, from one of victimhood and name calling to one of empowerment, nothing will change. HOW TO GET RID OF A BAD EMPLOYEE First, you determine if their actual work performance is worth keeping them in your company, organization, or GOVERNMENT. Second, if they are found lacking, confront them directly in a calm and civilized manner based on factual evidence. Third, if the factual evidence shows a breach in their "contract" for employment, dismiss them. Fourth, if they have broken laws take them to court. Hold them accountable. Crystal Is this professional? Please see below. On Tue, Oct 7, 2008 at 11:57 AM, John Maina <j.maina(a)ymail.com> wrote: And you dont have to boast of your Kenyanness because having an American Tatoo will never make me an American nor is having to exploit a young ignorant African > > > > > > ----- Original Message ---- > From: Crystal Watley <crystal(a)voicesofafrica.org> > To: nicholasnesbitt <nnesbitt(a)kencall.com> > Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke>; > ke-users <ke-internetusers(a)bdix.net> > Sent: Tuesday, October 7, 2008 7:34:47 PM > Subject: [ke-internetusers] Re: [kictanet] PS Ndemo, ECONET Scandal aand > Vested Interests > > Again. I like honesty. I know how a real Kenyan lives, obviously there is > much you don't know about me, and I would never use a personal smear in such > a discussion. Well, then maybe you are RIGHT. If that is the mark of a > Kenyan. > > I have suffered poverty and hunger in the village alongside women. I have > carried water on my head for kilometers. Every day for over a year I hiked > everywhere with my three year old daughter tied to my back in a kanga. > > Sir, what is the mark of a Kenyan? > > I have given everything I owned to Kenya twice. Once when I moved here and > once when I had to evacuate the post-election violence. How many would be > willing to give up everything they owned and live in poverty in a rural > village to understand Kenya? > > I respect you as a professional, but you have no right to judge my > "Kenyanness" through a list forum. > > Thank you. > > Crystal > > On Tue, Oct 7, 2008 at 11:13 AM, nicholasnesbitt <nnesbitt(a)kencall.com>wrote: > >> I agree totally. >> Sounds like someone needs to do something more productive than try to >> insinuate there is anything wrong here with Kenya becoming a more investor >> friendly and respectful environment... Perhaps this person needs to put >> their own money where their mouth is and then they will get a very different >> perspective about how they would like their money to be used if they were to >> invest in anything substantial in Kenya... >> >> It is Econet's investors' money. It is not Kenya's money... >> >> Do we want the investment in Kenya, the competition, the jobs, the >> participation of Essar, or do we want to play a nationalistic game based on >> rich and passively investing Kenyans getting the lion's share of someone's >> investment in Kenya, just because they are powerful and the law mandates >> that they they should have a piece of someone else's hard earned investment? >> The wananchi wouldn't share in any Econet investment even if it were still >> required by the law to have a local partner, it would be some Mobiletea >> kinds of individuals who would slide up to Econet and scare them into >> partnering with the locals... just the same way as it always has been in >> Kenya and in such countries that adopt such market distorting and investment >> unfriendly policies... >> Bravo, Daktari Ndemo! >> >> >> Nicholas A. Nesbitt >> Chief Executive Officer >> KenCall EPZ Ltd >> P.O. Box 27507 - 00506 >> Sameer Industrial Park, Mombasa Road >> Nairobi, Kenya >> >> +254.20.660.2000 (office) >> +254.20.660.2222 (fax) >> +254.721.458.458 (cell) >> >> nnesbitt(a)kencall.com >> www.kencall.com >> >> BEST Non-European Contact Centre 2008 >> >> >> >> *Fastest Growing Top 100 company* >> >> On Oct 7, 2008, at 7:01 PM, Crystal Watley wrote: >> >> I have known Dr. Ndemo for some time now and have found him to be nothing >> less than a man of integrity. I have seen his name drawn through the mud >> next to other politicians in the past. Let me be very honest and frank in >> this matter. >> >> When are we in Kenya going to get past this political mud slinging and >> look at the actual WORK performance of our leaders? When I watch the news I >> see very few Kenyan political leaders really working. They are always >> campaigning and pretending THAT is their job. In many cases it IS their way >> of making money, although it is NOT what we pay them for doing. >> >> Most of our political leaders do not have the ACTUAL work performance >> record of Dr. Ndemo. We know the long hours he works. I have been in his >> office at 7 am and at 7 pm. Those of us of who know him have seen this is >> the rule NOT the exception. >> >> Someday I hope in Kenya we understand we must judge everyone in public >> office by their actual work PERFORMANCE. Politicians are OUR employees. They >> work for the people of Kenya. They should be judged as an employer views an >> employee. How hard are they working for develoment? What good comes from >> their initiatives? Are they professional? Are they in the office working? We >> need to set higher standards for our government. This is not accomplished by >> breaking the good ones down. >> >> Asante sana. >> >> Crystal >> >> On Tue, Oct 7, 2008 at 9:32 AM, Brian Munyao Longwe <brian(a)caret.net>wrote: >> >>> Smells like a smear campaign to me. >>> >>> I see nothing that Ndemo has done wrong. >>> >>> B >>> >>> On Oct 7, 2008, at 8:43 AM, John Maina wrote: >>> >>> > http://www.wananchiforums.com/showthread.php?p=3150#post3150 >>> > >>> > _______________________________________________ >>> > kictanet mailing list >>> > kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke >>> > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet >>> > >>> > This message was sent to: brian(a)caret.net >>> > Unsubscribe or change your options at http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/ >>> > mailman/options/kictanet/brian%40caret.net >>> >>> >>> _______________________________________________ >>> kictanet mailing list >>> kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke >>> http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet >>> >>> This message was sent to: crystal(a)voicesofafrica.org >>> Unsubscribe or change your options at >>> http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/crystal%40voicesofafri… >>> >> >> >> >> -- >> Crystal "Naliaka" Watley >> Voices of Africa >> crystal(a)voicesofafrica.org >> http://www.voicesofafrica.org/ >> >> "You must be the change you wish to see" - Gandhi >> _______________________________________________ >> kictanet mailing list >> kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke >> http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet >> >> This message was sent to: nnesbitt(a)kencall.com >> Unsubscribe or change your options at >> http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/nnesbitt%40kencall.com >> >> >> > > > -- > Crystal "Naliaka" Watley > Voices of Africa > crystal(a)voicesofafrica.org > http://www.voicesofafrica.org/ > > "You must be the change you wish to see" - Gandhi > > -- Crystal "Naliaka" Watley Voices of Africa crystal(a)voicesofafrica.org http://www.voicesofafrica.org/ "You must be the change you wish to see" - Gandhi

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Re: [kictanet] kictanet Digest, Vol 17, Issue 9
by Francis Hook 07 Oct '08

07 Oct '08

I agree with Brian. I recall covering the econet issue before Dr Ndemo became PS. we have since moved in leaps and bounds. Mischief at work here. We have all seen in recent months unsubstantiated claims (outside ICT) with people becoming needlessly emotional and regurgitating ill digested 'facts' - to little avail. ----- Original Message ----- From: kictanet-request Sent: 07/10/2008 20:08 ZE3 To: Francis Hook Subject: kictanet Digest, Vol 17, Issue 9 Send kictanet mailing list submissions to kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit http://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: PS Ndemo, ECONET Scandal aand Vested Interests (John Maina) 2. Re: [ke-internetusers] Re: PS Ndemo, ECONET Scandal aand Vested Interests (Crystal Watley) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Message: 1 Date: Tue, 7 Oct 2008 09:48:16 -0700 (PDT) From: John Maina <j.maina(a)ymail.com> Subject: Re: [kictanet] PS Ndemo, ECONET Scandal aand Vested Interests To: David Otwoma <otwomad(a)gmail.com> Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke>, ke-users <ke-internetusers(a)bdix.net> Message-ID: <421239.17908.qm(a)web59511.mail.ac4.yahoo.com> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" David Dont just beg PS Ndemo because he is your boss. Know the facts. Do you think that what Ndemo did with the libyans, french, Moi family and all the crooks is nice? Is that the kind of boss you want? I see you protecting your tusker but others also have to live and niot be denied a chance by crooks like Ndemo JM ----- Original Message ---- From: David Otwoma <otwomad(a)gmail.com> To: John Maina <j.maina(a)ymail.com> Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke>; ke-users <ke-internetusers(a)bdix.net> Sent: Tuesday, October 7, 2008 7:31:32 PM Subject: Re: [kictanet] PS Ndemo, ECONET Scandal aand Vested Interests Hi John, That is a bit too strong coming from a Professor. If you have facts the law enforcers should be given as this forum may not be able to arrest/act accordingly etc. on anyone who breaks the 10 commandments (of the Xtian holy book). Otherwise keep off from what I drink (tusker) if it makes you think of the river songs. Kind regards, Daudi On Tue, Oct 7, 2008 at 6:21 PM, John Maina <j.maina(a)ymail.com> wrote: Brian Stop protecting thieves. If you dont have facts, ask for them. PS Ndemo knows what he has done wrong ----- Original Message ---- From: Brian Munyao Longwe <brian(a)caret.net> To: John Maina <j.maina(a)ymail.com> Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke>; ke-users <ke-internetusers(a)bdix.net> Sent: Tuesday, October 7, 2008 5:32:10 PM Subject: Re: [kictanet] PS Ndemo, ECONET Scandal aand Vested Interests Smells like a smear campaign to me. I see nothing that Ndemo has done wrong. B On Oct 7, 2008, at 8:43 AM, John Maina wrote: > http://www.wananchiforums.com/showthread.php?p=3150#post3150 > > _______________________________________________ > kictanet mailing list > kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > > This message was sent to: brian(a)caret.net > Unsubscribe or change your options at http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/ > mailman/options/kictanet/brian%40caret.net _______________________________________________ kictanet mailing list kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet This message was sent to: otwomad(a)gmail.com Unsubscribe or change your options at http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/otwomad%40gmail.com -- David Otwoma, Chief Science Secretary, National Council for Science and Technology, Utalii House 9th Floor, Mobile tel: +254 722 141771, Office tel: +254 (0)20 2346915, P. O. Box 29899 - 00100, Nairobi, Kenya email: otwomad(a)gmail.com & otwoma(a)ncst.go.ke www.ncst.go.ke

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Re: [kictanet] PS Ndemo, ECONET Scandal aand Vested Interests
by John Maina 07 Oct '08

07 Oct '08

David Dont just beg PS Ndemo because he is your boss. Know the facts. Do you think that what Ndemo did with the libyans, french, Moi family and all the crooks is nice? Is that the kind of boss you want? I see you protecting your tusker but others also have to live and niot be denied a chance by crooks like Ndemo JM ----- Original Message ---- From: David Otwoma <otwomad(a)gmail.com> To: John Maina <j.maina(a)ymail.com> Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke>; ke-users <ke-internetusers(a)bdix.net> Sent: Tuesday, October 7, 2008 7:31:32 PM Subject: Re: [kictanet] PS Ndemo, ECONET Scandal aand Vested Interests Hi John, That is a bit too strong coming from a Professor. If you have facts the law enforcers should be given as this forum may not be able to arrest/act accordingly etc. on anyone who breaks the 10 commandments (of the Xtian holy book). Otherwise keep off from what I drink (tusker) if it makes you think of the river songs. Kind regards, Daudi On Tue, Oct 7, 2008 at 6:21 PM, John Maina <j.maina(a)ymail.com> wrote: Brian Stop protecting thieves. If you dont have facts, ask for them. PS Ndemo knows what he has done wrong ----- Original Message ---- From: Brian Munyao Longwe <brian(a)caret.net> To: John Maina <j.maina(a)ymail.com> Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke>; ke-users <ke-internetusers(a)bdix.net> Sent: Tuesday, October 7, 2008 5:32:10 PM Subject: Re: [kictanet] PS Ndemo, ECONET Scandal aand Vested Interests Smells like a smear campaign to me. I see nothing that Ndemo has done wrong. B On Oct 7, 2008, at 8:43 AM, John Maina wrote: > http://www.wananchiforums.com/showthread.php?p=3150#post3150 > > _______________________________________________ > kictanet mailing list > kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > > This message was sent to: brian(a)caret.net > Unsubscribe or change your options at http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/ > mailman/options/kictanet/brian%40caret.net _______________________________________________ kictanet mailing list kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet This message was sent to: otwomad(a)gmail.com Unsubscribe or change your options at http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/otwomad%40gmail.com -- David Otwoma, Chief Science Secretary, National Council for Science and Technology, Utalii House 9th Floor, Mobile tel: +254 722 141771, Office tel: +254 (0)20 2346915, P. O. Box 29899 - 00100, Nairobi, Kenya email: otwomad(a)gmail.com & otwoma(a)ncst.go.ke www.ncst.go.ke

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Norwegian standards body implodes over OOXML controversy
by waudo siganga 04 Oct '08

04 Oct '08

Hi All - Last time some 3 colleagues from KEBS TC attended a meeting in Geneva. Is this thing over or what? [1]http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20081003-norwegian-standa rds-body-implodes-over-ooxml-controversy.html Waudo =C References 1. http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20081003-norwegian-standards-body-impl… Life is but a series of decisions and consequences therefrom

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skunkworks@innovation tomorrow
by Gakuru Alex 03 Oct '08

03 Oct '08

You are most welcome! A free event for everyone to discover great technologies, learn about the best software solutions Kenya has to offer and meet the community that develops it. Visit a range of exhibitors, solutions, and meet some great people and projects along the way. We have a wonderful line-up of technologies including • Mobile devices communications solutions • Games • ERPs • content applications, • educational applications • Demonstration of FOSS-based locally developed software • Demonstration of proprietary-based locally developed software Come and explore the new world of technology freedom 8AM TO 5PM SAT 4TH OCTOBER, PANAFRIC HOTEL Regards, Alex

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Digital quality of life
by John Maina 03 Oct '08

03 Oct '08

http://www.itif.org/files/DQOL.pdf

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Computer for sale...
by Mike Bullut 02 Oct '08

02 Oct '08

---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Michael Kipsang Bullut <kipsangb(a)gmail.com> Date: 2008/10/2 Subject: Computer for sale... To: Africa ICT Network <africaICTnet(a)googlegroups.com>, Consolata Youth Group <consolata_youth_group(a)yahoogroups.com>, Jomo Kenyatta University Agriculture & Technology Alumni <jkuatalumni(a)yahoogroups.com>, Keeping It Real <keepingitrealafrica(a)yahoogroups.com>, Kenya Computers < kenya-computers(a)googlegroups.com>, Young Kenyan Talent < young-kenyan-talent(a)googlegroups.com>, Young Professionals Kenya < youngprofessionals_ke(a)googlegroups.com> Cc: mike.bullut(a)gmail.com ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Michael Kipsang Bullut <kipsangb(a)iconnect.co.ke> Date: 2008/10/2 Subject: Fw: Re: My e-mail address... To: kipsangb(a)gmail.com -- Original message -- From: "jevis" <jevis(a)iconnect.co.ke> To: "Michael Kipsang Bullut" <kipsangb(a)iconnect.co.ke> Date: Thursday 2 October 2008 07:33:47 Subject: Re: My e-mail address... Hi. compaq monitor - pentium 3. compaq keyboard - ups , cpu, printer Epson LQ870 - dot matrix black & white. all at 12,000/= k.shs. deepti. - Michael Kipsang Bullut wrote: This is Michael from Internet Solutions, we've just spoken on the phone. Please send me the details for the computer you want to sell. Thank you. --- ___________________________________________ Sent with eCorrei - http://ecorrei.sf.net/ -- "To see a world in a grain of sand, and a heaven in a wildflower...hold infinity in the palm of your hand, and eternity in an hour..." ~ William Blakeg. -- -- "The computer programmer . . . is a creator of universes for which he alone is the lawgiver. . . . No playwright, no stage director, no emperor, however powerful, has ever exercised such absolute authority to arrange a stage or a field of battle and to command such unswervingly dutiful actors or troops." ~ Joseph Weizenbaum... --

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Kenya Internet Governance Forum (Kenya IGF): Opening the Internet Governance Debate in East Africa: ³Thinking Globally; Acting Locally²
by Harry Hare 02 Oct '08

02 Oct '08

Dear Colleagues The Kenya ICT Board (KICTB) in conjunction with the Kenya Network Information Centre (KENIC), the Kenya ICT Action Network (KICTANet), the East African ICT for Development Network (EA ICT4D) and other participating organisations are pleased to announce the Kenya Internet Governance Forum (Kenya IGF) to be held on the 14th of October, 2008 at the Jacaranda hotel in Westlands. The Kenya IGF will offer a central forum through which Internet stakeholders in Kenya can contribute to the global Internet Governance Forum. The Kenya IGF is a follow up to the KICTANet mailing list discussions on Internet Governance, which were held in August 2008, and aimed at beginning to identify and explore national level Internet Governance issues. The national forum aims at: · creating awareness on IGF issues, · instituting a consensus building process to develop a common understanding of Kenyan Internet Governance issues and · building policy capacity in order to enable meaningful participation in global Internet policy, governance and development. The outcome of the Kenya IGF will be collated with that from the other national IGF¹s which will take place in Uganda, Tanzania and Rwanda, to form the agenda for the East African IGF (EAIGF) scheduled for 10th-12th November 2008, Nairobi Kenya. As a key player in the Internet industry, it is my pleasure to invite you to the Kenya IGF. Below is a summary of the programme: ++++++++++++++++++++++ 08:45 - 09:00 Registration 09:00 - 09:10 Opening Remarks - Paul Kukubo, CEO, KICTB 09:10 - 09:30 What is internet governance and why should we care? - Brian Longwe/KENIC 09:30 - 10:00 Kenyan stakeholders IG issues: KICTANet Online Discussion Report; validating issues discussed John Walubengo/Mwende Njiraini 10:00 - 10:10 Government & the IGF Charles J. K. Njoroge, Director General, CCK 10:10 - 10:30 Official Launch of Kenya IGF - Dr. Bitange Ndemo, PS, Ministry of Information & Communications 10:30 - 11:00 Coffee Break 11:00 - 11:30 So what are Kenya¹s Priority IG issues? Issue Prioritization & Consensus - KICTANet/KENIC 11:30 - 12:00 What Policy and Technical capacity do we need to engage? Identifying Issues for Capacity Building John Walubengo/Mwende Njiraini 12:00 - 12:30 Closing Remarks/Vote of Thanks - EAICT4D Harry Hare 12:30 Lunch +++++++++++++++++++++++++ Kindly confirm your participation by sending an email to <evelyne(a)kictanet.or.ke> Regards, Harry Hare

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ICANN 10 years old
by alice＠apc.org 01 Oct '08

01 Oct '08

ICANN: 10 Years Old Today A decade of multi-stakeholder decision-making and coordination 30 September 2008 ICANN is ten years old today. On 30 September 1998, ICANN's articles of incorporation were officially filed, recognizing "a nonprofit public benefit corporation...not organized for the private gain of any person." One month later, the first organizational meeting of the Board of Directors was held in New York at the Holiday Inn JFK and named Michael Roberts as the Interim President and CEO, and Esther Dyson as Chairman. Since then there have been two more chairman, two new CEOs, dozens of Board members, Committee members and Advisory Group members, 153 official meetings of the Board, 32 international public meetings, and, of course, thousands of individuals that have all contributed to making ICANN a leading, global, multi-stakeholder organization that runs the domain name system through a process of coordination not control. Current chairman Peter Dengate Thrush reflected today: "Ten years ago, there were 100 million people that used the Internet. Its inventors originally thought the network would only ever have to cater for one million users. But in the creation of ICANN, the Internet community and the US Government recognized they needed to privatize the domain name system to increase competition and international participation. "Thanks to that decision, and with nearly one-and-a-half billion people online, the network goes from strength to strength. And we hope, with the plans we have laid on the table, that the next ten years of extraordinary growth also occurs seamlessly for ordinary Internet user." So, what has ICANN done in the past decade? * Back in 1998, there was a single registrar, charging $50 a year for domain names; now there are over 900 ICANN-accredited registrars 1 and a domain costs from just $6 2 * Helped the domain name system grow from roughly three million domains a decade ago to over 160 million today 3 * Expanded the Internet's generic top-level domains from three (dotcom, dotnet and dotorg) to 16, including .info, .biz, .cat, .asia, .mobi and .name 4 * Seen over 35,000 domains go through the Uniform Dispute Resolution Process 5, a faster, cheaper and more efficient alternative to the law courts for ownership disputes * Developed policies with the full involvement of governments, business, the technical community and individual Net users that make the Internet's addressing system able to adapt to the radical new uses that the network is put to every year President and CEO of ICANN, Paul Twomey, said: "ICANN now represents a truly international organization. We have offices in Los Angeles, Brussels and Washington, as well as presences in a number of other countries. Board and Committee members come from every corner of the planet and the ICANN community is as diverse as the Internet itself. I look forward to seeing ICANN's success continue for the next 10 years and beyond." About 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 is responsible for the global coordination of the Internet's system of unique identifiers like domain names (like .org, .museum and country codes like .uk) and the addresses used in a variety of Internet protocols that help computers reach each other over the Internet. ICANN was formed in 1998. It is a not-for-profit public-benefit corporation 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. Media Contacts: Jason Keenan Media Advisor, ICANN P: +1 310 382 4004 E: jason.keenan(a)icann.org

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6th Open Acess International Conference
by Boster Sibande 30 Sep '08

30 Sep '08

Dear Colleagues, The Information and Communication Technologies Association of Malawi (ICTAM) in collaboration with The Royal Swedish Institute of Technology (KTH) and The Open Society Initiative for Southern Africa (OSISA) will host the 6th International Conference on Open Access at Crossroads Hotel, Lilongwe, Malawi from 12th to14th November 2008. This will be preceded by the UbuntuNet Alliance Connect Conference: Driving effective Research and Education Networking in Africa at the same venue on 11th November 2008. The workshop on Fiber for Open Access that was supposed to be held in Nairobi, Kenya has also been moved to Lilongwe and will be held as a parallel session to the main Open Access Conference. YOU ARE INVITED. Please register to share experiences, plans or hypotheses under validation on various themes and sub themes. For more information visit http://www.wideopenaccess.net . Thanks, Boster.

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Consultancy Opportunity: Request of Interest
by Brian Longwe 30 Sep '08

30 Sep '08

Dear All, Please find attached the ToRs for the two regional consultancy opportunities for the upcoming East African IGF. We request that you circulate to your networks. The deadline for submission of interest is this coming Friday 3rd October. My apologies for the short notice. Please send your responses to: Harry Hare <harry(a)africanedevelopment.org> Regional Coordinator East African ICT4D Network Regards, Brian -- 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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ict@innovation FOSS Certification
by Judy Okite 27 Sep '08

27 Sep '08

FYI, Kind Regards, Today's Topics: 1. ict@innovation FOSS Certification Survey (Andrea Goetzke) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Message: 1 Date: Fri, 26 Sep 2008 10:33:11 +0200 From: Andrea Goetzke <andrea.goetzke(a)newthinking.de> Subject: [Fossfa] ict@innovation FOSS Certification Survey To: fossfa(a)fossfa.net Message-ID: <48DC9E47.3000503(a)newthinking.de> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-15; format=flowed Dear FOSSFA members and other mailing list readers, particularly - people with FOSS training and certification experience, greetings from the ict@innovation programme (http://ict-innovation.fossfa.net/) ict@innovation is currently planning an initiative to increase opportunities for certification and related quality trainings in the area of Free/Open Source Software (FOSS) in Africa. Now, we need the help of people with experience in FOSS training and certification and an overview of the ICT market and skills needs in the different countries. Such expertise will help us design the programme with a focus: - on skills that are most needed, - on certification criteria that will be valuable to both the student and employers, - and on schemes that local training organizations, such as yours, would be interested in integrating into their portfolio. Answering this brief set of questions would be a tremendous help for us: 1. YOUR TRAINING + CERTIFICATION EXPERIENCE - Which are the most popular ICT trainings and FOSS trainings that your training institution is currently offering? - Do you get requests for FOSS certifications at your institution? If so, for which type of certificate? - Do you have experience in FOSS certification? If so, please share an advantage and a disadvantage of the type(s) of certification you are offering. - Do you offer your own local certifications or internationally recognised certifications? 2. ICT SKILLS NEEDS IN YOUR COUNTRY - In general, which types of ICT skills are currently most needed in your local/national market? - In particular, which types of FOSS skills are most needed in your local/national market? - Where do the skills needs mostly come up (government, private sector ..) and how are they currently met (local SME, large vendors, foreign or national companies ..) ? - Do you see a skills gap in the near future, and in which area? Suggestions for your answer: ICT skills can be classified in * desktop related skills, * system/network administration skills, * specific application skills, however you can be more specific in your answers. 3. DEMAND FOR FOSS TRAINING + CERTIFICATION IN YOUR COUNTRY - How do you assess the interest for FOSS certification in your country (from the perspective of students, employers, and clients)? And at which level is the interest greatest (desktop, system/network administration, specific applications ..)? 4. YOUR FUTURE ACTIVITIES + POTENTIAL LINK TO ICT@INNOVATION - Would you be interested in integrating further FOSS training and certification in your training portfolio? - Which training + certification would you like to integrate? We have also opened an online discussion space on the FOSS Certification topic on our website, that we encourage you to use to express further views on the topic: < http://ict-innovation.fossfa.net/forum/public-forums/foss-certification-for… > http://ict-innovation.fossfa.net/forum/public-forums/foss-certification-for… . Please send your responses to the questionnaire by reply to this email to andrea.goetzke [at] newthinking.de, by October 6, 2008. If you know others who might be interested in participating in the survey, you are welcome to forward this email. We look forward to hearing from you, best regards, Andrea Goetzke ict@innovation international coordinator on behalf of the ict@innovation team ------------------------------ _______________________________________________ Fossfa mailing list Fossfa(a)fossfa.net http://fossfa.net/mailman/listinfo/fossfa_fossfa.net End of Fossfa Digest, Vol 6, Issue 5 ************************************ -- "Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail." ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

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KENYA ICT BOARD LAUNCHES THE KENYA BPO VALUE PROPOSITION AS KENCALL WINS TOP GLOBAL BPO AWARD
by Lucy Odhiambo 26 Sep '08

26 Sep '08

*KENYA ICT BOARD NEWS* KENYA ICT BOARD LAUNCHES THE KENYA BPO VALUE PROPOSITION AS KENCALL WINS TOP GLOBAL BPO AWARD * * *Nairobi, 25th September 2008* The Kenya ICT Board led a delegation of 19 Kenyans comprising BPO Operators, BPO Society, CCK, and government officials to the Birmingham Call Centre Focus Expo September 17th-18th, 2008. *The Kenya Delegation* * * 1. Catherine Ngahu – Chairperson Kenya ICT Board 2. Eunice Kariuki – Deputy CEO Marketing, Kenya ICT Board 3. Cynthia Kahumbura- Marketing Assistant Kenya ICT Board 4. Ernest Kerich –Director, Department of Film Services 5. Peter Alubale – Senior Deputy Secretary – Ministry of Information and Communications 6. Gilda Odera – Chairperson – Kenya BPO&CC Society 7. Peres Were – Marketing – Kenya BPO&CC Society 8. Christopher Wambua CCK – Head of Communications 9. Nik Nesbitt – Kencall 10. Eric Nesbitt – Kencall 11. Pauline Kamande- Kencall 12. Munjal Shah – Kentech Data ( BPO Operator) 13. Evan Mwangi – Kentech Data( BPO Operator) 14. Lucy Mwatibo Kentech ( BPO Operator) 15. Joan Ambutu – Potential investor 16. Aloisius Obare – Consumer Kenya ( BPO Operator) 17. Joe Kigara – Preciss International ( BPO Operator) 18. Bonny Butaji – Department of Film Services 19. Francis Gatho - Databit On Monday 16th September, Kenya ICT Board along with a delegation of Kenyan industry players and stakeholders launched the country's BPO Value proposition to the European market at the Call Centre Expo in Birmingham. Business Process Outsourcing has been identified as the sixth pillar of the economy in Vision 2030, delivering wealth and job creation to Kenyans. The board invested over Ksh 11million to ensure that Kenya's participation was world class. The cost included an impressive stand, a cocktail in Birmingham and another in London for the Diaspora and travel allowances for the delegation. The Deputy CEO marketing ,Eunice Kariuki explained that the Kenya BPO value proposition spells out Kenya's BPO and Off-shoring value Proposition which is summarised under 3 broad areas namely a thriving economy, a growing BPO industry and public sector commitment to the growth of the outsourcing industry. On Tuesday, 16 September 2008, only a day after the launch of the country's BPO value proposition, Kencall, the largest call center in Kenya, bagged the prestigious award of the Non-European Call Centre of the Year at the European Call Center Awards, 2008. The glamorous 2008 European Call Center Awards was held in Birmingham, UK. It was a proud day for Kenya as Kencall emerged the winner after beatingthree others finalists - 24-7 (India) who were also the winners of the award last year, EMP Marketing and Promotion (UAE) and Vodacom (South Africa). Nik Nesbit, CEO Kencall received the award a before a crowd of over 1,000 people drawn from the prestigious European Call Centre Industry, confirming that Kenya is indeed a real contender in this multibillion dollar industry. Nik Nesbitt, Kencall's CEO commented 'This is a milestone for Kencall. We owe this great achievement to the hard work and dedication of our staff at Kencall. Their thorough training and commitment to quality has been recognized as the best in the world. Congratulations to the team!' Catherine Ngahu, Kenya ICT Board's chairperson speaking at the awards dinner commented, "Kencall has outperformed some of the world's top BPO industry players, demonstrating that the Kenya BPO product stands for quality, and excellence. This is a victory for the industry and the country on the whole. We congratulate them for achieving this notable achievement and we would like to reiterate our support for all the industry players.' Business process Outsourcing (BPO) is the contracting of a third party to perform non-core functions e.g. call centre, data entry so as gain some competitive advantage such as cost saving. The main worldwide recognized BPO hubs have traditionally been Asian countries. The expo was an eye opener for BPO Operators exposing them to the international world of outsourcing. They had a chance to meet personnel from BPO companies all over the world, gain an understanding of the investment requirements to compete on a global scale and know what is available in terms of software and hardware to support their business. The Kenya ICT Board launched the Kenya Value proposition to the Diaspora on 19th September, 2008 at a cocktail at the Hilton Kensington, after a successful participation in the 10th annual Call Center Expo in Birmingham. Kenyans in London showed up in the hundreds and were exceedingly interested in BPO in Kenya. Speaking at the Expo, Eunice Kariuki the boards Deputy Managing Director in charge of marketing, reiterated the boards support for the industry saying 'Kenya ICT board is committed to marketing Kenya as an ICT destination - we have a strong value proposition and we call upon the diaspora to take advantage of the enormous opportunity and invest in the sector.' And with the opportunities in the industry explained to them, it is expected that the Diaspora will play a key role in boosting the BPO industry. The Kenya Delegation returned on 23rd September, 2008. We congratulate them on all their great achievements. - ENDS - *Enquiries* Lucy Odhiambo Email: lodhiambo(a)ict.co.ke Tel: +254 20 2093040 / 0737 839047 About Kenya ICT Board: The Kenya ICT Board was established by HE President Mwai Kibaki, as a state corporation under the State Corporations Act Cap. 446 on 19th February 2007. The achievement of an information-based society is one of the main priorities of the Government towards the realization of national development goals and objectives for wealth and employment creation. ICT is one of the fastest growing sectors in the country. Harnessing of ICT will therefore help the Government to realize a number of its key public policy objectives. The objectives of the Kenya ICT Board include: To develop, launch and sustain a globally compelling brand marketing campaign for Kenya ICT, To develop and promote competitive ICT industries in Kenya, To develop world class Kenyan ICT institutions and To increase ICT access. www.ict.go.ke About Call Center Expo, 2008 Call Center Expo has been dubbed Europe's number 1 Exhibition for customer contact solutions. It is held every year at the NEC from 16th -17th Sept in Birmingham, UK from 10.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m daily. The Expo has four main tracks that run concurrently: Customer Management Expo, CCF Conference, Service Management Expo and European Call Centre Awards. * * This year, KenCall (www.kencall.com) has bagged the Top Non-European Call Centre Award against centers from around the world. www.callcentre-expo.co.uk -- Lucy Gachui Odhaimbo Communications Manager Kenya ICT Board 12th Floor Telposta Towers PO Box 27150 - 00100 Nairobi, Kenya Cell 0722 839049 Tel: 254-020-2093040 www.ict.go.ke

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Acumen Fund Fellow.
by Jose' 25 Sep '08

25 Sep '08

The Acumen Fund Fellows programme is an annual programme that seeks to recruit and post to our investee companies 10-12 talented young professionals. Through the Fellows Programme, Acumen Fund provides an opportunity for young professionals to bring a range of management skills to our investee companies in South Asia and East Africa , introducing them to social investment, and supporting our investment mandate globally. We are now in the process of recruiting the Acumen Fund Fellows Class of 2009-2010. I am especially keen to see applicants from the African diaspora apply to this programme, as it gives our young professionals an opportunity to make a contribution to the development sphere, while introducing them to social investment and entrepreneurship. Please pass around the attached materials to prospectives that you feel would add value to our Fellows Programme. For additional information on the Fellows Programme, visit our website: http://www.acumenfund.org/get-involved/fellows-program/become-a-fellow.html. Please note that the application deadline is October 20, 2008. Thanks very much for your support, and should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to get in touch with me. Best, Nthenya Nthenya Mule| East Africa Manager| Acumen Fund 3rd Floor Scripture Union Centre, Hurlingham off Argwings Kodhek Road P.O. Box49946-00100GPO, Nairobi , Kenya + 254-20-206-9851/9 (t) +254-722-762992 (c) Skype: nthenyam nmule(a)acumenfund.org|www.acumenfund.org| www.acumenfundblog.org Please consider our environment before printing this email… Best Regards, Jose' Njuki-Imwe Ngunjiri | Readiness | Availability | Uptake | Impact |

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Will Africa Ever Own her share of Space??
by alice＠apc.org 25 Sep '08

25 Sep '08

http://www.monitor.co.ug/artman/publish/feature /Will_Africa_ever_own_her_share_of_space_72009.shtml Will Africa ever own her share of space? OTHIENO JOSEPH Over the years, space exploration has yielded diverse interests globally. Now scientists endeavour to bring to earth new findings about the outer space and its untapped potential, which potential has given rise to a debate and scrabble for the real estate in the sky. At the centre of the debate is the geostationary orbit located 35, 900 kilometres directly over the Equator. Because the rotational period here equals that of the earth, objects appear stationary over a fixed point when viewed from the earth?s surface. This property makes this geosynchronous space home to artificial satellites, which to date have found a myriad uses ranging from communication, weather forecasting and navigation to espionage, remote sensing and space sporting and tourism by the developed countries. Equator, the imaginary line dividing the earth equally into the northern and southern hemispheres and which passes through six African nations, is already at the centre of a global scramble. Once again, Africa will be caught at crossroads just as it happened during the First and Second World Wars. Like any natural resource and one up for grabs, the equatorial space territory is limited and therefore can?t accommodate the feet of every nation that wants to leave an imprint. Now, the lack of accompanying rules on such a valuable resource is a recipe for conflict and space analysts fear that it might trigger the next World War. The writing is on the on the wall as China is embroiled in a space conflict with the US. Actually, the competition for the geostatic space isn?t a new phenomenon. It was envisioned in 1967 and a treaty signed which, in summary, said that outer space isn?t subject to national appropriation by claim of sovereignty. As if in protest, nine out of the 12 states lying on the equator (Gabon and Somalia weren?t represented) in 1976 held a conference in Bogota, Colombia, and came up with another declaration that authorised them to exercise national sovereignty over the arcs of the geostationary orbit. However, they cannot enforce this claim due to lack of financial and technical know-how, weakness that will certainly give colonial- era style land-grabs a replay in the space. Borrowed infrastructure The stage is already set because not a single equatorial country in Africa has a satellite to its name ?logically locking them out of the global outer space ownership debate. This is why Kenyans and Ethiopians cheered their long distance runners in the Beijing Olympics via a borrowed infrastructure. In the current information society, communication is a valued global activity and one that Africa has gobbled up in earnest. Almost all African countries have gone, e-governance, e-commerce, e- everything, but on a weak ?foreign? and enslaving foundation by putting their much proclaimed sovereignty at the mercy of their sympathisers. Currently over 80 per cent of Internet communication in Africa is routed through satellite Internet, yet only six out of the 54 countries that make up the continent have their own artificial satellites in space. Of the 3,275 (as of June 2008) artificial satellites 10 are from African countries. The satellite Internet connectivity is relatively expensive considering that most of the countries are poor. High band width fibre optic cable would have been an economical alternative but this is an innovation yet to reach many African countries, as retrogressive politics stand in the way to its use. A timely example is the East African Submarine System, a project sponsored by World Bank and African Development Bank. Upon its completion it is expected to link South Africa, Mozambique, Somalia, Sudan and Djibouti. Dr Othieno is freelance science journalist

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ECONET: Govt transparency and independence of the judiciary
by John Maina 25 Sep '08

25 Sep '08

Guys This is very interesting. I dont know what the PS might say on this Check the story here http://www.wananchiforums.com/showthread.php?p=2738#post2738 John

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Parliament vote paves way for Single Telecoms Market in Europe
by alice＠apc.org 24 Sep '08

24 Sep '08

Today the European Parliament in its plenary session voted on the European Commission's proposals of November 2007 to reform the EU Telecom rules, in place since 2003. The EU Telecoms Reform aims to create a Single EU Telecoms Market with improved rights for consumers and businesses by reinforcing competition and investment and boosting the take-up of cross-border services and wireless high-speed broadband for all. "Today's vote is good news for European consumers," said Viviane Reding, the EU Telecoms Commissioner. "The European Parliament has today voted in favour of a strong and competitive Single Telecoms Market without borders for cross-border services, competition and investment in Europe. This will level the playing field for telecoms operators in Europe, enhance legal certainty, and broaden consumer choice." "Yesterday, the European Commission had to propose new rules to bring down the excessive prices of SMS and data roaming in the EU (IP/08/1386). These proposals will provide a fast cure to one of the most dramatic symptoms of the lack of a single telecoms market under which European companies and consumers are suffering at the moment. Today, the European Parliament has gone an important step further by proposing to tackle once and for all the root of the problem: by paving the way for a single market in regulatory terms. "I welcome in particular the fact that, after an intense debate, the European Parliament today voted in favour of establishing a European telecoms regulator. Although the new body is smaller than proposed by the Commission ? it will not have any responsibility for network security, which I regret ? the Parliament's amendments have made sure that the new European telecoms regulator will be fit for purpose, namely to deal efficiently with the remaining business obstacles and consumer problems in the single market. I welcome in particular that Parliament has confirmed that the new body will be financed from the EU budget in order to strengthen its independence and to ensure equality among national regulators. The European Parliamentarians also ensured that the new European telecoms regulator will be able to operate independently in the interest of everyone in the EU while at the same time being sufficiently close to the market. The proposal that half of the European telecoms regulator's staff should be seconded from national telecoms regulators, thus working alongside experts which the new European body would recruit itself, is a very constructive improvement on the Commission's initial proposal that I fully support." "Although work is still needed on the details, I support the Parliament's proposal to modify the Article 7 procedure. By voting for a system of 'checks and balances' Parliament ensures that measures proposed by a national telecoms regulator ? like market analyses and regulatory remedies ? cannot be adopted when called into question by both the new European telecoms regulator and the European Commission. In so doing, Parliament has found a sound compromise between consistency and subsidiarity in the interest of an efficiently functioning Single Market that I very much appreciate." "I also thank Parliament for its strong support for greater independence of national regulators. Independent national regulators are the backbone of an efficient application of telecoms rules for fair competition and tangible consumer benefits. Despite its importance, in reality it cannot be taken for granted, as seen last week with the surprisingly blunt interference with the independence of the Romanian telecoms regulator." "I strongly welcome the European Parliament's support for adding the new remedy of functional separation ? which requires an incumbent operator to separate its network infrastructure from its services branch ? to the toolbox of national regulators. This last-resort remedy has the capacity to rapidly improve competition in markets while maintaining incentives for investment in new networks, as shown in the UK where it has already been implemented. The Parliament's vote will contribute legal certainty to countries where functional separation is already under discussion, especially Sweden, Poland and Greece." "At the same time, the European Parliament has today opened new opportunities for investment in high-speed fibre optical broadband networks. The Parliament has confirmed and reinforced EU law on this important matter. On the one hand, it has clearly rejected all calls for 'regulatory holidays', as new monopolies would stifle competition and investment into fibre. On the other hand, it wants telecoms operators to receive a fair return on investment for allowing access to new fibre optic networks, including a substantial risk premium. I welcome this, and the Commission intends to give more detailed regulatory guidance on such next generation access networks at the beginning of next year." (IP/08/1370) "Competition brings lower prices, better-quality services and more choice, so consumers are the real winners in today's vote. Increased transparency and information for consumers, better access to services for users with disabilities, a more efficient 112 European emergency number and number portability within one day ? all these Commission proposals have received strong support in Parliament, for which I am very grateful." "Some important questions remain open. On number portability ? the consumer's ability to change their fixed or mobile operator while keeping their phone number ? I welcome the Parliament's overall approach supporting the one-day limit proposed by the Commission. But we need to ensure that the option now given to national regulators to extend the period for number portability will not reduce the benefits of a competitive market where consumers benefit from choosing different operators when they make better offers." "More will also have to be done on spectrum policy if we want to attract investment to new wireless services in Europe. The Commission's proposal to reform the management of radio spectrum intends to facilitate the roll out of such services, especially high speed wireless broadband connections that can reach less populated and rural areas to help achieve 'Broadband for All' in Europe. I welcome the support expressed by the European Parliament for more flexibility and harmonisation in spectrum use, but I hope that even more ambitious solutions can be agreed so that Europe gets the most efficient and consistent management of spectrum possible in order to bring about 'Broadband for All Europeans'. I also support Parliament's intention to increase its involvement in the EU's spectrum strategy, and will continue to work with Parliament and Council to reach a satisfactory solution that provides more certainty for forthcoming EU decisions on distributing the so-called 'digital dividend' - the additional radio spectrum made available as a result of the transition from analogue to digital TV." "I would like to thank the rapporteurs in the ITRE Committee, Catherine Trautmann (France, PSE) and Pilar del Castillo Vera (Spain, EPP-ED) and in the IMCO Committee, Malcolm Harbour (United Kingdom, EPP-ED), for their constructive work. The Parliament's reports, as adopted today by its plenary, are a very solid basis for its negotiations with the Council of Telecoms Ministers." "I will now continue working with the European Parliament and the Council to ensure the adoption of the package before the end of this Parliament's term in 2009. Agreement is needed if consumers are to be adequately protected in a Single EU Telecoms Market and if operators can expect Europe to offer them a level playing field for telecoms investments." Background: The European Commission tabled its proposals for the reform of the Telecoms Reform Package on 13 November 2007 (IP/07/1677). Before the summer, the Council of Telecoms Ministers expressed its views on the Commission proposals (MEMO/07/522, MEMO/08/384) and the European Parliament debated the reform first at Committee level (MEMO/08/491) and then during its plenary session on 2 September. Following today's European Parliament vote, it is again up to the Telecoms Ministers to give their views. For further details, see MEMO/08/551: EU Telecoms Reform: the 6 Most Important Issues Still Open MEMO/08/552: EU Telecoms Reform: 7 Very Concrete Improvements for European Consumers Next steps: 27 November 2008: the Council could reach a first political agreement on the EU Telecoms Reform.

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Parliament vote paves way for Single Telecoms Market in Europe
by alice＠apc.org 24 Sep '08

24 Sep '08

Telecoms Reform: Parliament vote paves way for Single Telecoms Market in Europe Reference: MEMO/08/581 Date: 24/09/2008 http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=MEMO/08/581&format=… MEMO/08/581 Brussels, 24 September 2008 Telecoms Reform: Parliament vote paves way for Single Telecoms Market in Europe Today the European Parliament in its plenary session voted on the European Commission's proposals of November 2007 to reform the EU Telecom rules, in place since 2003. The EU Telecoms Reform aims to create a Single EU Telecoms Market with improved rights for consumers and businesses by reinforcing competition and investment and boosting the take-up of cross-border services and wireless high-speed broadband for all. "Today's vote is good news for European consumers," said Viviane Reding, the EU Telecoms Commissioner. "The European Parliament has today voted in favour of a strong and competitive Single Telecoms Market without borders for cross-border services, competition and investment in Europe. This will level the playing field for telecoms operators in Europe, enhance legal certainty, and broaden consumer choice." "Yesterday, the European Commission had to propose new rules to bring down the excessive prices of SMS and data roaming in the EU (IP/08/1386). These proposals will provide a fast cure to one of the most dramatic symptoms of the lack of a single telecoms market under which European companies and consumers are suffering at the moment. Today, the European Parliament has gone an important step further by proposing to tackle once and for all the root of the problem: by paving the way for a single market in regulatory terms. "I welcome in particular the fact that, after an intense debate, the European Parliament today voted in favour of establishing a European telecoms regulator. Although the new body is smaller than proposed by the Commission ? it will not have any responsibility for network security, which I regret ? the Parliament's amendments have made sure that the new European telecoms regulator will be fit for purpose, namely to deal efficiently with the remaining business obstacles and consumer problems in the single market. I welcome in particular that Parliament has confirmed that the new body will be financed from the EU budget in order to strengthen its independence and to ensure equality among national regulators. The European Parliamentarians also ensured that the new European telecoms regulator will be able to operate independently in the interest of everyone in the EU while at the same time being sufficiently close to the market. The proposal that half of the European telecoms regulator's staff should be seconded from national telecoms regulators, thus working alongside experts which the new European body would recruit itself, is a very constructive improvement on the Commission's initial proposal that I fully support." "Although work is still needed on the details, I support the Parliament's proposal to modify the Article 7 procedure. By voting for a system of 'checks and balances' Parliament ensures that measures proposed by a national telecoms regulator ? like market analyses and regulatory remedies ? cannot be adopted when called into question by both the new European telecoms regulator and the European Commission. In so doing, Parliament has found a sound compromise between consistency and subsidiarity in the interest of an efficiently functioning Single Market that I very much appreciate." "I also thank Parliament for its strong support for greater independence of national regulators. Independent national regulators are the backbone of an efficient application of telecoms rules for fair competition and tangible consumer benefits. Despite its importance, in reality it cannot be taken for granted, as seen last week with the surprisingly blunt interference with the independence of the Romanian telecoms regulator." "I strongly welcome the European Parliament's support for adding the new remedy of functional separation ? which requires an incumbent operator to separate its network infrastructure from its services branch ? to the toolbox of national regulators. This last-resort remedy has the capacity to rapidly improve competition in markets while maintaining incentives for investment in new networks, as shown in the UK where it has already been implemented. The Parliament's vote will contribute legal certainty to countries where functional separation is already under discussion, especially Sweden, Poland and Greece." "At the same time, the European Parliament has today opened new opportunities for investment in high-speed fibre optical broadband networks. The Parliament has confirmed and reinforced EU law on this important matter. On the one hand, it has clearly rejected all calls for 'regulatory holidays', as new monopolies would stifle competition and investment into fibre. On the other hand, it wants telecoms operators to receive a fair return on investment for allowing access to new fibre optic networks, including a substantial risk premium. I welcome this, and the Commission intends to give more detailed regulatory guidance on such next generation access networks at the beginning of next year." (IP/08/1370) "Competition brings lower prices, better-quality services and more choice, so consumers are the real winners in today's vote. Increased transparency and information for consumers, better access to services for users with disabilities, a more efficient 112 European emergency number and number portability within one day ? all these Commission proposals have received strong support in Parliament, for which I am very grateful." "Some important questions remain open. On number portability ? the consumer's ability to change their fixed or mobile operator while keeping their phone number ? I welcome the Parliament's overall approach supporting the one-day limit proposed by the Commission. But we need to ensure that the option now given to national regulators to extend the period for number portability will not reduce the benefits of a competitive market where consumers benefit from choosing different operators when they make better offers." "More will also have to be done on spectrum policy if we want to attract investment to new wireless services in Europe. The Commission's proposal to reform the management of radio spectrum intends to facilitate the roll out of such services, especially high speed wireless broadband connections that can reach less populated and rural areas to help achieve 'Broadband for All' in Europe. I welcome the support expressed by the European Parliament for more flexibility and harmonisation in spectrum use, but I hope that even more ambitious solutions can be agreed so that Europe gets the most efficient and consistent management of spectrum possible in order to bring about 'Broadband for All Europeans'. I also support Parliament's intention to increase its involvement in the EU's spectrum strategy, and will continue to work with Parliament and Council to reach a satisfactory solution that provides more certainty for forthcoming EU decisions on distributing the so-called 'digital dividend' - the additional radio spectrum made available as a result of the transition from analogue to digital TV." "I would like to thank the rapporteurs in the ITRE Committee, Catherine Trautmann (France, PSE) and Pilar del Castillo Vera (Spain, EPP-ED) and in the IMCO Committee, Malcolm Harbour (United Kingdom, EPP-ED), for their constructive work. The Parliament's reports, as adopted today by its plenary, are a very solid basis for its negotiations with the Council of Telecoms Ministers." "I will now continue working with the European Parliament and the Council to ensure the adoption of the package before the end of this Parliament's term in 2009. Agreement is needed if consumers are to be adequately protected in a Single EU Telecoms Market and if operators can expect Europe to offer them a level playing field for telecoms investments." Background: The European Commission tabled its proposals for the reform of the Telecoms Reform Package on 13 November 2007 (IP/07/1677). Before the summer, the Council of Telecoms Ministers expressed its views on the Commission proposals (MEMO/07/522, MEMO/08/384) and the European Parliament debated the reform first at Committee level (MEMO/08/491) and then during its plenary session on 2 September. Following today's European Parliament vote, it is again up to the Telecoms Ministers to give their views. For further details, see MEMO/08/551: EU Telecoms Reform: the 6 Most Important Issues Still Open MEMO/08/552: EU Telecoms Reform: 7 Very Concrete Improvements for European Consumers Next steps: 27 November 2008: the Council could reach a first political agreement on the EU Telecoms Reform. _______________________________________________

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Proposed ICANN Bylaws Revision Open For Comment
by alice＠apc.org 24 Sep '08

24 Sep '08

Proposed Bylaws Revision Open For Comment 23 September 2008 Today ICANN is opening a public comment period on a proposed bylaw revision [PDF, 21K] from the ICANN Nominating Committee. The proposed revision would update the diversity requirements for selecting ICANN Board members to include domicile with country of citizenship. Over the past several years, the Nominating Committee has expressed concern that being required to count more than one country of citizenship for diversity purposes often makes it difficult to select the best candidates for the Board seats that the Nominating Committee is mandated to fill. In carrying out its responsibilities to fill Seats 1 through 8, the Nominating Committee shall seek to ensure that the ICANN Board is composed of members who in the aggregate display diversity in geography, culture, skills, experience, and perspective, by applying the criteria set forth in Bylaws. The Nominating Committee also noted that some of the candidates have often lived in a country for many years, and thereby better represent the interests of that country than any country of which the candidates may be citizens. In the proposal, domicile, not just citizenship, is to be considered in the diversity calculation. The Nominating Committee members unanimously agreed that the proposed Bylaws revisions would alleviate the concerns. During the 28 August 2008 meeting of the ICANN Board of Directors, the Board passed the following resolution: Whereas, the Nominating Committee has expressed concern that, pursuant to the Bylaws mandated diversity requirements that no more than five Board members be citizens of any one geographic region, the Nominating Committee is required to count all countries of citizenship for each candidate. Whereas, the Nominating Committee has noted that the requirement to count all countries of citizenship has caused some selection difficulties each year over the past several years. Whereas, the Nominating Committee has also expressed concern that the calculation is presently limited to citizenship given that many people have lived for long periods of time in, and represent the interests of, countries in which they may not be citizens. Whereas, making a diversity calculation pursuant to the ICANN Bylaws as it relates to Board member selection for seats 1 through 14 should be consistent. It is hereby resolved (2008.08.28.03) that the following proposed revisions to Article VI, Sections 2.2 and 2.3, shall be posted for public comment in accordance with ICANN's normal process for proposed Bylaw revisions. Comments on the proposed bylaw revision may be submitted to nomcom-bylaw-revision(a)icann.org will be considered until 23 October 2008 23:59 UTC. Comments may be viewed at http://forum.icann.org/lists/nomcom-bylaw-revision/.

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FW: LINK CENTRE: REMINDER: MM(ICTPR) 2009 - Applications now open
by Edith Adera 23 Sep '08

23 Sep '08

FYI _____ From: link-info-bounces(a)lists.wits.ac.za [mailto:link-info-bounces@lists.wits.ac.za] On Behalf Of Charley Lewis Sent: 23 September 2008 13:01 To: link-info(a)lists.wits.ac.za Cc: Sue-Ellen Donough Subject: LINK CENTRE: REMINDER: MM(ICTPR) 2009 - Applications now open With Heritage Day upon us, the end of the year is just around the corner, and the closing date for MM(ICTPR) applications is equally not far off. What are your plans for 2009? Will you be studying further to grow your skills, enrich your capacity and increase your pay cheque? Look no further than the LINK Centre at the University of the Witwatersrand. Applications are now open for the 2009 intake into Africa's only residential Master's level degree with a dedicated focus on policy and regulation in the ICT sector. See the attached brochure for further information. The sooner you get your application in, the sooner you will receive your notification of acceptance (subject to you meeting the required criteria), and the sooner your future in 2009 will be assured. Please also pass this information on to those of your colleagues and associates who may be planning on further study in 2009. For more information please contact Sue-Ellen Donough on +27 11 717-3698. Charley Lewis Senior Lecturer, LINK Centre URL: http://link.wits.ac.za Mwalimu House, School of Public & Development Management, University of the Witwatersrand 2 St David's Place, Parktown, 2193, SOUTH AFRICA ==> Master of Management in ICT Policy & Regulation: <blocked::http://link.wits.ac.za/training/training4.html> http://link.wits.ac.za/training/training4.html ==> Certificate in Telecomms Policy, Regulation & Management: http://link.wits.ac.za/training/tc1.html This communication is intended for the addressee only. It is confidential. If you have received this communication in error, please notify us immediately and destroy the original message. You may not copy or disseminate this communication without the permission of the University. Only authorized signatories are competent to enter into agreements on behalf of the University and recipients are thus advised that the content of this message may not be legally binding on the University and may contain the personal views and opinions of the author, which are not necessarily the views and opinions of The University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg. All agreements between the University and outsiders are subject to South African Law unless the University agrees in writing to the contrary.

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Consumer Affairs: Call Drops/Call Fails
by Eric Aligula 20 Sep '08

20 Sep '08

All: Over the last six months I have experienced a number of call fails/call drops on the Safaricom network. Or you call, the line goes through and there is no reception of voice from the person being called? I would like to know whether there are consumers out there on this list or elsewhere on the local networks who have experienced the same? What solutions have been proffered? Are there any financial implications related to these call fails or call drops? In other words, am I charged for a call fail or call drop? What remedies they may have applied and what recourse consumers would have in respect of the various providers? Kind regards Eric Aligula Magolo, PhD Senior Analyst Infrastructure and Economic Services Division Kenya Institute for Public Policy Research and Analysis (KIPPRA) P.O. Box 56445, 00200 Nairobi, Kenya Telephone: +254-20-2719933/4 Fax: +254-20-2719951 E-mail: jairah(a)kippra.or.ke <mailto:jairah@kippra.or.ke> URL: www.kippra.org <http://www.kippra.org/> Proudly Kenyan "In the long history of the world, only a few generations have been granted the role of defending freedom in its hour of maximum danger. I do not shrink from this responsibility..........I welcome it." John F. Kennedy "All that is necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing." Edmund Burke "Far better to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs, even though checkered by failure, than to take rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy much nor suffer much, because they live in the gray twilight that knows not victory, nor defeat." Theodore Roosevelt "Ex Africa semper aliquid novi"

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Review, identify gaps and enhance the quality of the Certificate of ICT (CICT) qualification
by Al Kags 20 Sep '08

20 Sep '08

The Kenya ICT Board and KASNEB have formed a partnership to review, identify gaps and enhance the quality of the Certificate of ICT (CICT) qualification that is managed by KASNEB and offered by various ICT institutions in Kenya. This collaboration will cover, among other areas:- - Working together towards enhancing quality ICT skills in the country - Marketing CICT to get industry buy in and endorsement at the same level as CPA. - Collaborate in conducting a baseline study/survey to determine the deficiency of ICT skills and type of skills required. - Collaborate to lobby for appropriate legal provisions for the establishment of an Institute for the CICT graduates, recognizing KASNEB as the examining and the certification body for ICT graduates. - Work to gain industry acceptance of CICT certification on same quality rating as CPA. The Kenya ICT Board wishes to convene an ICT Public Panel to develop industry and stake holder input into the review. We invite the participation of key sector players in the industry on a voluntary basis, as represented below:- - Industry players (IT products and services suppliers/manufactures including Developer Community, Skunkworks etc) - 5 representatives - Business Process Outsourcing and Call Centres - 2 representatives - Colleges representatives - 3 representatives - University representatives - 3 representatives - Student representatives – 5 - Related government ministry's representatives - 3 - Multinational Corporations - 2 TORs of the Panel. To review the state of ICT skills in Kenya with a view to identifying gaps and therefore make recommendations for addressing those gaps as seen in a global context. The Public Panel deliberations will be made out of a maximum of three meetings at the Kenya ICT Board Offices on Waiyaki way specifically on: - - Tuesday, September 9, 2008 at 10 am - Tuesday, September 16, 2008 at 10 am - Tuesday, September 23, 2008 at 10 am The recommendations will be presented to KASNEB for the review of the Certification Curriculum, on September 26, 2008 at a venue to be communicated closer to the date. This initiative is guided by the Kenya ICT Board's Strategic Objectives, mainly: - To develop and promote competitive ICT Institutions in Kenya - To develop and promote competitive ICT industries in Kenya TO PARTICIPATE To participate, kindly contact the Public Panels team on publicpanels(a)ict.go.ke . Please attach a brief profile of yourself and the sector that you represent. The Board will then formally invite you to participate in the Panel. While the formal invitations will be issued entirely at the discretion of the board, the broad criteria for participation is as follows:- - Demonstrated experience and knowledge in the sub-sector - Expressed willingness to serve pro bono - Demonstrated general understanding of the educational offering in the sector. We also welcome via email to publicpanels(a)ict.go.ke written submission on this topic, representations and opinions from the sector towards this important exercise and they will also be collated with the report.

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Advanced FOSS E-Learning portal
by Gakuru Alex 19 Sep '08

19 Sep '08

"Open Source & More IT for African Business" - release of advanced e-learning courses on Information Technology InWEnt/it@ab releases a series of advanced e-learning courses on Information Technology (IT)- "Open Source & More IT for African Business" focussing on the needs of business related IT consultancy in Africa. "Open Source & More IT for African Business" has been developed by it@ab, the Southern African Network on "Information Technology in African Business", a project of InWEnt - Capacity Building International, Germany, funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). For more information on it@ab, please see: http://www.it-ab.org. Learning "Open Source & More IT for African Business" is a compilation of advanced e-learning courses covering six topics related to business & IT consultancy in an African context. The courses introduce relevant and adapted key concepts and applications such as 1. E-Business Applications & Architecture 2. IT Security 3. Open Source IT (including lessons on Ubuntu Linux Installation, Multimedia, Web Server, Groupware, Network Printing) 4. Web Publishing 5. E-Learning as well as 6. Zope & the Collaborative Learning Environment CLE2. The focus lies on "Free and Open Source Software" (FOSS) as a key technology to drive innovation, add local value and create sustainable and affordable ICT-solutions. The courses are organized as online modules for self-study and include lessons, tests and selected references. They provide an overview of and introduction to important concepts from intermediate to advanced level. This way, they address a wide range of potential users. These include both IT specialists and executive staff from IT businesses in Africa and beyond, technology-savvy development practitioners as well as power users of IT. The courses are available at: - http://cle2.it-inwent.net/LearningSpace/osam/ (CLE) or at - http://gc21.inwent.org/OpenSource (Global Campus 21, Login and password: "guest"). <http://ict-innovation.fossfa.net/blog/petra/open-source-more-it-african-bus…>

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Application Round Opens for ICANN Mexico City Meeting Fellowships
by alice 19 Sep '08

19 Sep '08

Application Round Opens for Mexico City Meeting Fellowships Program supports global representation at ICANN's International Public Meetings 18 September 2008 *MARINA DEL REY, Calif.*: The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers has launched its latest round of fellowship program applications for its 34th International Public Meeting to be held in Mexico City from 1-6 March 2009. "ICANN is a global organization and our work touches every country on the planet," said Theresa Swinehart , ICANN's Vice President, Global and Strategic Partnerships. “Our fellowship program ensures that as many countries as possible can take part in the ICANN meeting and in the variety of public forums that will be held.” An example of the diversity supported by the Fellowship program is the upcoming meeting in Cairo. At that meeting there will be 30 fellows from 25 countries, chosen from 89 applications received. There are 12 fellowship alumni, 11fellows are first-time attendees to an ICANN meeting and the remaining 7 have attended past meetings, but are first time fellows. Priority is given to applicants who are current residents of developing and least developed nations and interested in participating in ICANN and its supporting organizations, such as the Governmental Advisory Committee, the Country Code Names Supporting Organization, and the Generic Names Supporting Organization. The fellowship will assist in covering airfare, hotel and a stipend. Recipients will be expected to actively participate in and contribute to ICANN processes. As always, registration for ICANN's meetings is free for anyone wanting to attend. Applications for Mexico City will be accepted from now until 1200 PDT (UTC -7) on 27 October. More information, as well as a link to the application for a fellowship, is available online at: http://www.icann.org/en/fellowships/ <http://www.icann.org/en/fellowships> -30- *About ICANN: * ICANN is responsible for the global coordination of the Internet's system of unique identifiers like domain names (like .org, .museum and country codes like .uk) and the addresses used in a variety of Internet protocols that help computers reach each other over the Internet. Careful management of these resources is vital to the Internet's operation, so ICANN's global stakeholders meet regularly to develop policies that ensure the Internet's ongoing security and stability. ICANN is an internationally organized, public benefit non-profit company. For more information please visit: www.icann.org <http://www.icann.org/>. *Media Contacts: * Jason Keenan Media Adviser, ICANN (USA) Ph: +1 310 382 4004 E: jason.keenan(a)icann.org <mailto:jason.keenan@icann.org> International: Andrew Robertson Edelman (London) Ph: +44 7921 588 770 E: andrew.robertson(a)edelman.com <mailto:andrew.robertson@edelman.com> --- You are currently subscribed to aisi-l as: [alice(a)apc.org] To unsubscribe, forward this message to leave-aisi-l-84914M(a)lyris.bellanet.org

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ICT Legislation In Kenya: Mukimwo or Buffet?
by Brian Munyao Longwe 18 Sep '08

18 Sep '08

Hi all, We at a workshop in Mombasa to look at the "Mukimwo" that has been made in the form of the Communications Amendment Bill. What is "mukimwo" some of you might ask? Also known as "Kienyeji" - it is a mix of maize corn, potatoes, green leaves (mchicha?) and often a variety of other things including meat, tomatoes, bananas, onions, cabbage etc...the thoroughly mashed together. Well, this - in my view - is kind of what we are looking at here. A single bill which combines many different issues in an attempt to satisfy the deep hunger in the ICT sector with one meal. Well, some of us are of the opinion that it is better to have a buffet of ICT legislation. Separate, discrete laws that deal to the necessary depth with issues as diverse as cybercrime, computer misuse/fraud, electronic transactions, digital signatures, privacy and personal information etc. Without trying to mash them all together as the current draft does. So my question is, do you prefer Mukimwo or Buffet? Brian Sent from my iPhone

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Not Mukimwo after all
by Brian Munyao Longwe 18 Sep '08

18 Sep '08

Hi all, Seems I had my meals mixed up. We are actually discussing electronic transactions. Regards, Brian Sent from my iPhone

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IFIP Technical Committee on Human Computer Interaction
by waudo siganga 18 Sep '08

18 Sep '08

Dear Colleagues, Prof. Annelise Mark Pejtersen, the Chair of the IFIP Technical Committee on Human-Computer Interaction -TC.13 - ([1]http://csmobile.upe.ac.za/ifip/) has asked me to appoint a Kenyan for that Committee. Please visit the link if you are interested to learn more about that TC or [2]www.ifip.org to learn generally about IFIP and its other committees. The work will include one annual physical meeting with possibility of travel support. TC.13 is also responsible for the annual conference INTERACT, of which the next one will be held in Uppsala, Sweden in 2009. IFIP work will suit those with a Scientific/Academic/Research/Application bias. If you are interested please drop me a one-paragraph note indicating how you fit into the area of Human-Computer Interaction. Kind Regards, Waudo References 1. http://csmobile.upe.ac.za/ifip/ 2. http://www.ifip.org/ Life is but a series of decisions and consequences therefrom

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Fwd: [Physical] Vodacom Launches Three New Exciting "Speaking Phones" for Persons with Visual Impairment
by Judy Okite 18 Sep '08

18 Sep '08

FYI I think this is the coolest thing...its a high time we saw more initiatives like this! Media Release for Immediate Publication Nikki van der Westhuizen [mailto:nikkivdw@meropa.co.za] *Vodacom Launches Three New and Exciting "Talking Phones" for Persons with Special Needs, Especially those who are Blind or Partially Sighted* * * *18 September 2008* * * Vodacom has launched three new Vodacom Speaking Phones as part of its drive to make cellular communication accessible to people with specific needs, specifically customers who are blind or partially sighted. "Vodacom is proud to be the first operator in South Africa to increase accessibility to cellular communication products and services in line with our Specific Needs Initiative launched in 2004," says Dot Field, Chief Communications Officer, Vodacom Group. Text-to-speech software is loaded onto the Vodacom Speaking Phones that converts the information displayed on the cellphone screen to speech, including text messages and contacts. This software also enables the user to check other information, including battery life and signal strength. Speaking phones are available on Vodacom Contract-, Top Up- and Prepaid packages and are available at participating Vodacom approved outlets. "Vodacom Speaking Phone users will not pay extra for the text-to-speech software as Vodacom has subsidised this cost," says Field. The focus of the Specific Needs Initiative is accessibility: access to the company, access to information and access to Vodacom's products and services for all. Karen Smit, Senior Specialist for Specific Needs and Employment Equity at Vodacom Group and a disabled Vodacom employee herself, highlights the need for such products and services within the cellular industry, "We are proud to be the pioneers of this service in South Africa, and on the continent as a whole. At Vodacom, accessibility is always top of mind and as a disabled person I understand how important independence, accessibility and mobility is." Vodacom will continue to offer the "voice bill" service which allows visually impaired or blind customers access to their itemised billing electronically through reader software on their computers. For more information on Vodacom Speaking Phones, customers can contact Vodacom's dedicated Specific Needs Contact Centre, which aims to provide information and assistance on their products and services to customers with disabilities. The Specific Needs Contact Centre can be reached on 12580, free from a Vodacom cellphone, or on 082 12580 from any other phone (standard rates apply). Customers can also send an SMS to 12580 (free from a Vodacom cellphone) or email to 12580(a)vodacom.co.za. Information is available on the Vodacom website: www.vodacom.co.za, under the Specific Needs section. Ends Issued on behalf of: Dot Field Chief Communications Officer Vodacom Group ##### For Further Information, Please Contact: Nikki van der Westhuizen Meropa Communications +27 11 772 1029 * * __________ Information from ESET NOD32 Antivirus, version of virus signature database 3450 (20080918) __________ The message was checked by ESET NOD32 Antivirus. http://www.eset.com _______________________________________________ Physical mailing list Physical(a)napsa.org.za http://lists.napsa.org.za/mailman/listinfo/physical -- "Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail." ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

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FW: announced: MacArthur Foundation Competition on Participatory Learning (US$2m in awards, international applicants now eligible)
by Edith Adera 18 Sep '08

18 Sep '08

FYI -----Original Message----- From: mtrucano(a)worldbank.org [mailto:mtrucano@worldbank.org] Sent: 18 September 2008 01:30 To: mtrucano(a)worldbank.org Subject: announced: MacArthur Foundation Competition on Participatory Learning (US$2m in awards, international applicants now eligible) INFORMATIONAL ONLY -- NO NEED TO RESPOND In case it might be of interest to you or someone you know ... -M http://www.dmlcompetition.net/ (Embedded (Embedded image image moved moved to file: to file: pic07950.jpg) pic27594.gif) (Embedded image moved to file: pic16343.gif) $2 Million Digital Media & Learning Competition The MacArthur Foundation, the University of California, Irvine, Duke University, and the virtual network HASTAC announced today a second $2 million competition that focuses on participatory learning, creates an award category for Young Innovators aged 18-25, and for the first time extends eligibility to international applicants. The competition is part of MacArthur's $50 million digital media and learning initiative that aims to help determine how digital technologies are changing the way young people learn, play, socialize, and participate in civic life. Competition winners will join an existing community of awardees that convenes regularly online to participate in webinars on new technology, novel approaches to social networking, and other issues pertinent to participatory learning. They will be invited to showcase their work at an annual conference to include venture capitalists, entrepreneurs, educators, and new media experts seeking the best ideas about digital media and learning. Visit the competition's website for more information on how to apply. (Embedded image moved to file: pic00754.gif) (Embedded image moved to file: pic02481.jpg) (Embedded image moved to file: pic01012.gif) (Embedded image moved to file: pic11672.gif) (Embedded image moved to file: pic23439.jpg) www.macfound.org Connie Yowell Director, Education MacArthur Foundation www.spotlight.macfound.org

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Re: [kictanet] [Skunkworks] Big Bang Replay
by Mike Bullut 17 Sep '08

17 Sep '08

David et al., If I may ask you: *What is the significance of research? *Or more deeply: *What is the purpose of meaning?* I'll leave you to answer the latter question for yourselves. I'm a staunch advocate of research for the reason being most of mankind's greatest advancements wouldn't have seen the light of day if a certain man/woman hadn't taken the initiative to investigate better ways on how to execute certain/everyday tasks. Here are a few of them: - *Alexander Graham Bell & his invention of the telephone. [Communication] * - *Alexander Flemming & his discovery of penicillin. [Medicine]* - *Thomas Edison & his invention of the electric bulb. [Engineering?] * In the advancement of knowledge: - *Albert Einstein & his theory of relativity. [Physics] * - *Alfred Wegner & his theory of continental drift. [Geology, Geography]* - *Charles Darwin & his theory of evolution. [Biology] * - *Nicolaus Copernicus & his theory of heliocentric cosmology. [Astronomy] * Onto the subject of the experiments being conducted at the *Large Hadron Collider <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Large_Hadron_Collider>* situated at * CERN, <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CERN>* their raison d'être is to scrutinize The Big Bang Theory. One of science's (& life's) greatest mysteries is the origin of everything (the universe, life itself etc). There are two schools of thought that try to illustrate this: Religion & Science. The former explains that the universe was created by a supreme being, God, at the beginning of time & took six days with our Heavenly Father resting on the seventh day. The latter explains that the universe was created in a cataclysmic explosion originating from the most infinitesimal particle of matter which has expanded (over the course of fifteen billion years & counting) to what we observe today through telescopes. Of course, these schools of thought have their respective weaknesses. Religion can't describe how God executed the creation process e.g. did he just snap his fingers when an idea came to mind or did he follow a procedure which culminated in an entity (star, planet, black hole etc)? Forgive me for offending/insulting my fellow Christians but what most of them don't understand is that the Bible is just a chronological series of events & not a biographical-like text. Picture this: the book of Genesis tells us the world was created in six days. How supremely confident are we that these are six *Earth days?* My quagmire is this: *Does time pass at the same rate between us & God?* My answer: *Time Dilation,* i.e. from the perspective of any observer within the same frame of reference & without reference to another frame of reference, time always passes at the same rate. *"According To The Evidence" * <http://www.legendarytimesbooks.com/product.php?productid=179> by Erich Von Daniken gives a good case of this. Science, on the other hand, explains how matter operates (from the atomic level) which answers questions as how the ozone layer is depleted, how the sun creates its energy that sustains life on Earth (though partly) etc though it can't explain who kick-started creation. My school of thought combines both religion & science to explain the origin of everything. My proposition is this: *Science explains how God created & Religion explains why God created.* God used science to create the universe & religion explains why we are here in the first place. Peter, understand why the physicists are conducting these experiments. They just want to find answers to questions that have plagued us since time immemorial. Whether or not they succeed, they'll definitely uncover knowledge that could be beneficial in our comprehension of the universe. Mike. *My blog: http://kipsang.wordpress.com/ * 2008/9/11 David Kago <kago(a)ultimate-security.net> > I have been watching the big bang experiment with interest and was amazed > when they finally announced on the media that they have been able get the > proton beam to go all the way into the supercooled (-273C) 27km tunnel. > While this is a scientific and engineering marvel, the sums spent to set up > the largest machine on earth together are stupendous, $10 billion is not > your everyday lump of cash, that's kenya's 2008/2009 budget; all in the name > of proving a theory... Of whose benefit will it be if they finally prove > that antimatter and dark energy exists... what will quark gluon plasma and > bosons mean to the everyday earthling. I believe science should be used for > the betterment of the human race, not to prove a theory that is infinitely > larger than us. I can see all those suffering masses in the third world who > would have benefited greatly from such funds... > > On a side note, the data produced in the experiment is being channeled > through the other internet (the Grid). Who wouldnt want to download > whole hard disks from halfway around the globe in a few seconds...!!! > > _______________________________________________ > skunkworks mailing list > skunkworks(a)my.co.ke > http://ole.kenic.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/skunkworks > Blog http://skunkworks-ke.blogspot.com > Beta Blog http://blog.my.co.ke > Get Skunkworks RSS Feeds: http://www.jahazi.com/rss/ > * -- "The computer programmer . . . is a creator of universes for which he alone is the lawgiver. . . . No playwright, no stage director, no emperor, however powerful, has ever exercised such absolute authority to arrange a stage or a field of battle and to command such unswervingly dutiful actors or troops." ~ Joseph Weizenbaum... --*

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Contacts for mpesa / sokotele service
by Patrick Mburu 16 Sep '08

16 Sep '08

Dear good people, Would anyone have contacts for the developers of these services? Or perhaps they r part of this list? Best! Patrick Sent from my iPhone

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Fwd: United States Peace Corps looking for ICT trainer and others...
by waudo siganga 16 Sep '08

16 Sep '08

Hello All - Could interest someone. Sorry if any crosspost. On Mon, 15 Sep 2008 17:14:33 +0300, "Othieno, Louis" <LOthieno(a)ke.peaceco rps.gov> said: Hello all, Pardon me for emailing without your consent. I need your assistance in getting the information in the attachment to people you might know that are qualified and interested in a short term assignment to train American ICT professionals -mostly context stuff related to application of ICT in developing country situations in general, and Kenya in particular. The job of these Volunteers numbering about 10 will be to locate in a rural setting and use their knowledge of ICT to bring the benefits of ICT to the population within which they are living. This requires them to understand intimately the barriers between people and information technology in rural developing country contexts - and appreciate how they can use their generic knowledge of the technology within our technical context to harness ICT for the benefit of the communities to which the Peace Corps will assign them. If you know someone who is able to engage effectively at these three levels i.e * Moving the technology to the people * Moving the people to the technology * Kenya's technical and policy context with regards to ICT Kindly encourage them to apply before the 24th of September, 2008. I appreciate it. Peruse also the e-leaflet I attach for a quick understanding of what these American Volunteers do. (The leaflet covers business Volunteers as well). If you know of any social-benefit projects needing programmers, computer graphics people, web designers, computer maintenance or plain IT teachers etc - to work for them while located away from Nairobi - send them to me... I appreciate it Cheers all Louis Othieno Associate Director Small Enterprise Development and ICT U.S. PEACE CORPS IN KENYA "The cost of everything has to be paid for somehow. Our human travails, most of the time, avail only in changing who pays, when and how" <<ICT TTF VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT 2008 Sept 09.doc>> <<PROMOTION FLYER.doc>> People make a plan work, a plan alone seldom makes people work (Confucius).

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Kenyan gov't sets up $39 million venture capital fund
by Rebecca Wanjiku 15 Sep '08

15 Sep '08

In case you are interested in daily roundups of tech news, please subscribe to the daily newsletter on the site. Its coming daily. http://computerworld.co.ke/articles/2008/09/15/kenyan-govt-sets-39-million-… Tel. 254 720 318 925 blog:http://beckyit.blogspot.com/

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Software procurement in kenya
by Evans Ikua 14 Sep '08

14 Sep '08

Interesting what Google can come up with: http://www.linuxworld.com/news/2008/052308-kenya-linux-group-challenges-pro… We finally got to meet with the PPOA on Friday, 5th September. We had a very fruitful discussion on the Public Procurement and Disposal Act 2005, whose provisions are being ignored by Government procurement agents: https://ict-innovation.fossfa.net/taxonomy/blog-tags/kenya This good law stipulates that procuring agents should not mention any trade marks, companies or product names when requesting for quotations. They are required to just give the specs of what they need to accomplish. But how many times do we see these RFQs with brand names such as Microsoft *?. This has got to stop and nobody has any excuse to break the law with impunity. We will be putting details of the proceedings on our website soon, and also in the media. -- Evans Ikua Linux Professional Association of Kenya Tel: +254-20-2250381, Cell: +254-722 955 831 Eagle House, 2nd Floor Kimathi Street, Opp. Corner House www.lpakenya.org

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Re: [kictanet] Rwanda Gets Localls Made/Assemled Handset
by Dan Njiriri 12 Sep '08

12 Sep '08

Dear Dr Ndemo, We are pleased that you are leading the way in ensuring that our analogue TV sets do not become e-waste as we migrate to digital signals. Kenyas are very enterprising and many will pick up the assembling of the top box once it is out of the incubator. Thank you. Dan Njiriri --- On Wed, 9/10/08, 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] Rwanda Gets Localls Made/Assemled Handset To: njiris2000(a)yahoo.com Cc: bitange(a)jambo.co.ke, "KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions" <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke>, "Robert Onyango-Alai" <alai.robert(a)gmail.com> Date: Wednesday, September 10, 2008, 10:11 PM Dear Njiriri, Thanks for supporting Madaraka PC. We are just about to finish the prototype set top box for converting analogue signals to digital. This needs an entrepreneur to take it up from the incubator. You must have read yesterday how South Africa is planning their migration to digital by locally assembling the required set top boxes. Asante. Ndemo. > Dear Dr Ndemo, > > Thank you for your kind clarification on steps taken by Kenya on assembled > electronics in Kenya. > I am a strong bealiver in local industries and happy to let you know I > have bought twenty Madaraka PCs from JKUAT Enterprises for our Tracom > college teaching lab. They however need to develop local materials for the > industry as oppossed to assembly only. Anyone can do that. > > The Gilgil Telecommucations Industry should be nurtured and it is a pity > what you have explained on someone turning it to posts treatment. What a > shame and waste of developing industrial capacity! May the good Loard see > the case to logical conclusion. > > I fully agree with you that the private sector and the academia must > wake-up and create the necessary industries and hence wealth. > Once again thank you. > Dan Njiriri > > --- On Mon, 9/8/08, 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] Rwanda Gets Localls Made/Assemled Handset > To: njiris2000(a)yahoo.com > Cc: bitange(a)jambo.co.ke, "KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions" > <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke>, "Robert Onyango-Alai" > <alai.robert(a)gmail.com> > Date: Monday, September 8, 2008, 7:24 AM > > Dear Njiriri, > There is nothing wrong with policy and we should not benchmark Kenya with > Rwanda because the differences between the two countries are just too > many. Compared to Kenya, Rwanda is where Kenya was in the 80's, centrally > planned economy where the Government interferes with everything including > the private sector. Granted there is virtually no private sector in > Rwanda. We have spent most of the 90's privatizing that which was created > by Government. The economy and more specifically the communication sector > is fully liberalised. The opportunities for the private sector are > therefore enormous and we should not blame the Government. > > It is in this forum that we recently discussed Madaraka PC and it was > dismissed as unworkable. We did not bother to ask especially JKUAT where > they have reached in developing components locally for the PC. Kenya has > been in the forefront producing telephone equipment including switches at > the Gilgil plant for the region. Indeed we have several firms seeking to > start local production of mobile handsets at the facility but have been > frustrated by a nother Kenyan who wanted to manufacture poles at the plant > (The perils of Democracy). The case is still in court that we cannot > discuss it here. > > We must be proud of our human resources for what they have done in the > region. What we need to do now is to vigorously utilize this resources to > exploit the opportunities - this if Adam Smith was a life will tell you > that - let the private sector wake up. This is the pattern that the Newly > Industrialized Nations of Asia followed. The Indians are going home from > many countries to create real wealth. > > Regards > > > Ndemo. > > > > >> Thanks Dr Ochuodho for sharing this new development in Rwanda. >> Unfortunately, Kenya is once again beaten at our own game, not becaurse >> we >> lack, excellent technical manpower and facilities.., but becaurse we are >> too slow in policy development! Rwanda has carried the day, yet all the >> production parts pass through Kenya to Rwanda! >> We should learn to be fast in what we want to achieve, and not take >> years >> back and forth in board rooms. >> Dan Njiriri >> >> --- On Sat, 9/6/08, Shem Ochuodho <shemochuodho(a)yahoo.com> wrote: >> >> From: Shem Ochuodho <shemochuodho(a)yahoo.com> >> Subject: [kictanet] Rwanda Gets Localls Made/Assemled Handset >> To: njiris2000(a)yahoo.com >> Cc: "Robert Onyango-Alai" <alai.robert(a)gmail.com>, > "KICTAnet ICT Policy >> Discussions" <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> >> Date: Saturday, September 6, 2008, 6:08 AM >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> Quoting: Rwanda ICT4D Community Network >> >> Rwanda get locally made handset -Network World 02/09/2008 >> >> A-Link Technologies, a Chinese electronics company, has unveiled its >> first >> mobile phone handsets manufactured in Rwanda. This makes Rwanda the >> first >> country in the region to sell locally manufactured mobile phones. >> >> The manufacturing of the handsets follows a memorandum of understanding >> signed in 2006 between A-Link and the Rwanda Information Technology >> Authority, the country's telecom regulator. >> Read the latest WhitePaper - Monitor the core and troubleshoot the >> access >> layer with integrated network analysis solutions >> >> The company plans to start selling the phones, called "Alira," > in the 21 >> countries of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern African after >> they >> are officially launched in October and once production is stepped up, >> said >> A-Link CEO Yin Quing Ri. >> >> "One of the phone models has been programmed with Kinyarwanda > software so >> the Rwandese who uses their mother language can communicate easily," > Ri >> said. >> >> So far, the company has produced three models -- the A100, A200 and A300 >> -- and promises that several other models are in the works. >> >> The phones feature color screens and radios, among other amenities. >> >> The plant is manufacturing 100 handsets per day, though it has the >> capacity to produce 700 phones per day. >> >> A-Link began operating in Rwanda last year, as the country is >> positioning >> itself to be an ICT hub in East Africa. >> _______________________________________________ >> kictanet mailing list >> kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke >> http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet >> >> This message was sent to: njiris2000(a)yahoo.com >> Unsubscribe or change your options at >> > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/njiris2000%40yahoo.com >> >> >> >> >> ---------------------------------------------- >> This message has been scanned for viruses and >> dangerous content by Jambo MailScanner, and is >> believed to be clean. >> --------------------------------------------- >> "easy access to the world" >> >> _______________________________________________ >> kictanet mailing list >> kictanet(a)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 >> > > > > ---------------------------------------------- > This message has been scanned for viruses and > dangerous content by Jambo MailScanner, and is > believed to be clean. > --------------------------------------------- > "easy access to the world" > > > > > > ---------------------------------------------- > This message has been scanned for viruses and > dangerous content by Jambo MailScanner, and is > believed to be clean. > --------------------------------------------- > "easy access to the world" > > ---------------------------------------------- This message has been scanned for viruses and dangerous content by Jambo MailScanner, and is believed to be clean. --------------------------------------------- "easy access to the world"

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Fwd: [ke-internetusers] For the Ladies in Business
by Gakuru Alex 12 Sep '08

12 Sep '08

Gilda? ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Alex Gakuru <gakuru(a)gmail.com> Date: Fri, Sep 12, 2008 at 9:07 AM Subject: [ke-internetusers] For the Ladies in Business To: ke-users <ke-internetusers(a)bdix.net> Diana, et. al.? ---forwarded message--- CNBC Africa has a daily newspaper review where we take a look at all the stories that are making news in the business world. We would like to add more value to this show by involving ladies who are good in business analysis and also has a good TV persona as well. I would like to request you if you could ask the members if there is anyone willing to be part of this show. Kindly let us know as soon as you have this details. Kind Regards, Rachel Munene Video Editor P:254 (20) 225 2150/1 M:+254 728 202 051 F: 254 (20) 225 2280 E: RachelMunene(a)cnbcafrica.com Physical Address: University Way AmBank House- 19th Floor. www.cnbcafrica.com _______________________________________________ ke-internetusers mailing list ke-internetusers(a)bdix.net http://www.bdix.net/mailman/listinfo/ke-internetusers

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Re: [kictanet] Software procurement in kenya
by James Kagwe 12 Sep '08

12 Sep '08

I got the below from our PO and thought it fair to share. ________________________________ From: Peter Munene Sent: Friday, September 12, 2008 9:38 AM To: James Kagwe Subject: RE: [kictanet] Software procurement in kenya Thanks for your comments on whether you can procure using brand name or not. However seem to miss the point! Please refer to "The Public Procurement and Disposal Act, 2005" Section 34 paragraph 4 (a) and (b). Using brand name is not breaking the law (am assuming we are talking about Kenya law) as long as you follow the prescribed regulations in the Act. Thanks and study the Act! James, You may forward my comments to the origin. ________________________________ From: James Kagwe Sent: Friday, September 12, 2008 8:46 AM To: Peter Munene Subject: FW: [kictanet] Software procurement in kenya This might be of interest to you ________________________________ I had a chance to attend the presentations by Alex and Evans to PPOA and I think they did a very good job articulating issues faced in Government ICT Procurement. In addition to procuring agents not following the law (e.g. mentioning brands in tenders) it also appears that they are not aware of International Best Practices such as those advocated by WITSA (http://www.witsa.org/papers/BestPracticesWhitePaper-final.pdf) Those best practices are meant to ensure competition is not precluded. Maybe these IBPs require to be incorporated into the PPOA regulations. I reproduce a portion of the IBPs below: The Government ICT Procurement Process The procurement process consists of a number of steps: * Needs Definition / Requirements * Request for Information (RFI) * Request for Comments * Request for Proposal * Proposal * Live Test and Demonstration * Best and Final Offer * Award * Protest Procedures Depending on the size and complexity of the procurement, a given acquisition may contain some or all of these stages. Need The acquisition process begins with the recognition of a need by a governmental department for a capability or a service. This need must then be translated into a set of requirements so that eventually a Request for Proposal (RFP) may be issued. The scope of this effort is generally invisible to potential bidders. Request for Information (RFI) During this phase of the procurement, government actively pursues business input in the form of recommendations and presentations. The input is generally solicited by the means of an RFI that describes the government's needs and perceived requirements. If done in a manner other than an RFI, governments should be careful that their solicitation does not have the effect of precluding competition. Business thus has the opportunity to better understand the requirements and the true needs of the end user. During this stage, communication is open, and both industry and the government are exploring needs and possible relevant technologies. If it has not already done so, business is also beginning to assess potential partners. Request for Comments (RFC) An RFC on a draft Request for Proposals (RFP) is generally the next document that the government issues. It is based on the input that the government has gathered during the RFI stage and is based on a refinement of their needs and available technologies. Again, governments should ensure that the RFC is issued in an open and transparent manner so that it does not have the effect of precluding competition. In addition, if governments use a contractor to help in writing an RFC, or later the actual RFP, that contractor should be precluded from bidding either alone or as a partner in the actual procurement, Ideally the RFC is a complete document outlining not only the agency's needs but also the proposed terms and conditions for the contract. While it takes considerable effort for the governmental entity to produce a complete document at this stage, it ultimately saves considerable time and effort for both parties later on. In addition, a complete document sends a signal to industry that the government is serious and that the acquisition is for "real". Unavailability of information at this stage, and the inability to comment on it, often causes misunderstandings and delay later on in the procurement process. Request for Proposal (RFP) Ideally, the acquiring governmental entity will have indicated in the RFC a proposed schedule for the release of the RFP, and they will adhere to it. As the proposed release date draws near, potential bidders will firm up bidding partners and will begin to staff their proposal efforts. In order to keep ultimate costs down, government needs to adhere to their proposed timeframes because delays and/or extensions at this point become quite expensive for industry, and those costs are ultimately passed on to the government. It is important that governments allow ample time for firms to prepare their proposals and also take into consideration that foreign bidders may need additional time than would a national entity. Proposal The proposal contains the bidder's proposed technical solution, management approach, and cost. Proposals usually contain very sensitive, and often confidential, commercial information. It is important that proposals be treated carefully by governments to insure that this sensitive information is not released to competitors. While often delivery of the technical, management and cost proposals are requested simultaneously, government could save money, and often time, by requiring the cost proposal two to three weeks after the others. Late changes by bidders to their technical proposals are often not adequately incorporated into the cost proposal causing later disagreements and delays. As the government reviews the proposals, they may request clarifications or additional information from bidders. Due to the sensitivity of interactions with bidders at this stage, it is important that this be done formally in writing and with good documentation maintained. Live Test and Demonstration (LTD) On very large and/or complex procurements, the government may require that a Live Test and Demonstration or Operational Capability Demonstration (OCD) be performed to demonstrate and validate the proposed technologies. Governments should provide bidders selected for an LTD as much time as possible to prepare. Bidders must obtain appropriate space, bring in required hardware and equipment, assemble the right software and assemble staff for the LTD. LTDs and OCDs are very expensive efforts for the bidders and for the government that sometimes must assemble large, skilled evaluation teams. Thus they should be required sparingly and in very select situations. Best and Final Offer (BAFO) Once the proposal has been submitted and the LTD, if required has been performed, bidders begin to finalize the prices from their vendors, subcontractors and bidding partners and to fine-tune their own costs. The BAFO will also incorporate any changes indicated by the LTD and any clarifications that may have been requested from the government during their review of the technical and management proposal. Award The award process consists of informing the selected bidder of their success, and, more importantly, informing the losing bidders of the reasons they were not selected. Being open and sensitive during this process is important and can help avoid later problems and protests. Losing bidders want to understand in as much detail as possible areas where their proposals were deficient. Providing the information at this time will allow them to improve their processes for their next effort and also assures them that the process was transparent and fair. If bidders feel information is being withheld, it raises their suspicions about the entire process and may lead to a formal Protest simply as a means of acquiring more information. Protest A formal protest procedure to higher authority and ultimately to an independent authority is important to providing an open, accessible, fair, transparent and documented procurement process. This provides an opportunity for bidders to be heard and to receive an explanation of why a given bid was turned down. Protesting is a significant event that bidders do not take lightly. The process is expensive for both the bidder and the government, ties up critical resources, and potentially negatively impacts the image of the bidder in the eyes of the government. However, an effective protest process will help maintain competition in current and future procurements. On Thu, 11 Sep 2008 01:57:15 -0700 (PDT), "wesley kiriinya" <kiriinya2000(a)yahoo.com> said: I think there are two things in this argument. First when a company/gvmnt is buying the back end/base software e.g. a database/operating systems. I agree that "...procuring agents should not mention any trade marks, companies or product names when requesting for quotations..." Second when a company/gvmnt is buying middle level software that should operate with the back end software and in this case I think that the procuring agents should atleast mention what the back end software is. This is useful information to anyone willing to submit a quotation. Regards. 8~) I don't want to go to Hell, I don't want to stay on Earth, but what I'm I going to do in Heaven. --- On Wed, 9/10/08, Liko Agosta <likoa(a)verviant.com> wrote: From: Liko Agosta <likoa(a)verviant.com> Subject: Re: [kictanet] Software procurement in kenya To: kiriinya2000(a)yahoo.com Cc: kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke Date: Wednesday, September 10, 2008, 10:09 AM Evans ... We are a services company that provides both Closed Source and Open Source Consulting to clients .... We build on what clients have already paid for... We can discuss TCO ... Liko Agosta, CEO Verviant Consulting Services. www.verviant.com Phone : 1-919-341-1820 Fax : 1-978-268-8403 Toll Free: 1-866-551-4935 Pager: 9193891551(a)txt.att.net -----Original Message----- From: Evans Ikua [mailto:ikua@lpakenya.org] Sent: Wednesday, September 10, 2008 2:48 AM To: Liko Agosta Cc: kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke Subject: RE: [kictanet] Software procurement in kenya Liko, There is nothing wrong with the Law. It only needs to be followed. It actually has very good intentions of making sure that all (technology) suppliers get an equal opportunity to tender for a whatever it is. Mind you, once the tenders have been received and opened, the client is under no obligation to buy from anyone, not even the lowest price. Our argument is this; say a ministry wants to buy a SQL DB Server. They advertise this without mentioning MS SQL Server anywhere (that's what the law says). You quote your SQL Server at KSh 5.6m (you are a MS Gold Partner), and I quote my Open Source SQL server at 0.5m (I am only selling my services and not licenses). The tendering committee now has two options and the guys in IT can defend their choice of technology, and the TCO that goes with it, all the way from having to buy upgrade licenses a year later or so. Then the decision is made. At this point, nobody can come and tell them that they must buy this or that, its their decision. Important thing is that the management has seen all the options available. If this law is broken in your favour, I don't expect you to have a problem with it. You are happy. No? It is this that will raise management questions about the cost of license upgrades vis a vis the cost of migrating to FOSS products. A Ministry would save more by migrating to Scalix than upgrading to MS Exchange in the long term. But how does the accounting officer get to know this if the IT guy only requests a particular brand name, leaving out everyone else? For public institutions that are running on our taxes, we want to know that they are spending money prudently. They cant be given a blank cheque. -- Evans Ikua Linux Professional Association of Kenya Tel: +254-20-2250381, Cell: +254-722 955 831 Eagle House, 2nd Floor Kimathi Street, Opp. Corner House www.lpakenya.org Quoting Liko Agosta <likoa(a)verviant.com>: > Evans, > > That law should be changed :) > > If a government agency has already invested in some technology stack, they > should have the right to say they want a solution that ran's on that > technology stack ....lets says Microsoft SQL Server .. > > Why ... The license for SQL server will be a sunk cost at that point and > getting different technology is making a bigger financial commitment and > raising project risk .... also .. if the customers programmers/admins know > C# and SQL Server or Websphere and DB2, the client has the right to pick > that platform ... > > We have ran into this with our clients. Whenever we are doing project > discovery, we will find out which technologies they currently have/support > ... if a client has SQL Server, we will typical ask for usage reports for > that SQL server box and in most cases, we have been able to save money by > "adding to" their existing infrastructure ... or tuning their existing > infrastructure to take more load. > > Many organizations we have worked with tend to buy a servers/software > licenses for each project ... we advice against this and are usually for > consolidation and better management. That way a 4 CPU license for SQL Server > Enterprise Edition (approx USD 80,000) will be apportioned to the 20 systems > or projects that will use a well tuned 4CPU SQL server .... > > So .. good intentions... bad law ... why enforce or spend time on it > > My 2 cents > > Liko Agosta, CEO > Verviant Consulting Services. > > www.verviant.com > Phone : 1-919-341-1820 > Fax : 1-978-268-8403 > Toll Free: 1-866-551-4935 > Pager: 9193891551(a)txt.att.net > > > -----Original Message----- > From: kictanet-bounces+likoa=verviant.com(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke > [mailto:kictanet-bounces+likoa=verviant.com@lists.kictanet.or.ke] On Behalf > Of Evans Ikua > Sent: Tuesday, September 09, 2008 1:34 PM > To: Liko Agosta > Cc: kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke > Subject: [kictanet] Software procurement in kenya > > Interesting what Google can come up with: > > http://www.linuxworld.com/news/2008/052308-kenya-linux-group-challenges- proc > urement.html?fsrc=rss-linux-news > > > We finally got to meet with the PPOA on Friday, 5th September. We had > a very fruitful discussion on the Public Procurement and Disposal Act > 2005, whose provisions are being ignored by Government procurement > agents: > > https://ict-innovation.fossfa.net/taxonomy/blog-tags/kenya > > This good law stipulates that procuring agents should not mention any > trade marks, companies or product names when requesting for > quotations. They are required to just give the specs of what they need > to accomplish. But how many times do we see these RFQs with brand > names such as Microsoft *?. This has got to stop and nobody has any > excuse to break the law with impunity. > > We will be putting details of the proceedings on our website soon, and > also in the media. > > > -- > Evans Ikua > Linux Professional Association of Kenya > Tel: +254-20-2250381, Cell: +254-722 955 831 > Eagle House, 2nd Floor > Kimathi Street, Opp. Corner House > www.lpakenya.org > > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > kictanet mailing list > kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > > This message was sent to: likoa(a)verviant.com > Unsubscribe or change your options at > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/likoa%40verviant.co m > > > _______________________________________________ kictanet mailing list kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet This message was sent to: kiriinya2000(a)yahoo.com Unsubscribe or change your options at http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/kiriinya2000%40yaho o.com People make a plan work, a plan alone seldom makes people work (Confucius).

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Re: [kictanet] The 21st Century Workplace; September 17th Leadership Forum (Reminder)] its Joe Mucheru of Google Kenya presenting
by John Maina 12 Sep '08

12 Sep '08

Alice How do I access the archive I have tried using my login without success Robert ----- Original Message ---- From: alice <alice(a)apc.org> To: j.maina(a)ymail.com Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> Sent: Thursday, September 11, 2008 8:46:29 PM Subject: [kictanet] The 21st Century Workplace; September 17th Leadership Forum (Reminder)] its Joe Mucheru of Google Kenya presenting LEADERSHIP FORUM *‘The 21st Century Workplace’* With the world becoming a global village, the workplace is changing….. fast! Get to know how to make the best of it. * Date:* Wednesday 17th^th September 2008 *Presenter:** Mr. Joseph Mucheru**,** Business Lead East Africa (Google Kenya)* * Venue:* The Stanley Hotel- Ball Room Time: 6.00 pm *Charges:* Leadership Forum members – Free Non-Leadership Forum Members – Kshs 5,000 p.a. membership or Kshs 1000 per session Confirm your attendance by email to. _information(a)britishcouncil.or.ke_ <mailto:information@britishcouncil.or.ke> Please note that the Leadership forum membership and gate fees have been revised upwards effective from 1^st September 2008. If your membership expired in July or August 2008, you can renew annual membership at Ksh 3,000 only during the month of September. Attached is Mr. Mucheru’s bio-data.. The British Council is committed to promoting equality and eliminating discrimination in the areas of gender, race and disability. <<Joseph Mucheru.doc>> Best Regards, Linet Otibine Customer Service Officer British Council Upper Hill Road Pilot Line: 2836000 Fax No: 2836500 _Linet.otibine(a)britishcouncil.or.ke_ <mailto:Linet.otibine@britishcouncil.or.ke>__ *Organisational change for less than you think* This message is for the use of the intended recipient(s) only. If you have received this message in error, please notify the sender and delete it. The British Council accepts no liability for loss or damage caused by software viruses and you are advised to carry out a virus check on any attachments contained in this message. The British Council is a registered charity 209131 (England and Wales) SC037733 (Scotland). Our purpose is to build mutually beneficial relationships between people in the UK and other countries and to increase appreciation of the UK's creative ideas and achievements.

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The 21st Century Workplace; September 17th Leadership Forum (Reminder)] its Joe Mucheru of Google Kenya presenting
by alice 11 Sep '08

11 Sep '08

LEADERSHIP FORUM *‘The 21st Century Workplace’* With the world becoming a global village, the workplace is changing….. fast! Get to know how to make the best of it. * Date:* Wednesday 17th^th September 2008 *Presenter:** Mr. Joseph Mucheru**,** Business Lead East Africa (Google Kenya)* * Venue:* The Stanley Hotel- Ball Room Time: 6.00 pm *Charges:* Leadership Forum members – Free Non-Leadership Forum Members – Kshs 5,000 p.a. membership or Kshs 1000 per session Confirm your attendance by email to. _information(a)britishcouncil.or.ke_ <mailto:information@britishcouncil.or.ke> Please note that the Leadership forum membership and gate fees have been revised upwards effective from 1^st September 2008. If your membership expired in July or August 2008, you can renew annual membership at Ksh 3,000 only during the month of September. Attached is Mr. Mucheru’s bio-data. The British Council is committed to promoting equality and eliminating discrimination in the areas of gender, race and disability. <<Joseph Mucheru.doc>> Best Regards, Linet Otibine Customer Service Officer British Council Upper Hill Road Pilot Line: 2836000 Fax No: 2836500 _Linet.otibine(a)britishcouncil.or.ke_ <mailto:Linet.otibine@britishcouncil.or.ke>__ *Organisational change for less than you think* This message is for the use of the intended recipient(s) only. If you have received this message in error, please notify the sender and delete it. The British Council accepts no liability for loss or damage caused by software viruses and you are advised to carry out a virus check on any attachments contained in this message. The British Council is a registered charity 209131 (England and Wales) SC037733 (Scotland). Our purpose is to build mutually beneficial relationships between people in the UK and other countries and to increase appreciation of the UK's creative ideas and achievements.

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Re: [kictanet] BPO STUDY LAUNCH PRESENTATIONS
by David Otwoma 11 Sep '08

11 Sep '08

Thank you so much Evelyne. What MM saved for me on my flashdisk is not accessible but now I have what was presented. On Thu, Sep 11, 2008 at 12:41 PM, Evelyne Majale <evelyne(a)kictanet.or.ke> wrote: > Dear all > > > > Attached are the presentations of the BPO Study Launch that took place > yesterday at KICC. > > > > > > > > Evelyne > > _______________________________________________ > kictanet mailing list > kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > > This message was sent to: otwomad(a)gmail.com > Unsubscribe or change your options at > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/otwomad%40gmail.com > >

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BPO STUDY LAUNCH PRESENTATIONS
by Evelyne Majale 11 Sep '08

11 Sep '08

Dear all Attached are the presentations of the BPO Study Launch that took place yesterday at KICC. Evelyne

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Re: [kictanet] Rwanda Gets Localls Made/Assemled Handset
by Dan Njiriri 10 Sep '08

10 Sep '08

Dear Dr Ndemo, Thank you for your kind clarification on steps taken by Kenya on assembled electronics in Kenya. I am a strong bealiver in local industries and happy to let you know I have bought twenty Madaraka PCs from JKUAT Enterprises for our Tracom college teaching lab. They however need to develop local materials for the industry as oppossed to assembly only. Anyone can do that. The Gilgil Telecommucations Industry should be nurtured and it is a pity what you have explained on someone turning it to posts treatment. What a shame and waste of developing industrial capacity! May the good Loard see the case to logical conclusion. I fully agree with you that the private sector and the academia must wake-up and create the necessary industries and hence wealth. Once again thank you. Dan Njiriri --- On Mon, 9/8/08, 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] Rwanda Gets Localls Made/Assemled Handset To: njiris2000(a)yahoo.com Cc: bitange(a)jambo.co.ke, "KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions" <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke>, "Robert Onyango-Alai" <alai.robert(a)gmail.com> Date: Monday, September 8, 2008, 7:24 AM Dear Njiriri, There is nothing wrong with policy and we should not benchmark Kenya with Rwanda because the differences between the two countries are just too many. Compared to Kenya, Rwanda is where Kenya was in the 80's, centrally planned economy where the Government interferes with everything including the private sector. Granted there is virtually no private sector in Rwanda. We have spent most of the 90's privatizing that which was created by Government. The economy and more specifically the communication sector is fully liberalised. The opportunities for the private sector are therefore enormous and we should not blame the Government. It is in this forum that we recently discussed Madaraka PC and it was dismissed as unworkable. We did not bother to ask especially JKUAT where they have reached in developing components locally for the PC. Kenya has been in the forefront producing telephone equipment including switches at the Gilgil plant for the region. Indeed we have several firms seeking to start local production of mobile handsets at the facility but have been frustrated by a nother Kenyan who wanted to manufacture poles at the plant (The perils of Democracy). The case is still in court that we cannot discuss it here. We must be proud of our human resources for what they have done in the region. What we need to do now is to vigorously utilize this resources to exploit the opportunities - this if Adam Smith was a life will tell you that - let the private sector wake up. This is the pattern that the Newly Industrialized Nations of Asia followed. The Indians are going home from many countries to create real wealth. Regards Ndemo. > Thanks Dr Ochuodho for sharing this new development in Rwanda. > Unfortunately, Kenya is once again beaten at our own game, not becaurse we > lack, excellent technical manpower and facilities.., but becaurse we are > too slow in policy development! Rwanda has carried the day, yet all the > production parts pass through Kenya to Rwanda! > We should learn to be fast in what we want to achieve, and not take years > back and forth in board rooms. > Dan Njiriri > > --- On Sat, 9/6/08, Shem Ochuodho <shemochuodho(a)yahoo.com> wrote: > > From: Shem Ochuodho <shemochuodho(a)yahoo.com> > Subject: [kictanet] Rwanda Gets Localls Made/Assemled Handset > To: njiris2000(a)yahoo.com > Cc: "Robert Onyango-Alai" <alai.robert(a)gmail.com>, "KICTAnet ICT Policy > Discussions" <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> > Date: Saturday, September 6, 2008, 6:08 AM > > > > > > > > Quoting: Rwanda ICT4D Community Network > > Rwanda get locally made handset -Network World 02/09/2008 > > A-Link Technologies, a Chinese electronics company, has unveiled its first > mobile phone handsets manufactured in Rwanda. This makes Rwanda the first > country in the region to sell locally manufactured mobile phones. > > The manufacturing of the handsets follows a memorandum of understanding > signed in 2006 between A-Link and the Rwanda Information Technology > Authority, the country's telecom regulator. > Read the latest WhitePaper - Monitor the core and troubleshoot the access > layer with integrated network analysis solutions > > The company plans to start selling the phones, called "Alira," in the 21 > countries of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern African after they > are officially launched in October and once production is stepped up, said > A-Link CEO Yin Quing Ri. > > "One of the phone models has been programmed with Kinyarwanda software so > the Rwandese who uses their mother language can communicate easily," Ri > said. > > So far, the company has produced three models -- the A100, A200 and A300 > -- and promises that several other models are in the works. > > The phones feature color screens and radios, among other amenities. > > The plant is manufacturing 100 handsets per day, though it has the > capacity to produce 700 phones per day. > > A-Link began operating in Rwanda last year, as the country is positioning > itself to be an ICT hub in East Africa. > _______________________________________________ > kictanet mailing list > kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > > This message was sent to: njiris2000(a)yahoo.com > Unsubscribe or change your options at > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/njiris2000%40yahoo.com > > > > > ---------------------------------------------- > This message has been scanned for viruses and > dangerous content by Jambo MailScanner, and is > believed to be clean. > --------------------------------------------- > "easy access to the world" > > _______________________________________________ > kictanet mailing list > kictanet(a)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 > ---------------------------------------------- This message has been scanned for viruses and dangerous content by Jambo MailScanner, and is believed to be clean. --------------------------------------------- "easy access to the world"

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Help Define ICANN's Future
by alice 09 Sep '08

09 Sep '08

Help Define ICANN's Future By Kieren McCarthy Mention ICANN in Internet circles and you will always find a multitude of views of what the organization should do, needs to do, and should have done; how it has to change, and why; and what it needs to focus on. Well, the time has come to make those views known and to try to persuade the rest of the community that they represent the best step forward. ICANN is running a special consultation called "Improving Institutional Confidence". It comprises of three main documents, developed by the President's Strategy Committee (PSC) from input received through the Midterm Review of the Joint Project Agreement, and the other consultations the PSC has held over the years. Those documents outline a range of suggested changes and alterations to the ICANN model of decision-making. Everything is available online in multiple languages, and revised versions of the documents will this week go out to a second public comment period, to which you are all, of course, encouraged to respond. It is not just an online consultation, however. We are running a number of regional consultative meetings across the globe to let you provide your input in person. There has already been one meeting at a Latin American and Caribbean Internet Addresses Registry (LACNIC) conference in Montevideo in August, and a second took place at the Asia-Pacific Network Information Centre (APNIC) meeting in Christchurch, also last month. The next meeting is next week in Geneva, the day before the Internet Governance Forum (IGF) preparatory meeting. It will be held at 8am on Monday 15 September at the Hotel Royal on Rue de Lausanne. And another will be held in Washington on Wednesday 1 October at the National Press Club. If you can come, please register online. Staff and PSC members will be there and you will be able to provide your input directly and in person. All the information you could need on these meetings and the Improving Institutional Confidence Consultation (IIC) consultation itself is available. Please do get involved. And if you have any questions, either contact me, or email iic(a)icann.org. Cheers, and I hope to see you all there Written by Kieren McCarthy, General manager of public participation, ICANN See related topics: Domain Registries, Internet Governance, Policy & Regulation, Top-Level Domains --- You are currently subscribed to aisi-l as: [alice(a)apc.org] To unsubscribe, forward this message to leave-aisi-l-84914M(a)lyris.bellanet.org

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Re: [kictanet] [Skunkworks] Runway inflation?
by aki 09 Sep '08

09 Sep '08

Jazz, Phares, Many thanks for your inputs so far. It been great reading. The government has do something about the inflation or face a situation where we just became a very expensive country on the continent. It will then have to deal with a roller-coaster effect , that is price increase means less revenue as people will stop buying. So the revenue being collected so far will further reduce with a NEGATIVE TREND. Electricity costs sky rocket, a negative trend to come? There will be millions of people looking for alternate energy to cutting costs or just use electricity for bare essentails. This will cause a shortfall in collection targets. Will the power company be back in square one, i.e price increase leads to more lost revenue? So what excatly is the government doing about it? What measures has it put in place? Whether bad policies or bad decisions, the current state of inflation is un-acceptable. Passing the buck to citizens is not an option or asking citizens to dig deeper into their pockets is not a solution.

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First steps towards a global ICT profession
by waudo siganga 09 Sep '08

09 Sep '08

Dear All - attachment from IFIP/Australia Computer Society for your interest. On Tue, 9 Sep 2008 10:35:22 +0200, "Eduard Dundler" <eduard.dundler@ifip. org> said: Dear IFIP members, may I ask you to release the attached Press Release about the latest development in IP3 to your PR contacts. Best regards Eduard Dundler ========================================= Eduard Dundler Head of IFIP Secretariat International Federation for Information Processing Tel.: +43 2236 73 616 10 Fax: +43 2236 73 616 e-mail: [1]eduard.dundler(a)ifip.org ========================================= References 1. mailto:eduard.dundler@ifip.org People make a plan work, a plan alone seldom makes people work (Confucius).

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[Fwd: [Aaw-network] The Info-Activism Camp]
by alice 09 Sep '08

09 Sep '08

========== Are you interested in using mobile phones to reach out to your community but don't know how? Do you produce reports full of crucial data but feel like the right people aren't reading them? Do you know that using the internet and mobile phones for your advocacy work can create security vulnerabilities but don't know how to protect yourself against them? Do you want to learn how to use digital advocacy to create change? If your answer is yes, then read on....and be a participant at our Info-Activism Camp! The Info-Activism camp will bring together 120 rights advocates from the global South with technologists, designers and activists for a week long hands-on workshop to share skills, tools and tactics in digital advocacy. Info-Activism is an approach to advocacy that recognises the artful use of information and communications as a primary tactic in successful campaigns. The camp provides a space for intensive learning and doing, a structured 'skill-share' environment for experienced advocates that will give them the confidence and know-how to leverage the limited resources they have to create greater impact. During the week, participants will learn how to creatively integrate new technologies in to their advocacy and create long lasting connections with other advocates and tech-activists. The camp will give rights advocates the practical skills, tools and techniques to use technology to: * Gather and analyse information and facilitate evidence- based campaigning * Create and disseminate targeted, accessible and engaging information for advocacy efforts that have impact on targets and mobilise support * Increase participation from affected communities * Enable cooperation and coordination with allies * Minimise security and privacy vulnerabilities The Info-Activism Camp is organised by Tactical Tech and will be held in India, February 2009. Tactical Tech is an international NGO helping rights advocates use information, communications and digital technologies to maximise the impact of their advocacy work. We provide advocates with guides, tools, training and consultancy to help them develop the skills and tactics they need to increase the impact of their campaigning. Read more about our work at http://www.tacticaltech.org More details along with the application form will be available by end of September 2008. The working language of the camp will be English. If you want to learn more about the camp in the meantime or sign up to get an application form, please write to infoactivism(a)tacticaltech.org

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[Fwd: [Fibre-for-africa] A report that focuses on the lack of high-capacity backbone networks in Africa]
by alice 08 Sep '08

08 Sep '08

Hi All FYI -------- Original Message -------- Subject: [Fibre-for-africa] A report that focuses on the lack of high-capacity backbone networks in Africa Date: Mon, 8 Sep 2008 19:47:20 +0100 From: abi.jagun(a)gmail.com Reply-To: APC - Private list for use by EASSY Workshop Participants <fibre-for-africa(a)lists.apc.org> To: APC - Private list for use by EASSY Workshop Participants <fibre-for-africa(a)lists.apc.org> Dear All I came across the following article recently which might be of interest to the list. It canbe downloaded at http://www.infodev.org/en/Publication.526.html Broadband for Africa: Policy for Promoting the Development of Backbone Networks A report that focuses on the lack of high-capacity backbone networks in Africa Many countries in Sub-Saharan Africa see ICT as a foundation of long-term economic development. The region has been very successful in increasing access to basic voice communications but there has been no comparable improvement in broadband connectivity. The broadband access gap between Sub-Saharan Africa and the rest of the world is getting wider, just as the gap in basic voice communications is getting smaller. Increasing access to broadband connectivity is therefore emerging as a high priority for policymakers across the continent. This report focuses on one important part of the challenge – the lack of high-capacity backbone networks. It addresses three specific questions: What role do backbone networks play in the provision of broadband services, what is the current state of backbone network development in Sub-Saharan Africa (and why) and, what can be done to promote the development of backbone networks and thereby stimulate the take-up of broadband services? By Mark Williams. Published August 2008. _______________________________________________ Fibre-for-africa mailing list Fibre-for-africa(a)lists.apc.org http://lists.apc.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/fibre-for-africa

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Rwanda Gets Localls Made/Assemled Handset
by Shem Ochuodho 08 Sep '08

08 Sep '08

Quoting: Rwanda ICT4D Community Network Rwanda get locally made handset -Network World 02/09/2008 A-Link Technologies, a Chinese electronics company, has unveiled its first mobile phone handsets manufactured in Rwanda. This makes Rwanda the first country in the region to sell locally manufactured mobile phones. The manufacturing of the handsets follows a memorandum of understanding signed in 2006 between A-Link and the Rwanda Information Technology Authority, the country's telecom regulator. Read the latest WhitePaper - Monitor the core and troubleshoot the access layer with integrated network analysis solutions The company plans to start selling the phones, called "Alira," in the 21 countries of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern African after they are officially launched in October and once production is stepped up, said A-Link CEO Yin Quing Ri. "One of the phone models has been programmed with Kinyarwanda software so the Rwandese who uses their mother language can communicate easily," Ri said. So far, the company has produced three models -- the A100, A200 and A300 -- and promises that several other models are in the works. The phones feature color screens and radios, among other amenities. The plant is manufacturing 100 handsets per day, though it has the capacity to produce 700 phones per day. A-Link began operating in Rwanda last year, as the country is positioning itself to be an ICT hub in East Africa.

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Invitation for Web design PHP/MYSQL Training
by Martin Njuguna-Digital Vision 08 Sep '08

08 Sep '08

Dear all, We would like to invite the people interested in Hands on Web design,PHP/MYSQL training to join us during our 4 days hands on training seminar between *29th September to 2nd October 2008.* For more details, please check out http://digitalvision.co.ke/training/ You can also request for the full course outline for the 4 days by writing to us on training(a)digitalvision.co.ke Thank you in advance. -- Martin S. Njuguna Digital Vision Limited Plot number 72/688 Kitengela Road, Langata, Nairobi Maasai Shopping complex 1st floor ,room 4 P.O Box 40721 00100 t:+254-20-21 33 865 c:+254 721 440 543 c:+254 733 440 543 e:martin@digitalvision.co.ke <e%3Amartin(a)digitalvision.co.ke> w: http://www.digitalvision.co.ke

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Re: [kictanet] [Skunkworks] Runway inflation?
by Phares Kariuki 08 Sep '08

08 Sep '08

Hi, I agree with you in the most part, just that there are a couple of issues I've found. ECONOMICS; An observation. Economics observes what happens in economies. It does not come up with the rules. The whole point of the study of economics is to better understand how transactions etc function. Now, when I say that a farmer in Dundori is hurt by low pricing, that is reality. His is a low value transaction. It is unfortunate, but if 70% of the transactions (numerically) are low value, then they can be financially worth less than the remaining 30%, which accounts for more, financially. The problem then is how to get the Farmers out of Farmland trading and into the mainstream market (given that if they do that, they will increase competition, thereby reducing pricing, while gaining more money in the same breath). The policy is left to someone else. I disagree with the thought that inflation causes rural to urban migration to recede. Actually, it increases it. The problem is, the guy at Dundori is so poor that the instant school fees and transport costs rise, he can no longer afford to make ends meet, so he moves, He's hardest hit by inflation. He suddenly can no longer afford to buy bread (which has risen, and his income is still the same paltry amount). It's the same as migration to foreign nations, once a comfortable life is easily accessible in Nairobi, then Greencard applications will go down. The sad thing is people from the citys/towns tend to portray and image of doing well, so the farmer figures the fortune lies in Nairobi. In economics, its said that prices are sticky downwards, meaning that an upsurge in pricing is easy, but an adjustment downwards is almost impossible. An example? Global crude prices have come down. Fuel stations will keep the pump prices at that level, and unfortunately, the trend is to maintain that as their new profit margin. The same can be said about the matatu industry. Once they increase their fare, they have a new profit margin, which they will not go below. UNEMPLOYMENT For a developing nation such as ours, studies show that a certain level of unemployment (not the level we have though) is good for the nation, as it keeps competition for jobs high, making labour cheap, and hence keeping our goods more competitive globally, and it also spurs entrepreneurship, as people are now forced to start businesses when they cannot find jobs. CAUSE OF INFLATION IN KENYA Inasmuch as it is popular to blame the government, this particular situation is largely caused by government. It has made a series of misinformed policy decisions which are to blame for the situation at hand. 1. Separation of Kengen & KPLC - This was a case of blindly copying what happens in other nations without looking at our situation in particular. This is normally done when the logistics of managing the two becomes too difficult. Kenya is still a young nation, at most they should have created two smaller entities, each mandated with a different objective, in line with what Kengen did with Geothermal power generation. For example, having KPLC (Mother Company), Kengen and Kenya Power Distributors Limited. 2.Lack of capacity building; Throwing money to fix the problem - When Kenya first experienced power rationing, the government started buying diesel generators and installed them at the now popular Kipevu Power Station. Now, Kenya is one of the countries with the largest capacities for geothermal energy in Africa, instead of tapping on this, the government spent money on diesel generation. As a stop gap measure, this was OK, the problem is, someone realised that this was a way to cover the capacity problems, to meet the shortfall. That is why the projects to build new power stations take too long. Now, the global price of petroleum has gone up, we have to pay more for power, simply because it is becoming a larger percentage of our power generation. This also increases diesel prices locally, as the demand has increased. You will have noticed that diesel fuel has increased in price more than standard Super/Regular, when looked at as a percentage. 3. Poor Transport Infrastructure & Taxes - Our road infrastructure is dilapidated. This makes transport expensive, however, the tax regime makes it too expensive. Now fuel is at European prices. Our rail infrastructure is poor. Transporting milk/bread etc, will cost more for this simple reason. When matatus increase the fare, this affects the ordinary mwananchi, who most feels the pain. Women selling goods in markets have to pay more to get their goods there, and will charge more, increasing cost of food. It is the same on all basic goods that rely on transport. The handcarts/mkokotenis realise increased demand, and will increase their pricing as well. This price will not go down easily. 4. Listing of Kengen & KPLC. While a good decision financially speaking, as the bearer of policy, the government flopped in this regard. Given that the companies have been separated, each now has profit targets to meet. The government had earlier subsidized cost on both Kengen & KPLC's part. Now, had they not been listed, this would not have been a problem, as the government would not need them to make profits, however, as things are, being a listed company, if the stock price falls, the CEO loses his job, as he has an angry AGM to contend with. Now, we have two companies, each with a huge profit target to meet, and a government that can no longer afford to subsidize power. Now the result is, with their new profit regimes neatly tucked in their pockets, they increase the cost of power, thereby increasing production of goods. So, the manufacturers raise their prices, the transporters raise their prices, the farmer, having to contend with rising prices, raises his prices. Leaving the citizens digging deeper into their pockets. Kijiji, we agree in principle, the difference is that you are not content with the situation. The poverty Kenyans face is real. And I agree, more SACCOs and other such groups should be created, to allow the farmers to bargain for better pricing. Ill give an example, I was recently in Dundori (hence the several inferences), where I saw an old grandmother feed one of the healthiest and largest batch of cabbages Ive seen yet to her cows. Now, I asked why? Well, the cabbage (which retails in NBI for 40-60 shillings, in a market, the price increase, as I pointed out earlier, is due to transport problems (15 odd km of dirt road + tonnes of middlemen) is bought from her at 3 shillings a piece. She at least has a cooperative for milk, so they buy the milk at 23 shillings a litre. She figures, the cows tend to produce better milk when fed with cabbages, and they will rot, waiting for someone to collect... And we complain about food shortages? Now, Kijiji, we cannot say that 10 cabbages are worth 400 shillings. They have retailed at 3 shillings each, meaning that they are worth 30 shillings. That's the farmers buying power. Anyway, my two pence, as the tradition is, feel free to punch holes in my argument... On Mon, Sep 8, 2008 at 8:21 AM, Kijiji Jazz <kijijijazz(a)gmail.com> wrote: > Hi Aki,Skunks, > > > Energy runs the economy, it greatly determines the cost of production. > What this means is that bottom lines for companies will be greatly > affected and small companies wont be able to manage. It basically means > that small is being redefined especially in urban areas. > > For me to answer your question effectively, i have to put some things in > context. Firstly in the CNBC thread what you and Phares said about > price and salaries was on point but. Salaries or wages are a different > INDEX from GDP. They are defined as Yp or {Income per Capita}. Thus my > contention that he was right on YP and wrong on GDP Why is this > important? Their are two kinds of economies really. LDC {Low Developed > Countries and Medium Developed Countries}. > > This brings me to the issue PHARES raised of the JAPAN economy. > Developed Countries primarily suffer from problems of Devlopment not > Problems of Growth. Low developed countries {LDC} or 3rd world > countries suffer from from problems of growth. > > WHAT IS A PROBLEM OF GROWTH? > > In Kenya's case a problem of Growth would be retrenchment, high costs of > living etc. When an economy is growing it leaves some people behind as > it grows. This are the people who do not adapt to the growth. For > example 10 years ago a person who had a certificate in Secretarial > studies could get a job, in Nairobi. Now their skill set is largely > irrelevant. A degree is a prerequisite for a job now. And the > situation will get worse. Thus the argument by Karl Maxx in his book > "Das Kapital" that " Capitalism results in a reserve army of unemployed > workers." He was right!! as we can see from the retrenchments at Telkom > Kenya etc. However i am a firm believer in Capitalism. > > WHAT IS A PROBLEM OF DEVELOPMENT? > > A problem of development is more societal in nature. They say that > money only makes you more of what you already are. Thus crime goes up > in urban areas in terms of drug use and prostitution etc. > > INFLATION IS A PROBLEMS OF GROWTH > > We all know that property prices in Nairobi have gone in some instances > by up to 4 times in the last 10 years. What this means is that urban > areas are getting expensive to live in. That has led to increased rents > etc. Power is also largely expensive due to the demand for oil from the > East with their quickly expanding middle class. > > This means that small business and low skilled people will eventually be > unable to survive in Nairobi and relocate to rural areas. Their are > already reported cases of people in banks asking for transfers to rural > areas where life is cheaper. > > WHAT DOES THAT MEAN > > That then means that rural areas will start to grow and expand into > urban centres in the long term. This is because while a person with > secretarial skills in Nairobi is irrelevant. Their skill set is needed > in Homa Bay. It could also be argued that people will not move to rural > areas but will stay and engage in crime. Which is also true but unless > crime is organised it isn't profitable. > > HOW WILL RURAL AREAS DEVELOP > > Business works in terms of willing buyer, willing seller. That means > that the business that succeed will need to be where their are high > populations to improve their chances of getting more willing buyers. > Thus when people relocate companies will have to roll out into rural > areas. This will stimulate growth and development as seen by Equity > banks expansion drive, and By OneComms focus on rural areas in terms of > selling internet access. > > > INFLATION IS THUS GOOD IN THE LONG TERM > > This is rather ruthless to say. However it is true. Inflation reduces > rural to urban migration and reduces informal settlements in urban > areas. By keeping people in rural areas inflation fosters growth in > those areas. > > However inflation is bad if people who are forced to stay in rural areas > by it have no fallback option. That means that governments must relax > regulation of businesses and make it easy for them to expand to rural > areas. Kudos to CCK for the converged licence. > > Banks are also a big culprit. At any one time Banks in Kenya are > holding reserves of up to 60 billion shillings. Thus Michael Josephs > statement in the news recently when launching MPESA on PESA POINT where > he said. "Banks always have money, at least Kenyan Banks" In developed > economies banks dont hold vast reserves of cash they lend. Money should > be in the economy producing more not in banks. > > The more entrepreneurs have access to cash, the more they can do. thus > lending should be long term and flexible to foster economic growth. > > Therefore what Kenya is experiencing is problems of growth. As Phares > pointed out. It will harm some people but in the long term it will be > good for the economy. > > Small companies will close or change their structure to survive e.g. > remove permanent employees and higher contract ones or freelancers. For > example KQ has frozen employment for the next two years, hiring us > strictly contractual. Informal industries such as matatus will have to > formalise into Saccos or Bus companies or risk closure. > > DISCLAIMER: Our inflation is also artificial due to OPEC. It is also > brought about by America and its bloated middle class and Chinas ever > growing middle class and their demand for oil. However this is the > general trend of the economy. I hope that clarifies stuff for you. > > I invite Phares and others to Critic and contribute to this. > > > Kjaz > > On Thu, 2008-09-04 at 13:07 +0300, aki wrote: > > At this stage I wish I knew more about economics than ICT! > > > > While these lists are ICT based, if we have an economist on board, it > > would be a great help to some of us if the person can do some analysis > > and share it on this list. > > > > Some points to consider ( my amatuer input ) : > > > > - Electricity runs the economy. At 100% or more increase, what will it > > mean in the long term, say 3-12months from now? > > > > - Closure of businesses, loss of employment, eroded spending power by > > the consumers or businesses? > > > > - How much of the increased costs will affect property business > > rental prices ? > > > > - How will the informal sector handle this? > > > > - How will ICT companies fare in this scenario? > > > > - Price increases of products, solutions etc lead to a negative market > > trend? > > > > My apology for posting these issues here. > > > > Aki. > > > > > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > > skunkworks mailing list > > skunkworks(a)my.co.ke > > http://ole.kenic.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/skunkworks > > Blog http://skunkworks-ke.blogspot.com > > Beta Blog http://blog.my.co.ke > > Get Skunkworks RSS Feeds: http://www.jahazi.com/rss/ > > > > _______________________________________________ > skunkworks mailing list > skunkworks(a)my.co.ke > http://ole.kenic.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/skunkworks > Blog http://skunkworks-ke.blogspot.com > Beta Blog http://blog.my.co.ke > Get Skunkworks RSS Feeds: http://www.jahazi.com/rss/ >

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BPO STUDY LAUNCH
by Evelyne Majale 08 Sep '08

08 Sep '08

Dear people Another reminder of the BPO STUDY LAUNCH Please note: Venue: KICC Date: Wednesday 10th September, 2008 Time: 8.30 a.m. 1 p.m. Attached, please find the programme Please send your confirmations to me off line. Evelyne

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ITXC judgement lifts the carpet on bribes to seven African telcos for contracts
by Eric M.K Osiakwan 08 Sep '08

08 Sep '08

Everyone knows it happens but the conclusion of the trial of three former ITXC employees has aired publicly how it is done. Employees of seven African telcos – all state owned with one exception – were given bribes to obtain wholesale VoIP voice contracts. The sums involved were not large but court documents reveal how it was done and some interesting incidental detail about its pitfalls as a way of approaching sales acquisition. Founded in1997 by Tom Evslin, a former Vice President at AT&T, ITXC was one of the new breed of VoIP based carriers that set out to conquer the world. One of its key markets was Africa because of the plentiful arbitrage opportunities offered by the extremely high costs of international calling. ITXC sold low-cost international wholesale minutes to incumbents who were therefore able to either lower their prices or (as was often the case) simply increase their margins. The company was sold to Teleglobe and it was during that process that the bribery allegations first emerged. ITXC’s in-house attorney asked its sales department to provide a list of ITXC agents who also worked for telcos. On 27 October 2003, this person sent the following list: Sonatel, Nitel (through Standard Digital), Telkom Kenya (through Adwest), Ghana Telecom and Angola Telecom. Subsequently Teleglobe was sold to Tata’s VSNL. Three former ITXC employees were charged under the US Foreign Corrupt Practices Act: former Managing Director Roger Young, former Vice President Steven J. Ott, and Yaw Osei Amoako. Other co-conspirators were named but not charged as some were not US citizens. Young and Ott received reduced sentences because they co-operated with the investigation which is “on-going” according to the Department of Justice statement. Young was fined US$7,000 and Ott US$10,000, with latter also getting five years probation, six months community confinement and six months home imprisonment. A third defendant in the case, Ghanaian Yaw Osei Amoako (a US citizen), pleaded guilty on Sept. 6, 2006, and was sentenced on Aug. 1, 2007, to 18 months in prison, a $7,500 fine and to serve two years of supervised release following release from prison. The carriers named in the court case were: Nigeria’s Nitel: “On or about October 25 2002, ITXC and Nitel executed a VoIP Network Services Agreement…” In November ITXC then entered into a sales agreement with Standard Digital International, an agreement that was signed by Nitel’s General Director of International Relations, a member of the committee that reviewed the bids of those companies competing for the contract. On or about 10 October 2003 prior to ITXC signing with Nitel sent an e-mail saying:”I was able to get (the person at Nitel) to chat with (defendant Ott) in my hotel room and he poured out what we have to do to get the deal through with (sic) getting him in trouble favouring ITXC.” The following day he wrote:”Prior to sending real traffic, Nitel is ready to sit down and give ITXC special rates. Do I trust them on this? Yes. The Agents are the negotiators but is (sic) afraid of other operators (sic) actions and political contacts with Ministers, President and Vice President.” In 2003 there was a “cost dispute” which required payment of a further approximately US$150,000 to the sales agent. ITXC agreed to pay Standard Digital a retainer fee of US$10,000 and a commission of 12% of ITXC’s profits from these service agreements. Between November 2002 and May 2004 ITXC wired approximately US $166,541.31 to Standard Digital. Rwandatel: The contract between ITXC and Rwandatel was entered into at the end of February 2002. ITXC made the Rwandatel employee negotiating the agreement its sales agent and agreed to pay him “one cent per minute for certain traffic to Uganda, Burundi and Rwanda terminated through Rwandatel. The sum sent in this instance was approximately US$26,155.11. By the end of 2002, a dispute arose between the Managing Director of Rwandatel and the bribed employee over the latter’s failure to share the money. There was then an e-mail exchange as to whether the size of the sum could be revealed to which “co-conspirator 2” replied:”…we can reveal the information, although in the ordinary case, we shouldn’t (but this doesn’t seem to be an ordinary case).” Subsequently they met the Managing Director who wanted to change the agent receiving the commissions to someone nominated by him. As a result the process became more complicated:”We also agree the current agent must not be informed of the meeting and of the new arrangement.” But they were happy with is complication:”The way I see it, (the original employee bribed) cannot cause any trouble to ITXC as the Managing Director is in charge. He cannot sue because he would be arrested for receiving kickbacks.” Senegal’s Sonatel: The contract was signed in February 2001 and the following month the employee negotiating the contract entered into a “Non-Exclusive Regional Agency Agreement” which offered commission on revenues earned by ITXC. Between March 2001 and October 2003 US $74,772.06 was paid to this Sonatel employee. But there were problems as France Telecom, the private shareholder in Sonatel could clearly see all was not right. An e-mail in September 2002 was sent to Ott stating:”(The bribed employee) is the only one defending us in (the Sonatel monthly Board meetings) and he tells me (France Telecom) is becoming very suspicious. We need to get him out of the spotlight asap.” The problem continued as an e-mail in May 2003 makes clear:”Sonatel is not an easy organization to deal with. France Telecom is gripping them pretty tight. (The bribed employee) is not the force he used to be – but we still need him and he can still do good. Just be prepared not to get the most complete or direct answers to your questions.” Ghana Telecom: The ITXC agreement was signed in February 2001 but came to grief in December 2002 when Ghana Telecom disconnected its link to ITXC over a “cost dispute”. ITXC then offered to retain a General Manager in the International Department as ITXC’s sales agent and pay him commissions “in exchange for his assistance in settling this dispute.” Mali’s Sotelma: The contract was negotiated in 2002 and in order to conclude the negotiations ITXC signed the overall boss of Sotelma, its Director-General as its sales agent and paid commissions on traffic generated. E-mails about the arrangement stated that:”I have the Director General in the deal as an agent who is been (sic) fronted by his lieutenants.” It will be clear from the summary of the available public documents that this approach to business has a number of pitfalls. The bribed employees in two instances subsequently had to sort out “cost disputes” which were the pretext for asking for more bribes. In one instance, the bribed employee failed to share his gains with the managing director. In the only company with a private shareholder (which also sells wholesale minutes), the bribed employee became isolated under commercial questioning: this provides a strong if not always decisive argument for privatisation. From the telco side, what has been known privately for years is now revealed clearly and publicly by the Rwandatel and Sotelma examples. Corruption is systemic and goes right to the top and bribes are expected to be shared with the boss of the organisation and woe betide anyone who tries to keep the money to themselves. NB: Sory for crossposting.. Eric M.K Osiakwan ICT Integrator Internet Research www.internetresearch.com.gh emko(a)internetresearch.com.gh 42 Ring Road Central, Accra-North Tel: +233.21.258800 ext 2031 Fax: +233.21.258811 Cell: +233.24.4386792

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