- KICTANet - KICTANet

Is It Time to Break Up Google?
by Ngigi Waithaka 28 Apr '17

28 Apr '17

Listers, https://www.nytimes.com/2017/04/22/opinion/sunday/is-it-time-to-break-up-go… Here we go, again.... It seems these *BIG* issues have been and will continue being with us for a long while. Before @Ali shoots back, this is a different debate from the Risk Management one, although they have certain areas where they intersect. I quite think the closing words are very appropriate... *"...Woodrow Wilson was right when he said in 1913, “If monopoly persists, monopoly will always sit at the helm of the government.” We ignore his words at our peril....* -- *Regards,* *Wait**haka Ngigi* Chief Executive Officer | Alliance Technologies | MCK Nairobi Synod Building T +254 20 525 0750 |Office Mobile: +254 716 201061 | M +254 737 811 000 www.at.co.ke

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Safaricom Hits Back!
by Francis Monyango 27 Apr '17

27 Apr '17

Good evening, Safaricom faults CA, says its voice service is quality. “Our internal independent studies indicated different values. However, of more concern is the fact that we (alongside other industry players) noted significant anomalies that would impact the scores in the report,” http://www.nation.co.ke/business/Safaricom-faults-CA--says-its-voice-servic… -- Francis Monyango Lawyer | ICT Policy and Legal Consultant www.monyango.com 0726792792

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Safaricom may face sanctions over network outage
by Sidney Ochieng 27 Apr '17

27 Apr '17

Safaricom may face sanctions over network outage http://www.businessdailyafrica.com/news/Safaricom-may-face-sanctions- over-network-outage/539546-3902518-15d86gnz/index.html That one network has this much power over economy is frightening and must be addressed. Today has proven that it's not enough that Safaricom says they won't misuse their dominance, it's enough that if they fail the country slows to a crawl. Sent on the move, kindly excuse any typos. Sidney

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Conference speakers - Block Chain Technology, Cryptocurrencies; Innovation
by Matunda Nyanchama 26 Apr '17

26 Apr '17

Good evening friends. Please send me names of individuals that can speak on the following subjects. If possible, they need to come from the East African region and/or have experience on the same from the region. 1. Cryptocurrency: It's fate in East Africa 2. Implementing Block-Chain Technology: Idea v/s Reality 3. RegTechs: Innovation for Regulation Shukrani. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ Matunda Nyanchama, PhD, CISSP; Director & Managing Consultant, <mailto:mnyanchama@aganoconsulting.com> mnyanchama(a)aganoconsulting.com Agano Consulting Inc.; <http://www.aganoconsulting.com/> www.aganoconsulting.com; Twitter: <http://twitter.com/#%21/nmatunda> nmatunda; Skype: okiambe ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------- Manage your ICT risks! We are the experts you need! The trusted partners you deserve! Call: +254-20-267-0743 (Kenya) or info(a)aganoconsulting.com Licensed by Communications Authority of Kenya (CA)

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Fwd: [Internet Policy] UNHCHR survey
by Barrack Otieno 26 Apr '17

26 Apr '17

Listers, For your Information. Best Regards ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Richard Hill <rhill(a)hill-a.ch> Date: Tue, Apr 25, 2017 at 6:15 PM Subject: [Internet Policy] UNHCHR survey To: internetpolicy(a)elists.isoc.org The United Nations Human Rights Office is defining its strategic direction for the next four years and would appreciate input. They ask all interested persons to fill in a questionnaire to help us them make the best strategic choices to stand up and stand out for defense, protection and promotion of all human rights for all. The questionnaire is at: http://ohchr-survey.unog.ch/index.php/288665?lang=en Feel free to forward as appropriate. Best, Richard _______________________________________________ To manage your ISOC subscriptions or unsubscribe, please log into the ISOC Member Portal: https://portal.isoc.org/ Then choose Interests & Subscriptions from the My Account menu. -- Barrack O. Otieno +254721325277 +254733206359 Skype: barrack.otieno PGP ID: 0x2611D86A

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Re: [kictanet] Safaricom may face sanctions over network outage-of market shares and competition
by Ali Hussein 25 Apr '17

25 Apr '17

@Ngigi I will concede the point on ITU... :-) As for being a Safaricom Hardliner...All I can say is that my contributions on this list speaks for itself. I'm an equal opportunity offender. :-) Mine is to declare my deep commitment to free markets and to eschew the 'Market Failure' conversation that leads to a declaration of dominance and 'dishing' out of market share to undeserving entities who will do nothing with it but proceed to lose it as quickly as they were given it. So let's say for arguments sake we declare Safaricom dominant. What are the remedies? What tools does the regulator have to ensure we don't punish well run companies for being winners while rewarding failure. Let's have this conversation on 'correcting' 'dominance' as opposed to simply bashing. I'm on record severally disagreeing with something Safaricom has done. The other issue is of Regulators who are ill equipped to deal with a fast paced tech landscape. Read my blog on this issue:- https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/pitfalls-runaway-innovation-regulators-who-s… Bottom line is this:- This is a mixed conversation - Market Dynamics and a 22nd century Regulatory Toolbox will do the trick. This is a surgeon's scalpel not an executioner's axe conversation. Ali Hussein +254 0713 601113 Twitter: @AliHKassim Skype: abu-jomo LinkedIn: http://ke.linkedin.com/in/alihkassim "We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, therefore, is not an act but a habit." ~ Aristotle Get Outlook for iOS _____________________________ From: Ngigi Waithaka <ngigi(a)at.co.ke> Sent: Tuesday, April 25, 2017 8:13 PM Subject: Re: [kictanet] Safaricom may face sanctions over network outage-of market shares and competition To: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> Cc: Admin CampusCiti <info(a)campusciti.com> @Ali, Mr, you can shoot the messenger, just not the message! ITU is not *irrelevant*. They have their study/studies on these issues, before you dismiss them in total, how about you look indepth at what they have to say, then counter that, point by point. Otherwise I will label thee a *Safaricom hardliner* and ask you to declare any interests (Do they owe you any Bonga Points?) ; past, current, future :-) Rgds On Tue, Apr 25, 2017 at 8:00 PM, Admin CampusCiti via kictanet <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> wrote: @Walu I'm hard pressed to take anything from ITU seriously.. :-) I'm sorry but those guys still think we live in the Telegram era... The dynamics of the Telco market are simply too fluid to label dominant any player st this point. Ali Hussein Hussein & Associates +254 0713 601113 / 0770906375 Twitter: @AliHKassim Skype: abu-jomo LinkedIn: http://ke.linkedin.com/in/alihkassim Blog: www.alyhussein.com "Discovery consists in seeing what everyone else has seen and thinking what no one else has thought". ~ Albert Szent-Györgyi Sent from my iPad On 25 Apr 2017, at 7:44 PM, Walubengo J <jwalu(a)yahoo.com> wrote: @Ali, ITU has a simplified way of calculating degree of competition in a specific market segment e.g mobile money market. It has a strange name, the Herfindahl-Hirschman Index (HHI), but it seeks to determine market concentration beyond - 'how many players exists in a market?'. It attempts to measure 'effective competition' by delving into the market share each of the players controls. In other words, a market of 4 players could actually be LESS competitive than a market of just TWO players -depending on their market shares. As an example, If two players exist in a market and split it equally on a 50:50 basis, that market is more competitive than one with 4 players where the share ratio is say 70:15:10:5. Tafakari hayo :-) walu From: Admin CampusCiti via kictanet <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> To: jwalu(a)yahoo.com Cc: Admin CampusCiti <info(a)campusciti.com>; KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> Sent: Tuesday, April 25, 2017 6:13 PM Subject: Re: [kictanet] Safaricom may face sanctions over network outage @Ngigi We have ourselves to blame. Or competitors for being 'weak' I'm simply not for the idea of 'rectifying' so called 'Market Failure' with the heavy hand of regulation. Dominance/Monopolies are a thing of the past. It maybe simplifying an issue but let's face it. Even with Mpesa being so dominant 90+% of our transactions in this country are still cash based. So where's the Dominance? :-) Ali Hussein Hussein & Associates +254 0713 601113 / 0770906375 Twitter: @AliHKassim Skype: abu-jomo LinkedIn: http://ke.linkedin.com/in/alihkassim Blog: www.alyhussein.com "Discovery consists in seeing what everyone else has seen and thinking what no one else has thought". ~ Albert Szent-Györgyi Sent from my iPad On 25 Apr 2017, at 5:39 PM, Ngigi Waithaka <ngigi(a)at.co.ke> wrote: @Ali, My concern is between now and when the so called 'market' takes care of this issue. As we have seen yesterday, We are one hack away from the entire country being taken down almost completely by the failure of a single firm. Twendeleeni vivyo hivyo! On 25 Apr 2017 5:24 p.m., "Admin CampusCiti" <info(a)campusciti.com> wrote: @Ngigi I'm with Tom on this one. I actually don't see how the Dominance conversation has crept into this discussion :-) We have a choice. For Mpesa 1. Airtel Money. 2. PesaLink 3. MULA - I actually now use Mula for all my bill payments. It's just super useful. Even the Safaricom App that's been launched doesn't hold a candle to Mula. 4. Orange money. For Connectivity 1. Orange 2. Liquid 3. Airtel (by the way there are other parts of this country like Kilifi for example that Airtel has a far better network.. 4. Surf by Facebook 😜 5. Zuku 6. JTL As Kenyans we simply cannot go back to having this Dominance conversation since we are in a free market and there is choice. Vote with your wallet, like I have. Safaricom will continue to improve or it will become irrelevant. Think Microsoft, Think Compac, Think Kodak , Think Nokia. C'mon guys..The market will take care of this issue. And guess what? YOU ARE THE MARKET (Chukua control wewe mwenyewe!!) Don't punish Safaricom for weakness in competitors and your own 'laziness' :-) to choose a different service provider if you are unhappy with current services. Ali Hussein Hussein & Associates +254 0713 601113 / 0770906375 Twitter: @AliHKassim Skype: abu-jomo LinkedIn: http://ke.linkedin. com/in/alihkassim Blog: www.alyhussein.com "Discovery consists in seeing what everyone else has seen and thinking what no one else has thought". ~ Albert Szent-Györgyi Sent from my iPad On 25 Apr 2017, at 10:43 AM, Ngigi Waithaka via kictanet <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke > wrote: Ali, Do you now see the wisdom of declaring Safaricom dominant and at least getting 2-3 other players with a sizeable market share to spread the risk? When Safcom goes down and it will inevitably will at times, the following happens: 1. 80% of the country citizens are without communication 2. 80% of the country's citizens are without access to money & banking services. 3. 100% of the police security & communication system is offline. We put all our country's eggs in that one basket... and the basket is bound to drop once in awhile.... On 25 Apr 2017 9:35 a.m., "Admin CampusCiti via kictanet" <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke > wrote: Listers This issue continues to have serious ramifications. Yesterday Bob, the CEO, made a very impassioned statement on the downtime. I liked the fact that he said there's no excuse for such a thing to happen and that they are working on restoring full services. However, I think Bob's statement simply didn't go far enough. We are seeing a different Safaricom - one that seems attuned to the customer and more open that's why I'm disappointed that Mpesa is still down today morning and we have had nothing from Safaricom. A simple use of SMS to update us on an hourly basis is not too much to ask. It's clear that Safaricom is now so embedded in our lives that total openness is not only a must it's a Business Continuity Conversation. Ali Hussein Hussein & Associates +254 0713 601113 / 0770906375 Twitter: @AliHKassim Skype: abu-jomo LinkedIn: http://ke.linkedin.c om/in/alihkassim Blog: www.alyhussein.com "Discovery consists in seeing what everyone else has seen and thinking what no one else has thought". ~ Albert Szent-Györgyi Sent from my iPad On 24 Apr 2017, at 11:18 PM, Sidney Ochieng via kictanet <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke > wrote: Safaricom may face sanctions over network outage http://www.businessdailyafrica .com/news/Safaricom-may-face-s anctions-over-network-outage/5 39546-3902518-15d86gnz/index.h tml That one network has this much power over economy is frightening and must be addressed. Today has proven that it's not enough that Safaricom says they won't misuse their dominance, it's enough that if they fail the country slows to a crawl. Sent on the move, kindly excuse any typos. Sidney ______________________________ _________________ kictanet mailing list kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/m ailman/listinfo/kictanet Twitter: http://twitter.com/kictanet Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KICTA Net/ Unsubscribe or change your options at https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/m ailman/options/kictanet/info%4 0campusciti.com The Kenya ICT Action Network (KICTANet) is a multi-stakeholder platform for people and institutions interested and involved in ICT policy and regulation. The network aims to act as a catalyst for reform in the ICT sector in support of the national aim of ICT enabled growth and development. KICTANetiquette : Adhere to the same standards of acceptable behaviors online that you follow in real life: respect people's times and bandwidth, share knowledge, don't flame or abuse or personalize, respect privacy, do not spam, do not market your wares or qualifications. ______________________________ _________________ kictanet mailing list kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/m ailman/listinfo/kictanet Twitter: http://twitter.com/kictanet Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KICTA Net/ Unsubscribe or change your options at https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/m ailman/options/kictanet/ngigi% 40at.co.ke The Kenya ICT Action Network (KICTANet) is a multi-stakeholder platform for people and institutions interested and involved in ICT policy and regulation. The network aims to act as a catalyst for reform in the ICT sector in support of the national aim of ICT enabled growth and development. KICTANetiquette : Adhere to the same standards of acceptable behaviors online that you follow in real life: respect people's times and bandwidth, share knowledge, don't flame or abuse or personalize, respect privacy, do not spam, do not market your wares or qualifications. ______________________________ _________________ kictanet mailing list kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/ mailman/listinfo/kictanet Twitter: http://twitter.com/kictanet Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ KICTANet/ Unsubscribe or change your options at https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/ mailman/options/kictanet/info% 40campusciti.com The Kenya ICT Action Network (KICTANet) is a multi-stakeholder platform for people and institutions interested and involved in ICT policy and regulation. The network aims to act as a catalyst for reform in the ICT sector in support of the national aim of ICT enabled growth and development. KICTANetiquette : Adhere to the same standards of acceptable behaviors online that you follow in real life: respect people's times and bandwidth, share knowledge, don't flame or abuse or personalize, respect privacy, do not spam, do not market your wares or qualifications. _______________________________________________ kictanet mailing list kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet Twitter: http://twitter.com/kictanet Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KICTANet/ Unsubscribe or change your options at https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/jwalu%40yahoo.com The Kenya ICT Action Network (KICTANet) is a multi-stakeholder platform for people and institutions interested and involved in ICT policy and regulation. The network aims to act as a catalyst for reform in the ICT sector in support of the national aim of ICT enabled growth and development. KICTANetiquette : Adhere to the same standards of acceptable behaviors online that you follow in real life: respect people's times and bandwidth, share knowledge, don't flame or abuse or personalize, respect privacy, do not spam, do not market your wares or qualifications. _______________________________________________ kictanet mailing list kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet Twitter: http://twitter.com/kictanet Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KICTANet/ Unsubscribe or change your options at https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/ngigi%40at.co.ke The Kenya ICT Action Network (KICTANet) is a multi-stakeholder platform for people and institutions interested and involved in ICT policy and regulation. The network aims to act as a catalyst for reform in the ICT sector in support of the national aim of ICT enabled growth and development. KICTANetiquette : Adhere to the same standards of acceptable behaviors online that you follow in real life: respect people's times and bandwidth, share knowledge, don't flame or abuse or personalize, respect privacy, do not spam, do not market your wares or qualifications. -- Regards, Waithaka Ngigi Chief Executive Officer | Alliance Technologies | MCK Nairobi Synod Building T +254 20 525 0750 |Office Mobile: +254 716 201061 | M +254 737 811 000 www.at.co.ke

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On Critical Infrastructure & Safaricom Outage
by Matunda Nyanchama 25 Apr '17

25 Apr '17

Friends, It is important that critical infrastructure be assessed holistically. For example, in the communications sector, we would examine the resilience of the entire sector collectively and singly. Indeed, the law/regulations should compel "coopetition" where players compete for business and yet cooperate for collective survival. A good example is where (say) both main and failover links for Safaricom fail; yet at the same time, Airtel/Telkom/etc. have available links in operation. Safaricom traffic should failover to this capacity at pre-negotiated rates and vice versa. In addition, sectors should regularly review threats they face and share solutions and approaches to tackle those threats. It means a degree of information-sharing that allows for the sector to survive, but which doesn't compromise business for anyone of them. Take the example of technology. Most of these competitors have common vendors and have implemented the same or similar technologies. This is in addition to have similar processes, types of skills and quality standards of operation. Indeed, they even employ from the same pool with employees hopping from one company to the other. . clearly then, all of them share the same or similar structural strengths and weaknesses. As such, if one of them discovers such weaknesses it is good for the sector to share such findings with all other players. . in the end this should strengthen the sector and serve the national interest as well. ..we should do the same across all sectors deemed critical to the nation's survival: energy, transportation, banking, water, health care, etc. Baadaye. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ Matunda Nyanchama, PhD, CISSP; Director & Managing Consultant, <mailto:mnyanchama@aganoconsulting.com> mnyanchama(a)aganoconsulting.com Agano Consulting Inc.; <http://www.aganoconsulting.com/> www.aganoconsulting.com; Twitter: <http://twitter.com/#%21/nmatunda> nmatunda; Skype: okiambe ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------- Manage your ICT risks! We are the experts you need! The trusted partners you deserve! Call: +254-20-267-0743 (Kenya) or info(a)aganoconsulting.com Licensed by Communications Authority of Kenya (CA)

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Call for volunteers for the 2017 Kenya IGF steering team
by Mwendwa Kivuva 25 Apr '17

25 Apr '17

Listers, The Kenya Internet Governance Forum (KIGF) is an annual meeting that brings together various stakeholder groups to dialogue on ICT and Internet policy. While the discussions give soft policy outcomes, KIGF is a knowledge sharing platform that informs and inspires policy actors in both the public and private sectors. The national forum also feeds into the regional and global IGFs through a chain of reporting and representation to the regional and global IGFs to ensure a bottom up Internet policy development processes and a strong link between global internet policies and the national one. KICTANet wishes to invite volunteers from all stakeholder groups to assist in preparation of the 2017 KIGF edition, which is slated for 6th July 2017. The volunteers will form a local Multistakeholder Advisory Group that will be expected to: 1. Reach out to the community to source community participation and KIGF subject focus areas. 2. Lead online discussions prior to the KIGF. 3. Coordinate logistics and resources for the meeting. 4. Coordinate the actual event. 5. Report on outcomes of the event. To express interest, please send an email to info(a)kictanet.or.ke indicating your stakeholder group, expertise and state your particular interest in steering KIGF 2017 by 23rd April 2017. Membership to the steering team is voluntary and all materials produced by KICTANet are published under creative commons licenses. Organisations from various stakeholder groups are encouraged to nominate representatives. For more information or clarification, kindly email Barrack Otieno on otienobarrack(a)gmail.com. About KICTANet The Kenya ICT Action Network is an open multi-stakeholder platform for people and institutions interests and involved in ICT policy and regulation. The network aims to act as a catalyst for reforms in the ICT sector in support of the national aim of ICT enabled growth and development. Learn more at www.kictanet.or.ke The report for the very successful 2016 Kenya IGF is available at https://www.kictanet.or.ke/?p=26623 and http://www.intgovforum.org/multilingual/content/african-regional-group Sincerely, ______________________ Mwendwa Kivuva, Nairobi, Kenya

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Safaricom may face sanctions over network outage
by Matunda Nyanchama 25 Apr '17

25 Apr '17

Friends This matter underlines a key aspect that should trigger comprehensive assessment of the way critical infrastructure is managed in this country. As the Treasury indicated a while back, Safaricom's role and especially its MPESA service is a critical cog in the Kenyan economy. A while back there was a task force dealing with regulations to govern critical infrastructure to ensure that this is protected accordingly. This would require designs that assure resilience in the face of potential vulnerabilities (both logical and physical) with continuity at the core of these. I suppose that Safaricom continually assesses (through audits and self-assessment) its vulnerabilities, examines associated exposures and potential impacts with clear action plans on how to address those weaknesses. . I am sure the regulator seeks the same from an assurance perspective as part of the entity's licensing requirements. Without thinking of the worst: cyber-related risks abound too! Regards. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ Matunda Nyanchama, PhD, CISSP; Director & Managing Consultant, <mailto:mnyanchama@aganoconsulting.com> mnyanchama(a)aganoconsulting.com Agano Consulting Inc.; <http://www.aganoconsulting.com/> www.aganoconsulting.com; Twitter: <http://twitter.com/#%21/nmatunda> nmatunda; Skype: okiambe ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------- Manage your ICT risks! We are the experts you need! The trusted partners you deserve! Call: +254-20-267-0743 (Kenya) or info(a)aganoconsulting.com Licensed by Communications Authority of Kenya (CA)

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Safaricom may face sanctions over network outage - Business Daily
by Nanjira Sambuli 25 Apr '17

25 Apr '17

"“I want to say that those are the risks of probably having too much dominance in the market by a few players or so, because you don’t spread the risk,” said Mr Wangusi." http://www.businessdailyafrica.com/news/Safaricom-may-face-sanctions-over-n… Regards, Nanjira. Sent on the move.

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ICANN 59 (Joburg) Tech talk panel on DNSSEC Deployment Challenges
by Mark Elkins 24 Apr '17

24 Apr '17

ICANN-59 will be held in Johannesburg at the Sandton convention centre from 26-29 June, 2017. One of the technical days is shared between DNSSEC (morning) and ccTLD Technical Talks (afternoon). We (the DNSSEC Workshop Program Committee) are looking for a few people that would like to participate in a panel discussion on “DNSSEC Deployment Challenges” on the African Continent. Officially- The program committee is seeking input from those that are interested in implementation of DNSSEC but have general or particular concerns with DNSSEC. In particular, we are seeking input from individuals that would be willing to participate in a panel that would discuss questions of the nature: — What are your most significant concerns with DNSSEC, e.g., implementation, operation or something else? — What do you expect DNSSEC to do for you and what doesn't it do? — What do you see as the most important trade-offs with respect to doing or not doing DNSSEC? We are interested in presentations related to any aspect of DNSSEC such as zone signing, DNS response validation, applications use of DNSSEC, registry/registrar DNSSEC activities, etc. So, I'm looking for a handful of volunteers (anyone from Africa). Talks would be no longer than ten minutes long. You get a free lunch :-) -- Mark James ELKINS - Posix Systems - (South) Africa mje(a)posix.co.za Tel: +27.128070590 Cell: +27.826010496 For fast, reliable, low cost Internet in ZA: https://ftth.posix.co.za

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Safaricom network breakdown
by Victor Kapiyo 24 Apr '17

24 Apr '17

Morning, I don't know about everyone else, but this is not encouraging. Would be happy to hear from Safaricom and CA about the cause of the problem and safeguards put in place to ensure such incidences are avoided in the future. *Millions of Safaricom customers were unable to make calls Monday morning after the mobile service provider experienced a technical hitch. The technical problem affected subscribers countrywide with the company saying it is working to resolve the issue. “Sorry we are having a slight technical fault with the network services countywide but the issue is being resolved,” the company posted on its Twitter account. Data from Communications Authority of Kenya shows that Safaricom has the highest number of mobile subscribers with 26.6 million customers.* http://www.nation.co.ke/news/Safaricom-network-breakdown-affects-millions/1… *Victor Kapiyo* Partner | *Lawmark Partners LLP* *Web: www.lawmark.co.ke <http://www.lawmark.co.ke> * ==================================================== *“Your attitude, not your aptitude, will determine your altitude” Zig Ziglar*

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Is the blockchain overhyped?
by Ali Hussein 22 Apr '17

22 Apr '17

Listers A lot is being said about the potential of the BlockChain to 'disrupt' everything we do. From Financial Services, to the Land Registry and beyond. Is this reputation being overhyped? https://www.mobilepaymentstoday.com/articles/is-the-blockchain-overhyped/?u… Ali Hussein Principal Hussein & Associates +254 0713 601113 Twitter: @AliHKassim Skype: abu-jomo LinkedIn: http://ke.linkedin.com/in/alihkassim "We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, therefore, is not an act but a habit." ~ Aristotle Sent from my iPad

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Re: [kictanet] Why Net Neutrality Matters for SEO and Web Marketing - Whiteboard Friday - Moz
by florence mwangangi 21 Apr '17

21 Apr '17

The current position in Kenya - as with other jurisdictions - is support for net neutrality premised on the law. That is the position being exemplified by Rand Fishkin, and I share it too. However, if there's a shift in the big net market in the US, it would affect us too as will be the case with other nations. Question is whether we can "make noise enough" to have net neutrality retained at the international level, noting the huge influence the rich and mighty ISPs wield. On 21 Apr 2017 10:43, "Admin CampusCiti via kictanet" < kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> wrote: > Listers > > Back to my favorite subject. :-) > > Net neutrality is a hot-button issue lately, and whether it's upheld or > not could have real ramifications for the online marketing industry. In > this Whiteboard Friday, Rand covers the potential consequences and fallout > of losing net neutrality > > Read on:- > > https://moz.com/blog/net-neutrality-seo-whiteboard-friday > > > *Ali Hussein* > *Hussein & Associates* > +254 0713 601113 / 0770906375 > > Twitter: @AliHKassim > > Skype: abu-jomo > > LinkedIn: http://ke.linkedin.com/in/alihkassim > <http://ke.linkedin.com/in/alihkassim> > > Blog: www.alyhussein.com > > "Discovery consists in seeing what everyone else has seen and thinking > what no one else has thought". ~ Albert Szent-Györgyi > > Sent from my iPad > > _______________________________________________ > kictanet mailing list > kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke > https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > Twitter: http://twitter.com/kictanet > Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KICTANet/ > > Unsubscribe or change your options at https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/m > ailman/options/kictanet/fmwangangi1%40gmail.com > > The Kenya ICT Action Network (KICTANet) is a multi-stakeholder platform > for people and institutions interested and involved in ICT policy and > regulation. The network aims to act as a catalyst for reform in the ICT > sector in support of the national aim of ICT enabled growth and development. > > KICTANetiquette : Adhere to the same standards of acceptable behaviors > online that you follow in real life: respect people's times and bandwidth, > share knowledge, don't flame or abuse or personalize, respect privacy, do > not spam, do not market your wares or qualifications. >

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Why Net Neutrality Matters for SEO and Web Marketing - Whiteboard Friday - Moz
by Admin CampusCiti 21 Apr '17

21 Apr '17

Listers Back to my favorite subject. :-) Net neutrality is a hot-button issue lately, and whether it's upheld or not could have real ramifications for the online marketing industry. In this Whiteboard Friday, Rand covers the potential consequences and fallout of losing net neutrality Read on:- https://moz.com/blog/net-neutrality-seo-whiteboard-friday Ali Hussein Hussein & Associates +254 0713 601113 / 0770906375 Twitter: @AliHKassim Skype: abu-jomo LinkedIn: http://ke.linkedin.com/in/alihkassim Blog: www.alyhussein.com "Discovery consists in seeing what everyone else has seen and thinking what no one else has thought". ~ Albert Szent-Györgyi Sent from my iPad

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The growing use of social media in the political landscape
by Joash Moitui 21 Apr '17

21 Apr '17

Dear listeners, On behalf of my colleagues, we would like to inform you we are conducting a research on the growing use of social media in the political landscape. The research has particular relevance in Kenya, where elections have repeatedly been flashpoints of violence, and where crowdsourced violence reporting via social and new media has been a feature of peacebuilding and violence mitigation. Research highlights significant ‘technology gaps’ between members at margins of society, and those whose voices are amplified by social media; reflecting concerns that social media does not equally reflect experiences of the most vulnerable, including women and girls, or populations with limited digital access, who are often key crisis response targets. How timely are reports from social media and conventional media, and how can these be used in real-time by policymakers in the real-time case of the Kenyan elections? Little research has rigorously tested the nature or extent of data gaps, meaning policymakers develop responses without robust evidence on data reliability and comprehensiveness. Findings will be discussed, validated workshops in Nairobi with policy, research, and civil society experts on Kenyan political violence, to assess comprehensiveness of both data sources and implications for response. We would like to collaborate with interested individuals. I welcome further discussions Joash Moitui [image: https://]about.me/jmoitui <https://mailtrack.io/trace/link/ef1335b18d6e114c12808a4e9fa13ecdf78f3336?ur…>

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Communications Authority of Kenya CA'sAnnual Report
by Mark O. Okuttah 20 Apr '17

20 Apr '17

Dear listers, Kindly click on to link below to access Communications Authority of Kenya latest Annual Report for the Financial Year 2015/2016 released recently. http://www.ca.go.ke/index.php/annual-reports Mark Okuttah. [cid:image002.png@01D2261C.358E6570] [Description: http://digital.scanad.com/signature/ca-logo.jpg]

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Re: [kictanet] Freedom of Information laws and records management/ e- discussion continued
by Ali Hussein 20 Apr '17

20 Apr '17

Henry Must have given Google a headache to fish out that old email from Dr. Ndemo, of October 19th, 2011. :-) I see what you did there.. :-) To your point, that discussion is a relevant today as it was 6 years ago. To Ndemo's point on cultural re-orientation. The point he was making is best used to re-orient government. Citizens are evolving with the use of information and data. This issue of Army worms started making headlines weeks ago in Southern and Central Africa. What made us think we were immune as a country? *Ali Hussein* *Principal* *Hussein & Associates* Tel: +254 713 601113 Twitter: @AliHKassim Skype: abu-jomo LinkedIn: http://ke.linkedin.com/in/alihkassim <http://ke.linkedin.com/in/alihkassim> 13th Floor , Delta Towers, Oracle Wing, Chiromo Road, Westlands, Nairobi, Kenya. Any information of a personal nature expressed in this email are purely mine and do not necessarily reflect the official positions of the organizations that I work with. On Thu, Apr 20, 2017 at 1:31 PM, henry--- via kictanet < kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> wrote: > Dear All, > > The demand side for information is clear but it continues to be frustrated > by the bureaucracy. For instance, we have the Fall Army Worm attacks in a > number of counties in the country. Farmers sought information on what could > be done to mitigate and the type of seeds, pesticides to use and at what > frequency? > > The government remained talking of settling aside 300million and hiring > NYS to help. How then can we have farmers ask other questions if the > information given is irrelevant and if not incomplete and delayed. > > I ended speaking to agronomists and proposed a set of pesticides by an NGO > Acre Fund long before bureacrats in Govt run an advert a week ago. > > Kind regards > > Henry > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: bitange(a)jambo.co.ke > To: henry(a)article19.org > Cc: "KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions" <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> > Sent: Wednesday, October 19, 2011 4:17:22 AM > Subject: Re: [kictanet] Freedom of Information laws and records > management/ e- discussion continued > > Grace, > I am sort of disappointed with the discussion on FOI. We are delving much > into theoretical assumptions. The whole issue of FOI has not built demand > for the information into the kind of model we are discussing. Let us not > allow foreigners dictate why we need information to be available to our > citizens. > > What needs to be done is more of cultural reorientation to make our people > use information. We rarely make informed decisions. I mean use of > science to make decisions. Poverty keeps on going up yet science tells us > our productivity has dropped to the extent those we call farmers cannot > make ends meet. Whereas we need qualified people in work place we do not > require qualification for farmers. We now have novice farmers as wen > grapple with food insecurity. If we cannot use available information on > how we can be food secure, what more information you need that would > change our lives? > > For as long as we have lived on earth no Kenyan community has information > on their own recipes. The assumptions is that if you want Ugali you just > get to know how to cook it. There are more than fifteen Ugali recipes and > none is documented. There are more than 100 Githeri recipes and none is > documented to create rich information that application developers can > proudly create apps. Until we move from our oral culture, information > will be confined to storage places where it will occasionally be used. > > We are also confusing information and data. The Government can release > data and unless someone converts it into information, it will never > translate to your theoretical assumptions. We generally want to listen to > someone tells us what information is available. You recall some > communities did not read the constitution since the leaders had read it. > I had difficulty explaining some sections of the constitution even though > we all had the document. > > FOI will pass as has been many legislations that were key. We have fought > for these legislations but after they are passed nothing happens. We > wanted the ICT policy but many of it's advocates have not gone out there > to tell Kenyans how to benefit from it. This certainly will happen the > same way to FOI. We are rebels without a cause. I have met dozens of > women groups and taken them through our census report highlighting the > glaring disparities between men and women but in spite the fact that they > promise to do something, none has ever done anything even bringing the > issue up for debate. > > We must aim to change our culture. We must make our people to demand to > know what information they require in order to change from where they are > to a desired future. We must build institutional frameworks to move date > into information. As we debate, let us put a side theories from textbooks > and begin from the end. Ask questions such as what formats are we to get > the information? Who will set the standards for information? How will the > poor benefit from the information? How will the information be > disseminated? > > Picture our problems and create the vision on how information can be used > to bring better life for our people. Work the food security issue I > mentioned backwards. We have mapped our soils in the country and the > result is available on the open data yet you see farmers growing crops > that will never give them the desired productivity. For example, in > Ukambani, farmers can grow cassava or water Mellon which will give them > more money to buy maize from the north rift instead of them growing the > maize that would impoverish them. How can we effectively communicate > this. > > We must create language institutes for every ethnic group in Kenya. > Language is dynamic yet we have not kept pace with technological > advancement with our languages. This is why we fail to communicate. > There is no African language that has a translation of break-even point or > productivity yet these two words determine whether you will be poor or > not. Information is information if the medium of communication is > understood by all. We all need FOI but we have a lot to do if it is to > making meaning in our lives. > > > Ndemo. > > > > > > > > > > Harry, thanks for those probing questions that have kept this discussion > > going and continue to raise more questions. As a result, our attention > > has been drawn to a very important document. Kudos to Kerubo for the > > responses. > > > > Rosemary, the Africa Platform on Access to Information Declaration is a > > great document. It is comprehensive and we appreciate your bringing it to > > our attention. It will contribute to the review of the IRMT/IDRC study on > > aligning records management with ICT, e-goverment and freedom of > > information, which has been the basis of this e-discussion. > > > > In your contribution, you point out that access to information cannot > > succeed unless government takes initiative to develop legislation and > > ensure its implementation. Harry felt that the State must at all costs > > avail information. The question to listers is: > > > > What demands would Freedom of Information (FOI) legislation place on > > government? > > > > > > Henry, you have unpackaged the Right to Information (RTI) concept in a > > very practical and relevant manner. The local example using Mavoko is on > > spot. I know listers will take you up on your offer to seek more > > information on the topic. > > > > You point out the need to have information in retrievable formats and > > proactively making as much of such information public. Also, that public > > servants/officers have a duty to assist citizens who may not know where > to > > find information they may need. > > > > What strategies could be developed to synchronize Freedom of Information > > and records management initiatives? > > > > And finally to Harry: did you find out what the citizens' responsibility > > would be in all this? > > > > A great day to all of you listers. Lets hear your views. > > > > Rgds > > Grace > > > > > > > > ------------------------------------------------------------ > ----------------------- > > If you have the strength to survive, you have the power to succeed. Life > > is all about choices we make depending upon the situation we are in. Go > > forth and rule the World! > > > > > > > > > > > > From: harry(a)comtelsys.co.ke > > Date: Tue, 18 Oct 2011 13:58:44 +0300 > > Subject: Re: [kictanet] Freedom of Information laws/ e- discussion > > continued > > CC: kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke > > To: ggithaiga(a)hotmail.com > > > > > > > > > > Many thanks Kurubo/Grace, > > > > I suppose then, in light of the foregoing, State must at all costs avail > > "information" under it's possession. > > > > Citing the "Freedom of information" clause within this context however, > > makes it imperative for State to > > do so within universally adopted benchmarks. But within the same > context, > > what is the citizen's > > responsibility? > > > > I could check this out. But does the clause in the same vein confer a > > mandatory responsibility upon the > > citizen to ensure their exercise of this "Right to access" does not go to > > waste, or does he/she have the > > freedom to exercise this right/liberty liberally. > > > > One can argue that for instance, a mother who fails to vaccinate her > > child against polio, because of "failure" > > to access information as opposed to "lack" of access to information > should > > be held responsible. Is this > > enforceable in law..? How? > > > > Lastly but not least, State has only a tiny custody of information > > consumable by the public. I dare say that > > a lot of information/knowledge sought after by information consumers fall > > well outside the State domain. > > > > How do we police those outside, who hoard information desperately needed > > by consumers...? And what > > of those who deliberately avail misleading information/knowledge, > > including state..? > > > > Harry > > > > > > > > ______________________________ > _________________ > > kictanet mailing list > > kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke > > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > > > > Unsubscribe or change your options at > > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/ > bitange%40jambo.co.ke > > > > The Kenya ICT Action Network (KICTANet) is a multi-stakeholder platform > > for people and institutions interested and involved in ICT policy and > > regulation. The network aims to act as a catalyst for reform in the ICT > > sector in support of the national aim of ICT enabled growth and > > development. > > > > KICTANetiquette : Adhere to the same standards of acceptable behaviors > > online that you follow in real life: respect people's times and > bandwidth, > > share knowledge, don't flame or abuse or personalize, respect privacy, do > > not spam, do not market your wares or qualifications. > > > > _______________________________________________ > kictanet mailing list > kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > > Unsubscribe or change your options at http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/ > mailman/options/kictanet/henry%40article19.org > > The Kenya ICT Action Network (KICTANet) is a multi-stakeholder platform > for people and institutions interested and involved in ICT policy and > regulation. The network aims to act as a catalyst for reform in the ICT > sector in support of the national aim of ICT enabled growth and development. > > KICTANetiquette : Adhere to the same standards of acceptable behaviors > online that you follow in real life: respect people's times and bandwidth, > share knowledge, don't flame or abuse or personalize, respect privacy, do > not spam, do not market your wares or qualifications. > > _______________________________________________ > kictanet mailing list > kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke > https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > Twitter: http://twitter.com/kictanet > Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KICTANet/ > > Unsubscribe or change your options at https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/ > mailman/options/kictanet/info%40alyhussein.com > > The Kenya ICT Action Network (KICTANet) is a multi-stakeholder platform > for people and institutions interested and involved in ICT policy and > regulation. The network aims to act as a catalyst for reform in the ICT > sector in support of the national aim of ICT enabled growth and development. > > KICTANetiquette : Adhere to the same standards of acceptable behaviors > online that you follow in real life: respect people's times and bandwidth, > share knowledge, don't flame or abuse or personalize, respect privacy, do > not spam, do not market your wares or qualifications. >

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Fwd:Defamatory Blog Publication by Moses Kuria & Demand For Apology
by Grace Mutung'u (Bomu) 20 Apr '17

20 Apr '17

Dear all, the suit between Muite & Others versus Moses Kuria, which I understand is proceeding to court, should be a very interesting one to watch. Hopefully it shall give some insights on content control vs freedom of expression. See below. ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Ngunjiri <ngunjiri(a)kikuyusforchange.com> Date: Mon, 10 Oct 2011 16:05:07 +0300 Subject: {K4c} Defamatory Blog Publication by Moses Kuria & Demand For Apology To: KC4 <kikuyusforchange(a)googlegroups.com> This will most probably interest some of us, and help all of us be careful about what we write on our blogs. --- Ngunjiri [image: Issa & Co Advocates] Our Ref: M/058/001/L**** **** Tuesday, October 4, 2011**** **** Moses Kuria**** P. O. Box 1838-00200 ‘*Advance copy by email*’**** *NAIROBI***** **** Dear Sir,**** **** *RE: DEFAMATORY PUBLICATION ***** ------------------------------ We have been instructed by our clients, Wambugu Ngunjiri, Paul Muite, Ndung’u Wainaina, Maina Kiai and Hassan Omar.**** **** Our instructions are that you published in your widely read blog the following words of and concerning our clients.**** **** *‘I have said Ocampo has no case. All he has are fake witnesses coached by Hassan Omar, Wambugu Ngunjiri, Paul Muite, Ndungu Wainaina, Njonjo Mue and Maina Kiai.’***** **** Your insinuations are unfounded and baseless and our clients’ professional respective standings, characters and reputations have been severely tarnished by your publication.**** **** Our instructions are to demand a retraction, an apology and an admission of liability on your part for the publication of the defamatory words. This we hereby do. We shall address the issue of the damages payable to our clients upon receipt of your apology and admission.**** **** *NOTE* that if you do not publish an apology and retraction on your blog within the next *Seven (7) Days* of the receipt of this letter we shall proceed to the law for redress at your risk as to costs. **** **** Yours faithfully,**** *ISSA & COMPANY ADVOCATES***** **** **** *MANSUR M. ISSA***** **** cc. Clients**** **** *Issa & Co Advocates* <info(a)issadvocates.co.ke>**** ------------------------------ 5th Floor, City House, Wabera Street P.O. Box *24210 - 00100*, Nairobi, Kenya *ph*: *+ 254 20 340 150 · * *fx*: *+ 254 20 340 151* *em*: *info(a)issadvocates.co.ke · ***** ------------------------------ *CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE:* This email and any attachments may contain information that is confidential, legally privileged and protected by law. Access by the intended recipient is authorized. Any liability (in negligence or otherwise) arising from any third party acting, or refraining from acting, or any information contained in this email is hereby excluded. If you are not the intended recipient, please notify the sender immediatelyand do not disclose the contents to any other person, use it for any purpose or store or copy the information in any medium.**** -- --- Fear makes men act even against their own interests- changing them from men of reason to blubbering fools. -- Grace L.N. Mutung'u (Bomu) Kenya Skype: gracebomu Twitter: GraceMutung'u (Bomu)

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Fwd: [AfrICANN-discuss] Recordings of the webinar on April 19, 2017
by Bob Omondi 20 Apr '17

20 Apr '17

---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Yaovi Atohoun <yaovi.atohoun(a)icann.org> Date: Wed, Apr 19, 2017 at 7:16 PM Subject: [AfrICANN-discuss] Recordings of the webinar on April 19, 2017 To: AfrICANN Community List <africann(a)afrinic.net> ENGLISH: The presentation from SACF, the Adobe Connect Chat Room discussions and URL for recording are available at https://goo.gl/WtU2cC . Please do not forget to post your comment to the Public Comments area on ICANN website https://www.icann.org/public-comments/africa-dns-market- study-2017-03-11-en FRANCAIS: La Présentation de SACF, les discussions dans Adobe Connect ainsi que le lien pour re-ecouter la présentation sont disponibles à https://goo.gl/WtU2cC . N’oubliez pas d’envoyer vos commentaires sur la page des Commentaires publics sur le site de l’ICANN https://www.icann.org/public-comments/africa-dns-market-study-2017-03-11-en Thanks/Merci -- Yaovi Atohoun Stakeholder Engagement & Operations Manager – Africa Tel. +229 66015649 <+229%2066%2001%2056%2049>/ 97891228 / 65209067 www.icann.org _______________________________________________ AfrICANN mailing list AfrICANN(a)afrinic.net https://lists.afrinic.net/mailman/listinfo/africann

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Fwd: [AfrICANN-discuss] reminder: 27 April 1500 UTC: Quarterly Stakeholder Call for FY17 Q3
by Bob Omondi 20 Apr '17

20 Apr '17

---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Yaovi Atohoun <yaovi.atohoun(a)icann.org> Date: 2017-04-20 6:31 GMT+02:00 Subject: [AfrICANN-discuss] reminder: 27 April 1500 UTC: Quarterly Stakeholder Call for FY17 Q3 To: AfrICANN Community List <africann(a)afrinic.net> Hello everyone, this is just a reminder Bonjour à tous ; ceci est un rappel FRANCAIS: Cliquez ici <http://survey.clicktools.com/app/survey/go.jsp?iv=2lpync344lnf7> pour participer à cet appel du 27 avril et recevoir des instructions pour vous connecter à la salle de réunion virtuelle. Si vous ne parvenez pas à accéder au formulaire, merci de nous envoyer un courriel <icann.communications(a)icann.org> à icann.communications(a)icann.org avec votre nom et une adresse de courrier électronique pour vous inscrire. Plus d’information à l’adresse : https://www.icann.org/news/ announcement-2017-04-13-fr ENGLISH: Please click here <http://survey.clicktools.com/app/survey/go.jsp?iv=2lpync344lnf7> to register for the call and receive instructions on how to join. If you are unable to access the form, please email us <icann.communications(a)icann.org> your full name and an email address to be registered. More information at https://www.icann.org/news/announcement-2017-04-12-en Thanks/Merci -- Yaovi Atohoun Stakeholder Engagement & Operations Manager – Africa Tel. +229 66015649 <+229%2066%2001%2056%2049>/ 97891228 / 65209067 www.icann.org _______________________________________________ AfrICANN mailing list AfrICANN(a)afrinic.net https://lists.afrinic.net/mailman/listinfo/africann

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Mobile money access: Rosy numbers that do not quite add up
by Nanjira Sambuli 20 Apr '17

20 Apr '17

http://www.businessdailyafrica.com/markets/news/Mobile-money-access--Rosy-n… Regards, Nanjira. Sent on the move.

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webinar on the draft report of the Africa DNS Market Study: Wednesday April 19, 2017 from 15:00 to 16:00 UTC
by Bob Omondi 19 Apr '17

19 Apr '17

Dear colleagues, On behalf of our team, we would like to inform you that a webinar for our community on the draft report of the Africa DNS Market Study is scheduled for Wednesday April 19, 2017 from 15:00 to 16:00 UTC. Please join this webinar using one of the following options: 1) OPTION I: ADOBE CONNECT at participate.icann.org/gse-afr . The default language in the Adobe Connect room is English. If you need audio in French, you can also dial-in (see option II). 2) OPTION II (audio only): Please dial into the Adigo Conference Center, using the ICANN Adigo International Dial-in Numbers: http://adigo.com/icann/ Once you reach the conference center, you have to enter the conference ID for the language channel you wish to join. Our Adigo language IDs will be as follows: English: 9001 French: 9002 Regards Bob.

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African governments that shut down the internet could lose it
by Walubengo J 19 Apr '17

19 Apr '17

In an unprecedented policy suggestion, some members of the AFRINIC community have proposed denying internet to African governments that shut it down in their respective countries.>>>more belowWALUBENGO: African governments that shut down the internet could | | | | | | | | | | | WALUBENGO: African governments that shut down the internet could On Kenya the jury is still out, but the government is giving mixed signals. | | | | walu.

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ANTI-SHUTDOWN-01 Policy
by Andrew Alston 18 Apr '17

18 Apr '17

Hi All, I've been looking through the archives from earlier this month and reading the discussions around the policy proposal that went into AfriNIC, and figured I'd add some more information and some clarifications. My apologies that this is coming a few days after the discussions initially occurred on this list - there was a problem with my list subscription. So firstly - let's talk a bit about the motivations behind this policy proposal. As many of you will be aware, there was a report out that showed $2.4 billion dollars in economic losses due to internet shutdowns in 2016 - this number is ever increasing and its hurting both the industry and those associated with the industry. Since 1995 when the first shutdown was recorded, the number of shutdowns being seen per year is ever increasing, each with its own cost. Interestingly, one of the most expensive shutdowns is judged to have been the shutdown in Morocco, which is estimated to have cost a whopping $355 million. In addition to this, there is the ongoing shutdown in Cameroon, now in its 91st day I believe and the statements issued by various organisations seem to have little effect. This got us thinking, if the statements from the various internet bodies are not having an effect, perhaps it's time for more drastic action. Now, to fully understand the approach taken, its necessary to go into how the policy development process works within AfriNIC. Firstly - anyone is free to propose policy within AfriNIC - this is then submitted and debated on the AfriNIC mailing lists and finally on the floor at a policy meeting (The next meeting is end of May in Nairobi at the Boma hotel). If the policy reaches consensus it will then go into a last call phase, and if it gets through that it then gets ratified and implemented. Now, this matters - because it means that any policy proposed is subject to modification based on the communities feelings and thoughts - and this played heavily into the authors thoughts when we wrote this - we knew full well that what we were proposing wasn't potentially perfect - it's the start of an idea - and yes - it takes strong action, but the key here is that what triggers that action and the actions we take are now up for debate so that we can come to an ideal solution. Secondly, as I have stated on the policy lists - we are already considering some modifications as suggested - including but not limited to: exempting academia in the cases where academia is directly controlled by state and tightening the targeting of the proposal to aim at the executive branches if possible. Obviously we have absolutely no desire to impact the general population, and the purpose of this policy is to apply pressure to stop the shutdowns -no create further problems for the general population of the countries affected. We also realize that this policy pushes the boundaries of what an organisation like AfriNIC normally is involved in, and asks the question about if an RIR should be involved in what is essentially a political matter. To answer this, we have to look at the AfriNIC mandate as stated in section 3.4 of the bylaws. We believe that section 3.4.(v) when combined with section 3.4.(ix) of those bylaws does actually allow AfriNIC to implement a policy like this within its mandate. The critical point here however is that we get more discussion, both to fine tune the policy to reach consensus within the wider African community and also to continue to shine a spotlight on the issue. The mere existence of this policy and the heavy debate around it may in and of itself encourage governments to think twice about what they are looking at when they attempt to turn off the Internet. So, I'd welcome further questions as I'm sure the other co-authors would, but I'd also encourage everyone to get on the AfriNIC policy mailing lists and get involved in the discussions - as well as to attend the policy meeting at the end of May in Nairobi so that we can have a robust and productive debate on the issue on the floor. I hope this clarifies some things and I welcome further discussions. Thanks Andrew

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