- KICTANet - KICTANet

[fwd] VISION 2030..our collective role
by Odhiambo WASHINGTON 02 Nov '06

02 Nov '06

Hello Everyone, Please note - FWDed msg. ----- Original Message ----- [snip] ********************************************************************* Dear Colleagues, I wish to respond to the very apt challenge thrown to us by Edith. From where i sit at the e-Government Directorate, it is of great interest to us to explore ways in which we can leverage ICTs and e-Government to deliver on the broad goals of the 2030 vision. As indicated by the Head of state, the 2030 vision is NOT a Government project but trancends all players across the political divides, sectors and socio-economic classes including electoral calendars. That's why the challenge by Edith is very timely. What can we as Kenyans and core stakeholders bring to the table to ensure that existing opportunities are leveraged effectively? My colleague Andrew Limo is in the technical team that was working on the vision and i believe he will also comment on this. I would like to throw the challenge back to KICTANET to bring to bear your very impressive arsenal of intellectual and lobbying might to open this debate far and wide. Lets all remember that the vision is a broad statement of intent and the way it all turns out will depend on how we interpret this statement and break it down to manageable pieces. We should not get discouraged but instead bring to light ways in which ICTs CAN hasten the attainment of the vision. Edith mentioned that the countries mentioned as success cases in national visioning leveraged ICTs..can we get more concrete information publicized and brought to the attention of decision makers? what specific learning examples can we immediately tap into to start demonstrating success? I believe together we can pull this off..for the good of all of us Kenyans Kind regards Gakiria Andrew Senior Policy Analyst & Information security Administrator e-Government Directorate Office of the President Harambee House 10th Floor Tel: +254 20 341582 Cell: +254 721 323118 Nairobi, KENYA ----- End forwarded message ----- cheers - wash +----------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+ Odhiambo Washington . WANANCHI ONLINE LTD (Nairobi, KE) | wash () WANANCHI ! com . 1ere Etage, Loita Hse, Loita St., | GSM: (+254) 722 743 223 . # 10286, 00100 NAIROBI | GSM: (+254) 733 744 121 . (+254) 020 313 985 - 9 | +---------------------------------+------------------------------------------+ "Oh My God! They killed init! You Bastards!" --from a /. post

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Re: [Kictanet] Nationmedia.com News: Kibaki launches vision for growth
by Eric Osiakwan 02 Nov '06

02 Nov '06

Take what they have written and nicely insert as much ICT as possible both as an enabler of other sectors and a sector by itself then submit to them based on consensus from KICTANET as contribution from the multi-stakeholder community. Eric here ---------- Original Message ---------------------------------- From: <alice(a)apc.org> Reply-To: Kenya ICT Policy - kictanet <kictanet(a)kictanet.or.ke> Date: Wed, 1 Nov 2006 09:48:21 +0300 >It is such a pity that the fastest moving sector has not been given the >attention and prominence it deserves, what with Safaricom's and other's >contribution to the economy! Anyway we have been accused of moaning! > >The draft vision was created by NESC, and from what I see the ICT "sector" >cuts across the 3 main pillars Economic, social and political they have >presented.They have outlined the project's approach which will take three >phases, I see an immediate entry point for ICTs during phase one where they >will "identify priority sectors with possibilities of quick wins" > >Perhaps KICTAnet could work with the IC master plan team to ensure that >links between the IC plan and the 2030 vision are created in all phases. >Important to identify priority sectors with possibilities of quick wins. > >Important to identify priority sectors with possibilities of quick wins. > > >best >alice > > >----- Original Message ----- >From: "Nation Media" <news(a)nationmedia.com> >To: <alice(a)apc.org> >Sent: Tuesday, October 31, 2006 9:22 PM >Subject: [Kictanet] Nationmedia.com News: Kibaki launches vision for growth > > >> >> eadera(a)idrc.or.ke has sent you this article from >> Nationmedia.com with this message: >> Colleagues, It is TRAGIC! that vision 2030 has not >> given prominence to the role of ICTs as an enabler - it's not highlighted >> in the article, maybe in the document itself?. Who's working on the >> strategy to deliver this vision? and what role can we play as KICTANET to >> change this? This is a challenge I throw to all of us! We must do >> something! The countries mentioned in this article have been fundamentally >> transformed by ICTs. your views on practical steps we can take to ensure >> ICTs are well integrated in the strategy? Edith >> Kibaki launches vision for growth >> Published: 10/31/2006 >> By: MUGO NJERU >> >> -------------------------------------------------------- >> >> President Kibaki yesterday launched an >> ambitious economic programme aimed at transforming Kenya into an economic >> powerhouse with a sustainable growth rate of 10 per cent by 2030. >> >> The President told leaders to keep politics >> out of the project dubbed Kenya Vision 2030. >> >> >> President Kibaki greets Nation CEO Wilfred >> Kiboro and other members of the National Economic and Social Council >> yesterday before officially launching Vision 2030 at KICC in Nairobi. The >> vision is expected to transform Kenya into a prosperous nation. >> Photo/William Oeri. >> >> >> He said: "Vision 2030 goes beyond any single >> government, party, political persuasion or religion. It is a call to all >> Kenyans to make it possible for us to wipe out from our land absolute >> poverty, famine, mass unemployment and preventable deaths from malaria and >> water-borne diseases." >> >> Although President Kibaki said he was >> optimistic that the development goal would be achieved, it will depend on >> how the country manages its affairs in the next five years. >> >> High quality of life >> >> "Under Vision 2030, we see ourselves becoming >> a middle-income, prosperous country, providing a high quality of life for >> all our people," the President said at the launch of the initiative at the >> Kenyatta International Conference Centre in Nairobi. >> >> To realise the goal, he said Kenyans must >> build on the competitive advantages in key sectors of the economy to >> expand the country's share of the global market. >> >> Besides the 10 per cent growth over 25 years, >> another pillar of the programme will be building a just and cohesive >> society with equitable social development and a clean and secure >> environment. >> >> The initiative also aims at building a >> democratic political system that nurtures issue-based politics, the rule >> of law and protects the rights and freedoms of every individual and >> society. >> >> Several leaders at the meeting described the >> vision as noble and said it should be supported by all Kenyans. ODM Kenya >> secretary-general Anyang Nyong'o said the vision was good but its success >> would depend on the goodwill of successive governments. "The Government >> and the opposition are united on this vision," he said. >> >> Finance minister Amos Kimunya said its >> success depended on people working together as one nation. >> >> He and other speakers said it was possible to >> propel the country to the levels of economies like Malaysia, Singapore, >> Indonesia, Chile and South Korea, most of which which were in the same >> economic footing with Kenya in the 1970s. >> >> Trade and Industry minister Mukhisa Kituyi >> said the vision is achievable if it is not held hostage by any government >> and if it receives support from the media and the private sector. >> >> President Kibaki said for the country to >> realise the success of the vision, it was important to put in place a >> clear strategy detailing what needed to be achieved for each of the >> pillars of the programme for the next five years. >> >> He said that over the years, coffee >> production has been declining from over 120,000 tons a year to less than >> 50,000 this year, which had a devastating effect on farmers' incomes and >> employment opportunities. >> >> "We need to make sure that under Vision 2030, >> the strategies that will be developed will not repeat the mistakes of the >> past and avoid imposing a costly burden on the people of this country," he >> said. >> >> On manufacturing, the President said the >> sector had barely grown in the last 20 years. "The textile industry which >> was very vibrant in 1970s and 1980s has virtually been wiped out while the >> EPZ-based enterprises are experiencing serious competition in the global >> market," he said. >> >> Leather and other livestock-related >> industries have also not made significant breakthroughs in the global >> market although these are sectors in which Kenya could have competitive >> advantage and growth if the right strategies and policies were applied. >> >> "I challenge the experts who are developing >> the strategies to pay special attention to these sectors for the next five >> years, because they have the greatest potential for delivering widely >> shared economic and social benefits for the Kenyan people," President >> Kibaki said. >> >> On tourism, he noted that although the number >> of tourists visiting Kenya had increased over the last few years, income >> from the sector was far below that of small European countries, the >> Caribbean and North Africa. >> >> With proper planning and investment, the >> country should be able to attract and accommodate five million tourists by >> 2012, the President said. >> >> He said the economic performance of any >> country was closely tied to the application of science and technology and >> that was why the country was investing considerably in higher education >> and research institutions. >> >> The vision strategy, he said, should be >> geared towards enhancing Kenya's scientific and technological capacity, >> promoting a scientific culture and integrating science and technology into >> the production and service sectors. >> >> There was also need to expand, upgrade and >> sustain health facilities while ensuring that they remain accessible and >> affordable to all Kenyans. >> >> President Kibaki said rapid urban population >> growth had resulted in serious unemployment, growing slums and an increase >> of hawkers. It was also causing a severe strain on the provision of >> services such as maintenance of law and order, water supply, sewerage and >> sanitation, education and health facilities. >> >> The President said: "Effective planning of >> and ability to enforce compliance for the proper administration of our >> cities and major towns requires to be accorded high priority in the >> strategies that will be developed to meet the challenges of urbanisation." >> >> He directed that measures to wipe out slums >> and replace them with well-planned, low-cost houses in all major towns be >> implemented without delay. >> >> >> >> >> >> -------------------------------------------------------- >> >> >> to view this article on the web click here >> >> -------------------------------------------------------- >> >> Are you receiving daily news headlines from the >> Daily Nation? Sign up today and receive headlines andweekly articles from >> your favorite magazine delivered to your email inbox. >> >> To sign up: Registered users click here New >> members click here. >> >> Interested in advertising in our emails? Contact >> internetsales(a)nation.co.ke or read about our advertising opportunities >> herehttp://www.nationmedia.com/dailynation/advertise.asp >> >> >> >> >> -------------------------------------------------------- >> >> You have received this email because someone >> thought you might be interested in our article. Please be assured that we >> have not saved your email address for any purpose. To read our Privacy >> Policyclick here >> >> >> >> Nation Media Group all rights reserved 2004 >> Website: www.nationmedia.com >> For querries or info: comments(a)nation.co.ke >> >> >> >> >> >> >> ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ -- >> > > >----------------------------------------------------------------------------- --- > > >> _______________________________________________ >> kictanet mailing list >> kictanet(a)kictanet.or.ke >> http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet >> >> Please unsubscribe or change your options at >> http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/alice%40apc.org > > >_______________________________________________ >kictanet mailing list >kictanet(a)kictanet.or.ke >http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > >Please unsubscribe or change your options at http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/ kictanet/eric%40afrispa.org > -- Eric M.K Osiakwan Executive Secretary AfrISPA (www.afrispa.org) Tel: + 233.21.258800 Fax: + 233.21.258811 Cell: + 233.244.386792 Handle: eosiakwan Snail Mail: Pmb 208, Accra-North Office: BusyInternet - 42 Ring Road Central, Accra-North Blog: http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/eric/ Slang: "Tomorrow Now" --

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Test 4 - List VRFY
by Odhiambo WASHINGTON 01 Nov '06

01 Nov '06

Test 4 for the list!! Please keep on ignoring me, pls ;) cheers - wash +----------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+ Odhiambo Washington . WANANCHI ONLINE LTD (Nairobi, KE) | wash () WANANCHI ! com . 1ere Etage, Loita Hse, Loita St., | GSM: (+254) 722 743 223 . # 10286, 00100 NAIROBI | GSM: (+254) 733 744 121 . (+254) 020 313 985 - 9 | +---------------------------------+------------------------------------------+ "Oh My God! They killed init! You Bastards!" --from a /. post

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LIST VERIFICATIOBN TEST 3
by Odhiambo WASHINGTON 01 Nov '06

01 Nov '06

VRFY Test 3. cheers - wash +----------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+ Odhiambo Washington . WANANCHI ONLINE LTD (Nairobi, KE) | wash () WANANCHI ! com . 1ere Etage, Loita Hse, Loita St., | GSM: (+254) 722 743 223 . # 10286, 00100 NAIROBI | GSM: (+254) 733 744 121 . (+254) 020 313 985 - 9 | +---------------------------------+------------------------------------------+ "Oh My God! They killed init! You Bastards!" --from a /. post

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FLOSS, peer production, new models, innovation... a voice at the IGF
by alice＠apc.org 01 Nov '06

01 Nov '06

Piracy creates jobs, but [Free Software and] Open Source and Open Standards create opportunity, create entrepreneurs. And I think that's the challenge for the IGF as well, how to look at it is a public interest forum, the Internet is a public space, and how can we facilitate maximum sharing, maximum creativity, peer production, new models, innovation. --Anriette Esterhuysen, at the Internet Governance Forum, Athens, November 1, 2006 http://www.intgovforum.org/IGF-Panel2-311006am.txt

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List Verification Test 2
by Odhiambo WASHINGTON 01 Nov '06

01 Nov '06

List Verification test!!! cheers - wash +----------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+ Odhiambo Washington . WANANCHI ONLINE LTD (Nairobi, KE) | wash () WANANCHI ! com . 1ere Etage, Loita Hse, Loita St., | GSM: (+254) 722 743 223 . # 10286, 00100 NAIROBI | GSM: (+254) 733 744 121 . (+254) 020 313 985 - 9 | +---------------------------------+------------------------------------------+ "Oh My God! They killed init! You Bastards!" --from a /. post

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Fwd: Re: [Kictanet] Nationmedia.com News: Kibaki launches vision for growth
by evelyne ofwona 01 Nov '06

01 Nov '06

alice(a)apc.org wrote: From: <alice(a)apc.org> To: <evelyneofwona(a)yahoo.com> CC: "Odhiambo_Washington" <wash(a)wananchi.com>, "Judy kimiti" <jkimiti01(a)yahoo.co.uk> Subject: Re: [Kictanet] Nationmedia.com News: Kibaki launches vision for growth Date: Wed, 1 Nov 2006 11:16:51 +0300 Peaese forward this to the list for me. As I had mentioned none of my posts are going through.......:( ------------------------------------------------- It is such a pity that the fastest moving sector has not been given the attention and prominence it deserves, what with Safaricom's and other's contribution to the economy! Anyway we have been accused of moaning! The draft vision was created by NESC, and from what I see the ICT "sector" cuts across the 3 main pillars Economic, social and political they have presented.They have outlined the project's approach which will take three phases, I see an immediate entry point for ICTs during phase one where they will "identify priority sectors with possibilities of quick wins" The plan also mentions creation of ministerial committee headed by P.S from various ministries and involving stakeholders to identify sector specific visions/constraints, etc This is good for all stakeholders and we should take the opportunity to work with our ministry and P.S. Perhaps KICTAnet could work with the IC master plan team to ensure that links between the IC plan and the 2030 vision are created in all phases. ----- Original Message ----- From: "Nation Media" To: Sent: Tuesday, October 31, 2006 9:22 PM Subject: [Kictanet] Nationmedia.com News: Kibaki launches vision for growth > > eadera(a)idrc.or.ke has sent you this article from > Nationmedia.com with this message: > Colleagues, It is TRAGIC! that vision 2030 has not > given prominence to the role of ICTs as an enabler - it's not highlighted > in the article, maybe in the document itself?. Who's working on the > strategy to deliver this vision? and what role can we play as KICTANET to > change this? This is a challenge I throw to all of us! We must do > something! The countries mentioned in this article have been fundamentally > transformed by ICTs. your views on practical steps we can take to ensure > ICTs are well integrated in the strategy? Edith > Kibaki launches vision for growth > Published: 10/31/2006 > By: MUGO NJERU > > -------------------------------------------------------- > > President Kibaki yesterday launched an > ambitious economic programme aimed at transforming Kenya into an economic > powerhouse with a sustainable growth rate of 10 per cent by 2030. > > The President told leaders to keep politics > out of the project dubbed Kenya Vision 2030. > > > President Kibaki greets Nation CEO Wilfred > Kiboro and other members of the National Economic and Social Council > yesterday before officially launching Vision 2030 at KICC in Nairobi. The > vision is expected to transform Kenya into a prosperous nation. > Photo/William Oeri. > > > He said: "Vision 2030 goes beyond any single > government, party, political persuasion or religion. It is a call to all > Kenyans to make it possible for us to wipe out from our land absolute > poverty, famine, mass unemployment and preventable deaths from malaria and > water-borne diseases." > > Although President Kibaki said he was > optimistic that the development goal would be achieved, it will depend on > how the country manages its affairs in the next five years. > > High quality of life > > "Under Vision 2030, we see ourselves becoming > a middle-income, prosperous country, providing a high quality of life for > all our people," the President said at the launch of the initiative at the > Kenyatta International Conference Centre in Nairobi. > > To realise the goal, he said Kenyans must > build on the competitive advantages in key sectors of the economy to > expand the country's share of the global market. > > Besides the 10 per cent growth over 25 years, > another pillar of the programme will be building a just and cohesive > society with equitable social development and a clean and secure > environment. > > The initiative also aims at building a > democratic political system that nurtures issue-based politics, the rule > of law and protects the rights and freedoms of every individual and > society. > > Several leaders at the meeting described the > vision as noble and said it should be supported by all Kenyans. ODM Kenya > secretary-general Anyang Nyong'o said the vision was good but its success > would depend on the goodwill of successive governments. "The Government > and the opposition are united on this vision," he said. > > Finance minister Amos Kimunya said its > success depended on people working together as one nation. > > He and other speakers said it was possible to > propel the country to the levels of economies like Malaysia, Singapore, > Indonesia, Chile and South Korea, most of which which were in the same > economic footing with Kenya in the 1970s. > > Trade and Industry minister Mukhisa Kituyi > said the vision is achievable if it is not held hostage by any government > and if it receives support from the media and the private sector. > > President Kibaki said for the country to > realise the success of the vision, it was important to put in place a > clear strategy detailing what needed to be achieved for each of the > pillars of the programme for the next five years. > > He said that over the years, coffee > production has been declining from over 120,000 tons a year to less than > 50,000 this year, which had a devastating effect on farmers' incomes and > employment opportunities. > > "We need to make sure that under Vision 2030, > the strategies that will be developed will not repeat the mistakes of the > past and avoid imposing a costly burden on the people of this country," he > said. > > On manufacturing, the President said the > sector had barely grown in the last 20 years. "The textile industry which > was very vibrant in 1970s and 1980s has virtually been wiped out while the > EPZ-based enterprises are experiencing serious competition in the global > market," he said. > > Leather and other livestock-related > industries have also not made significant breakthroughs in the global > market although these are sectors in which Kenya could have competitive > advantage and growth if the right strategies and policies were applied. > > "I challenge the experts who are developing > the strategies to pay special attention to these sectors for the next five > years, because they have the greatest potential for delivering widely > shared economic and social benefits for the Kenyan people," President > Kibaki said. > > On tourism, he noted that although the number > of tourists visiting Kenya had increased over the last few years, income > from the sector was far below that of small European countries, the > Caribbean and North Africa. > > With proper planning and investment, the > country should be able to attract and accommodate five million tourists by > 2012, the President said. > > He said the economic performance of any > country was closely tied to the application of science and technology and > that was why the country was investing considerably in higher education > and research institutions. > > The vision strategy, he said, should be > geared towards enhancing Kenya's scientific and technological capacity, > promoting a scientific culture and integrating science and technology into > the production and service sectors. > > There was also need to expand, upgrade and > sustain health facilities while ensuring that they remain accessible and > affordable to all Kenyans. > > President Kibaki said rapid urban population > growth had resulted in serious unemployment, growing slums and an increase > of hawkers. It was also causing a severe strain on the provision of > services such as maintenance of law and order, water supply, sewerage and > sanitation, education and health facilities. > > The President said: "Effective planning of > and ability to enforce compliance for the proper administration of our > cities and major towns requires to be accorded high priority in the > strategies that will be developed to meet the challenges of urbanisation." > > He directed that measures to wipe out slums > and replace them with well-planned, low-cost houses in all major towns be > implemented without delay. > > > > > > -------------------------------------------------------- > > > to view this article on the web click here > > -------------------------------------------------------- > > Are you receiving daily news headlines from the > Daily Nation? Sign up today and receive headlines andweekly articles from > your favorite magazine delivered to your email inbox. > > To sign up: Registered users click here New > members click here. > > Interested in advertising in our emails? Contact > internetsales(a)nation.co.ke or read about our advertising opportunities > herehttp://www.nationmedia.com/dailynation/advertise.asp > > > > > -------------------------------------------------------- > > You have received this email because someone > thought you might be interested in our article. Please be assured that we > have not saved your email address for any purpose. To read our Privacy > Policyclick here > > > > Nation Media Group all rights reserved 2004 > Website: www.nationmedia.com > For querries or info: comments(a)nation.co.ke > > > > > > > -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- > -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- > _______________________________________________ > kictanet mailing list > kictanet(a)kictanet.or.ke > http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > > Please unsubscribe or change your options at > http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/alice%40apc.org --------------------------------- We have the perfect Group for you. Check out the handy changes to Yahoo! Groups.

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List Verification
by Odhiambo WASHINGTON 01 Nov '06

01 Nov '06

List VRFY. Please ignore.... List VRFY. Please ignore. Just testing if the list is working properly ./Lists Admin cheers - wash +----------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+ Odhiambo Washington . WANANCHI ONLINE LTD (Nairobi, KE) | wash () WANANCHI ! com . 1ere Etage, Loita Hse, Loita St., | GSM: (+254) 722 743 223 . # 10286, 00100 NAIROBI | GSM: (+254) 733 744 121 . (+254) 020 313 985 - 9 | +---------------------------------+------------------------------------------+ "Oh My God! They killed init! You Bastards!" --from a /. post

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Fw: VISION 2030..our collective role
by alice＠apc.org 01 Nov '06

01 Nov '06

----- Original Message ----- From: <andrew.gakiria(a)kenya.go.ke> To: <alice(a)apc.org> Cc: <andrew.limo(a)kenya.go.ke> Sent: Wednesday, November 01, 2006 10:27 AM Subject: VISION 2030..our collective role > Dear Alice, > > Kindly forward this for me to the Kictanet list > > Thanks > > Gakiria > > ****************************************************************************************** > > Dear Colleagues, > > I wish to respond to the very apt challenge thrown to us by Edith. From > where i sit at the e-Government Directorate, it is of great interest to us > to explore ways in which we can leverage ICTs and e-Government to deliver > on the broad goals of the 2030 vision. As indicated by the Head of state, > the 2030 vision is NOT a Government project but trancends all players > across the political divides, sectors and socio-economic classes including > electoral calendars. > > Thats why the challenge by Edith is very timely. What can we as Kenyans > and core stakeholders bring to the table to ensure that existing > opportunities are leveraged effectively? My colleague Andrew Limo is in > the technical team that was working on the vision and i believe he will > also comment on this. > > I would like to throw the challenge back to KICTANET to bring to bear your > very impressive arsenal of intellectual and lobbying might to open this > debate far and wide. Lets all remember that the vision is a broad > statement of intent and the way it all turns out will depend on how we > intepret this statement and break it down to manageable pieces. We should > not get discouraged but instead bring to light ways in which ICTs CAN > hasten the attainment of the vision. Edith mentioned that the countries > mentioned as success cases in national visioning leveraged ICTs..can we > get more concrete information publicized and brought to the attention of > decision makers? what specific learning examples can we immediately tap > into to start demonstrating success? > > I believe together we can pull this off..for the good of all of us Kenyans > > Kind regards > > Gakiria Andrew > Senior Policy Analyst & Information security Administrator > e-Government Directorate > Office of the President > Harambee House 10th Floor > Tel: +254 20 341582 > Cell: +254 721 323118 > Nairobi, KENYA

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Fwd: Nationmedia.com News: Kigali: Where MPs debate and vote in a simple click
by Edith Adera 31 Oct '06

31 Oct '06

Collegues? When is this likely to hit the Kenyan August House? Edith > >Threats of computer viruses are the biggest nightmare for the Rwandan >Senate and Parliament, which have fully embraced state-of-the-art technology. > >This is a sharp contrast to the Kenya National Assembly where normal >business is regularly interrupted owing to lack of quorum. > >The Senate and the Lower House are fully computerised and rank among the >most modern on the continent, only second to South Africa. > >Unlike in Kenya, where one has to pass a language test (English and >Kiswahili), in Rwanda, a senator must be a university graduate and >computer literate, in addition to being trilingual (Rwandese, English and >French). > >The debating chambers of the Senate and Parliament are virtually >paperless. This new initiative headed by President Paul Kagame has >resulted in a drastic reduction of costs on stationary, while boosting >efficiency and transparency. > >The debating chambers and the precinct of the two buildings, which are in >two different houses about five kilometres apart, are ICT-complaint. There >are internet services for all senators and deputies (members of >parliament) 24 hours a day. > >Because of the new technology, all senators and MPs must be computer >literate and carry lap-top computers, supplied by the government, to the >debating chamber and/or to the committee meetings. > >Even staff at the Senate and the Lower House are required to use the >information super-highway to communicate with each other and with senators >and MPs. > >Citizens can get virtually all information they want on their senators and >MPs by a touch of a button. They can also know what is on the day's order >paper, the Bills being discussed, which committees are meeting; and what >is being discussed. > >This is unlike the Kenyan Parliament where the new technology has not been >embraced fully, what with the august House yet to launch its website! >Committee meetings are also held in camera, as per the standing orders. > >During a visit to the Senate early last week, seven staffers of the Kenya >National Assembly were mesmerised by the ultra-modern building and ICT >system that has been integrated. > >The sub-committee was chaired by Mr Harry Owino, a senior systems analyst. >It was on a fact-finding mission to the Great Lakes country to study how >it has embraced ICT in the Legislature, and how the same could be >replicated in Kenya. > >The tour was part of the team's mandate to come up with targets and >results to improve service delivery in the Kenya National Assembly, within >100 days. It was part of the rapid results initiative launched by the >Government, through the Head of the Civil Service and Secretary to the >Cabinet, Mr Francis Muthaura, two months ago > >Resembles UN facilities > >The debating chamber of the Rwanda Senate resembles the faculties of the >United Nations Environment Programme in Nairobi, where each member has his >or her seat, plus a name tag on it and a microphone. > >In Kenya, members of the front bench and the back bench seat on benches >facing each other, with the Speaker (Mr Francis ole Kaparo) in the middle. > >Plans to modernise the building, start live coverage and launch a website >have been pending for the past five years. > >The Rwandese Senate has an electronic board which shows how many members >are present and how they have voted, either for, against or abstained. >Lack of quorum has so far not been a problem, according to the Senate >President, Dr Vincent Biruta. > >He said members were committed and had a high sense of integrity and >patriotism. "In addition to the website, we are also reaching out to the >public through a magazine focusing on issues before us, and how they >relate to all." > >But Dr Biruta regretted that unlike the Kenyan media, which was aggressive >and gave the Legislature lots of coverage in the print and broadcast >media, the opposite was the case in Rwanda. Where they have been invited >to attend sessions, they have shied away. > >"We even send them a summary of the day's proceedings and only a few FM >and TV stations use them," the Senate President said. > >The Senate was established three years ago under the new Constitution, >following the genocide a decade ago. It receives Bills from the Lower >House that have been passed, studies them and either endorses or rejects >them. If they are passed, they are sent to the Head of State for assent >into law. > >The proceedings are covered live by video and are and tape recorded. All >debates in the Senate and Lower House are in the national language, >Rwandese. They are recorded in the Hansard (verbatim reports) in that >language. > >But Motions which are passed are translated into English and French for >public consumption. > >When the Kenyan team visited the Lower House on Wednesday afternoon, it >was introduced to the members during debate and given an opportunity to >follow the talks through a translator. > >By then, two ministers were on the floor responding to public concerns >raised by their MPs, on poor infrastructure, water shortages and power >blackouts. > >Had 20 minutes to respond > >The two ministers, Mr Kamanzi Stanislos and Mr Musoni Protais, were at >pains to explain to members why the grievances had not been addressed. >Each had 20 minutes to respond to all the concerns gathered by a >parliamentary committee during a recent field visit. No supplementary >question was allowed, as is the case in the Kenyan Parliament. > >The debating chamber resembled a UN conference. It was orderly and issues >orientated. If that was in Kenya, an MP would ask a personal question and >the Speaker would allow him or her to ask a supplementary question. Other >MPs were also free to raise points of order and hijack the member's question. > >We heard the voice of the speaker of the Lower House only at the beginning >and at the end of the minister's presentation. He was dressed in a black >suit and matching tie, and had no wig, unlike the Kenyan speaker. > >The members could dress formally in suits or casually, in Mandela shirts. > >All the Senators have seats reserved for them, with their own microphones >placed on a table. As they enjoy leather seats, they can also connect >their lap-tops to the system and access the day's order paper, Bills >pending and those that have been passed. > >By the touch of a button, the Senators can vote for or against a motion or >Bill placed before them. The idea is to have a "paperless" debating chamber. > >Success of the ICT programme in the Senate and the Lower House has been >due to political goodwill by the Head of State and donors, as well as >contributions by UNDP, USAID, Microsoft and CISCO, among other organisations. > > > >to view this article on the web ><http://www.nationmedia.com/dailynation/nmgcontententry.asp?category_id>click >here > >Are you receiving daily news headlines from the Daily Nation? ><http://www.nationmedia.com/dailynation/register_form.asp>Sign up today >and receive headlines andweekly articles from your favorite magazine >delivered to your email inbox. >To sign up: ><http://www.nationmedia.com/dailynation/updateprofile.asp>Registered users >click >here <http://www.nationmedia.com/dailynation/registration_form.asp>New >members click here. > >Interested in advertising in our emails? Contact ><mailto:internetsales@nation.co.ke>internetsales(a)nation.co.ke or read >about our advertising opportunities >here<http://www.nationmedia.com/dailynation/advertise.asp>http://www.nationmedia.com/dailynation/advertise.asp > > > > >You have received this email because someone thought you might be >interested in our article. Please be assured that we have not saved your >email address for any purpose. To read our Privacy >Policy<http://www.nationmedia.com/syndicated/privacy.asp>click here > > > >Nation Media Group all rights reserved 2004 >Website: <http://www.nationmedia.com/>www.nationmedia.com >For querries or info: <mailto:comments@nation.co.ke>comments(a)nation.co.ke > > >----------

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