Andrew, Thanks a lot for your response... One of the things that I have realized is that there are quite a lot of initiatives underfoot to drive the broader national ICT agenda forward. However, how can we ensure much of the information is widely out there in the public domain, to inspire debate and participation or involvement? And as you mention, that the initiative is a Multistakeholder , how "multistakeholder" is the effort, and what would be the achievements to date, any reports that can be found online..? One would be interested to note, for instance there has been efforts towards achieving Universal Access (U.A), by the CCK, dating back 2005,following a study to address the eskwed broandband coverage within the country. A fund was proposed, to drive this forward... Does anyone have any idea, what became of this effort? The update on the initiative last mentions,the culmination of the KCA act 2009 establishing a universal service fund to manage the process. What is happening on the ground..? Well, this could be one way of addressing universal Broadband coverage/access, but I suppose we can go further than this, to address broadband challenges within the nation.. Any other efforts/initiatives afoot..? Regards, Harry am also just realizing that information about some of the initiatives in place is quite sector that at times few people are aware of out -----Original Message----- From: Gakiria [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Wednesday, March 24, 2010 1:37 AM To: [email protected] Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions Subject: Re: [kictanet] Will broadband have an impact on e-Government demand andsupply in Kenya? Dear Lillian, Thank you for your query. Among many other initiatives being undertaken by Government to harness the opportunities brought about by increased and available bandwidth is the establishment of the National e-Learning taskforce domiciled in the ministry of Information & communications. the mandate of this multi stakeholder team is to develop our National e-Learning strategy and implementation plan,with emphasis being on the implementation. Our great nation is blessed with boundless intangible assets. .key being a deep human resource pool. The aim of this initiative is to leverage on these intangible assets and convert them into tangible outcomes. .job/wealth creation,improved livelihoods for all. all this rides on a singular focus on leveraging our knowledge resources as our strategic comparative advantage. in recognition of our leadership position in matters ICT4D in the region, COMESA and UNEP have entrusted Kenya with the task of developing and running regional capacity building programs through e-Learning. Andrew KeLC On 3/23/10, Harry Delano <[email protected]> wrote:
Thanks Lilian, for your contribution on Broadband, let's keep this debate alive.
I suppose I may just need to collate some of this valuable contributions, on this forum which we can then transmit onwards at an opportune time for consideration.
I like your proposal on a "Pragmatic National Broadband Plan" - it is a crucial agenda that we need to pursue relentlessly..
This would be the way to go, to harness this rich resource for the betterment of this nation..
Regards, Harry
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From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Lilian Karanja Sent: Tuesday, March 23, 2010 1:43 PM To: [email protected] Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions Subject: [kictanet] Will broadband have an impact on e-Government demand andsupply in Kenya?
Dear Listers:
Now that broadband technology is here, and we know that it is certainly going to enhance the competitiveness of our economy and sustain economic growth, am increasingly wondering what strategies the Government of Kenya is working on, to develop broadband applications that will enhance the delivery of public services to citizens. There is no doubt that the Government of Kenya has taken great strides to harness the implementation and use of broadband technologies with the Ministry of Information and Communications leading the way.
Is there an e-Gov/Civic Engagement program that will evaluate how broadband can improve the performance of government specifically in terms of transparency and citizen participation and more generally in terms of effectiveness and efficiency? Such engagement programs with 'mwananchi', on broadband and eGovernment, will consider various ways all levels of government, can use broadband to improve public service performance and delivery, including lessons that might apply, for the purposes of developing a pragmatic national broadband plan. The Government of Kenya needs to take stock, consider and pay keen attention to the potential benefits of universal broadband in enabling various government operations to move to a digital platform in terms of improved performance, cost savings, and strategic benefits to the communications infrastructure.
The Government should initiate such programs with the support of the private sector. 'Mwanachi' needs to know how they are a part of e-Government and now 'this' new phenomenon, 'broadband', and what they can do to enjoy the privileges that both bring.
Lilian.
-- Gakiria Andrew Coordinator Kenya eLearning Centre Nairobi, KENYA