On the surface of things the report sounds like a suitable candidate for dismissal. The methodology relied upon lacks sufficient clarity, probably due to its relative newness. Though the report has little flattering about the current Kenyan ICT landscape, it equally doesn’t paint a grim picture as such. That the study considered Kenya worthy of inclusion shows that our mobile segment has come of age to warrant research attention.

What the study has summarily done is to state a factual position- that despite the seemingly huge activity setup, we are yet to realize the full benefits of the rich potential a state attributable to lack of a sound capacity building approach. A key area that has been neglected is that of proactive research to help in the identification of technology based pillars that can trigger economic kinetics. That’s why it might be vital for us to pose about what we have done as far as research is concerned before we begin to pour vitriol on the work of those whose findings are not consonant with our deeply held perceptions; that we rank head and shoulders above the rest.

One of the greatest tragedies of our ICT perspective is the tendency to craft first class solutions for unclarified problems. This includes some government flagship projects. While the efforts of different players are laudable its imperative that we get more prudent about how we ride on the back of technology towards social-economic supremacy. As matters stand we might be riding on the wrong ideological bus thus implying a need to retrace the right bus or even the right technological bus station from where to advance.

On 2/27/09, alice <alice@apc.org> wrote:

Its a new way of measuring connectivity do you agree with the
verdict on Kenya?

<http://www.connectivityscorecard.org/countries/kenya>

Good Mobile Access Fails To Boost Weak Connectivity Rating

Kenya’s performance on the 2009 Connectivity Scorecard places it nearly at the bottom of the nations sampled. In almost every consumer and business measure of connectivity, Kenya failed to achieve a passing score. Exceptions include an above average proportion of the population provided with mobile access, and a relatively high literacy rate. Kenya displays one of the worst secondary school enrolment rates out of all the countries surveyed, along with weak broadband and internet penetration. Bandwidth availability is also quite low. Kenya’s E-Government ranking falls below the median.

Despite a history of innovation, notably in the mobile segment, Kenya’s economic progress is held back by a lack of investment in human development in order to provide workers with the skills necessary to drive an ICT-based economy. Regulation of the telecommunications sector has also slowed development of the broadband services required to create a more sophisticated business infrastructure.

Kenya Connectivity Performance by Scorecard Component

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