John, Let me take this moment to contribute on this very important topic. I happen to wear two hats- an ISP and Call Centre. Saying that we have been affected would be an understatement. I would really not say the situation "is getting out of hand" as Kabenn has said below, it got out of hand weeks ago! Like many other businesses in the ICT sector, the ISPs have not been spared. The unrest in various parts of the country has necessitated the shut-down of several businesses such as cyber cafes and even offices that use the Internet. Revenues flow from such areas have scaled down quite substantially. The outsourcing industry has taken a big hit, especially those of us serving international clients. Some have lost contracts, some have seen suspension of work being sent to Kenya and others have simply lost golden opportunities to run their pilot tests with potential clients who are being very cautious (and we cannot blame them)to send their work to Kenya having seen the news coverage on CNN, BBC and other television stations. It has taken some of us the last 2 and a half years to generate an interest in Kenya as an off-shore outsourcing destination. Just one month ago, this year showed promising growth in the industry. Today we are seeing a totally different scenario unless all this negative headline-making chaos stops. And even then, it may take time. That is just I must admit it feels pretty discouraging seeing all our great efforts going down the drain at this rapid rate. Gilda Odera Managing Director Skyweb Technologies Ltd & Skyweb-Evans Ltd Tel:254-20-2711446/2711760 Fax:254-20-2713934 URL:www.skyweb.co.ke/www.skywebevans.co.ke Quoting kictanet-request@lists.kictanet.or.ke:
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Today's Topics:
1. Re: Day 2 of 5 - Challenges Posed by Post-ElectionViolence on ICT Organisations (Bernard Mwenda) 2. Re: Alari Alare Passes on... (Eric Osiakwan) 3. Alari's Fundraiser (Harry Hare) 4. Re: Day 2 of 5 - Challenges Posed byPost-ElectionViolence on ICT Organisations (Michael Joseph)
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Message: 1 Date: Tue, 29 Jan 2008 11:46:37 +0300 From: Bernard Mwenda <bmwenda@iwayafrica.com> Subject: Re: [kictanet] Day 2 of 5 - Challenges Posed by Post-ElectionViolence on ICT Organisations To: John Walubengo <jwalu@yahoo.com> Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions <kictanet@lists.kictanet.or.ke> Message-ID: <8F5B649086B43845822600B44C6AC6C201347AA41693@mail1.IWAY.LOCAL> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
John,
I know for a fact that our distributors (ISPs) in kenya have recorded very low sales for this time of the year compared to previous years. We have also had some accounts which have been deactivated, mostly from the hospitality industry. Hotels are the worst hit right now and such we expect very little business from this sector. I guess we have to live with the situation as is or alternatively do something about it.
I think it is time Kenyan professionals from all walks came out and did something about this. This situation is now getting out of hand.
Kabenn.
________________________________________ From: kictanet-bounces+bmwenda=iwayafrica.com@lists.kictanet.or.ke [kictanet-bounces+bmwenda=iwayafrica.com@lists.kictanet.or.ke] On Behalf Of John Walubengo [jwalu@yahoo.com] Sent: Tuesday, January 29, 2008 9:45 AM To: Bernard Mwenda Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions Subject: Re: [kictanet] Day 2 of 5 - Challenges Posed by Post-ElectionViolence on ICT Organisations
mmhh, looks like very few contributions. I understand the dampened mood. But really, we have to talk. Unless you guys want us to bring Koffi Anaan here to make us share...
Anyway, Thanx Alex, Bill, and Brian for your contributions so far. I was just thinking at a national level...the impact so far. 1. Mobile Operators (earlier in the fracas I bought a scratch card worth 250sh for 500sh, black market rates) 2. BPO projects (whats happening at Kencall and others?) 3. ICT Board (with World Bank threatening to hold back funds, what happens to the Infrastructure projects that were to provide Bandwidth to BPOs and Academia?) 4. Media (how are you coping with the live transmission ban?) 6. ISPs, ASPs, Cybercafes (any impacts) 7. Our members in the region UG, RW (any impacts?)
Plse talk, we have only four more days to go. It is refreshing to talk about this things. It is part of the healing process.
walu.
--- Alex Gakuru <alex.gakuru@yahoo.com> wrote:
Ok, I was silent because Brain Longwe had earlier asked that the list be what it was meant to be. Since that position has changed, I want to start with "funny" joke. We have a saying in this regard.
Have you been one of those who have tried or struggled to guess the tribe of the person sending emails to mailing lists? Please own up:) Last week we considered assessing the psychological consequences the crisis was having on consumers with regard to email and blogs posts.
It turned out that some tried to "align" their views on e-mail senders whom they perceived (or imagined?) to be of the same or "friendly" tribes. Our conclusion, listers were not tribal, yet the stress, politics and media had forced them to seek tribal alignments. We were happy to discover that.
Next we discussed tensions at workplace Telkom Kenya being our sample. We learnt how badly it had divided staff there. We overheard employee conversations! We wished companies would hold extra parties to lessen tensions at work. I have just noticed a ke-users lister has posted a very positive message. Their HR department today held an organisation-wide counselling session. That was excellent. All companies should start similar initiatives. Thanks Saidimu!
Terrible for us because when we engaging Telcos and ISPs we never ask for okuyu, jang or kale etc tariffs or quality of service standards. Our engagement covers coast to lake, Turkana to Namanga, Garissa to Busia.
At such moments, Information and Communications Consumer protection is more than ever necessary. We are battling rights of the people know on one hand, on the other we are urging responsibility to accompany freedom of expression, fighting against ban on live broadcasts also aware of the dangers of misuse, against sms sniffing very aware of misinformation dangers.
We noted and appreciated the media's own intervention early and responsibility but also appreciate the role of government to protect everyone.
This thread is on the challenges hence I stop there for now to hear others' lest I be accused of monopolising on opinion. I will be back;)
Regards,
Alex
--- John Walubengo <jwalu@yahoo.com> wrote:
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Message: 2 Date: Tue, 29 Jan 2008 12:38:07 +0300 From: Eric Osiakwan <eric@afrispa.org> Subject: Re: [kictanet] Alari Alare Passes on... To: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions <kictanet@lists.kictanet.or.ke> Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions <kictanet@lists.kictanet.or.ke> Message-ID: <BD0C2FE0-3B36-4E2C-A7C3-73AEAECD2888@afrispa.org> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
He left a MARK in TIME and posterity would forever uphold his being and work....
Rest in absolute peace, Brother Alari.
Eric here
On 28 Jan 2008, at 08:28, John Walubengo wrote:
Just read in today's East African standard (offline edition) that one of our KICTANet members and ICT journalist Alari passed on over the weekend. Some road accident along Mombasa Road. I ask that you observe a miniutes silence in memory of his contribution to the ICT community both online and offline.
May God rest his soul in peace.
walu. Becky (fellow journalist), plse keep the community uptodate on anything they may do to assist or join his family in this time of mourning.
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Eric M.K Osiakwan Executive Secretary AfrISPA (www.afrispa.org) Tel: + 233.21.258800 ext 2031 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"