Bw PS, Once again allow me to say it is commendable to see you being 'responsive' online. On ICT development, I don't think what we are complaining of is 'inaction'; No. There are lots of good 'projects' happening. Our/My concern is that they are not coherent, or rather there is no overarching 'comprehensive' or 'integrated' plan portraying the 'bigger picture' than individual projects or initiatives do. Examples of African countries with such comprehensive Masterplans include Rwanda, Tunisia and Mozambique. If we have (such) a master plan, I am not aware, and I would be more than delighted to see it. Otherwise, good strategies like that for the BPO's, the E-Govt Strategy, etc, should only be sub-components of the 'Masterplan'. As for lacking entrepreneurs, am not sure I entirely agree, either. Once again allow me to contend that Kenya has got some of the most 'enterprising' human resources. What they lack are opportunities and an enabling environment. I know some strides have been made, but we still have a long way to go. Just for instance, Tanzania gives up to 15% advantage to local firms when they bid for Govt projects (or so am told). Unless Kenyan rules have changed, I don't think such a provision exists. But that's just one area for improving the environment. There are several others, some specific to ICT, others of a more general nature. Developing a 'Masterplan' would create an opportunity for sufficient engagement with diverse 'Stakeholders' (including 'Professionals' and 'Entrepreneurs') that would unearth more comprehensively areas of improvement that the ICT private sector requires to fly. Finally, I don't think Govt can run away from building, creating and utilizing capacity. Of course it doesn't do it alone; it does it in collaboration with other players. But it is incumbent, as a starting point, upon Govt to come up with a comprehensive 'Human Capacity Development and Utilization Plan'. And rumour has it one could be in the offing; if that is true, that would be great. If the rumour is not true, then something needs to be done about it. My 2 cents worth. Warmest rgrds, Shem --- On Wed, 6/11/08, bitange@jambo.co.ke <bitange@jambo.co.ke> wrote: From: bitange@jambo.co.ke <bitange@jambo.co.ke> Subject: Re: {Disarmed} [kictanet] Fw: Re: [NewVisionKenya] Voiceless 'Knowledge Workers' To: shemochuodho@yahoo.com Cc: "KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions" <kictanet@lists.kictanet.or.ke> Date: Wednesday, June 11, 2008, 8:07 AM Dear Shem/Lucy, Reading the write up here, I concluded that you are really behind on what is happening in the ICT landscape that I cannot do justice by using a balckberry to respond. However, in summary there are focused strategies to grow our sector. 2006 a bpo strategy that has given rise to part of vision 2030. Aggressive ICT infrastructure development. Complete legal and regulatory framework that is waiting for Parliament to do their part. Centers of excellency to build capacity created. Many more projects being implemented by th ICT Board and yes there is a master plan. What we neen now are entrepreneurs. Although government can help build capacity, it cannot create them. This requires both role models and ability to take risk. We must also remove the negative attitude whereby we approach all issues from a negative angle. Asante. Ndemo Sent from my BlackBerry® -----Original Message----- From: Shem Ochuodho <shemochuodho@yahoo.com> Date: Sun, 8 Jun 2008 09:34:33 To:bitange@jambo.co.ke Cc:KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions <kictanet@lists.kictanet.or.ke> Subject: {Disarmed} [kictanet] Fw: Re: [NewVisionKenya] Voiceless 'Knowledge Workers' Sorry for cross-posts. --- On Sun, 6/8/08, Shem Ochuodho <shemochuodho@yahoo.com> wrote: From: Shem Ochuodho <shemochuodho@yahoo.com> Subject: Re: [NewVisionKenya] Voiceless 'Knowledge Workers' To: "KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions" <kictanet@lists.kictanet.or.ke> Date: Sunday, June 8, 2008, 5:04 AM Lucy, That's precisely the problem: we are not distinguishing 'Professionals' from 'Stakeholders'. We are all 'Medical Stakeholders', but we are certainly not all 'Medical Professionals'. ... I am reactivating my Kictanet account, just in case. Bw PS, glad to see you active online. But we need not be defensive on this. I am up to date with the sites you mention. I think our main problem at present is neither a policy nor strategy; they may require updating, but those you/the Govt already has. What is needed most urgently is a comprehensive implementation plan/blueprint/master plan. There are a whole lot of good projects being implemented, but they appear haphazard. They are not part of a 'coherent bigger whole'. A senior official of one of the major ICT associations who might for whatever reason prefer anonymity contends: 'we are busy marketing ICT''. It would be unfortunate to sweep some of these issues under the carpet. Back to my original posting: I think there are fundamental issues raised, that would be nice to address (just to mention a few):- 1. Has Vision 2030 been sufficiently debated by Kenyans for it to be launched? 2. Was 51% sale of Telkom Kenya justified under the circumstances? 3. Does Kenya consider its unique 'human capital' a competitive advantage, and if so, are we considering developing a 'Human Capacity Development & Utilization Plan'? 4. Are we working towards 'Professionalizing' ICT? Best rgrds,Shem --- On Sat, 6/7/08, Lucy Kimani <LKIMANI@YAHOO.COM> wrote: From: Lucy Kimani <LKIMANI@YAHOO.COM> Subject: [NewVisionKenya] Re: [shemochuodhoforparliament2007] Voiceless 'Knowledge Workers' To: shemochuodhoforparliament2007@yahoogroups.com, "New Vision List" <newvisionkenya@yahoogroups.com> Date: Saturday, June 7, 2008, 11:28 AM Shem, The ICT community is very active and far from being "voiceless" I was sure I had seen your contribution on kictanet mailing list kictanet@lists. kictanet. or.ke <mailto:kictanet@lists.kictanet.or.ke> http://lists. kictanet. or.ke/mailman/ listinfo/ kictanet <http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet>; if not, I suggest you get onto the list because thats where all the ICT Professionals/ Stakeholders discuss everything ICT Sample discussion,, ,, ------------ --------- ------- Original Message ------------ --------- ------- Subject: Re: [kictanet] Fibre Optic From: bitange@jambo. co.ke <mailto:bitange@jambo.co.ke> Date: Wed, November 28, 2007 9:28 am Cc: "KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions" <kictanet@lists. kictanet. or.ke <mailto:kictanet@lists.kictanet.or.ke> > ------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- -------- Dear Yawe, I am sorry for assuming that you were aware of the National Optic Fibre Broadband network that is being built by Sagem, Huaweii and ZTE. The project will be finished by August next year. The Digital Village project will benefit from this network that is to link all District HQs. The netwotk shall be run by the operators and hopefully take control of it if they see a business case in it. Otherwise this was basically the Government wide area network. We are now hoping that operators would come up with the last mile solutions. Phase two of our plans is to partner with the private sector to build data centers and disaster recovery centers. This will ensure cheaper local hosting capability. The biggest challenge is going to be local content. On the Government side, by June next year we should have tons of content online. We need to pass the Freedom of Information Bill for the public to benefit from most of GoK data. We shall still need the international Fibre optic for research to both ends, that is, the rest of the world and our own research. We cannot develop on a cocoon. I hope I have responded to your questions. If you are not satisfied, please let me know. Asante sana. Bitange Ndemo. Shem, you have a lot of catching up to do my friend, so here are some good starting point: http://www.informat ion.go.ke/ <http://www.information.go.ke/>; For Kenya's National Policy please see: http://www.informat ion.go.ke/ docs/ICT% 20Policy. pdf <http://www.information.go.ke/docs/ICT%20Policy.pdf>; Hey we even have a strategy: http://www.informat ion.go.ke/ docs/Kenya% 20ICT%20Strategy .pdf <http://www.information.go.ke/docs/Kenya%20ICT%20Strategy.pdf>; Actually, there were a couple of ICT bills already tabled last year, and what was in fact missing was the Ministry of Finance to complete the picture by amending the "Banking" Act which is way out dated and doesnt recognize electronic transactions hence the lack of a "Payment" Gateway -- Great opportunity for anyone ready to go as soon as they amend the Banking Act! So I dont understand why the Accountant Bill when the Banking act is the one that needs immediate attention! Until there is E-Commerce in full swing in Kenya, Kenyans will still look at the internet as a luxury and not a necessity limiting the subscriber base to just a few while it should be for everybody! There is also the Kenya ICT Board actively involved in selling Kenya as the next Call Center/BPO Outsourcing Centre http://www.ict. go.ke/inner. php?cat=news <http://www.ict.go.ke/inner.php?cat=news>; Also, David Otwuoma is now in Kenya and actively involved in the ICT arena Shem Ochuodho <shemochuodho@ yahoo.com> wrote: An edited version of the article below appeared in today's edition of the Standard. Rgrds, Shem ------ Where is the Voice of the Kenyan ICT Professional? -----