Dear Rachael

Thank you so much for the updates. Like we said in our end of year ICT review meeting, CA continues to demonstrate that public participation in policy making is doable.


Now to my questions:

The USF has been in place for the last five years. The fund currently is holding 4.9 B and only 1.5 is budgeted for. Meaning that there is a balance of 3.4B somewhere (and probably accruing interest and more money coming in). 

Collins has given us a 'situation on the ground' in Kilifi. Meaning that there is much more that can be done, and many other projects that can benefit. 


1. Isn't this fund not under performing?

2. Would it be useful to have the USF avail its stratetic plan to the community?

3. Would the USF be willing to crowd source for ideas from the community on various ways of execution and priority projects?

4. How can the USF collaborate with International players like Facebook and Google towards expanding connectivity? These players already have a global programs of bringing connectivity to various undeserved parts of the World. Would it be possible to have a meetings of minds between such players and Kenya?

What we would like to see are conscious efforts to compliment the players on the ground expand internet connectivity in mashinani.

And lastly, and considering the fund has enough resources, it must deliver in a timely and expeditious  manner. Speed and efficiency should be the fund's maxim. 

Ni hayo tu kwa sasa.  



Best regards


Githaiga, Grace



On Friday, 20-01-2017 at 00:11 Alwala, Rachel via kictanet wrote:
Hi Rosemary,

Please note that the USF has collected KES. 4.9Billion of which KES. 1.5B is planned for use on voice infrastructure projects expansion and schools broadband connectivity within the current FY 2016/17. As per my narrative, the providers have been contracted for the identified projects.  

Rachel Alwala
Assistant Director/Communications and External Affairs 
Communications Authority of Kenya 
PO Box 14448 
Nairobi 00800

Tel:  +254 703042000
Email:  alwala@ca.go.ke 

From: kictanet <kictanet-bounces+alwala=ca.go.ke@lists.kictanet.or.ke> on behalf of KICTAnet Discussions <kictanet@lists.kictanet.or.ke>
Reply-To: KICTAnet Discussions <kictanet@lists.kictanet.or.ke>
Date: Wednesday, January 18, 2017 at 12:29 PM
To: Rachel <alwala@ca.go.ke>
Cc: Rosemary Koech-Kimwatu <chemukoechk@gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [kictanet] Updates on the Operationalization of the Universal Service Fund

Dear Rachel,

Thank you for sharing.

A lot more has to be done to create incentives for connectivity even in economically "non-viable" areas to ensure that no part is left behind and it is safe to say that the connectivity of these areas could actually spur economic growth.

The most critical query however is in regards to how much is held in the fund and what is remaining. It is appreciated that all the above details have been shared in regards to the research and the implementation carried out so far, but it would be great to have all these backed by the numbers in regards to how the funds are utilised. This will enable us to know if the fund can adequately cater for our immediate future needs or if we need to think of other ways of bolstering the fund.

Kind regards,

Rosemary Koech-Kimwatu.


On 18 Jan 2017 05:34, "Ali Hussein via kictanet" <kictanet@lists.kictanet.or.ke> wrote:
Rachel

Thank you for the comprehensive report. I'm curious:-

Table 2: Sub-location population 3G coverage

Coverage

100%

>90%

50% - 90%

< 50%

0%

Sub-locations

2,454

1,324

1,146

977

1,244

If you look at the above table and go down to specific counties you will agree with me that High Speed Internet is still a rumour in many areas of the country. I want to pay special attention to the counties below where we have less than 50% 3G coverage.

Table 4: Estimated 2G and 3G Network coverage by County

 

County

2G (%)

3G (%)

Baringo

87.7

49.1




Elegeyo Marakwet

 97.1 34.7

Garissa

58.1

4.6




Isiolo

54.7

16.4

Kajiado

74.4

38.9




Kilifi

91.9

51.5




Kitui

89.2

49.8

Kwale

91.5

46.4

Laikipia

90.8

48.9

Lamu

82.4

34.4




Mandera

66.9

9.4

marsabit

56.6

25.2




Narok

86.7

29.9




Samburu

55.5

14.0




Taita-Taveta

96.4

43.4

Tana River

85.8

12.8




Turkana

34.8

10.2




Wajir

48.2

8.4

West pokot

69.0

13.3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
















In the current era of eCizitenship where a lot of government services are moving online are we not disenfranchising a huge swath of the country?


My comments questions are:-


1. Are the above statistics realistic in the true sense of the word? What I mean is this:-

If you take Garissa, Wajir and Mandera where coverage is less than 10% I wonder whether taking into account huge parts of these counties (or any other county for that matter) that are probably not inhabited is realistic? Wouldn't it be more realistic to  take account coverage in areas where there is a sizable population?  


2. In counties like Kilifi, Lamu and Kwale where reliable connectivity is a joke a few miles from the county headquarters it would be good to hear from the USF what they intend to do about this. Whilst empowering a few schools with connectivity is a great idea I think we are missing out on great opportunities and progress where we lack high speed Internet.  


3. How are we doing in lighting up the dark fiber that is NOFBI? What incentives are there for the likes of Safaricom, Liquid, Jamii, Airtel, Orange and the mushrooming community ISPs to give them the push to unleash broadband in the furthest corners of this country? 


4. How much is currently sitting in the USF? What is the utilization levels, burn rates and the efficacy of the projects they have undertaken? In short can we a financial statements from the beginning to date? 


5. Lastly, as we work hard to cover this country with Broadband can the USF consider offering WiFi zones of high speed Internet in EVERY COUNTY at hugely subsidized prices to enable citizens access eGovernment Services? A good place to start would be in ALL Huduma Centres and say within a 3 km radio of every Huduma Centre?    


Thank you Rachel for showing us how community engagement by a Government Agency can enhance collaboration and shed light on issues of strategic interest to the country.


Ali Hussein
Principal
Hussein & Associates
+254 0713 601113 

Twitter: @AliHKassim

Skype: abu-jomo

LinkedIn: http://ke.linkedin.com/in/alihkassim


"We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, therefore, is not an act but a habit."  ~ Aristotle


Sent from my iPad

On 17 Jan 2017, at 12:09 PM, Alwala, Rachel via kictanet <kictanet@lists.kictanet.or.ke> wrote:

Table 2: Sub-location population 3G coverage

Coverage

100%

>90%

50% - 90%

< 50%

0%

Sub-locations

2,454

1,324

1,146

977

1,244


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