I concour with Rosemary that some of the Government services in the digital age could be improved. Two examples:
 
1. In December someone wanted to sell me a plot of land and I visited the lands office in Kakamega to apply for a search to verify ownership. To my dismay I found a list of about 7 requirements pinned to the walls including 4 copies of the title deed, ID Copies, PIN, etc. plus a waiting period of 2 weeks to get the results. In addition staff at the service counter at that office were rare and one has to spend considerable time just waiting. Why should verifying the owner of a piece of land be such a cumbersome process as if the information is "siri kali". In the old days it was very easy, just pay 200/= and wait briefly. The people concerned should learn from the computerisation of exam results by KNEC whereby you can just send a USSD or SMS message using information such as students index number (LR number for land) and receive the required information in seconds.
 
2. The same December I discovered my driving license had long lapsed. The Huduma centre where renewals are done was closed for the holiday. Someone told me that renewal can be done online but when I went to that site the process could not complete. Some days later when I went to do the process at the Huduma centre I was told an original ID is a must. When I offered my passport which I use as an ID they declined. In the good old days one just went with the old license, paid some amount and received a renewal slip quickly. After all renewing a license is just another way for Government to collect more revenue.
 
 
On Tue, Jan 19, 2016, at 11:10 AM, Rosemary Koech-Kimwatu via kictanet wrote:
Hi Listers, 
 
There are several government services offered through various platforms. As an improvement in regards to service delivery it would help if the various agencies had information sharing portals in order to improve service delivery. My experience with government agencies is that information is in silos and trying to get a service that involves the interaction between agencies can be a nightmare. Take for example the misfortune of losing your ID while required to get a Certificate of Good Conduct.
 
1. A copy of the National ID will not suffice at the CID headquarters where applications are made, this you will only find out once you get to Kiambu Road .
2. One has to get an official printout of the ID from the relevant authority which means going for fresh finger printing at Kibera(or the nearest administrative office.
3.Once that is done one has to go to an office in NSSF buiding where the documents are processed and a forwarding letter is issued to the CID then one goes back to CID headquarters with the letter to make an application for the Certificate of Good Conduct all this will take not less than six hours in Nairobi which is an information hub, try to imagine what people in remote parts of the country have to go through.
 
We all carry several government issued cards in our wallets NSSF, NHIF, ID, Drivers Licence etc.....would it be too much to ask if some of the information was centrally stored especially for the delivery of basic services?
 
A government  platform that encourages  information sharing between agencies would positive step in improving how the public connects to government services with the aid of ICT as services will be made increasingly centralized and simplified.
 
Regards, 
 
Rosemary.
 
Twitter:@Chemu_koech
LinkedIn:Rosemary Koech-Kimwatu
Skype:Rosemary Koech-Kimwatu 
0718181644/0771632344
 
On Mon, Jan 18, 2016 at 11:00 PM, Dorcas Muthoni via kictanet <kictanet@lists.kictanet.or.ke> wrote:

Hi listers,

This is very welcome from the ICT authority. As software developers who have worked on e-government projects,  I would request the following to be considered:

1. Enterprise Service Bus for the government.  All agencies and ministries providing citizens,  businesses and MDA facing services should hook to the bus which should support as many as possible application integration architectures. Publish an API to enable developers integrate MDA core applications to the bus and other MDA systems.  Right now,  it's very messy and a big pain for developers who receive user requirements.  Many MDAs usually thinkna developer can deliver all necessary integrations without this infrastructure which is practically impossible in current times. We have been denied payment because a PS thought we could perform this magic on our own.

2. Require that all MDAs implement core applications in-line with their mandate.  All anticorruption money should be directed to developing and implementing e-government systems😄. It would do wonders.  ICT AUTHORITY should help with developing system requirements and specifications or train the ICT officers of respective MDAs.

Best, Muthoni

Good morning Listers
 
I have received a request from  the ICT Authority on the topic of Connected Kenya. 

 

Connected Kenya this year wants to explore the theme of getting Citizen to “Self Serve”  through provision of e-government services. The theme is “Bridging the service gap”

 

In the spirit of consultation, and in recognizing the valuable ideas from the different sectors of the community, the ICT Authority would like to get industry thoughts and views on what they perceive as barriers to the achievement of ‘self-services’ to mwananchi  in Kenya. 

 

What can government do in terms of policies, implementation of projects, engagement to further this agenda?  And what role does the Private sector also play and how can both come together to further the interest of getting the citizen to access services at the comfort of their homes?

 

We request that for the next five days, you kindly feel feel free to contribute and help the Authority shape up the agenda for this important conference. Phyllis from ICTA will collate all your ideas. 

 

Asanteni sana.

 

Rgds

Grace


 
 
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The Kenya ICT Action Network (KICTANet) is a multi-stakeholder platform for people and institutions interested and involved in ICT policy and regulation. The network aims to act as a catalyst for reform in the ICT sector in support of the national aim of ICT enabled growth and development.
 
KICTANetiquette : Adhere to the same standards of acceptable behaviors online that you follow in real life: respect people's times and bandwidth, share knowledge, don't flame or abuse or personalize, respect privacy, do not spam, do not market your wares or qualifications.