Hello, fellow countrymen...
Why I’m I loving this discussion; because it’s open and interactive, rather than a muffled one . Just a little matter I
would like to point out..
If we have or can give 100% assurance that INTEGRITY here in this whole process has, is and will never be in doubt,
then whatever system failures, incompetencies, etcetra – can be addressed and fixed.
A post-audit would undoubtedly achieve this. For now, let’s all work to promote integrity, in the current manual
and computerized systems at IEBC.
Regards,
Harry
From: kictanet [mailto:kictanet-bounces+harry=comtelsys.co.ke@lists.kictanet.or.ke] On Behalf Of Ali Hussein
Sent: Wednesday, March 06, 2013 10:49 AM
To: harry@comtelsys.co.ke
Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions
Subject: Re: [kictanet] Has the ICT Sector Failed?
Evans
Totally agree. As the saying goes GIGO (Garbage In Garbage Out).
The issue of IEBC and how they have handled the vote counting is in my opinion a shame. I have heard stories and rumors of how servers have crashed, bandwidth slow etc.
And before we blame other government agencies who are ostensibly supposed to be there to help with different aspects of the IEBC operations we need to remember that IEBC stands for Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (emphasis on Independent). If a returning officer finds himself without a vehicle do we blame the Ministry of Transport?
My point is that the Leadership of the IEBC has failed miserably in this arguably the most important election. We should be told exactly what the problem is and I do hope that this group will do a thorough post mortem of what happened, what were the preparations, who were the vendors, systems etc.
Let's not blame technology when we were unable to harness its power in the simplest way possible. Vote counting doesn't require rocket science.
By the way I can bet you my next pay check that the main proponents of this election already know who has won the election by now if their Strategists are worth any salt.
I think one of the greatest issues that we face in this country is the move from theory to practice. Most of us talk about Big Data, Business Intelligence etc but how many of us actually practice it? It is time that we really embrace the power of Technology in the right way.
Ali Hussein
CEO, 3mice interactive media ltd
Partner, Telemedia Africa Ltd
Tel: +254713601113
Twitter: @AliHKassim
Skype: abu-jomo
LinkedIn: http://ke.linkedin.com/in/alihkassim
Blog: www.alyhussein.com
On Wed, Mar 6, 2013 at 9:42 AM, Evans Ikua <ikua.evans@gmail.com> wrote:
Edith, I beg to differ. Its not ICT that has failed here. Its the processes. Just throwing some expensive servers and plenty of bandwidth at a problem will not solve it. The top leadership has to fully understand their organization's ICT strategy. They have to internalize the opportunities that technology brings to the table, as well as the inherent risks that come with it. This cannot be left to techies, however good they may be. The reason being that if the organization that you lead fails (and the reason was technology), its you who is answerable, not the techies. This is the spirit of IT Governance.
It would be interesting to know if the IEBC commissioners fully understand the risks of the technologies that they are relying on.
Let us not blame the technology.
Evans
On Wed, Mar 6, 2013 at 8:55 AM, Edith Adera <eadera@idrc.ca> wrote:
Listers,
It is a shame that for the first time in Kenya's history when IT is given a chance to bring credibility and efficiency in the electoral process, ICT has failed SPECTACULARLY!
what went wrong?
Edith
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----------------------------------------------------
Kind Regards,
Evans Ikua,
lanetconsulting.com,
lpi-eastafrica.org,
ict-innovation.fossfa.net,
Skype: @ikuae
Cell: +254-722-955831
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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.