Thanks Erick for this perspective. Quite insightful indeed. Closer home if anyone can recall, run up to 2002, ours was a space that was a tightly controlled and restricted. There literally existed very little breathing space to spur innovation take-off.. There was such a huge sense of mistrust with which those with regulatory powers and authority viewed and treated anything coming from the private sector domain. Maybe some on this forum remember well one Internet satellite gateway  that served the whole country with a 512kbps capacity, controlled by the then Telkom and no other entity would be allowed to operate their own gateway . And then..! in a blink of an eye with the change of guard, liberalization took centre stage. It dawned on everyone, that we were at the cusp of a largely global takeoff within the cyber space, and we were faced with the real risk of being left behind in this race. With that, reforms quickly came in, the loosening of nuts and screws that were in place in the name of regulations. What we got instead was an environment that was both conducive and an enabling driver towards major and rapid advancements in this sector. We learned quickly that as opposed to being interventionist and too  nosy in the private sector, or even attempting to be the leader to drive this innovation, government needed simply to only put in place a regime  framework that facilitated the private sector to be the ultimate engine driver towards this cause. Everyone now, with the benefit of hindsight, attests to this very fact, that these measures have largely paid off. It can never be gain said, owing to what we have all together achieved to date. Now, with the ICT policy review, we are at the cusp of another digital frontier, but whose very foundational bedrock were laid by pioneers of yore. We need to toss our cap beyond and follow it well into the future full of promise and opportunity, and especially so, for the upcoming generations to whom we owe a great sense of duty. In so doing, care should be taken that we do not tear down those very foundations on which we stand now that enables us get a glimpse well beyond into the horizon. As this episode has ably demonstrated to all of us, let us remain alert to guard jealously these very pillars that support us  against any narrow parochial interests..

Harry


From: Erick Mwangi via kictanet
Sent: Thursday, July 7, 2016 16:32
To: Harry Delano
Reply To: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions
Cc: Erick Mwangi; awatila@yahoo.co.uk; Dennis Muthuri
Subject: Re: [kictanet] Kenya ICT Practitioners Bill - Walu's Views

Sometimes all we have to do is look at the past to inform future actions.

The Clinton administration and e-commerce

I take the example of e-commerce in the late 1990s and early 2000s, which the Clinton administration sought to frame through policy. Ira Magaziner, a senior advisor for policy development at the White House during the Clinton presidency, headed up the effort to provide an institutional framework in which the nascent e-commerce industry could grow. There are five main principles that were espoused through this work:

  1. The private sector should lead.

  2. Governments should avoid undue restrictions on electronic commerce.

  3. Where governmental involvement is needed, its aim should be to support and enforce a predictable, minimalist, consistent, and simple legal environment for commerce.

  4. Government should recognize the unique qualities of the internet.

  5. Electronic commerce over the internet should be facilitated on a global basis

This is a highly relevant instance of regulatory intervention, which may prove helpful to those tasked with supervising the large-scale implementation of future ICT actions. At the heart of these principles is an understanding that e-commerce is a dynamic, decentralized medium, which requires a global response, and that the role of regulators should be to act in a supportive and transparent way.

So its no wonder the Googles, Facebook were born..

KRs,
Eric

On Thu, Jul 7, 2016 at 12:34 PM, awatila--- via kictanet <kictanet@lists.kictanet.or.ke> wrote:

See enclosed.

Submission of views have been invited.

Will kictanet make any formal submission to the departmental committee working on the bill

Regards,

Sent from Samsung tablet

On Jul 6, 2016 3:47 PM, Alex Watila <awatila@yahoo.co.uk> wrote:

Thanks Walu,

What is the way forward on the bill?

 

Regards,

 

Alex

 

 

From: Walubengo J [mailto:jwalu@yahoo.com]
Sent: Wednesday, July 6, 2016 3:26 PM
To: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions <kictanet@lists.kictanet.or.ke>
Cc: Dennis Muthuri <muthuridennis@gmail.com>; Alex Watila <awatila@yahoo.co.uk>
Subject: Kenya ICT Practitioners Bill - Walu's Views

 

@Alex, @Muthuri,

 

Thnx for 'bursting' me @

It does seem the Internet does not forget :-)

 

Anyway, I still stand by those earlier views.  That the ICT professionals should be better organized and speak with one strong voice in order to guide the nation in prosperous and in difficult moments.  And that an Act of Parliament would go  a long way in ensuring that such a voice is grounded in legislation and therefore cannot be wished away by current or future governments. 

 

However, what I do not agree with is the way such an important bill may have gone 'below the radar' - all the way to the 1st reading. Without most people being aware of it, let alone having a chance to contribute and shape it.

 

In short, I have always appreciated the problem, but I do not necessarily agree with solutions (contents of the proposed bill), least of all the 'modus-operandi' methods applied to push it through.

 

So there you have it :-)

 

walu.

 


From: Dennis Muthuri via kictanet <kictanet@lists.kictanet.or.ke>
To: jwalu@yahoo.com
Cc: Dennis Muthuri <muthuridennis@gmail.com>; Alex Watila <awatila@yahoo.co.uk>; KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions <kictanet@lists.kictanet.or.ke>
Sent: Wednesday, July 6, 2016 2:37 PM
Subject: Re: [kictanet] Draft National ICTPolicy:-End of Online Discussions

 

Thanks Alex,

 

I’d like to hear bwana Walu’s views. This is dialogue after all and not a witch hunt. All of us want the best way forward for all stakeholders at the end of the day.

 

Regards

On 6 Jul 2016, at 2:17 PM, Harry <harry26001@gmail.com> wrote:

 

Hey Alex,

Bwana Walu seems to have ducked  "under" on this one, though my sentiment would be that, his oped at the time seemed to lean more on how to give the ICT fraternity a voice through representation at the national stage than what we seeing now with the proposed bill that seems to weigh in more on regulatory policing. Given the multifaceted nature of the ICT space, the worst the proponents can do is to sneak in such proposed regulatory frameworks without as much as subjecting the same to wide multistakeholder input. This could be counter productive, and in fact threatens to stifle the very space that opened up, got liberalized and has thrived for almost 14years and which, has been a catalyst and testament to some of the amazing innovative achievements and growth to date in this sector.

So again, just like the wifi surveillance bill who initiated this..? Where was the consultative engagement..?

Harry

On Jul 6, 2016 11:47 AM, Alex Watila <awatila@yahoo.co.uk> wrote:


Walu,
Do you need to defend yourself?

http://www.nation.co.ke/oped/blogs/dot9/walubengo/-/2274560/2305252/-/1208fkiz/-/index.html

Regards,

Alex


-----Original Message-----
From: Alex Watila [mailto:awatila@yahoo.co.uk]
Sent: Wednesday, July 6, 2016 11:31 AM
To: 'KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions' <kictanet@lists.kictanet.or.ke>
Cc: 'Harry' <harry26001@gmail.com>; 'Dennis Muthuri' <muthuridennis@gmail.com>
Subject: RE: [kictanet] Draft National ICTPolicy:-End of Online Discussions

Dear All,
I think the two issues are related since "to enforce government policies, governments make laws and then enforce the laws."

It would be strange to be discussing a policy while another one seems to be in the process of being given legal authority.

Regards,

Alex
https://twitter.com/hashtag/KillTheICTBill?src=hash


-----Original Message-----
From: kictanet [mailto:kictanet-bounces+awatila=yahoo.co.uk@lists.kictanet.or.ke] On Behalf Of Harry via kictanet
Sent: Wednesday, July 6, 2016 11:14 AM
To: awatila@yahoo.co.uk
Cc: Harry <harry26001@gmail.com>; Dennis Muthuri <muthuridennis@gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [kictanet] Draft National ICTPolicy:-End of Online Discussions

Hey Dennis,

Welcome on board..!

The Draft National ICT policy, (a review of the last one formulated in 2006) has been under discussion for the past abt 10 days on the forum. You can familiarize yourself with the just ended great debate at www.kitanet.or.ke, under the corresponding link headings.

Walu, just wondering whether this can be extended to allow Listers ventilate on the  ICT practitioners bill currently trending exhaustively probably as an issue to be incorporated in the draft policy discussion, as opposed to treating it as a separate issue. As many as are of a similar opinion, say 'aye'..

Harry

On Jul 6, 2016 10:36 AM, Dennis Muthuri via kictanet <kictanet@lists.kictanet.or.ke> wrote:


Hi Hary,

Kindly bring me up to speed with the draft that you are talking about, I joined this mailing list a day ago so I don’t have much context into the matter.

Thanks.

Dennis


On 6 Jul 2016, at 10:33 AM, kictanet-request@lists.kictanet.or.ke wrote:

Re: [kictanet] Draft National ICTPolicy:-End of Online Discussions



Dennis Muthuri Mburugu
Skype: dennis.muthuri | Tel: +(254)714590654




_______________________________________________
kictanet mailing list
kictanet@lists.kictanet.or.ke
https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet

Unsubscribe or change your options at https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/awatila%40yahoo.co.uk

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.

 

 

Dennis Muthuri Mburugu

Skype: dennis.muthuri | Tel: +(254)714590654

 

 

 

 

 

_______________________________________________
kictanet mailing list
kictanet@lists.kictanet.or.ke
https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet

Unsubscribe or change your options at https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/jwalu%40yahoo.com

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.

 


_______________________________________________
kictanet mailing list
kictanet@lists.kictanet.or.ke
https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet

Unsubscribe or change your options at https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/erick.mwangi%40gmail.com

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.