*"Industry voice in Telecommunications, Providing Policy and Direction* *within the Industry and Government"* *PRESS RELEASE* *Proposed CCK changes to commercialize '.ke' internet identity * *Nairobi, 29th January 2014....*Players in the telecommunications service industry are raising concerns over the manner in which the Kenyan government is proposing to handle the Commission Authority of Kenya, transition out of KENIC- the .ke domain manager. The .ke domain registry has two guarantor shareholders, the industry lobby group Telecommunications Service Providers Association of Kenya (TESPOK) and Communications Authority of Kenya formerly CCK. While lauding the move to have the regulator step down from the board of the domain manager there is a need to ensure smooth institutional transition and service delivery. The association through its Chairman Mr. Kris Senanu says the CAK should not feel that they can proceed to change the operations of the organization without due consultations. The official proposed structure is currently open for public input and consultations; a process expected to close on 10thFebruary 2014. He adds that at no point in time has the CAK communicated to TESPOK the other partner in this arrangement on the proposal to commercialise .ke as announced in yesterday's Business daily. "If CAK attempt to take the commercialization approach without due consideration of TESPOK, we will have no choice but put ICANN on notice that any attempt at re-delegation does not have the support of the industry or any of the stakeholders." says Mr. Senanu "We have no problem with CAK proposing another government entity to take up the government involvement but will not support commercialization." The Internet Corporation of Assigned Names and Numbers (the ICANN), as part of the administrative functions associated with management of the domain-name system root, is responsible for receiving requests for delegation and re-delegation of top-level domains, investigating the circumstances pertinent to those requests, and reporting on the requests. In May 2000, a group of Kenyan Internet stakeholders led by TESPOK launched an initiative to form a participatory, community-based non-profit organization located in Kenya to manage both the administrative and technical aspects of the .ke ccTLD registry. The result of these consultations was the Kenya Network Information Center, Limited (KENIC), organized under Kenyan law as a company limited by guarantee (a not-for-profit entity). In addition to performing the technical, administrative, and policy-setting functions for the .ke registry, a stated objective of KENIC is to "promote, manage and operate the delegated .ke ccTLD in the interest of the Kenyan Internet community and being mindful of the global Internet community interest in consistent with ICANN policies." Unfortunately, over the last five years interference of CCK in the day to day operations of KENIC has seen the organization experience unprecedented turnover of both Board and staff; with 5 CEO changes. The functions of KENIC have continued to be delivered because TESPOK maintained its commitment to the local industry as per the ICANN Agreement to provide technical and logistical support to the .ke manager. It is important for CAK to give the .ke ccTLD manager the opportunity to deliver on agreed key deliverables that have not been met in the last five years. Commercialization is not a solution to meeting the identified and agreed industry gaps within the local internet community. TESPOK has both the technical and administrative resources necessary to continue as a sole guarantor of the ccTLD if and when CAK pulls. It has provided such support in the past. This will evidently lead to consolidating the Internet technical community shared resources under one umbrella body; a move very similar to, the consolidation of the various government agencies handling government ICT deployment and implementation under the Kenya ICT Authority. The scenario would then consolidate KENIC (the .ke manager), KIXP (Africa's fastest growing Internet Exchange Point) and I-CSIRT (Internet Computer Security Incident Response Team) under the TESPOK stewardship. On Tue, Jan 28, 2014 at 11:11 AM, Walubengo J <jwalu@yahoo.com> wrote:

-------------------------------------------- On Tue, 1/28/14, Grace Githaiga <ggithaiga@hotmail.com> wrote: @Walu, in your opinion, is this exercise of CCK soliciting for comments an exercise in futility? How do ensure that stakeholders' input is taken on board?

@GG,

CCK exercise for public comment is not in vain. However, they retain the sole perogative or exclusive right on what goes into or out of the published regulations. In other words, even if they agreed with your comments, YOU still do not decide that they are adopted - THEY decide. This is the traditional top-down approach that has so very well worked for the Telco sector. Not sure if it is a good idea for the Internet sector where the bottom-up (consensus) approach is considered the norm.

Indeed this is "silent" coup that is unfolding. As commercial entities focus on scrambling to be the winning bidder for the domain management, they indirectly trade in their traditional "bottom-up consensus" governance structure for "top-bottom" approach practiced globally by governments. Whether this is good or bad will depend on how the Regulator exercises their extended powers into this sector.

How to ensure Regulator takes on board public views? Maybe a better question would be - do they have to? :-)

walu.

Subject: [ISOC_KE] Kenya's Internet domain market is set for a shakeup To: "kictanet@lists.kictanet.or.ke" <kictanet@lists.kictanet.or.ke>, " isoc@orion.my.co.ke" <isoc@orion.my.co.ke> Date: Tuesday, January 28, 2014, 8:55 AM

http://www.nation.co.ke/oped/blogs/dot9/Kenyas-Internet-domain-market-is-set... "The regulator, CCK, has published draft framework and regulations that would shake up the internet domain market in Kenya. Whereas it has been its good practice to invite public comments on draft regulations, it is rare that CCK will change too much from what it has already drafted".

@Walu, in your opinion, is this exercise of CCK soliciting for comments an exercise in futility? How do ensure that stakeholders' input is taken on board? Well, I know this might be a rhetorical question but still...

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Thanks @ James for sharing the press release. Kinda disturbing that TESPOK also feels there is no sufficient consultation. Did CCK not talk about consultations at KENIC board level? And by the way, where is that Strategy Document that KENIC promised to share with stakeholders? @ Walu, my response to your question on whether the regulator needs to take on board public views is in the affirmative. Stakeholder consultation in policy making process is no longer a favor. It is entrenched in our constitution. Time to start debating on how article 10 can be operationalized in policy making processes. 10. (1) The national values and principles of governance in this Article bind all State organs, State officers, public officers and all persons whenever any of them––(a) applies or interprets this Constitution; (b) enacts, applies or interprets any law; or(c) makes or implements public policy decisions. RgdsGG Date: Wed, 29 Jan 2014 16:59:37 +0300 From: jgmbugua@gmail.com Subject: Re: [kictanet] [ISOC_KE] Kenya's Internet domain market is set for a shakeup CC: kictanet@lists.kictanet.or.ke To: ggithaiga@hotmail.com “Industry voice in Telecommunications, Providing Policy and Direction within the Industry and Government” PRESS RELEASE Proposed CCK changes to commercialize ‘.ke’ internet identity Nairobi, 29th January 2014….Players in the telecommunications service industry are raising concerns over the manner in which the Kenyan government is proposing to handle the Commission Authority of Kenya, transition out of KENIC- the .ke domain manager. The .ke domain registry has two guarantor shareholders, the industry lobby group Telecommunications Service Providers Association of Kenya (TESPOK) and Communications Authority of Kenya formerly CCK. While lauding the move to have the regulator step down from the board of the domain manager there is a need to ensure smooth institutional transition and service delivery. The association through its Chairman Mr. Kris Senanu says the CAK should not feel that they can proceed to change the operations of the organization without due consultations. The official proposed structure is currently open for public input and consultations; a process expected to close on 10th February 2014. He adds that at no point in time has the CAK communicated to TESPOK the other partner in this arrangement on the proposal to commercialise .ke as announced in yesterday’s Business daily. “If CAK attempt to take the commercialization approach without due consideration of TESPOK, we will have no choice but put ICANN on notice that any attempt at re-delegation does not have the support of the industry or any of the stakeholders.” says Mr. Senanu “We have no problem with CAK proposing another government entity to take up the government involvement but will not support commercialization.” The Internet Corporation of Assigned Names and Numbers (the ICANN), as part of the administrative functions associated with management of the domain-name system root, is responsible for receiving requests for delegation and re-delegation of top-level domains, investigating the circumstances pertinent to those requests, and reporting on the requests. In May 2000, a group of Kenyan Internet stakeholders led by TESPOK launched an initiative to form a participatory, community-based non-profit organization located in Kenya to manage both the administrative and technical aspects of the .ke ccTLD registry. The result of these consultations was the Kenya Network Information Center, Limited (KENIC), organized under Kenyan law as a company limited by guarantee (a not-for-profit entity). In addition to performing the technical, administrative, and policy-setting functions for the .ke registry, a stated objective of KENIC is to "promote, manage and operate the delegated .ke ccTLD in the interest of the Kenyan Internet community and being mindful of the global Internet community interest in consistent with ICANN policies." Unfortunately, over the last five years interference of CCK in the day to day operations of KENIC has seen the organization experience unprecedented turnover of both Board and staff; with 5 CEO changes. The functions of KENIC have continued to be delivered because TESPOK maintained its commitment to the local industry as per the ICANN Agreement to provide technical and logistical support to the .ke manager. It is important for CAK to give the .ke ccTLD manager the opportunity to deliver on agreed key deliverables that have not been met in the last five years. Commercialization is not a solution to meeting the identified and agreed industry gaps within the local internet community. TESPOK has both the technical and administrative resources necessary to continue as a sole guarantor of the ccTLD if and when CAK pulls. It has provided such support in the past. This will evidently lead to consolidating the Internet technical community shared resources under one umbrella body; a move very similar to, the consolidation of the various government agencies handling government ICT deployment and implementation under the Kenya ICT Authority. The scenario would then consolidate KENIC (the .ke manager), KIXP (Africa’s fastest growing Internet Exchange Point) and I-CSIRT (Internet Computer Security Incident Response Team) under the TESPOK stewardship. On Tue, Jan 28, 2014 at 11:11 AM, Walubengo J <jwalu@yahoo.com> wrote: -------------------------------------------- On Tue, 1/28/14, Grace Githaiga <ggithaiga@hotmail.com> wrote: @Walu, in your opinion, is this exercise of CCK soliciting for comments an exercise in futility? How do ensure that stakeholders' input is taken on board? @GG, CCK exercise for public comment is not in vain. However, they retain the sole perogative or exclusive right on what goes into or out of the published regulations. In other words, even if they agreed with your comments, YOU still do not decide that they are adopted - THEY decide. This is the traditional top-down approach that has so very well worked for the Telco sector. Not sure if it is a good idea for the Internet sector where the bottom-up (consensus) approach is considered the norm. Indeed this is "silent" coup that is unfolding. As commercial entities focus on scrambling to be the winning bidder for the domain management, they indirectly trade in their traditional "bottom-up consensus" governance structure for "top-bottom" approach practiced globally by governments. Whether this is good or bad will depend on how the Regulator exercises their extended powers into this sector. How to ensure Regulator takes on board public views? Maybe a better question would be - do they have to? :-) walu. Subject: [ISOC_KE] Kenya's Internet domain market is set for a shakeup To: "kictanet@lists.kictanet.or.ke" <kictanet@lists.kictanet.or.ke>, "isoc@orion.my.co.ke" <isoc@orion.my.co.ke> Date: Tuesday, January 28, 2014, 8:55 AM http://www.nation.co.ke/oped/blogs/dot9/Kenyas-Internet-domain-market-is-set... "The regulator, CCK, has published draft framework and regulations that would shake up the internet domain market in Kenya. Whereas it has been its good practice to invite public comments on draft regulations, it is rare that CCK will change too much from what it has already drafted". @Walu, in your opinion, is this exercise of CCK soliciting for comments an exercise in futility? How do ensure that stakeholders' input is taken on board? Well, I know this might be a rhetorical question but still... -----Inline Attachment Follows----- _______________________________________________ isoc mailing list isoc@orion.my.co.ke http://orion.my.co.ke/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/isoc _______________________________________________ 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/jgmbugua%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. _______________________________________________ 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/ggithaiga%40hotmail.co... 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.

Listers, It is unfortunate that the greatest casualty here is going to be .KE! Personally, I would urge all stakeholders to seek national consensus on this. Kenya and indeed KeNIC has a tremendous opportunity to deliver for the . KE brand, and lead in the region, but it needs our support, our collective support! Having said that, let me also point out that there is no perfect model for ccTLD management, even ICANN does not prescribe one, but every country is challenged to seek through national consensus, a working model, that would promote uptake and growth of their ccTLD. All is not lost folks! Regards Bob Sent from my iPad

On Jan 29, 2014, at 7:08 PM, Ali Hussein <ali@hussein.me.ke> wrote:

Grace & Listers

I have reread the press release a second time and something has struck me as odd.

1. Isn't Kris Senanu a Board Member? Should TESPOK (forgive me for being graphic) be pissing in the house that they have built? Shouldn't they piss when they are out? - that they would probably get less of the smell...just saying..

2. TESPOK has been very silent over the years when things have really hotted up at KENIC. As a key stakeholder why haven't they been at the forefront of change? ( As a former board member I know they have been an agent of change) Why now? Why is TESPOK suddenly found its voice? What gives?

3. In the interest of corporate governance TESPOK should either quit the board or declare an all out war and fight from within. I suspect that is exactly what they have decided to do..

4. Maybe..Just maybe CCK (or is it CAK?) has something here..Maybe we shouldn't be so quick to condemn them and let this process take its cause..

Where to .ke?

Ali Hussein

+254 0770 906375 / 0713 601113

"I fear the day technology will surpass human interaction. The world will have a generation of idiots". ~ Albert Einstein

Sent from my iPad

...

On Jan 29, 2014, at 6:18 PM, Grace Githaiga <ggithaiga@hotmail.com> wrote:

Thanks @ James for sharing the press release. Kinda disturbing that TESPOK also feels there is no sufficient consultation. Did CCK not talk about consultations at KENIC board level? And by the way, where is that Strategy Document that KENIC promised to share with stakeholders?

@ Walu, my response to your question on whether the regulator needs to take on board public views is in the affirmative. Stakeholder consultation in policy making process is no longer a favor. It is entrenched in our constitution. Time to start debating on how article 10 can be operationalized in policy making processes.

10. (1) The national values and principles of governance in this Article bind all State organs, State officers, public officers and all persons whenever any of them–– (a) applies or interprets this Constitution; (b) enacts, applies or interprets any law; or (c) makes or implements public policy decisions.

Rgds GG Date: Wed, 29 Jan 2014 16:59:37 +0300 From: jgmbugua@gmail.com Subject: Re: [kictanet] [ISOC_KE] Kenya's Internet domain market is set for a shakeup CC: kictanet@lists.kictanet.or.ke To: ggithaiga@hotmail.com

“Industry voice in Telecommunications, Providing Policy and Direction

within the Industry and Government”

PRESS RELEASE

Proposed CCK changes to commercialize ‘.ke’ internet identity

Nairobi, 29th January 2014….Players in the telecommunications service industry are raising concerns over the manner in which the Kenyan government is proposing to handle the Commission Authority of Kenya, transition out of KENIC- the .ke domain manager.

The .ke domain registry has two guarantor shareholders, the industry lobby group Telecommunications Service Providers Association of Kenya (TESPOK) and Communications Authority of Kenya formerly CCK. While lauding the move to have the regulator step down from the board of the domain manager there is a need to ensure smooth institutional transition and service delivery.

The association through its Chairman Mr. Kris Senanu says the CAK should not feel that they can proceed to change the operations of the organization without due consultations. The official proposed structure is currently open for public input and consultations; a process expected to close on 10th February 2014. He adds that at no point in time has the CAK communicated to TESPOK the other partner in this arrangement on the proposal to commercialise .ke as announced in yesterday’s Business daily.

“If CAK attempt to take the commercialization approach without due consideration of TESPOK, we will have no choice but put ICANN on notice that any attempt at re-delegation does not have the support of the industry or any of the stakeholders.” says Mr. Senanu “We have no problem with CAK proposing another government entity to take up the government involvement but will not support commercialization.”

The Internet Corporation of Assigned Names and Numbers (the ICANN), as part of the administrative functions associated with management of the domain-name system root, is responsible for receiving requests for delegation and re-delegation of top-level domains, investigating the circumstances pertinent to those requests, and reporting on the requests. In May 2000, a group of Kenyan Internet stakeholders led by TESPOK launched an initiative to form a participatory, community-based non-profit organization located in Kenya to manage both the administrative and technical aspects of the .ke ccTLD registry.

The result of these consultations was the Kenya Network Information Center, Limited (KENIC), organized under Kenyan law as a company limited by guarantee (a not-for-profit entity). In addition to performing the technical, administrative, and policy-setting functions for the .ke registry, a stated objective of KENIC is to "promote, manage and operate the delegated .ke ccTLD in the interest of the Kenyan Internet community and being mindful of the global Internet community interest in consistent with ICANN policies."

Unfortunately, over the last five years interference of CCK in the day to day operations of KENIC has seen the organization experience unprecedented turnover of both Board and staff; with 5 CEO changes. The functions of KENIC have continued to be delivered because TESPOK maintained its commitment to the local industry as per the ICANN Agreement to provide technical and logistical support to the .ke manager. It is important for CAK to give the .ke ccTLD manager the opportunity to deliver on agreed key deliverables that have not been met in the last five years. Commercialization is not a solution to meeting the identified and agreed industry gaps within the local internet community.

TESPOK has both the technical and administrative resources necessary to continue as a sole guarantor of the ccTLD if and when CAK pulls. It has provided such support in the past. This will evidently lead to consolidating the Internet technical community shared resources under one umbrella body; a move very similar to, the consolidation of the various government agencies handling government ICT deployment and implementation under the Kenya ICT Authority. The scenario would then consolidate KENIC (the .ke manager), KIXP (Africa’s fastest growing Internet Exchange Point) and I-CSIRT (Internet Computer Security Incident Response Team) under the TESPOK stewardship.

On Tue, Jan 28, 2014 at 11:11 AM, Walubengo J <jwalu@yahoo.com> wrote: -------------------------------------------- On Tue, 1/28/14, Grace Githaiga <ggithaiga@hotmail.com> wrote: @Walu, in your opinion, is this exercise of CCK soliciting for comments an exercise in futility? How do ensure that stakeholders' input is taken on board?

@GG,

CCK exercise for public comment is not in vain. However, they retain the sole perogative or exclusive right on what goes into or out of the published regulations. In other words, even if they agreed with your comments, YOU still do not decide that they are adopted - THEY decide. This is the traditional top-down approach that has so very well worked for the Telco sector. Not sure if it is a good idea for the Internet sector where the bottom-up (consensus) approach is considered the norm.

Indeed this is "silent" coup that is unfolding. As commercial entities focus on scrambling to be the winning bidder for the domain management, they indirectly trade in their traditional "bottom-up consensus" governance structure for "top-bottom" approach practiced globally by governments. Whether this is good or bad will depend on how the Regulator exercises their extended powers into this sector.

How to ensure Regulator takes on board public views? Maybe a better question would be - do they have to? :-)

walu.

Subject: [ISOC_KE] Kenya's Internet domain market is set for a shakeup To: "kictanet@lists.kictanet.or.ke" <kictanet@lists.kictanet.or.ke>, "isoc@orion.my.co.ke" <isoc@orion.my.co.ke> Date: Tuesday, January 28, 2014, 8:55 AM

http://www.nation.co.ke/oped/blogs/dot9/Kenyas-Internet-domain-market-is-set... "The regulator, CCK, has published draft framework and regulations that would shake up the internet domain market in Kenya. Whereas it has been its good practice to invite public comments on draft regulations, it is rare that CCK will change too much from what it has already drafted".

@Walu, in your opinion, is this exercise of CCK soliciting for comments an exercise in futility? How do ensure that stakeholders' input is taken on board? Well, I know this might be a rhetorical question but still...

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Thanks for the info @ Walu.

Date: Fri, 31 Jan 2014 00:23:23 -0800 From: jwalu@yahoo.com Subject: [kictanet] ICT Authority:-Congratulating New Board Members CC: kictanet@lists.kictanet.or.ke To: ggithaiga@hotmail.com

Nairobi, Kenya – Thursday, 30th January 2014: Dr Fred Matiang’i, the Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of ICT has today officially inaugurated the new ICT Authority board members at a press briefing. The new board is expected to spearhead ICT development in the country.

The new board is comprised of six members and is expected to enforce ICT standards across Government and enhance the supervision of its electronic communication. The new ICT Authority Board is an amalgamation of the former Kenya ICT Board, Department of e-Government and the Government Information Technology Services (GITS) merged in August 2013. The board is made up of top professionals in the market with experiences ranging from ICT, Management, human resource, academia, law, finance and business.

- See more at: http://cpanel.treasury.go.ke/~ictago/?p=79#sthash.H3eVJvnS.WT6PImxD.dpuf

This team looks powerful. Hope they will be able to navigate through government ministries...ministries tend to be like our old Nairobi City Council - "zinawenyewe".

Meanwhile, ICT Association of Kenya thinks otherwise check out their argument @

http://www.standardmedia.co.ke/?articleID=2000103592&story_title=anger-over-matiang-i-s-appointees

That is why I like this country. Only in Kenya, one move always invites two more :-)

walu.

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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.

@GG, you recall that our constitution was meant for "wanjiku". and so it is shall be followed by the "wanaanchi" but not necessary by the "wenyeinchi". the constitution is as good as the lawyers that "wenyinchi" can easily afford...as long as you can prove you followed the "letter" but not necessarily the "spirit" of the law, you can easily overcome article 10 - unless ofcourse it is enhanced by supplimentary legislation/Act of Parliament. @James thanx for the share. TESPOK does bring in not new, but a surprising dimension. As current board members of KENIC I was thinking they were reading from the same page with regulator CCK (now CAK? - will take time to get used that this). walu. -------------------------------------------- On Wed, 1/29/14, Grace Githaiga <ggithaiga@hotmail.com> wrote: Subject: Re: [kictanet] [ISOC_KE] Kenya's Internet domain market is set for a shakeup To: jwalu@yahoo.com Cc: "kictanet@lists.kictanet.or.ke" <kictanet@lists.kictanet.or.ke> Date: Wednesday, January 29, 2014, 6:18 PM Thanks @ James for sharing the press release. Kinda disturbing that TESPOK also feels there is no sufficient consultation. Did CCK not talk about consultations at KENIC board level? And by the way, where is that Strategy Document that KENIC promised to share with stakeholders? @ Walu, my response to your question on whether the regulator needs to take on board public views is in the affirmative.  Stakeholder consultation in policy making process is no longer a favor. It is entrenched in our constitution. Time to start debating on how article 10 can be operationalized in policy making processes.   10. (1) The national values and principles of governance in this Article bind all State organs, State officers, public officers and all persons whenever any of them––(a) applies or interprets this Constitution; (b) enacts, applies or interprets any law; or(c) makes or implements public policy decisions. RgdsGG Date: Wed, 29 Jan 2014 16:59:37 +0300 From: jgmbugua@gmail.com Subject: Re: [kictanet] [ISOC_KE] Kenya's Internet domain market is set for a shakeup CC: kictanet@lists.kictanet.or.ke To: ggithaiga@hotmail.com “Industry voice in Telecommunications, Providing Policy and Direction within the Industry and Government” PRESS RELEASE Proposed CCK changes to commercialize ‘.ke’ internet identity   Nairobi, 29th January 2014….Players in the telecommunications service industry are raising concerns over the manner in which the Kenyan government is  proposing to handle the Commission Authority  of Kenya, transition out of KENIC- the .ke domain manager. The .ke domain registry has two guarantor shareholders, the industry lobby group Telecommunications Service Providers Association of Kenya (TESPOK) and Communications Authority of Kenya formerly CCK. While lauding the move to have the regulator step down from the board of the domain manager there is a need to ensure smooth institutional transition and service delivery. The association through its Chairman Mr. Kris Senanu says the CAK should not feel that they can proceed to change the operations of the organization without due consultations. The official proposed structure is currently open for public input and consultations; a process expected to close on 10th February 2014. He adds that at no point in time has the CAK communicated to TESPOK the other partner in this arrangement on the proposal to commercialise .ke as announced in yesterday’s Business daily. “If CAK attempt to take the commercialization approach without due consideration of TESPOK, we will have no choice but put ICANN on notice that any attempt at re-delegation does not have the support of the industry or any of the stakeholders.” says Mr. Senanu “We have no problem with CAK proposing another government entity to take up the government involvement but will not support commercialization.” The Internet Corporation of Assigned Names and Numbers (the ICANN), as part of the administrative functions associated with management of the domain-name system root, is responsible for receiving requests for delegation and re-delegation of top-level domains, investigating the circumstances pertinent to those requests, and reporting on the requests. In May 2000, a group of Kenyan Internet stakeholders led by TESPOK launched an initiative to form a participatory, community-based non-profit organization located in Kenya to manage both the administrative and technical aspects of the .ke ccTLD registry. The result of these consultations was the Kenya Network Information Center, Limited (KENIC), organized under Kenyan law as a company limited by guarantee (a not-for-profit entity). In addition to performing the technical, administrative, and policy-setting functions for the .ke registry, a stated objective of KENIC is to "promote, manage and operate the delegated .ke ccTLD in the interest of the Kenyan Internet community and being mindful of the global Internet community interest in consistent with ICANN policies." Unfortunately, over the last five years interference of CCK in the day to day operations of KENIC has seen the organization experience unprecedented turnover of both Board and staff; with 5 CEO changes. The functions of KENIC have continued to be delivered because TESPOK maintained its commitment to the local industry as per the ICANN Agreement to provide technical and logistical support to the .ke manager.  It is important for CAK to give the .ke ccTLD manager the opportunity to deliver on agreed key deliverables that have not been met in the last five years. Commercialization is not a solution to meeting the identified and agreed industry gaps within the local internet community. TESPOK has both the technical and administrative resources necessary to continue as a sole guarantor of the ccTLD if and when CAK pulls. It has provided such support in the past. This will evidently lead to consolidating the Internet technical community shared resources under one umbrella body; a move very similar to, the consolidation of the various government agencies handling government ICT deployment and implementation under the Kenya ICT Authority. The scenario would then consolidate KENIC (the .ke manager), KIXP (Africa’s fastest growing Internet Exchange Point) and I-CSIRT (Internet Computer Security Incident Response Team) under the TESPOK stewardship. On Tue, Jan 28, 2014 at 11:11 AM, Walubengo J <jwalu@yahoo.com> wrote: -------------------------------------------- On Tue, 1/28/14, Grace Githaiga <ggithaiga@hotmail.com> wrote: @Walu, in your opinion, is this exercise of CCK  soliciting for comments an exercise in futility? How do  ensure that stakeholders' input is taken on board? @GG, CCK exercise for public comment is not in vain.  However, they retain the sole perogative or exclusive right on what goes into or out of the published regulations. In other words, even if they agreed with your comments, YOU still do not decide that they are adopted - THEY decide.  This is the traditional top-down approach that has so very well worked for the Telco sector.  Not sure if it is a good idea for the Internet sector where the bottom-up (consensus) approach is considered the norm. Indeed this is "silent" coup that is unfolding. As commercial entities focus on scrambling to be the winning bidder for the domain management, they indirectly trade in their traditional "bottom-up consensus" governance structure for "top-bottom"  approach practiced globally by governments. Whether this is good or bad will depend on how the Regulator exercises their extended powers into this sector. How to ensure Regulator takes on board public views? Maybe a better question would be - do they have to? :-) walu.  Subject: [ISOC_KE] Kenya's Internet domain market is set for a shakeup  To: "kictanet@lists.kictanet.or.ke" <kictanet@lists.kictanet.or.ke>, "isoc@orion.my.co.ke" <isoc@orion.my.co.ke>  Date: Tuesday, January 28, 2014, 8:55 AM  http://www.nation.co.ke/oped/blogs/dot9/Kenyas-Internet-domain-market-is-set...  "The  regulator, CCK, has published draft framework and  regulations that would  shake up the internet domain market in Kenya. Whereas it has  been its good practice to invite public comments on draft  regulations, it is rare that CCK will change too much from  what it has already drafted". @Walu, in your opinion, is this exercise of CCK  soliciting for comments an exercise in futility? How do  ensure that stakeholders' input is taken on board? Well,  I know this might be a rhetorical question but  still...  -----Inline Attachment Follows-----  _______________________________________________  isoc mailing list  isoc@orion.my.co.ke  http://orion.my.co.ke/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/isoc _______________________________________________ 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/jgmbugua%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. _______________________________________________ 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/ggithaiga%40hotmail.co... 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. -----Inline Attachment Follows----- _______________________________________________ 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.