Thank you Sam Gatere for your insightfull responses, it is unfortunate that majority of us have resorted to complaining through lists or the media when systems go live, for instance, when opendata.go.ke was launched there are those who questioned whether the data is hosted outside the country and why that decision was taken, i am not sure whom to side with in so far as the issue is concerned because the arguments for and against could all be genuine, my only concern is even as the government embarks on such noble projects which are inline with Vision 2030, are there Frameworks (principles) that will ensure that there is more emphasis on the use of local networks for data interchange to minimise dependence on Foreign carriers which might translate to Capital flight? that there is adequate Capacity to host data (especially government data locally...i would be very uncomfortable to host government data outside our borders whether in a cloud or not :-) just hoping that is not the case, how do we promote our ccTLD, najivunia kuwa .ke? , the question is who should take part and what should be their input? the discussion contninues.. On Fri, Jul 8, 2011 at 11:09 AM, Sam Gatere <sam.gatere@gmail.com> wrote:

Barrack this is are interesting questions you raise and fairly well connected to the country's vision 2030 in-terms of communications.

First I think the Internet is a National Resource and government should be at the fore in fostering policy making. I say this by virtue of the the fact that the government has invested heavily in infrastructure development that will make and is currently making high speed Internet a reality, which in tern is also helping them achieve better service delivery to the general public through various initiatives they have already put in place. The private sector has also participated in this development through partnerships with government [PPP] or direct investment making them to a very key stakeholder and the bulk of us the users also have a stake because we form the market.

With the Internet becoming more readily available some issues definitely need some backing through a policy, for example: Child protection, we have seen how easy it is to access premium rate services via your 3G enabled cell phone which may provide content that you may not be too comfortable having your child /children access. Easy Access to websites that may have content that may not be suitable or online forums where pedophiles may gain access to young ones.

Data protection, how safe is our private (digital) information? I need not delve deeply in this one you can already imagine what damage that would bring about should such information run in the wrong hands.

On-line fraud. I'm sure this will be the next frontier for our very ingenious "MPESA" con's once a real virtual trading environment kicks off definitely this will be something to contend with.

As technology progress with numerous innovations in our country it's only a matter of time when our critical installations will be managed on-line if there is not policy regarding how this resources would be protected.

Civil society has a unique role to educate the general public on the need to have policy that protects them an the resource (Internet) for the benefit of all players.

Keeping in mind that the Internet never forgets it's important to train all those who have access to the Internet to be very careful what the post on-line or on their social media portals as this information may either incorrectly represent you or be used against you.

SammyG

On Thu, Jul 7, 2011 at 8:31 PM, Barrack Otieno <otieno.barrack@gmail.com> wrote:

...

Dear Listers,

•       Is there a rationale for principles on Internet  Policy making, how should we be involved as a nation? •       Which roles should the government, civil Society and private Sector play in developing Internet Policies?

Feel free to continue contributing to previous threads, the floor is open.

-- Barrack O. Otieno

ICANN accredited registrar +254721325277 +254-20-2498789 Skype: barrack.otieno

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