Will broadband have an impact on e-Government demand and supply in Kenya?
Dear Listers: Now that broadband technology is here, and we know that it is certainly going to enhance the competitiveness of our economy and sustain economic growth, am increasingly wondering what strategies the Government of Kenya is working on, to develop broadband applications that will enhance the delivery of public services to citizens. There is no doubt that the Government of Kenya has taken great strides to harness the implementation and use of broadband technologies with the Ministry of Information and Communications leading the way. Is there an e-Gov/Civic Engagement program that will evaluate how broadband can improve the performance of government specifically in terms of transparency and citizen participation and more generally in terms of effectiveness and efficiency? Such engagement programs with ‘mwananchi’, on broadband and eGovernment, will consider various ways all levels of government, can use broadband to improve public service performance and delivery, including lessons that might apply, for the purposes of developing a pragmatic national broadband plan. The Government of Kenya needs to take stock, consider and pay keen attention to the potential benefits of universal broadband in enabling various government operations to move to a digital platform in terms of improved performance, cost savings, and strategic benefits to the communications infrastructure. The Government should initiate such programs with the support of the private sector. 'Mwanachi' needs to know how they are a part of e-Government and now 'this' new phenomenon, ‘broadband’, and what they can do to enjoy the privileges that both bring. Lilian.
Thanks Lilian, for your contribution on Broadband, let's keep this debate alive. I suppose I may just need to collate some of this valuable contributions, on this forum which we can then transmit onwards at an opportune time for consideration. I like your proposal on a "Pragmatic National Broadband Plan" - it is a crucial agenda that we need to pursue relentlessly.. This would be the way to go, to harness this rich resource for the betterment of this nation.. Regards, Harry _____ From: kictanet-bounces+harry=comtelsys.co.ke@lists.kictanet.or.ke [mailto:kictanet-bounces+harry=comtelsys.co.ke@lists.kictanet.or.ke] On Behalf Of Lilian Karanja Sent: Tuesday, March 23, 2010 1:43 PM To: harry@comtelsys.co.ke Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions Subject: [kictanet] Will broadband have an impact on e-Government demand andsupply in Kenya? Dear Listers: Now that broadband technology is here, and we know that it is certainly going to enhance the competitiveness of our economy and sustain economic growth, am increasingly wondering what strategies the Government of Kenya is working on, to develop broadband applications that will enhance the delivery of public services to citizens. There is no doubt that the Government of Kenya has taken great strides to harness the implementation and use of broadband technologies with the Ministry of Information and Communications leading the way. Is there an e-Gov/Civic Engagement program that will evaluate how broadband can improve the performance of government specifically in terms of transparency and citizen participation and more generally in terms of effectiveness and efficiency? Such engagement programs with 'mwananchi', on broadband and eGovernment, will consider various ways all levels of government, can use broadband to improve public service performance and delivery, including lessons that might apply, for the purposes of developing a pragmatic national broadband plan. The Government of Kenya needs to take stock, consider and pay keen attention to the potential benefits of universal broadband in enabling various government operations to move to a digital platform in terms of improved performance, cost savings, and strategic benefits to the communications infrastructure. The Government should initiate such programs with the support of the private sector. 'Mwanachi' needs to know how they are a part of e-Government and now 'this' new phenomenon, 'broadband', and what they can do to enjoy the privileges that both bring. Lilian.
Dear Lillian, Thank you for your query. Among many other initiatives being undertaken by Government to harness the opportunities brought about by increased and available bandwidth is the establishment of the National e-Learning taskforce domiciled in the ministry of Information & communications. the mandate of this multi stakeholder team is to develop our National e-Learning strategy and implementation plan,with emphasis being on the implementation. Our great nation is blessed with boundless intangible assets. .key being a deep human resource pool. The aim of this initiative is to leverage on these intangible assets and convert them into tangible outcomes. .job/wealth creation,improved livelihoods for all. all this rides on a singular focus on leveraging our knowledge resources as our strategic comparative advantage. in recognition of our leadership position in matters ICT4D in the region, COMESA and UNEP have entrusted Kenya with the task of developing and running regional capacity building programs through e-Learning. Andrew KeLC On 3/23/10, Harry Delano <harry@comtelsys.co.ke> wrote:
Thanks Lilian, for your contribution on Broadband, let's keep this debate alive.
I suppose I may just need to collate some of this valuable contributions, on this forum which we can then transmit onwards at an opportune time for consideration.
I like your proposal on a "Pragmatic National Broadband Plan" - it is a crucial agenda that we need to pursue relentlessly..
This would be the way to go, to harness this rich resource for the betterment of this nation..
Regards, Harry
_____
From: kictanet-bounces+harry=comtelsys.co.ke@lists.kictanet.or.ke [mailto:kictanet-bounces+harry=comtelsys.co.ke@lists.kictanet.or.ke] On Behalf Of Lilian Karanja Sent: Tuesday, March 23, 2010 1:43 PM To: harry@comtelsys.co.ke Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions Subject: [kictanet] Will broadband have an impact on e-Government demand andsupply in Kenya?
Dear Listers:
Now that broadband technology is here, and we know that it is certainly going to enhance the competitiveness of our economy and sustain economic growth, am increasingly wondering what strategies the Government of Kenya is working on, to develop broadband applications that will enhance the delivery of public services to citizens. There is no doubt that the Government of Kenya has taken great strides to harness the implementation and use of broadband technologies with the Ministry of Information and Communications leading the way.
Is there an e-Gov/Civic Engagement program that will evaluate how broadband can improve the performance of government specifically in terms of transparency and citizen participation and more generally in terms of effectiveness and efficiency? Such engagement programs with 'mwananchi', on broadband and eGovernment, will consider various ways all levels of government, can use broadband to improve public service performance and delivery, including lessons that might apply, for the purposes of developing a pragmatic national broadband plan. The Government of Kenya needs to take stock, consider and pay keen attention to the potential benefits of universal broadband in enabling various government operations to move to a digital platform in terms of improved performance, cost savings, and strategic benefits to the communications infrastructure.
The Government should initiate such programs with the support of the private sector. 'Mwanachi' needs to know how they are a part of e-Government and now 'this' new phenomenon, 'broadband', and what they can do to enjoy the privileges that both bring.
Lilian.
-- Gakiria Andrew Coordinator Kenya eLearning Centre Nairobi, KENYA
Dear Andrew: It is good to hear about the progress made with e-Learning. Keep up with the good work, it is quite encouraging. Additionally, the Government of Kenya (GoK) needs to be increasingly strategic when it comes to delivery of its own services to ‘mwanachi’. The Kenya e-Government Programme should appreciate the relationship between e-Government services and broadband connections. GoK needs to add as much value to broadband with; local content, e-Learning (as noted by Andrew Gakiria), interactive e-Gov applications, etc. Broadband can and will create a million or more job opportunities (if not more), if and only if we add as much value to it as possible. And my point is, the GoK (again) just as it did with ‘the bringing of broadband to Kenya and the region’ should lead the way with a pro-active e-Gov/Civic Engagement program so as to fast track the use, value and appreciation of broadband especially among ‘mwananchi’. This is really what am passionate about, if I may say so. Such e-Gov/Civic Engagement programs can attempt to discuss topics like: How can access to broadband amplify the goals of open and accessible government (increasing public awareness and participation in government)?What are new uses of broadband that would further open government and civic participation?How do new media, including social networking tools, advance civic participation, and are there limitations or concerns associated with such use?How can broadband infrastructure and services improve citizen access to local and national government news, information, dialogue with government and other citizens, transactional efficiency, and participation in governance? Does access to broadband increase the ability of the average citizen to make her voice heard by the government and other citizens, and if so, how can this be advanced?What are the benefits of video streaming or video conferencing of government meetings to enable participation by those who cannot attend a meeting in person (because of distance, cost, disability, illness, and the like)?Are there other applications of broadband technology that can improve civic participation and how can they be encouraged? The Government of Kenya is like our mother, if not one. She always needs to do more than others (the private sector). She needs to try and move faster and ahead of others so as to make all of us feel secure and comfortable using ICTs and the Internet. (I repeat) she needs to lead the way in adding value to broadband, so that we can all appreciate that it is the right thing to do, to go online. Lilian --- On Tue, 3/23/10, Gakiria <gakiria@gmail.com> wrote: From: Gakiria <gakiria@gmail.com> Subject: Re: [kictanet] Will broadband have an impact on e-Government demand andsupply in Kenya? To: "Lilian" <l_wkaranja@yahoo.com> Cc: "KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions" <kictanet@lists.kictanet.or.ke> Date: Tuesday, March 23, 2010, 3:36 PM Dear Lillian, Thank you for your query. Among many other initiatives being undertaken by Government to harness the opportunities brought about by increased and available bandwidth is the establishment of the National e-Learning taskforce domiciled in the ministry of Information & communications. the mandate of this multi stakeholder team is to develop our National e-Learning strategy and implementation plan,with emphasis being on the implementation. Our great nation is blessed with boundless intangible assets. .key being a deep human resource pool. The aim of this initiative is to leverage on these intangible assets and convert them into tangible outcomes. .job/wealth creation,improved livelihoods for all. all this rides on a singular focus on leveraging our knowledge resources as our strategic comparative advantage. in recognition of our leadership position in matters ICT4D in the region, COMESA and UNEP have entrusted Kenya with the task of developing and running regional capacity building programs through e-Learning. Andrew KeLC On 3/23/10, Harry Delano <harry@comtelsys.co.ke> wrote:
Thanks Lilian, for your contribution on Broadband, let's keep this debate alive.
I suppose I may just need to collate some of this valuable contributions, on this forum which we can then transmit onwards at an opportune time for consideration.
I like your proposal on a "Pragmatic National Broadband Plan" - it is a crucial agenda that we need to pursue relentlessly..
This would be the way to go, to harness this rich resource for the betterment of this nation..
Regards, Harry
_____
From: kictanet-bounces+harry=comtelsys.co.ke@lists.kictanet.or.ke [mailto:kictanet-bounces+harry=comtelsys.co.ke@lists.kictanet.or.ke] On Behalf Of Lilian Karanja Sent: Tuesday, March 23, 2010 1:43 PM To: harry@comtelsys.co.ke Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions Subject: [kictanet] Will broadband have an impact on e-Government demand andsupply in Kenya?
Dear Listers:
Now that broadband technology is here, and we know that it is certainly going to enhance the competitiveness of our economy and sustain economic growth, am increasingly wondering what strategies the Government of Kenya is working on, to develop broadband applications that will enhance the delivery of public services to citizens. There is no doubt that the Government of Kenya has taken great strides to harness the implementation and use of broadband technologies with the Ministry of Information and Communications leading the way.
Is there an e-Gov/Civic Engagement program that will evaluate how broadband can improve the performance of government specifically in terms of transparency and citizen participation and more generally in terms of effectiveness and efficiency? Such engagement programs with 'mwananchi', on broadband and eGovernment, will consider various ways all levels of government, can use broadband to improve public service performance and delivery, including lessons that might apply, for the purposes of developing a pragmatic national broadband plan. The Government of Kenya needs to take stock, consider and pay keen attention to the potential benefits of universal broadband in enabling various government operations to move to a digital platform in terms of improved performance, cost savings, and strategic benefits to the communications infrastructure.
The Government should initiate such programs with the support of the private sector. 'Mwanachi' needs to know how they are a part of e-Government and now 'this' new phenomenon, 'broadband', and what they can do to enjoy the privileges that both bring.
Lilian.
-- Gakiria Andrew Coordinator Kenya eLearning Centre Nairobi, KENYA _______________________________________________ kictanet mailing list kictanet@lists.kictanet.or.ke http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet This message was sent to: l_wkaranja@yahoo.com Unsubscribe or change your options at http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/l_wkaranja%40yahoo.com
Andrew, Thanks a lot for your response... One of the things that I have realized is that there are quite a lot of initiatives underfoot to drive the broader national ICT agenda forward. However, how can we ensure much of the information is widely out there in the public domain, to inspire debate and participation or involvement? And as you mention, that the initiative is a Multistakeholder , how "multistakeholder" is the effort, and what would be the achievements to date, any reports that can be found online..? One would be interested to note, for instance there has been efforts towards achieving Universal Access (U.A), by the CCK, dating back 2005,following a study to address the eskwed broandband coverage within the country. A fund was proposed, to drive this forward... Does anyone have any idea, what became of this effort? The update on the initiative last mentions,the culmination of the KCA act 2009 establishing a universal service fund to manage the process. What is happening on the ground..? Well, this could be one way of addressing universal Broadband coverage/access, but I suppose we can go further than this, to address broadband challenges within the nation.. Any other efforts/initiatives afoot..? Regards, Harry am also just realizing that information about some of the initiatives in place is quite sector that at times few people are aware of out -----Original Message----- From: Gakiria [mailto:gakiria@gmail.com] Sent: Wednesday, March 24, 2010 1:37 AM To: harry@comtelsys.co.ke Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions Subject: Re: [kictanet] Will broadband have an impact on e-Government demand andsupply in Kenya? Dear Lillian, Thank you for your query. Among many other initiatives being undertaken by Government to harness the opportunities brought about by increased and available bandwidth is the establishment of the National e-Learning taskforce domiciled in the ministry of Information & communications. the mandate of this multi stakeholder team is to develop our National e-Learning strategy and implementation plan,with emphasis being on the implementation. Our great nation is blessed with boundless intangible assets. .key being a deep human resource pool. The aim of this initiative is to leverage on these intangible assets and convert them into tangible outcomes. .job/wealth creation,improved livelihoods for all. all this rides on a singular focus on leveraging our knowledge resources as our strategic comparative advantage. in recognition of our leadership position in matters ICT4D in the region, COMESA and UNEP have entrusted Kenya with the task of developing and running regional capacity building programs through e-Learning. Andrew KeLC On 3/23/10, Harry Delano <harry@comtelsys.co.ke> wrote:
Thanks Lilian, for your contribution on Broadband, let's keep this debate alive.
I suppose I may just need to collate some of this valuable contributions, on this forum which we can then transmit onwards at an opportune time for consideration.
I like your proposal on a "Pragmatic National Broadband Plan" - it is a crucial agenda that we need to pursue relentlessly..
This would be the way to go, to harness this rich resource for the betterment of this nation..
Regards, Harry
_____
From: kictanet-bounces+harry=comtelsys.co.ke@lists.kictanet.or.ke [mailto:kictanet-bounces+harry=comtelsys.co.ke@lists.kictanet.or.ke] On Behalf Of Lilian Karanja Sent: Tuesday, March 23, 2010 1:43 PM To: harry@comtelsys.co.ke Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions Subject: [kictanet] Will broadband have an impact on e-Government demand andsupply in Kenya?
Dear Listers:
Now that broadband technology is here, and we know that it is certainly going to enhance the competitiveness of our economy and sustain economic growth, am increasingly wondering what strategies the Government of Kenya is working on, to develop broadband applications that will enhance the delivery of public services to citizens. There is no doubt that the Government of Kenya has taken great strides to harness the implementation and use of broadband technologies with the Ministry of Information and Communications leading the way.
Is there an e-Gov/Civic Engagement program that will evaluate how broadband can improve the performance of government specifically in terms of transparency and citizen participation and more generally in terms of effectiveness and efficiency? Such engagement programs with 'mwananchi', on broadband and eGovernment, will consider various ways all levels of government, can use broadband to improve public service performance and delivery, including lessons that might apply, for the purposes of developing a pragmatic national broadband plan. The Government of Kenya needs to take stock, consider and pay keen attention to the potential benefits of universal broadband in enabling various government operations to move to a digital platform in terms of improved performance, cost savings, and strategic benefits to the communications infrastructure.
The Government should initiate such programs with the support of the private sector. 'Mwanachi' needs to know how they are a part of e-Government and now 'this' new phenomenon, 'broadband', and what they can do to enjoy the privileges that both bring.
Lilian.
-- Gakiria Andrew Coordinator Kenya eLearning Centre Nairobi, KENYA
participants (3)
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Gakiria -
Harry Delano -
Lilian Karanja