Re: [kictanet] Faith in local web hosting
Dear Yawe, In my view you are failing to understand. I sent an e-mail to you stating the efforts we have put in place to have a local broadband network. I also stated that we need the international broadband network to enhance our common strategy on business processing outsourcing that now employs up to 3,000 Kenyans and has a potential of employing many more. Besides all this I have also stated that access to connectivity will spur innovation and create cheaper linkages to all Kenyans wherever they may be in the globe. We are simply creating an enabling environment. This where many opportunities will arise from. Digital TV is one of the many opportunities that we want our rural folks to utilize. Local content developers will need the networks to sell their content. Educational institutions will need these networks to provide e-learning services. E-commerce shall flourish. Tourissts accessing local services, flower farmers linking cheaply to their customers etc. This is all about economic growth. I sense you are not in agreement with us on why we need the Fibre Optic. You will do us a lot of good if you had an answer. In all your writing, you seem to be complaining and not offering any sugestions. Yet this forum is for sharing of ideas. Can you for once share what you are up to. You may greatly help this country if what we are doing is not justifiable. You are right about TKL Fibre that is not terminated and we are doing something about it. In fact the problem is local content which the Government is soon churning out and will need the FO. The greater problem though is that we have far too many activists than we have entrepreneurs. Innovative people cannot complain about idle capacity of such a factor of production. It is criminal that you who is aware of what ICT infrastructure can do to the country that you sit there to complain that it is idle instead of raising awareness to the public and utilizing that asset. Regards Bitange Ndemo.
Kagai,
Like all the rest we are misplacing the importance of the marine cable and it is unfortunate that Dr. Ndemo is also unable to provide us with the logical reason for why we need to land this fiber cable.
Your issue of digital TV has nothing to do with whether we have the marine cable or not as our transmission is local and thus what we need is a fiber network within the country. I have been listening to that story of digital TV being echoed by many a so called IT gurus. All that the fiber will do is create so much competition for our local stations before they have enough time to adopt or recoup their investments which will result in massive layoffs. If we can negotiate for the delay i
But Bwana PS, --- bitange@jambo.co.ke wrote:
The greater problem though is that we have far too many activists than we have entrepreneurs.
This comment is this rather revealing and very pointed. But if "activism" is this bothering to government, then perhaps we could be succeeding far more than we imagined and we pray that there are no severe high- handed retaliations in waiting:) 1. There is hardly enough social movement and change agents in this area and governments rarely "entertain" opposed views. Usually they wish them away so that the official position remains the absolute dogmatic truth. 2. In the last two years of outsourcing, how many NEW entrepreneurs have invested dearly in BPOs and how much has the country earned? 3. Provoking Yawes, Gakuru,and others are asking is: - - In the final analysis,will the cable really help much? or will the last chapter of the outsourcing gospel be "cable ilitengenezewa na iko na wenyewe"? - Why is the PS avoiding guaranteeing the final consumer prices? How many "activists" are standing to you and asking these such hard questions? I feel that you should encourage more to probe this project if not for accountability sake, then to save on future commission of enquiries. But if you do not want the questions please say so.
Innovative people cannot complain about idle capacity of such a factor of production. It is criminal that you who is aware of what ICT infrastructure can do to the country that you sit there to complain that it is idle instead of raising awareness to the public and utilizing that asset.
Excuse me, but it is rather unfair that your statements target at "discrediting" the person for asking you hard questions. He is your BOSS! Gakuru ____________________________________________________________________________________ Never miss a thing. Make Yahoo your home page. http://www.yahoo.com/r/hs
--- bitange@jambo.co.ke wrote:
The greater problem though is that we have far too many activists than we have entrepreneurs.
On Dec 3, 2007 8:21 AM, Alex Gakuru <alex.gakuru@yahoo.com> wrote:>
This comment is this rather revealing and very pointed.
I agree with both comments and the problem lies in expectations. Whilst some expect to see the discussions in this list translate into action..Alex is equally right that advocacy is essential. My problem is that outside this list nobody knows of Kictanet existence. [not proven]. When we discuss policy, we never get the final reports circulated, when ideas are floated, we never know if the Kictanet mandarins will implement, when interesting ideas are developed on this list, we never see them tangibly hitting the ground and just remain lurking in this list. Actually, the Kictanet website [kictanet/about us] does not even let us know of the structure and who are in charge, their terms and term in office and when to expect elections or an AGM for this society. Google 'kictanet' and you will see the 1,750 results are restricted around kictanet members websites...then try something like 'knhrc' and the 7,000+ results show that the activities hit the ground through newspapers, wikipedia amongst other channels. With the clout and respect kictanet has...we can easily achieve impact like knchr. Either way, kazi iendelee!! Wa-kictanet musilale....bado mapambano...lakini domo iendelee. Bill
Hi Bill and all I shall respond to issues raised around KICTAnet as an institution, issues of governance etc. For those who are not aware, KICTANet started off as a project of the Association for Progressive Communications (APC) Catalyzing Access to ICTs (CATIA) project in Kenya in 2004. The CATIA project aimed at speeding policy and regulatory processes in 7 African countries. The KICTAnet was formed during a workshop in October 2004. Founding members were TESPOK, Media Council, the Kenya WSIS Civil Society Caucus, Summit Strategies and KIF. The 2004 workshop participants felt that the vacuum created by the lack of an ICT policy in Kenya was compelling enough to warrant the formation of an MSN that would work towards encouraging the government to speed up the development of an ICT policy and regulatory framework for Kenya in an open, inclusive and participatory manner. The policy process was finalized and approved by cabinet early 2006. The Network however, continued to play a role beyond the ICT policy process. Initial founding members therefore felt that to continue to play its role as an inter-dependent KICTAnet needed to develop into a formal and institutionalized network able to stand accountable to its constituents and not just a project. The network has faced challenges in finding appropriate structures and mechanisms for its operations. Therefore, KICTAnet approached IDRC for support to conduct an assessment to explore ways of dealing with these challenges. This exercise has looked at the issues that Bill has raised: "governance, accountability structures, members, legal recognition, operational infrastructure, personnel and systems as well as facilities to support the work of the network in the longer term. The assessment exercise is near completion with a first draft of the reports ready for comments. Evelyne, will be posting the reports of the assessment exercise and we would like to encourage everyone to have a look at the report and send comments that will help towards strengthening "this noble institution" to quote P.S. Ndemo and yes Bill, agree Kazi Iendelee! best alice
ed.
I agree with both comments and the problem lies in expectations. Whilst some expect to see the discussions in this list translate into action..Alex is equally right that advocacy is essential. My problem is that outside this list nobody knows of Kictanet existence. [not proven]. When we discuss policy, we never get the final reports circulated, when ideas are floated, we never know if the Kictanet mandarins will implement, when interesting ideas are developed on this list, we never see them tangibly hitting the ground and just remain lurking in this list.
Actually, the Kictanet website [kictanet/about us] does not even let us know of the structure and who are in charge, their terms and term in office and when to expect elections or an AGM for this society. Google 'kictanet' and you will see the 1,750 results are restricted around kictanet members websites...then try something like 'knhrc' and the 7,000+ results show that the activities hit the ground through newspapers, wikipedia amongst other channels. With the clout and respect kictanet has...we can easily achieve impact like knchr.
Either way, kazi iendelee!! Wa-kictanet musilale....bado mapambano...lakini domo iendelee.
Bill
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Dear Alex, You did not have to take this personally. In the past three months, 10 BPO enterprises were set up. At the same time I have received five lobby groups that want to set up a union for the BPO sector and ten different groups of people want an all inclusive ICT professional organization. Some of the later groups want registration of ICT professionals. This is why I am pleasantly amused that we indeed we have more people who want to be activists rather than entrepreneurs. I enjoy your criticism but I do not entirely think you are simply an activist. Someone must bring up issues like that. Ama namna gani? Regards Ndemo.
But Bwana PS,
--- bitange@jambo.co.ke wrote:
The greater problem though is that we have far too many activists than we have entrepreneurs.
This comment is this rather revealing and very pointed. But if "activism" is this bothering to government, then perhaps we could be succeeding far more than we imagined and we pray that there are no severe high- handed retaliations in waiting:)
1. There is hardly enough social movement and change agents in this area and governments rarely "entertain" opposed views. Usually they wish them away so that the official position remains the absolute dogmatic truth.
2. In the last two years of outsourcing, how many NEW entrepreneurs have invested dearly in BPOs and how much has the country earned?
3. Provoking Yawes, Gakuru,and others are asking is: -
- In the final analysis,will the cable really help much? or will the last chapter of the outsourcing gospel be "cable ilitengenezewa na iko na wenyewe"? - Why is the PS avoiding guaranteeing the final consumer prices?
How many "activists" are standing to you and asking these such hard questions? I feel that you should encourage more to probe this project if not for accountability sake, then to save on future commission of enquiries.
But if you do not want the questions please say so.
Innovative people cannot complain about idle capacity of such a factor of production. It is criminal that you who is aware of what ICT infrastructure can do to the country that you sit there to complain that it is idle instead of raising awareness to the public and utilizing that asset.
Excuse me, but it is rather unfair that your statements target at "discrediting" the person for asking you hard questions. He is your BOSS!
Gakuru
____________________________________________________________________________________ Never miss a thing. Make Yahoo your home page. http://www.yahoo.com/r/hs
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Dr. Ndemo, On Dec 3, 2007 4:43 PM, <bitange@jambo.co.ke> wrote:
You did not have to take this personally. In the past three months, 10 BPO enterprises were set up. At the same time I have received five lobby groups that want to set up a union for the BPO sector and ten different groups of people want an all inclusive ICT professional organization. Some of the later groups want registration of ICT professionals. This is why I am pleasantly amused that we indeed we have more people who want to be activists rather than entrepreneurs.
Not taken personally, but thanks. The last time I suspected you had aimed at hitting me below the belt, I did came over to your office and we sorted it out amicably:) On these various groups touring your office, I suppose they trust and look up to your leadership. Thus you have a "nicer" problem than if they came with demands. I heard that some foreigners were surprised to learn that you not only respond to emails, but anyone wanting to see you only needs to walk to your office and state their case.
I enjoy your criticism but I do not entirely think you are simply an activist. Someone must bring up issues like that. Ama namna gani?
Happy to know this, because Mt. Kenya has two sides - one side rains almost always while the other, Nanyuki side, is rather dry. I continue critique whenever necessary. Hiyo ni sawa! Alex
Dear All, Well, i think we need as much activist as we need entrepreneurs and really i dont think the Dr. Ndemo plays down on one for the other. In the context of his submission, he renders that given the environment being created, there is need for entrepreneurs to rise to the challenge and ensure the uptake of private enterprise. I personally reckon that we all have important skills, activitist, entrepreneurs, govenrment, public servants and even the consumers. Every part of the body, no matter how small is important so i think thats not really the point however in certain content, certain skills and expertise are prefered. Now to the substance of the argument, Alex and Yawe, i would be shocked if you argue that India is what it is today without outsourcing. This was possible because of some factors they got right and the entrepreneurial spirit that rose to the ocassion. Real Estate was competitive globally, Bandwidth was cheap and today is one of the cheapest worldwide, skills are abundantly available at globally competitive level but yet much more affordable etc. Unless we can be better in these things, we cant attract much more outsourcing, it is a global market place and we cant be like children playing there... Eric here On 3 Dec 2007, at 08:21, Alex Gakuru wrote:
But Bwana PS,
--- bitange@jambo.co.ke wrote:
The greater problem though is that we have far too many activists than we have entrepreneurs.
This comment is this rather revealing and very pointed. But if "activism" is this bothering to government, then perhaps we could be succeeding far more than we imagined and we pray that there are no severe high- handed retaliations in waiting:)
1. There is hardly enough social movement and change agents in this area and governments rarely "entertain" opposed views. Usually they wish them away so that the official position remains the absolute dogmatic truth.
2. In the last two years of outsourcing, how many NEW entrepreneurs have invested dearly in BPOs and how much has the country earned?
3. Provoking Yawes, Gakuru,and others are asking is: -
- In the final analysis,will the cable really help much? or will the last chapter of the outsourcing gospel be "cable ilitengenezewa na iko na wenyewe"? - Why is the PS avoiding guaranteeing the final consumer prices?
How many "activists" are standing to you and asking these such hard questions? I feel that you should encourage more to probe this project if not for accountability sake, then to save on future commission of enquiries.
But if you do not want the questions please say so.
Innovative people cannot complain about idle capacity of such a factor of production. It is criminal that you who is aware of what ICT infrastructure can do to the country that you sit there to complain that it is idle instead of raising awareness to the public and utilizing that asset.
Excuse me, but it is rather unfair that your statements target at "discrediting" the person for asking you hard questions. He is your BOSS!
Gakuru
______________________________________________________________________ ______________ Never miss a thing. Make Yahoo your home page. http://www.yahoo.com/r/hs
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Eric M.K Osiakwan Executive Secretary AfrISPA (www.afrispa.org) Tel: + 233.21.258800 ext 2031 Fax: + 233.21.258811 Cell: + 233.244.386792 Handle: eosiakwan Snail Mail: Pmb 208, Accra-North Office: BusyInternet - 42 Ring Road Central, Accra-North Blog: http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/eric/ Slang: "Tomorrow Now"
participants (6)
-
Alex Gakuru -
Alex Gakuru -
alice -
Bill Kagai -
bitange＠jambo.co.ke -
Eric Osiakwan