[Kictanet] e-Government TV Dco tonight

Wed Aug 9 10:05:28 EAT 2006

Andrew,
  The E -government initiative is commendable. After your exercise to impress upon the civil servants on the importance of ICTs in discharging government duties, I think it will now be upon the civil society and the private sector to do the same among the public especially those in marginalized areas (rural and slum areas). This will help reduce the digital discepancy between urban and othr areas in the country. NGOs, CBOs and other interested stakeholders can enter into partnership with the government to sensitize the public on the importance of ICTs in development. I have in mind initiatives by Rwandese and Ugandan governments which have taken ICTs to rural remote areas setting up multi-purpose community telecentres in schools and villages using facilities such us VSAT and solar energy to power computers in areas were electricity is unavailable. With the NEPAD initiative for E-schools in Kenya which was officially launched last year by the president, schools both in rural
 and urban areas should also be introduced to the ICT platform. What the E-government directorate is doing at the moment should be fully supported by all and sundry as it is a move in the right direction.
  Ken Chelimo

Andrew Limo <andrew.limo at yahoo.com> wrote:

  Dear All,
  The Directorate of e-Government recently embarked on a countrywide Awareness and Education campaign which aimed at sensitizing public servants on the on going modernization of government services using ICTs. 
  The programme was an eye opener. Most civil servants, especially at rural districts have never used email or even the computer. But there were a few surprises though. Kakamega DC Njenga Miiri is a true convert of the technology. From the day he got the request from e-Government to hold a day’s workshop at Mumias County Hall, Mr. Miiri spared no effort to ensure it was a success. He mobilized all concerned, postponed some commitments that fell on the day and was among the first to arrive at the venue-with his wife! The DC spoke at length on the opportunities that come with the use of ICT in Government.
  The Bungoma police boss, who had worked a systems administrator at a reputable organization abroad, was a disappointed man. He did not have a computer in his office and so you wouldn’t talk to him about connectivity. 
  The programme was carried out in conjunction with Postal Corporation of Kenya using the Posta Surf outlets as training facilities in North Rift and Western Kenya. The day would start with presentations aimed at stimulating interest on the potentials of Information and Communications Technologies to about 50 civil servants. This would be followed by a live demo on how to activate official email addresses which had been set up for them by the Directorate of e-Government on the kenya.go.ke domain in advance. They would then go to the Post Surf Internet cafes where they would be provided with Ksh.100 Surf cards each for a hands-on session. 
  The impact has been tremendous. A number of them, who had never touched the mouse, were now able to email to friends and relatives locally and abroad. They now frequently make enquires with e-government on varied issues like courses and training opportunities. Plans are now underway to roll out the programme in other Districts after the evaluation of the first phase.
  To make e-Government reality in Kenya, a change of mindset is crucial. There is a lot individuals can accomplish even with little resources once they are convinced that the technology can work for them.  
  In Nairobi, where civil servants had been trained on web development, most government websites now boast some content. Some are beginning to get transactional. They are now more “under construction” tractors welcoming you to our home pages. 
  The road to realizing e-Government will need more resources and commitment. But there is no doubt the journey has begun. 

  Kindly watch e-Government documentary starting today on:

  KTN and NTV Wed. 9th August   2006 -9:30 pm
  Citizen TV       Wed. 16th August 2006 -8.45pm
  KBC Channel One Thurs 17th August 2006-9.30pm

  Kind regrads,
  Andrew Limo

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