[Kictanet] Workshop to discuss ICT Strategy Paper

[Wainaina Mungai]

Hi Brian,

My input would be on the role of civil society organisations under "Roles and Accountability". The main roles may be listed as;

->  Accountability & Transparency: Keep political and market forces accountable to the needs of society and encourage social responsibility & good governance.
->  Awareness raising & capacity building (especially to the unreached)
->  Ensure a social justice & human/consumer centred approach
-> Universal access/last mile solutions such as community-based and community-run initiatives. 
->  Implement and encourage non-market-led interventions (poor, disability, gender etc)

Put another way, CSOs must be the "conscience" that keeps both market and political forces on the path of social justice and intervenes where the two cannot adequately meet the needs of the people.

Regards,

Wainaina Mungai
http://www.madeinkenya.org

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.


>  -------Original Message-------
>  From: John Walubengo <jwalubengo at kcct.ac.ke>
>  Subject: Re: [Kictanet] Workshop to discuss ICT Strategy Paper
>  Sent: 24 Jan '06 07:37
>  
>  Hi Brian,
>  
>  I just thought I would share my reactions in advanced given that I may  arrive later (or not) due some other meeting on the same day.
>  
>  The paper seems to be hurriedly cobbled together, ideas are
>  good and factual BUT they have NOT been contextualised
>  within the Kenyan environment.
>  
>  For example, the paper semms to emphasise a lot on outsourcing
>  projects (call centers, BPOs, etc) and the proposal  to market
>  Kenya as the hot destination for the same (BPOs, Call Center,etc) by March 2006.
>  
>  My worry is that if we  market Kenya from this dimension,
>  when our domestic infrastructure if far being ready to
>  handle the resulting/impact of such a would be succesfull marketing
>  campaign, then we create a disaster.  The first 3 or 5
>  investors would get in, get burned and get out.  And then
>  the rest would learn - from the bad experiences of the
>  first few - and then probably never step in Kenya again. {might be good to hear the challenges of the 2 or 3  BPOs who've been in Kenya for the last 2years, and why the number has not grown}
>  
>  In other words this ICT strategy looks at what Kenya should be
>  in 5-10years time  but tries to set milestones for the same within a  1year bracket.  So, to me theres is need to be honest with what can be achieved in the next 1year as we look towards the next 5, 10 years.
>  
>  The priorities for the next 1year are unfortunately the
>  'boring' and difficult things that nobody seems to  want to do.
>  This includes, but  is not limited to:
>  
>  i) Regulatory issues: - there's need to ensure that the
>  Regulator is effectively  independent to monitor and regulate the
>  industry. Quality standards, Affordability, effective Competition, Consumer Protection,  remain but some of the challenges CCK seems to avoid.
>  
>  ii) Government Issues: - there's need to ensure that the
>  Government plays its role as far as enacting the
>  appropriate legislations and regulation is concerned. Government should also ensure that the secondary but supporting infrastructure such
>  as Electricity, Road networks exist to make it easier for Telecom Operators to expand their reach. Govt must concretely enhance or institutionalise  Public Private Partnerships (PPP), etc.
>  
>  iii) Private Sector:- With a strong PPP, there will
>  definately be opportunities for private sector to pump in
>  sufficient funds to build and expand the Telecom Infrastructure
>  (particularly the Fixed Line Network).
>  
>  iv) Content Development:-We really do not have significant presence on the internet -as a country.  Most of the Internet Users in Kenya log in to access international content.  Even percieved local content like www.nationaudio.com seat on foreign sites.  eGovernment initiates must lead the way to provide locally relevant content along the lines K.R.A is doing. Strategies to encourage Universities and Colleges to do the same must be sought.
>  
>  To me these are some of  the immediate things to put in place and
>  they are the ones to be milestoned within a year.  The rest would then automatically fall in place.
>  
>  walu.
>  
>  
>  
>  
>  
>  
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