[kictanet] Faith in local web hosting

[alice]

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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