[kictanet] John, All: Kenyan Representation Important...But How Abt Discussing Points in the Report?

Wed Dec 3 20:27:54 EAT 2008

Dear John and All,

I know you in a different context (KCA), as a person who has always been supportive of me, a foreigner (American) working with Kenyans on humanitarian and development projects in Kenya. 

While your point about Kenyan representation is an important one as a "principle", where is this discussion of Brian's supposed lineage getting us?  There are very important "issues" to be discussed in the statement, issues and challenges that impact on millions of lives, and any success we might achieve (as the human collective) in bridging digital divides and putting truly sustainable development--one that "lifts all boats"--into practice.

If someone is doing a good job of representing "us" (whoever we are or however we identify), being of service, or otherwise working for a purpose near and dear to us--even if s/he is not one of us by birth or nationality--what real difference does nationality make in this case, as a "practical" consideration (again, I understand that the principle is important in a "meta" way)?

It is a good thing for that person to understand that there are limits to how much they can speak for us, or our needs, experiences, thoughts, et al. But this particular subject doesn't seem to be so "nationally" related that a person from Malawi cannot do justice to what is happening in Kenya re ICTs and all related issues.

There obviously need to be many channels of open communication, many ways in which viewpoints from Kenyans can be included centrally in whatever is important for Kenyans to address. Outreach for such information-gathering and inclusion is vital, and forums like this can provide that. 

Appointing of Kenyans to policy-making positions and in other venues where "Kenyan" input is crucial is both important and necessary, especially in circumstances where non-representation would lead not only to ineffectual policies and programs, but even worse, a return to a form of colonialism (ie policies and programs constructed "for" Kenyans, but "without" Kenyans represented as central decision-makers).

Again, that doesn't seem as relevant here, though. The development-related issues are crucial to learn from and address, however.  Do you have some thoughts about the contents of the report itself?

Its conclusion is this:  "Key stakeholder lesson: relevant content drives demand - Safaricom's m-pesa met a basic and everyday need, this has driven the increased use of their mobile platform by touching the lives & livelihoods of both urban & rural citizens."

Can we discuss the lessons and their implications, as well as the way(s) forward for ICTs linked to improving lives and enhancing development of communities?

Thanks much and best wishes to all, Janet

  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: John Maina 
  To: kaippg at earthlink.net 
  Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions 
  Sent: Wednesday, December 03, 2008 9:27 AM
  Subject: [kictanet] Satement by Brian Longwe from Panel on Access in MainSession of Internet Governance Forum, Hyderabad, India 3rd Dec 2008

  Ndugu Murigi

  being in Kenyan primary school uniform doesnt make you Kenyan. Brian in Malawian with a brother called Anthony Maundu longwe in malawi and his cousins and brothers. Brian is not Kenyan and as we move on we will prove this. Kenyan Public companies cant have foreigners masquerrading as locals. And the foreigners are the ones who are used as attack dogs in these fora. Lets see and know that we want to know if by giving Brian who has very cheap CV on ICT to sit on CCK board is the way PS Ndemo is benefiting the foreigners. 

  Ukweli uutajulikana

  JM

------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  From: S.Murigi Muraya <murigi.muraya at gmail.com>
  To: John Maina <j.maina at ymail.com>
  Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions <kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke>
  Sent: Wednesday, December 3, 2008 6:10:39 PM
  Subject: Re: [kictanet] Satement by Brian Longwe from Panel on Access in Main Session of Internet Governance Forum, Hyderabad, India 3rd Dec 2008

  Brian is Kenyan. Some of us used to be in our primary school uniforms playing video games at Sarit Center in the 80's ...and he was one of us!

  John Maina wrote: 
    Ndugu Mungai

    Check http://lists.itmalawi.org/pipermail/ictassociation/2008-August/000695.html

    Which schools in Kenya did Brian go to. I was in Lilongwe and met one of his former close associate.. Brian is not Kenyan and I am just finishing my investigations. I dont know why PS Ndemo appoints foreigners in Kenyan ICT companies boards. Another one also who is a prominent member of this forum is not Kenyan

    I am not talking out of rumours. Wait for proof

    JM

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
    From: Wainaina Mungai <wainaina at madeinkenya.org>
    To: John Maina <j.maina at ymail.com>; picta-kenya at yahoogroups.com; ke-internetusers at bdix.net; KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions <kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke>
    Sent: Wednesday, December 3, 2008 5:34:03 PM
    Subject: Re: [kictanet] Satement by Brian Longwe from Panel on Access in Main Session of Internet Governance Forum, Hyderabad, India 3rd Dec 2008

    FYI John et al.

    Brian may as well be called "Mblayo"...He's a Mkamba if that helps
    qualify him as a real Kenyan...Munyao to be exact. As for mixed
    heritage, you may give him the same positive recognition as
    OBAMA...except that he's worked tirelessly for years now building our
    ICT standing on the planet.

    Have an informed day ;-)

    On 12/3/08, John Maina <j.maina at ymail.com> wrote:
    > KICTANET
    >
    > Why is a Malawian representing Kenya at the IGF? Do we lack enough Kenyans
    > to sit on Kenyan boards and also represent Kenya abroad? This is disgusting
    > and the earlier the masqueraders like Brian Longwe and the bunch of foreign
    > attack dogs are told off the better.
    >
    > JM
    >
    >
    >
    >
    > ________________________________
    > From: Brian Longwe <blongwe at gmail.com>
    > To: j.maina at ymail.com
    > Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions <kictanet at lists.kictanet..or..ke>
    > Sent: Wednesday, December 3, 2008 3:15:20 PM
    > Subject: [kictanet] Satement by Brian Longwe from Panel on Access in Main
    > Session of Internet Governance Forum, Hyderabad, India 3rd Dec 2008
    >
    >
    > Brian Munyao Longwe – Main Session on Access (Development Perspective)
    >
    > Traditionally teledensity has been used as a measure of access or the extent
    > to which communication technologies have pervaded a community.
    >
    > In the past Africa as a region has recorded extremely low fixed-line
    > teledensity of below 1% that is less than 1 line per 100 people. Believe it
    > or not this is still the case!
    >
    > However, when one incorporates mobile lines in a teledensity analysis - the
    > results are not only incredible, they are amazing. as of 2007, Africa's
    > mobile teledensity stood at an impressive 23% or 23 lines per 100 people.
    > There was a recorded growth in mobile users from 128 million in 2006 to over
    > 215 million subscribers by 2007. This represents an annual growth of over
    > 46%. We have just heard that India's mobile network is growing at an
    > incredible rate of over 10 million new connections per month!
    >
    > Given the fact that most operators around Africa have rolled out GPRS/EDGE
    > coverage across most of their networks as well as deployment of 3G access
    > across their larger markets it is entirely feasible that mobile, not
    > broadband may present the opportunity for increased access for developing
    > countries. MOBILE and not BROADBAND is the silver bullet.
    >
    > Another key element crucial to the growth of access in developing countries
    > is a suitable environment for the dispersion of relevant content and
    > applications that meet the day to day needs of the populace. Internet
    > Exchange Points are the primary critical ingredient needed to create these
    > conditions. By keeping all locally originated and requested traffic local,
    > Internet exchange points serve a crucial role in enhancing the user
    > experience, lowering operational costs and providing a suitable framework
    > for the growth and development of the Internet in general.
    >
    > While many developing countries have adopted policies and regulations that
    > encourage and promote competition in the mobile sectors, which has resulted
    > in continued growth in the numbers of users, the establishment of IXPs has
    > received a relatively low priority - despite the significant impact that
    > such simple infrastructure presents to the community.
    >
    > Access enhances the interface between government and the citizen at a
    > transactional level.. The Kenya Revenue Authority last year suggested that
    > the Kenya Internet Exchange Point receive "critical infrastructure" status
    > with 24-hour armed guard due to the fact that 100% of all import/export
    > declarations and documentation transit the IXP via the revenue authority's
    > web-based platform.
    >
    > Going back to mobile, Safaricom, a Kenyan mobile operator introduced a money
    > transfer service called M-Pesa less than two years ago. M-Pesa now has over
    > 4 million subscribers (within 1 year - the service signed up more users than
    > Kenya's entire banking industry signed up within a century!) Safaricom
    > reported that over half a Billion US dollar had been transacted over the
    > platform within less than 18 months.
    >
    > Key policy lesson? The financial services and communications regulator in
    > Kenya decided not to subject m-pesa to punitive obligations through
    > treatment as a bank but rather chose to perceive m-pesa a non-bank payment
    > service. That decision has today affected and continues to affect millions
    > of lives.. Regulators can either promote innovation, access & development or
    > hinder it.
    >
    > In East Africa communications regulators have completely opened up the
    > communications sector; fully liberalizing every area, but providing
    > structure through unified licensing regime that separates facilities,
    > services and content In Kenya this has spurred investments of over half a
    > Billion USD over the past 2 years.
    >
    > Key stakeholder lesson: relevant content drives demand - Safaricom's m-pesa
    > met a basic and everyday need, this has driven the increased use of their
    > mobile platform by touching the lives & livelihoods of both urban & rural
    > citizens.
    >
    >
    > --
    > Brian Munyao Longwe
    > e-mail: blongwe at gmail.com
    > cell:  + 254 722 518 744
    > blog : http://zinjlog.blogspot.com
    > meta-blog: http://mashilingi.blogspot.com
    >
    >
    >
    >

    -- 
    Sent from my mobile device

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
_______________________________________________
kictanet mailing list
kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke
http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet

This message was sent to: murigi.muraya at gmail.com
Unsubscribe or change your options at http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/murigi.muraya%40gmail.com

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

  _______________________________________________
  kictanet mailing list
  kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke
  http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet

  This message was sent to: kaippg at earthlink.net
  Unsubscribe or change your options at http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/kaippg%40earthlink.net
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/pipermail/kictanet/attachments/20081203/2fb85d14/attachment.htm>