[kictanet] John, Joe, All: Foreign "Control/Ownership"-No! (I agree)/my ICTs-related links to Kenya
Janet Feldman
kaippg at earthlink.net
Wed Dec 3 23:18:18 EAT 2008
John and All,
Obviously the wrong John Maina. I thought this conversation and behavior did seem out of character for him. I do know Joe Manthi, though (at least I hope this is the same Joe Manthi I know from KCA!), and what he has just posted makes a good point: no "control" or foreign "ownership". That should be bedrock. But that's not an issue in this case, is it?
And it seems clear that we don't know for certain what nationality Brian is...though this surely has brought up a number of important and sensitive issues.
FYI, I run the international branch of a Kenyan HIV/AIDS and development nonprofit in rural western Kenya. I have, along with the Kenyan HQ, developed ICTs-related projects for our organization (www.kaippg.org), written ICTs-related grants (GenARDIS), and helped to create a 5-party e-learning consortium--sponsored by The Commonwealth of Learning--that addresses subjects ranging from health to education. That is called GRASSUP NOW.
In 2007, GRASSUP NOW (which stands for "Grassroots Socio-economic Underpinnings: Poverty reduction, Nutrition and food security, ODL/ICTs, Women", denoting the subjects we cover) was a finalist in the Stockholm Challenge.
For more on our work, see:
http://ictupdate.cta.int/en/Feature-Articles/Kenya-The-health-and-agriculture-community-radio-network
http://gkp.stockholmchallenge.se/node/33020
I have been part of a team that created an emergency response network (using the Internet and mobile phones) in Kenya to promote peaceful resolution of the post-election crisis . In the eforums I moderate, I have posted about ICTs-related opportunities in Kenya which my members have taken advantage of, one recently winning the top award: a state-of-the-art multipurpose center for their youth and development activities, which will help hundreds of young people and their families, in addition to promoting education and peace via their radio station. This org is located in Nairobi.
There is more I could say but that is not necessary: I am indeed a "stakeholder", and that is why I am here. I do NOT post about American conferences that have nothing to do with Kenya. I only post abt topics that have some connection to Kenya.
All of this, in a way, is completely beside the point. But, as I said above, it does bring up many issues that are relevant, including how we perceive others and behave towards others, let alone how we sometimes make assumptions and speak before knowing the facts. These issues are important to address, but not in an "attack-dog" way, whether it is "foreigners" or Kenyans doing the attacking.
Thanks and best wishes, Janet
----- Original Message -----
From: John Maina
To: Janet Feldman
Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions
Sent: Wednesday, December 03, 2008 11:31 AM
Subject: Re: [kictanet] John, All: Kenyan Representation Important...But How Abt Discussing Points in the Report?
Janet
Check Answers in Blue. You are simply not making sense defending foreigners. When did a foreigner start heading and sitting on the board of FCC?
JM
On 12/3/08, Janet Feldman <kaippg at earthlink.net> wrote:
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.
I dont know you Janet. I dont know where you knew me from but I dont know you and have never met you so either you are confusing me with someone or I just forgot
While your point about Kenyan representation is an important one as a "principle", where is this discussion of Brian's supposed lineage getting us?
Janet, this is housekeeping. A foreigner cannot and should not and must not sit on Kenyan state corporation Board. Thats not something which you as a "foreigner" can understand. You are basically not well conversant with facts here and so you entering the bedroom and telling the owner of the house to change where the bed is facing is uncalled for intrusion
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.
Do you think that getting a foreigner to sit on CCK board is not important issue? How will you bridge the digital divide while the foundation of the other side of the digital divide is being ignored. Do you think the bridge will stand the test of time?
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)?
Janet, you can never be us because you are not us. this is KICTANET and we are talking about Kenya ICT network. One time when a person, I think Robert Alai, did post some things here about an American conference, he was told by one of the attack dogs that what has something happening to women in USA got to do with KICTANET. What has Janet Feldman who is not Kenyan got to do with KICTANET. Are you an investor, a stakeholder or simply an interested by-stander?
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?
It wil never seem relevant to you since you dont have any stake in ICT in Kenya and so will never argue for the Kenyan case. Lets observe some decorum and you , Janet Feldman, dont think that being offered sahani is same as being told to take the whole Sufuria
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."
Yes, We know that but whats its relation to Brian Longwes nationality. Why are you mixing and gathering alot of things to confuse the points?
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
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