[kictanet] {Disarmed} Fw: Re: [NewVisionKenya] Voiceless'Knowl edge Workers'

Thu Jun 12 10:56:28 EAT 2008

Shem, can we have an over-arching coordinated approach to implementation without first taking a break to Master Plan? Could we change things mid-way implementation instead of going back to the planning stage again? Kenya has been planning and analysing for so long that many of us just want to see action. 

Paul, why wouldn't the ICT Board act as a coordination centre or a central reference point for ICT projects in Kenya? As you market ICTs, let all ICT projects (by Civil society, Private sector, government, PPP etc) be documented, easily accessed and referenced so that we encourage partnerships or complementary projects.  

I believe this would allow us to focus on Action/Implementation and let "The Kenyan Approach" be a learning-by-doing model.

For instance, www.BungeSMS.com would be happy to find more partners from a central projects database of ICT/mgovernment projects. We are talking to a few and would be glad to complement others with a similar vision. All this can be done - in practice - rather than as per a generic umbrella plan. 

Regards
Wainaina

- original message -
Subject:	Re: [kictanet] {Disarmed} Fw: Re: [NewVisionKenya] Voiceless'Knowledge Workers'
From:	Shem Ochuodho <shemochuodho at yahoo.com>
Date:		11/06/2008 21:33

Hi Paul,

Please don't repeat the same mistake that was made with Vision 2030. From experience, involve 'people' (otherwise called 'stakeholders') from day 1. When Rwanda's first plan (NICI I: 2000-2005) was drawn, that mistake was made. NICI II (2006-2010) was prepared differently. Rather than assemble a few experts and prepare a draft, work with the stakeholders to develop the draft. You can still have a few experts to 'guide' or 'inform' the process, but for heaven's sake please let the process be stakeholder-owned from day one.

As for the 'marketing' element, my understanding was that the person concerned did not mean to imply that it is not important - but that it should not be the core function.

Best rgrds,
Shem

--- On Wed, 6/11/08, Paul Kukubo <pkukubo at ict.go.ke> wrote:

From: Paul Kukubo <pkukubo at ict.go.ke>
Subject: Re: [kictanet] {Disarmed} Fw: Re: [NewVisionKenya] Voiceless'Knowledge Workers'
To: shemochuodho at yahoo.com
Cc: "New Vision List" <newvisionkenya at yahoogroups.com>, "KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions" <kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke>
Date: Wednesday, June 11, 2008, 12:37 PM

Shem

The ICT board will very soon subjecting the draft strategic plan to stakeholder
review. 

This might be one intervention point and your direct participation as a key
player in the ICT space will be highly appreciated.

ICT as a sector and as an enabler of other sector. 

One comment you did make in an ealier post is worth revisiting. The issue of
marketing ICTs. (You did indicate that you were quoting someone). The board
sees marketing of ICTs as one very important activity. This debate we are
having here is being widened through the ICT board's Public Panels and Open
Forums. Soon we will be going country wide listening to people as they express
what they understand about ICT and exposing them to ICT opportunities.

There are different audiences/markets for our programs. The most interesting
task for us has been how to spread ICTs to the mass market and still retain our
relevance among hardcore ICT stakeholders (those like yourself whose counsel we
seek).

Most Kenyans are not yet part of this debate. This is the divide our programs
seek to bridge.

Paul Kukubo
Sent from my BlackBerry® smartphone provided by Celtel Kenya

-----Original Message-----
From: Shem Ochuodho <shemochuodho at yahoo.com>

Date: Wed, 11 Jun 2008 07:49:49 
To:pkukubo at ict.go.ke
Cc:New Vision List <newvisionkenya at yahoogroups.com>,KICTAnet ICT Policy
Discussions <kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke>
Subject: Re: [kictanet] {Disarmed} Fw: Re: [NewVisionKenya] Voiceless
	'Knowledge Workers'

Bw PS, 

Once again allow me to say it is commendable to see you being
'responsive' online. 

On ICT development, I don't think what we are complaining of is
'inaction'; No. There are lots of good 'projects' happening.
Our/My concern is that they are not coherent, or rather there is no overarching
'comprehensive' or 'integrated' plan portraying the 'bigger
picture' than individual projects or initiatives do. Examples of African
countries with such comprehensive Masterplans include Rwanda, Tunisia and
Mozambique. If we have (such) a master plan, I am not aware, and I would be
more than delighted to see it. Otherwise, good strategies like that for the
BPO's, the E-Govt Strategy, etc, should only be sub-components of the
'Masterplan'. 

As for lacking entrepreneurs, am not sure I entirely agree, either. Once again
allow me to contend that Kenya has got some of the most 'enterprising'
human resources. What they lack are opportunities and an enabling environment.
I know some strides have been made, but we still have a long way to go. Just
for instance, Tanzania gives up to 15% advantage to local firms when they bid
for Govt projects (or so am told). Unless Kenyan rules have changed, I
don't think such a provision exists. But that's just one area for
improving the environment. There are several others, some specific to ICT,
others of a more general nature. Developing a 'Masterplan' would create
an opportunity for sufficient engagement with diverse 'Stakeholders'
(including 'Professionals' and 'Entrepreneurs') that would
unearth more comprehensively areas of improvement that the ICT private sector
requires to fly. 

Finally, I don't think Govt can run away from building, creating and
utilizing capacity. Of course it doesn't do it alone; it does it in
collaboration with other players. But it is incumbent, as a starting
point, upon Govt to come up with a comprehensive 'Human Capacity
Development and Utilization Plan'. And rumour has it one could be in the
offing; if that is true, that would be great. If the rumour is not true, then
something needs to be done about it. 

My 2 cents worth. 

Warmest rgrds, 
Shem

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