[kictanet] [NewVisionKenya] Re: Voiceless 'Knowledge Workers'

[Alex Gakuru]

Thanks for a non-3G post;)

Corrections!


--- On Tue, 6/17/08, aki <aki275 at googlemail.com> wrote:

> From: aki <aki275 at googlemail.com>
> Subject: [kictanet]  [NewVisionKenya] Re: Voiceless 'Knowledge Workers'
> To: alex.gakuru at yahoo.com
> Cc: "KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions" <kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke>
> Date: Tuesday, June 17, 2008, 10:06 AM
> If I may add a comment regarding Kenya technology and
> evolution.
> Corrections are welcome. Very briefly :
> 
> In general terms, we have to understand that the Technology
> liberation (
> liberalization ) just started very recently eg less than
> 6-8 years ago. 

The process started many more years earlier, for example, I recommend the book "Negotiating the Net (Kenya case)"http://www.cidcm.umd.edu/ntn/

> reality lack of  liberalization and other factors were
> responsible for the
> backwardness of modernization of systems and ICT culture. I
> believe as a
> country we are still in infancy and slowly crawling out of
> that shell.

We cannot still be "infants" if innovating Mpesa's, video games, constructing fibre cables, skunkworking...etc..day and night... 
 
> In less than 6-8 years, we have seen tremendous growth in
> the technology
> sectors with a pro-IT development, pro-competitve approach
> by its players
> and planners. While the approach towards unified goals may
> seem different,
> it is important that we give a chance to the current
> visions and  plans to
> achieve long term goals.

True, but on competition that could improve from current oligopoly.
 
> Kenya has the talent, resources and we should push very
> hard to ensure the
> visions are implemented beyond discussions.  My hope is
> that within the next
> 10 years or so, we will be a
> technology/infrastructure/systems achievement
> and an icon to others.
> 

If it would be possible to physically meet you I could share my experience on how many Kenyans I know are very busy dirtying their hands improving connectivity and the entire ICT landscape.