[kictanet] My Take: Affordable computers

[Mwololo Tim]

Dear all,

I have scanned the inputs made yesterday on used computers, although I could
not go through all of them.

In my view, the problem is beyond new/locally assembled PCs against imported
re-conditioned computers. The biggest problem is that of a time bomb in
terms of e-waste. A study I led on e-waste in 2007 showed that at that time,
Kenya generated at least 3,000 tons of e-waste every year (a copy is
attached). I am sure you can see the problem if you consider a number of
years. It gets worse if you consider that the number of PCs are growing
every year. From this point of view, a policy is necessary on e-waste.

A second issue is the life of an assembled clone vis-a-vis that of
re-conditioned computer. Has anyone done any study? Can they share the
results. I bought many locally assembled PCs and many of the them developed
lots of problems and their life in a busy user environment is relatively
low. I did this long time ago and I cannot recall the average life. The cost
of ownership kept on increasing. I have also tried re-conditioned brand
computers and I am monitoring their life. I am tempted to do a study.

The other issue is developing local capacity for ICT technology development.
Many countries started from the assembly route with a strategy to develop
local capacity. Do we really have a strategy? Putting 25% duty on used
computers is not a strategy. It would make sense if it was part of a
comprehensive strategy either aimed at developing local capacity for
technology development or something. It does not even start to address our
e-waste problem.

A few words on a staurday afternoon.

tim waema

On Sat, Aug 29, 2009 at 10:11 AM, Barrack Otieno
<otieno.barrack at gmail.com>wrote:

> Good points being raised here the more reason as to why we need a
> multistakeholder approach  to address the issue by finding common ground, we
> cannot  demonise used computers in a blanket manner, more so when ICT is a
> critical component in Vision 2030, they are certainly playing a critical
> role, as it turns out "affordability" is ambiguous
>
> On Sat, Aug 29, 2009 at 9:51 AM, Bildad Kagai <billkagai at gmail.com> wrote:
>
>>
>> On Aug 29, 2009, at 9:23 AM, Gakuru Alex wrote:
>>
>>  Why Bill, when all I am doing is to protect those your rights you used
>>> to sell every one of your previously owned computing/internet
>>> connection equipment that you 'dumped on innocent souls':-)
>>>
>>
>> Good point Alex.
>> After two years of aggressive business I will book an appointment with
>> Ambassador Kiplagat and confess to my role in contributing to e-waste and
>> why my role is part of FUTURE historical injustice for future generations.
>> That will give me a clean conscience knowing that I can mess as much I can
>> after all the truth justice and reconciliation commission will forgive me
>> for that. Lets plunder our Kenya....justice is in the offing.
>>
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>
>
>
> --
> Barrack O. Otieno
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