[kictanet] Who is ICT Board? Hijacked

Mon Apr 5 16:52:07 EAT 2010

Dr. Siganga,

Your write up makes  sense, i guess we have been mixing too many
issues, in other words we handle government agencies and industry
associations separately, sounds like the meeting is a welcome idea, i
suggest government agencies first.

Regards

On Mon, Apr 5, 2010 at 3:03 PM, waudo siganga <emailsignet at mailcan.com> wrote:
> Hi Evans, all - we have discussed the issue of a statutory body to
> regulate ICT professionalism on this list in the past and the discussion
> did not go far. Some said that we would be interfering with
> "innovation". Some mentioned Bill Gates as a guy who has done much but
> does not have any professional qualification. Yet others had other
> stories (e.g. the three blind men story from Brian and his note to Walu
> on 7/7/08:
>> I beg to differ. ICT is too large, too deep and too wide to have a
>> single, authoritative, representative body. What you refer to would
>> probably be more appropriate to some of the professional disciplines
>> within the ICT sector e.g. Software Developers Guild, System
>> Administrators Association, CIO/CTO Society - within which there can
>> be certain codes of behavior, ethics, values, best practices etc...
>
> On 10/9/08 on this list I re-introduced the topic of a statutory body
> such as LSK,ICPAK, ... to guide the ICT profession. In my mail I even
> included a "draft ICT Professionals Act".  The idea received cold water
> except from Kamotho.
>
> One distinction between "profession" and "Industry". In my mind I see
> statutory bodies as more regulating "profession" rather than "industry".
> Industry bodies are normally private sector initiatives formed by
> interested persons to achieve common goals. I can be surprised to hear
> the government being asked to help set up an "industry" association of
> any type. Private sector associations engage the government, so how can
> the same government be involved in their set up? The other axiomatic
> thing about associations is that the ones that do not deliver invariably
> die a natural death - and there are many examples of this in Kenya even
> within ICT. It is not difficult to set up a membership association (just
> like a Church or Club which are set up under the same "Societies Act").
> People cannot be stopped from setting up associations because the
> Constitution guarantees freedom of association. This means those who
> have any bright ideas that are not accommodated by existing associations
> cannot have an excuse or choose to take up the role of professional
> hecklers of existing associations.
>
> Within ICT we agreed some years to accommodate multiple associations
> which then converge under KEPSA umbrella to offer a unified voice. This
> I think is working very well as recently exemplified at the Prime
> Minister's Round Table where ICT issues were very well articulated.
>
> With regard to Prof's suggestion to discuss government agencies and
> private sector associations at the same meeting I think that would
> create much confusion and even opportunities for red herrings to be
> thrown around. It is mixing oranges and apples. The word "association"
> is actually a short form. The exact terminology is "membership
> association". An association is made up of members who voluntarily come
> together and run their interests. The members have their own channels to
> discuss their issues. It does not take much imagination to realize that
> someone who is NOT a "member" is unlikely to have overflowing goodwill
> towards (leave alone information about) the association. However,
> associations face a lot of challenges and a specific get together of
> associations to discuss best practices and ways of being sustainable and
> more effective would be welcome. The Business Advocacy Fund is for
> example doing a great and positive job in the direction of capacity
> building and funding. Well done to them. Another useful type of meeting
> is the type you refer to that was held at KICC a couple of years ago
> where associations can inform a wider audience about their activities
> and roles and, perhaps, recruit more members. Overall, an associations'
> meeting should be a focused one and not be mixed up with one for
> government agencies; and guest list should be expanded from Prof's
> limiting suggestion of "the plethora of ICT industry associations that
> are not effective" to include those which are effective so that others
> can learn from them as well.
>
> Waudo
> www.cskonline.org
>
>
> On Mon, 05 Apr 2010 02:38 -0500, ikua at lpakenya.org wrote:
>> Dear listers,
>> Did we not have a similar meeting not too long ago? I think it was
>> about two years or so. Cant remember who had organized it but it was
>> there at KICC. Same theme of taking stock of all ICT bodies. Cant
>> remember if the Government agencies were represented.
>>
>> Not that I have a problem with yet another similar meeting, but we
>> need to clearly set out what we want to achieve with that kind of
>> gathering. Its common knowledge that the ICT industry is awash with
>> all manner of associations/organizations and Government bodies. Isn't
>> it time that we had the sort of organization that we see with other
>> professions like Accountants and Lawyers etc? Isn't it time that the
>> Government created a statutory industry association? This can easily
>> be achieved by such legislation as the policy document presented by
>> the PS the other day, or the Communications Act that was passed not
>> too long ago.
>>
>> Inasmuch as the Government so believes in the increasing importance
>> that ICT plays in the economy, then its imperative that we have an
>> industry body that would take care of all others, say like a CSK that
>> is recognized by an Act of parliament.
>>
>> Regards,
>> Ikua
>>
>> Quoting Mwololo Tim <timwololo at gmail.com>:
>>
>> > Dear all,
>> > The discussion needs to be on the institutional framework for ICTs in Kenya,
>> > not just on KICTB. It needs to cover KICTB, NCS and DEG/GITS. It also needs
>> > to include the plethora of ICT industry associations that are not effective.
>> > I can organize such a townhall meeting in Chiromo like the first one.
>> > However, for such a meeting to be useful, it needs to be preceded by some
>> > guided discussion on the same. Alternatively, one or two  persons can
>> > prepare presenations to guide the discussions, with these presentations
>> > being made available earlier for participants to acquint with them. I am
>> > also prepared to be one of those persons. tim
>> >
>> > On Sun, Apr 4, 2010 at 9:10 PM, Barrack Otieno
>> > <otieno.barrack at gmail.com>wrote:
>> >
>> >> Daktari,
>> >>
>> >> Thank you for setting the ball rolling, not sure i saw the document as
>> >> well it must have been hijacked. A town hall meeting is a welcome idea
>> >> i second it, Kippra felt sufficiently philanthropic before the last
>> >> town hall meeting i wonder whether they can double their offer during
>> >> this easter season, bwn Magolo can we count on you. Walu can set the
>> >> agenda.
>> >>
>> >> Regards
>> >>
>> >> On Sun, Apr 4, 2010 at 7:28 PM, Solomon Mburu Kamau
>> >> <solo.mburu at gmail.com> wrote:
>> >> > On 04/04/2010, bitange at jambo.co.ke <bitange at jambo.co.ke> wrote:
>> >> >> Barrack,
>> >> >> Several posts have come by on the role of ICT and I think it will be
>> >> wise
>> >> >> if we sorted this in a town hall meeting similar to one we had on
>> >> Malili.
>> >> >> Honestly it feels as though some Neanderthal decided to create these
>> >> >> agencies without putting some thought to it.  Criticisms are good only
>> >> >> when you point out where there are gaps.
>> >> >>
>> >> >> The other day I posted a policy proposal for comments but only one
>> >> person
>> >> >> did respond.  What it means then is that this forum ni ya kuchongoana
>> >> tu.
>> >> >
>> >> > Dakitari, with due respect, would you mind resending the policy
>> >> > proposals as a new thread so that interested parties may respond?
>> >> > If sent within this thread, I'm afraid they'll be swallowed along the
>> >> way.
>> >> >
>> >> >> Which really is unfortunate.  I have four other policy proposals that I
>> >> >> really think should push through then arouse sufficient interest from
>> >> the
>> >> >> membership here.
>> >> >
>> >> > I also think you should send them so that we react to the contents!
>> >> >>
>> >> >>
>> >> >> Ndemo.
>> >> >>
>> >> >>
>> >> >>> This is truly "Jicho Pevu", i think some answers to this questions are
>> >> >>> very much in order as we celebrate Easter, can someone provide us with
>> >> >>> a list of all agencies involved in ICTs and ICT4D so that we can do
>> >> >>> some tooth comb analysis, i saw a  post from Paul on what the board
>> >> >>> has achieved early this year, that was very much in order we need
>> >> >>> something from NCS as well plus any other agencies.
>> >> >>>
>> >> >>> Regards
>> >> >>>
>> >> >>> On Sat, Apr 3, 2010 at 12:50 PM, Vitalis Olunga <volunga at yahoo.com>
>> >> wrote:
>> >> >>>> There is also another body , National Communications Secretarait. What
>> >> >>>> is
>> >> >>>> the diffrence between NCS and ICT Baord and how do the two bodies
>> >> relate
>> >> >>>> with respect to  advisory services to the governement on ICT matters?
>> >> >>>>
>> >> >>>> Regards
>> >> >>>>
>> >> >>>>
>> >> >>>> Vitalis
>> >> >>>>
>> >> >>>> ________________________________
>> >> >>>> From: robert yawe <robertyawe at yahoo.co.uk>
>> >> >>>> To: volunga at yahoo.com
>> >> >>>> Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions <kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke>
>> >> >>>> Sent: Sat, April 3, 2010 12:03:22 PM
>> >> >>>> Subject: Re: [kictanet] Who is ICT Board? Hijacked
>> >> >>>>
>> >> >>>> Hi,
>> >> >>>> I rest my case on this issue, the ICT Board is a monolith, Try
>> >> >>>> reading this... (pdf file), as I feared it is mandated to do anything
>> >> >>>> and
>> >> >>>> everything under the sun that could be called ICT which includes your
>> >> >>>> microwave oven and copier.
>> >> >>>> Functions of Kenya ICT Board
>> >> >>>> The core functions of Kenya ICT Board as documented in the Kenya
>> >> Gazette
>> >> >>>> Legal Notice No 26 of the May 2007:
>> >> >>>> ?  To advice the government on all relevant matters pertaining to
>> >> >>>> development, coordination  (remember the PM post) and promotion of ICT
>> >> >>>> industries in the country.
>> >> >>>> ?  Promote both locally and internationally the opportunities for
>> >> >>>> investments in ICT technology
>> >> >>>> ?  Facilitate and manage ICT industrial incubation parks and
>> >> technology
>> >> >>>> parks together with associated facilities on sites, estates and land.
>> >> >>>> ?  Partner with agents within and without the country to carry out
>> >> such
>> >> >>>> functions as it may consider necessary.
>> >> >>>> ?  To transform and empower society through deployment and use of
>> >> ICTs.
>> >> >>>> ?  Carry out any other activity to promote and develop ICT products
>> >> and
>> >> >>>> services.
>> >> >>>> Have a restful Easter as we await the limited range 4G, yes you
>> >> guessed
>> >> >>>> it I
>> >> >>>> still have a 3G issue and I am in Nairobi.
>> >> >>>> Regards
>> >> >>>>
>> >> >>>>
>> >> >>>>
>> >> >>>>
>> >> >>>> _______________________________________________
>> >> >>>> kictanet mailing list
>> >> >>>> kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke
>> >> >>>> http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet
>> >> >>>>
>> >> >>>> This message was sent to: otieno.barrack at gmail.com
>> >> >>>> Unsubscribe or change your options at
>> >> >>>>
>> >> http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/otieno.barrack%40gmail.com
>> >> >>>>
>> >> >>>>
>> >> >>>
>> >> >>>
>> >> >>>
>> >> >>> --
>> >> >>> Barrack O. Otieno
>> >> >>> Geneva
>> >> >>> Skype: barrack.otieno
>> >> >>>
>> >> >>> _______________________________________________
>> >> >>> kictanet mailing list
>> >> >>> kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke
>> >> >>> http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet
>> >> >>>
>> >> >>> This message was sent to: bitange at jambo.co.ke
>> >> >>> Unsubscribe or change your options at
>> >> >>>
>> >> http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/bitange%40jambo.co.ke
>> >> >>>
>> >> >>> ----------------------------------------------
>> >> >>> This message has been scanned for viruses and
>> >> >>> dangerous content by Jambo MailScanner, and is
>> >> >>> believed to be clean.
>> >> >>> ---------------------------------------------
>> >> >>> "easy access to the world"
>> >> >>>
>> >> >>>
>> >> >>
>> >> >>
>> >> >>
>> >> >> ----------------------------------------------
>> >> >> This message has been scanned for viruses and
>> >> >> dangerous content by Jambo MailScanner, and is
>> >> >> believed to be clean.
>> >> >> ---------------------------------------------
>> >> >> "easy access to the world"
>> >> >>
>> >> >>
>> >> >> _______________________________________________
>> >> >> kictanet mailing list
>> >> >> kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke
>> >> >> http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet
>> >> >>
>> >> >> This message was sent to: solo.mburu at gmail.com
>> >> >> Unsubscribe or change your options at
>> >> >>
>> >> http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/solo.mburu%40gmail.com
>> >> >>
>> >> >
>> >> >
>> >> > --
>> >> > Solomon Mb?r? Kamau
>> >> > P.O. Box 19343 - 00202 Nairobi
>> >> > Cell: (+254-0) 735 431041
>> >> >
>> >> > Man is a gregarious animal and enjoys agreement as cows will graze all
>> >> > the same way to the side of a hill!
>> >> >
>> >> > AND
>> >> >
>> >> > It is better to die in dignity than in the ignomity of ambiguous
>> >> generosity!
>> >> >
>> >> > http://dawn-in-kenya.blogspot.com
>> >> > http://smiley2.wordpress.com
>> >> > http://mburu.sikika.co.ke
>> >> >
>> >> > _______________________________________________
>> >> > kictanet mailing list
>> >> > kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke
>> >> > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet
>> >> >
>> >> > This message was sent to: otieno.barrack at gmail.com
>> >> > Unsubscribe or change your options at
>> >> http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/otieno.barrack%40gmail.com
>> >> >
>> >>
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> --
>> >> Barrack O. Otieno
>> >> Palais de Nations Genéve
>> >> Skype: barrack.otieno
>> >>
>> >> _______________________________________________
>> >> kictanet mailing list
>> >> kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke
>> >> http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet
>> >>
>> >> This message was sent to: timwololo at gmail.com
>> >> Unsubscribe or change your options at
>> >> http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/timwololo%40gmail.com
>> >>
>> >
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> kictanet mailing list
>> kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke
>> http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet
>>
>> This message was sent to: emailsignet at mailcan.com
>> Unsubscribe or change your options at
>> http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/emailsignet%40mailcan.com
>>
>
> _______________________________________________
> kictanet mailing list
> kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke
> http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet
>
> This message was sent to: otieno.barrack at gmail.com
> Unsubscribe or change your options at http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/otieno.barrack%40gmail.com
>

-- 
Barrack O. Otieno
Palais de Nations Genéve
Skype: barrack.otieno