[kictanet] Who is ICT Board? Hijacked

Emmanuel Khisa Emmanuel.khisa at kadet.co.ke
Mon Apr 5 19:14:27 EAT 2010 

Daktari,

I think you are spot on on the issues raised. Until we have a body unifying
the ICT Professionals we will never have a voice to effectively engage other
stakeholders, say what happens when say Lawyers(LSK) demand some form of
engagement with the regards to ICT law, who will be mandated to represent
interest of ICT professionals, or say Health professionals body(KMA or
KM&DPB) seeking our input(by our I mean ICT professionals) regarding some
aspects of Health Information system, who will engage with them and how will
these people claim to represent the industry? We may have previously engaged
as ICT stakeholders but is this a sustainable model...I believe we cannot
continue to operate in this kind of chaotic situation. Kudos to KictaNet
though some useful intra-industry discussion that are very informative go on
here, but more could be done. Question is how and where do we start and how
do we manage it so professionally that we avoid the pitfalls of unnecessary
politicking and be able to engage as ICPAK does for finance professionals of
all shades (Auditors, Financial Analyst, Financial Accountants, Management
Accountants)

My one cent.

EK 

-----Original Message-----
From: kictanet-bounces+emmanuel.khisa=kadet.co.ke at lists.kictanet.or.ke
[mailto:kictanet-bounces+emmanuel.khisa=kadet.co.ke at lists.kictanet.or.ke] On
Behalf Of waudo siganga
Sent: Monday, April 05, 2010 4:04 PM
To: emmanuel.khisa at kadet.co.ke
Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions
Subject: Re: [kictanet] Who is ICT Board? Hijacked

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
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> >>
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
> >> >>>
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> >> >>>
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> >> >> _______________________________________________
> >> >> kictanet mailing list
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> >> >>
> >> >> This message was sent to: solo.mburu at gmail.com
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> >>
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> >> >>
> >> >
> >> >
> >> > --
> >> > 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
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http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/otieno.barrack%40gmail.
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> >> >
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> --
> >> Barrack O. Otieno
> >> Palais de Nations Genéve
> >> Skype: barrack.otieno
> >>
> >> _______________________________________________
> >> kictanet mailing list
> >> kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke
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> >>
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> >
> 
> 
> 
> 
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