[kictanet] Who is ICT Board? Hijacked
Kamotho Njenga
kamothonjenga at gmail.com
Tue Apr 6 13:27:29 EAT 2010
Esteemed Listers,
Prof. Waema's proposal to convene a gathering premised on the subject
of institutional frameworks is timely if not overdue. As dependence on ICT
increases in Kenya it will be critical to ensure that the rate of
technological dependence does not outstrip the rate at which institutional
frameworks are developing. Its fundamental to plan for policy as technology
evolves.
Going by the contributions from various listers, one theme rings out sharply
and with clarity. There is a patent call for some purposeful effort to
create an all-inclusive umbrella body that would enable the ICT fraternity
engage all relevant parties with ease and confidence. As noted by Evans and
Waudo this subject has come up before in various designs. Unfortunately the
debate that always follows assassinates the key motion before staggering to
other issues. It’s even arguable that on certain occasions some
contributions are basically guided missiles hidden in words. The reference
to such by Dr Ndemo as “mchongoano” is extremely polite.
Beyond question ICT will dictate the future patterns of most economic and
social sectors. This requires a lot in terms of preparedness on the part of
ICT professionals and stakeholders. To achieve the basic thresholds of
progress we must work towards a more organized professional status. As
things stand our ICT institutional set up is more chaotic than the ever
maligned matatu industry fraternity who seem to have a better ideological
sense of unity.
If you ask an average Kenyan what their profession is they will easily tell
you: I am a lawyer, I am an accountant, a teacher, a doctor etc. Ask the
same question to an ICT person and you will be amazed at the surprising lack
of understanding. There can be no pride in being part of a haphazard
profession. Incidentally the challenge towards a treasured and honorable
profession rests squarely on our shoulders as the affected people.
Some time back, working with some likeminded Kenyans we explored the need of
a sunshade professional and industry platform which saw the formation of the
ICT Association of Kenya (ICTAK) - www.ictak.or.ke. The resolve towards an
ICT setting that boosts the profile and gives pride to all professionals
remains our key driving force.
To achieve the highest standards it’s imperative that we pull together.
There are many ongoing efforts within the ICT sector but they are too
fragmentary to realize any substantial gains. Given the all encompassing
name and perspective of ICTAK we would be glad to make it available for
consideration as a professional/industry outfit that would be in the
parallels of ICPAK, LSK, KMA as Emmanuel suggests.
Since politics is an omnipresent phenomenon whenever matters like “uniting”
come to the fore, the questions of transparency, governance and imperial
tenures of officials warrant discussion. In our case we are fully at ease to
let go any dockets we may be holding be it that of President or Prime
minister as long as the vision for an elegant ICT profession is upheld.
Kamotho Njenga
On 4/5/10, Emmanuel Khisa <Emmanuel.khisa at kadet.co.ke> wrote:
>
> 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<kictanet-bounces%2Bemmanuel.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
> > >> >>>> 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
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> > >>
> 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.
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> > >> >>> "easy access to the world"
> > >> >>>
> > >> >>>
> > >> >>
> > >> >>
> > >> >>
> > >> >> ----------------------------------------------
> > >> >> This message has been scanned for viruses and
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> > >> >>
> > >> >> _______________________________________________
> > >> >> 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
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> > >>
> 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
> > >>
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> > >>
> > >
> >
> >
> >
> >
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