[kictanet] Who is ICT Board? - Capacity Building
Paul Kukubo
pkukubo at ict.go.ke
Tue Apr 6 20:08:36 EAT 2010
A perspective that might enrich the forthcoming meeting. At the onset, I
will suggest we cast our net wider to include anyone who might not be on
this list for that meeting.
1. The public sector is busy transforming in a way that matters to the
common citizen, and in a way that will long term impact.
- As an example, Public sector leaders presented 5 interesting case
studies in government automation at the just ended connected government
workshop (all slides on www.ict.go.ke/connectedgov)
- Kenya Revenue Authority on their progress since inception on
automation, By their IT Head Mr Saina
- The automation of the Company registry including the initial
reorganization of the registry, the on-going digitization and
future service
targets for citizens benefit. Presentation by Mr Wanjuki
Muchemi, Solicitor
General
- The Integrated Population Registry System, presented by both the
PS Immigrations Mr Emmanuel Kisombe and his team. Of note
here is the role
this would play in giving the government a 'single point of
truth' of the
citizen.
- The on-going automation of the Kenya Medical Supplies Agency
(KEMSA). Presented by the Director KEMSA
- The Government Data Centre, presented by John Sergon Ag Director
E Government.
- Private sector was surprised by how committed and well thought and
these projects are. These are just examples and they illustrate
a government
committed to laying the foundation for better citizen services.
- Those projects, when combined with the Government's role in TEAMs,
the just commenced shared services project, the project to digitize the
judiciary and the Ministry of Lands point to clear priorities. Private
sector should align themselves around the opportunities presented by
government. ( I cannot stop preaching this).
- Vision 2030 Director General provided an update on the work to
develop a national value proposition proposed to anchored around Kenya's
core strength as a hub and a centre of entrepreneurship and innovation
within Africa.
- Indeed in his wrap up, PS Dr Ndemo re-iterated the level of
opportunity this all represented, but also stressed that there was still
work to be done to get to where we want to get to.
2. While there can be no shortage of ideas on how the government can and
should be structured the debate could be enriched by discussion around where
greater co-operation could break down silos and the role private sector
might play. Indeed PS Ndemo pointed this issue out during the Prime
Minister's Round Table recently. Private Sector, Civil Society and Academia
add value by providing case studies of successes and failures locally with
IT deployments, how the common citizen may be better served, even within the
current reality. Good examples of successes include Safaricom's roll out 3G
services even in very remote parts of Kenya to enable citizens have better
broadband experience, Cisco is rolling out training in their Net Academies
to enrich the digital villages concept by enabling training in rural
communities and Oracle is investing in the capacity of IT leaders both
government and private sector, to understand how to deploy complex
technologies that are necessary, in order that we have simplified IT access.
(as you know there is always complex systems behind simplified access. If
you doubt that, try rolling out a WIMAX network, or running a BPO firm.).
3. Some private sector participant observed to me that there might be a
trend perhaps among a few on always putting forward suggestions without
knowledge on what is on the ground, always proposing alternatives and not
building on ideas and listening without internalization. While there is no
harm in this, I would suggest a greater role for private sector, civil
society and academia. These sectors could use their constituencies (if these
are professional bodies, or associations, or working groups) to create
forums for discourse on the issues and provide leadership and guidance, that
is seen to be drawn from the constituencies themselves. The ICT Board
interacts with many stakeholders and indeed many of them are also themselves
looking for a suitable professional home. (be it the CIO Forum, KIFF,
TESPOK, Kictanet, Skunkworks, Mobile Monday, Mobile Value Added Service
Providers, the BPO sector, the systems intergrators, the Multinationals
Forum, Pasha Trainees. They have diverse needs. Before the town hall
meeting, my team could provide a brief summary of our observation in
interacting with all them. Indeed in doing the rounds, we have not covered
many of them. They are many..
4. It is entrepreneurs who will build a true ICT sector, one business at
a time. Fortunately we have plenty of them in Kenya. Many who seek guidance
and counsel on where to direct their energies. There are some who believe IT
is fibre optic and others still in the 'buy ICT equipment and sell mode". We
are always encouraging them at forums such as the Tandaa Conferences and the
Mobile Boot camp to widen their view into applications, solutions, project
management, consultancy, new media development (animation, web marketing,
mobile marketing) etc. This requires concerted effort. During the Connected
Gov workshop, we showcased animations developed by Home Boys Studios in
Kenya using local talent (who had no prior animation training). These
animations are being shown on UK TV. Local companies like Symbiotic,
Cellulant gave case studies of the challenges and opportunities
entrepreuners face, and Seven Seas a large Kenyan system integrator
demonstrated how the government could deploy a digital dashboard and how
partnering with Safaricom, they have developed capacity building program to
train for IT.
5. One last observation is that as ICT becomes more sophisticated,
perhaps we can look at the role of the CIO and the CTO within both private
sector and public sector structures. On this score, a few private sector
firms in Kenya provide examples of ideal IT governance structure and we all
could welcome them to share their experiences.
Paul Kukubo
Chief Executive Officer, Kenya ICT Board
PO Box 27150 - 00100
Nairobi, Kenya
12th Floor, Teleposta Towers Koinange Street
Tel +254 20 2089061, +254 20 2211960
Fax: +254 20 2211962
website: www.ict.go.ke
local content project: www.tandaa.co.ke, www.facebook.com/tandaakenya
twitter:@tandaaKENYA
BPO Project: www. doitinkenya.co.ke
Digital Villages Project: www.pasha.co.ke
personal contacts
_______________
Cell: + 254 717 180001
skype: kukubopaul
googletalk: pkukubo
personal blog: www.paulkukubo.co.ke
personal twitter: @pkukubo
____________________
Vision: Kenya becomes a top ten global ICT hub
Mission: To champion and actively enable Kenya to adopt and exploit ICT,
through promotion of partnerships, investments and infrastructure growth for
socio economic enrichment
On Tue, Apr 6, 2010 at 6:21 PM, Harry Delano <harry at comtelsys.co.ke> wrote:
>
> Lilian,
>
> This is so comprehensive.. Hope, notes are being taken from these
> resourceful discussions coming in.
>
> Mine, is just a proposal. Clearly, the different agencies existing, happen
> to work within some form of
> mandate in their own areas of jurisdiction or so, whether the mandates are
> competing mandates or
> a duplication, it may be quite difficult to just "merge" them..
>
> Clearly, Listers - one thing that is now clear, is that ICT is a huge
> phenomenon, that cuts' out across
> the entire spectrum of Govt and ministries - beyond INFOCOM. This means,
> stakeholders from other
> Govt. sectors need to be brought into the fold to harmonize strategy..
>
> I suppose therefore, this may call for an oversight body - to which, each
> of the Govt agencies can have a
> representation. This oversight, could encompass reps, from all sectors,
> private , and govt. All interests
> should be declared as a pre-requisite to serving on this panel for purposes
> of accountability and
> transparency..
>
> If in order, I could float some names for such a body, such as:-
>
>
> - National ICT Task Force - (NICTAF)
> - National ICT Agency of Kenya - (NICTAK)
> - National ICT Oversight Board -(NICTOB)
>
> Other names are welcome..
>
> Harry
>
> ------------------------------
> *From:* kictanet-bounces+harry=comtelsys.co.ke at lists.kictanet.or.ke[mailto:
> kictanet-bounces+harry <kictanet-bounces%2Bharry>=comtelsys.co.ke@
> lists.kictanet.or.ke] *On Behalf Of *Lilian Karanja
> *Sent:* Tuesday, April 06, 2010 11:43 AM
> *To:* harry at comtelsys.co.ke
>
> *Cc:* KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions
> *Subject:* Re: [kictanet] Who is ICT Board? - Capacity Building
>
> Yes, Robert.......I see.
>
>
>
> Certainly, what GoK needs is ICT Governance. “Without governance you do
> not produce good decisions consistently. ‘Governance’ in the context of the
> management of ICT crafts a clear framework in which decisions are made, who
> makes the decisions about business and technology developments, who has
> input into the decision-making process and how the decisions are formed”.
>
>
>
> In my opinion, the ICT Board (under Min. Of Info Comm), the Directorate of
> e-Government (under OP), the GITS Department (under Min. Of Finance), and
> both the CCK and NCS (both under Min. Of Info Comm) seem to have related ICT
> goals and objectives. They (unfortunately) don’t seem to oftenly collaborate
> in their decision-making. I personally like the idea of a KITA like
> SITA/RITA. Sometime ago, the Directorate of e-Government seemed to come-up
> into a KITA (in the way we think of SITA/RITA), but did not ‘mature’ into
> the institution envisioned.
>
> *GoK ICT Governance Decisions would ideally focus on:***
>
> · *Determining the strategic approach to e-government and ICT
> within GoK*
>
> · *How the e-government initiatives should be used in GoK, to
> improve services, reduce costs, develop the community, etc*
>
> · *How fundamental e-government and ICT is to GoK and the country
> at large*
>
> · *The way e-government and ICT is to be managed (e.g. by what
> mechanism and how resources are to be managed)*
>
> · * **The way investments are to be made and policies on realising
> and sharing benefits*
>
> · * **How the required skills are to be procured (through
> strategic partnerships, in-house, through consortium, etc)*
>
> · * **The principles that underlie the ICT architecture*
>
> · * **Setting priorities and determining e-government and ICT
> investment programmes*
>
> · * **Managing the foundations and regulations regarding the core
> elements of the infrastructure:*
>
> o *Personnel – who will be responsible for their professional
> development and where certain skills should reside*
>
> o * **Methods and techniques – what project/programme management,
> development and operations management standards should be used*
>
> o * **Charging mechanisms and services standards (performance
> management)*
>
> o *Information – standards to enable the effective sharing of
> information*
>
> o * **Core applications – intranet, finance systems, payroll, registries
> and personnel standards, etc*
>
> o *Technical – network, consolidated service desk, data standards*
>
> o * **Security***
>
> o * **Legal***
>
> * *
>
> This has conspicuously missed within GoK, in the past years. We look to GoK
> greatly to spur ‘mwananchi’ by keenly committing to ‘add value’ to broadband
> so that their attitude, confidence and appreciation towards the use ICTs and
> the Internet increases (especially in the rural areas, as they access
> Government e-Services), thus creating an Internet Community and an IT
> culture. Am not sure we necessarily need support from outside to do this,
> even donor funds (we don’t need). We can do it on our own, as we (Kenya)
> are, now, known to be an emerging knowledge economy. GoK can lead the way to
> create a Kenyan way ‘working with’and using ICT. We have so many Youth (any
> way), who are jobless! Lets purposefully develop capacity of these young and
> use them sufficiently.
>
>
>
> I rest my case, and I apologise for any misunderstandings.
>
> LILIAN
>
>
>
>
> --- On *Tue, 4/6/10, robert yawe <robertyawe at yahoo.co.uk>* wrote:
>
>
> From: robert yawe <robertyawe at yahoo.co.uk>
> Subject: Who is ICT Board? - Capacity Building
> To: "Lilian Karanja" <l_wkaranja at yahoo.com>
> Cc: "KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions" <kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke>
> Date: Tuesday, April 6, 2010, 12:32 AM
>
> Hi Lilian,
>
> Just wanted to clarify an issue, government has some of the best trained
> ICT fellows and I know because I have regularly interacted with them for
> over 10 years. Do not be deceived by the fact that they are no fancy
> websites or iphone applications the men and women who keep the government
> systems running are basically miracle workers.
>
> How they do it is beyond my comprehension and the last thin they need is a
> capacity building what they need like all with the other areas of government
> is a co-ordinator or a Deputy Prime Minister IS. Hon Raila has definitely
> moved government efficiency a notch higher and without a "dream team"
> or expatriate consultants all he did was dust off the diamonds within.
>
> Government has a beautiful retention strategy which is we pay you for 2
> hours a day and we expect you to only deliver the paid for work, if you are
> unable to find something profitable to do with the balance 6 hours then that
> is your problem.
>
> What we need is a deputy prime minister information systems or ICT or BPO
> whatever the name of which KICTB has proven not to be to "desilo" (term
> coined by Dr. Ndemo during the PM Round table meeting) the government
> activities.
>
> Can you government ICT gurus stick your heads out and defend your selves, I
> know many of you are on this listing, so be warned that next time I need to
> put the record strait on your behalf I will actually name names.
>
> Robert Yawe
> KAY System Technologies Ltd
> Phoenix House, 6th Floor
> P O Box 55806 Nairobi, 00200
> Kenya
>
> Tel: +254722511225, +254202010696
>
>
> ------------------------------
> *From:* Lilian Karanja <l_wkaranja at yahoo.com>
> *To:* robertyawe at yahoo.co.uk
> *Cc:* KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions <kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke>
> *Sent:* Mon, 5 April, 2010 16:58:41
> *Subject:* Re: [kictanet] Who is ICT Board? Hijacked
>
> Dear PS:
>
> It is a little discouraging to hear you say that the issues discussed in
> this topic are 'kuchongoana tu'. We look up to you, and others in Government
> and also in the private sector who are so passionate about the use of ICTs
> and the Internet to create opportunities for all, in Kenya, and see that ICT
> remains a reliable vehicle for economic growth and development. So, please
> don't stop listening to us, patiently and we beseech you to continue in your
> wisdom in dealing with these matters.
>
> This topic, 'Who is ICT Board?' as well as that of 'eGovernment is it a
> myth or reality?' have raised important questions that should be addressed
> with 'a big heart' and an open mind. As you have noted, a town hall meeting
> is good and always welcome. However, moving forward, it needs to be clear
> how ICT Board interacts with Government and how it promotes the existence of
> an Institutional Framework for ICT management in Government. Clearly, the
> ICT Board manages of a huge chunk of donor funds for ICT growth in Kenya,
> eGovernment and the likes (through the KTCIP), but still the Government lags
> behind in their ICT technical know-how and skills.
>
> While one of their mandate (the ICT Board) is *Capacity Building (*Providing
> GoK and other stakeholders with skills, capacity and funding for anchor
> implementation of ICT projects for development) over time we have only seen
> laxity in the management of ICT by Government i.e. poor websites,
> unsatisfactory performance of legacy systems, inconsistent DNS & IP
> address management, meagre IT Security (web, network, etc), little or no R&D
> and M&E of ICT & eGovt, etc. But may be it is not deliberate laxity, it is
> that the Government Officers who manage IT issues in Government are not
> continuously trained in all pertinent areas to raise experts and skillful
> personnel.
>
> I hope this is an area ICT Board can address, when they say that part of
> their mandate is *Capacity Building, *otherwise we have Government
> Officers who cannot do much to use broadband properly and strategically as
> well as make eGovernment a reality. The cabilities of these Officers should
> be close to, if not better than those in the private sector. And when GoK
> finally has real experts and engineers in ICT, a retention strategy MUST be
> adopted to keep them and recompense them accordingly. This is the future of
> Government IT, 'people who are knowledgeable and focused on a bright
> future'.
>
> LILIAN
>
>
>
> --- On *Sun, 4/4/10, bitange at jambo.co.ke <bitange at jambo.co.ke>* wrote:
>
>
> From: bitange at jambo.co.ke <bitange at jambo.co.ke>
> Subject: Re: [kictanet] Who is ICT Board? Hijacked
> To: "Lilian" <l_wkaranja at yahoo.com>
> Cc: "KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions" <kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke>
> Date: Sunday, April 4, 2010, 9:42 AM
>
> 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.
> 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.
>
>
> 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<http://us.mc452.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=volunga@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<http://us.mc452.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=robertyawe@yahoo.co.uk>
> >
> >> To: volunga at yahoo.com<http://us.mc452.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=volunga@yahoo.com>
> >> Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions <kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke<http://us.mc452.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=kictanet@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://us.mc452.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=kictanet@lists.kictanet.or.ke>
> >> http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet
> >>
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> >>
> >>
> >
> >
> >
> > --
> > Barrack O. Otieno
> > Geneva
> > Skype: barrack.otieno
> >
> > _______________________________________________
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