[kictanet] Who is ICT Board? - Capacity Building

waudo siganga emailsignet at mailcan.com
Wed Apr 7 12:10:36 EAT 2010


I fully agree with this approach suggested by Gilda. It is positive and
this is the way to build Kenya. Trying to tear each other down as a
pre-requisite for development does not work.
Waudo

On Wed, 07 Apr 2010 11:39 +0300, godera at skyweb.co.ke wrote:
> 
> Listers,
> 
> I think this is a very healthy debate for the industry. 
> Esther, whereas whatever body will face the same queries over their
> mandate, in
> my view, what is most important is that each respective body plays it
> part to
> the full and possibly even surpass the expectations of the industry. As
> long as
> they are all forging towards one goal (making Kenya the ICT Hub in
> Africa)in all
> their activities, the industry will have gained.
> What is important is that all these bodies do not fight each other,
> rather
> complement one another to grow this industry.
> We must all work together for good of this industry and nation.
> 
> Gilda Odera
> Chair, BPO/ITES Working Group at the Office of the Prime Minister
> 
> (For those not aware, a group of 6 persons from Private Sector and
> Government
> was recently put together for a two year term to advise on all these
> issues
> being raised in this list. Your views are being noted.)    
>     
> Quoting Esther Muchiri <emuchiri at andestbites.com>:
> 
> > Good suggestions Harry, but while I am not a pessimist, I have a feeling
> > that with time, whatever body will be formed will still face the same
> > attacks/questions from the industry on the mandate etc
> > 
> >  
> > 
> > Perhaps the upcoming public forum will begin to shed some light in the
> > direction ICT development in Kenya should follow?
> > 
> >  
> > 
> >  
> > 
> > From: kictanet-bounces+emuchiri=andestbites.com at lists.kictanet.or.ke
> > [mailto:kictanet-bounces+emuchiri=andestbites.com at lists.kictanet.or.ke] On
> > Behalf Of Harry Delano
> > Sent: Tuesday, April 06, 2010 6:21 PM
> > To: emuchiri at andestbites.com
> > Cc: 'KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions'
> > Subject: Re: [kictanet] Who is ICT Board? - Capacity Building
> > 
> >  
> > 
> >  
> > 
> > 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=comtelsys.co.ke at 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/[email protected]> > 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/[email protected]> >
> > >> To: volunga at yahoo.com
> > <http://us.mc452.mail.yahoo.com/mc/[email protected]> 
> > >> Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions <kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke
> > <http://us.mc452.mail.yahoo.com/mc/[email protected]>
> > >
> > >> 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/[email protected]>
> > 
> > >> http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet
> > >>
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> > >>
> > >>
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > --
> > > Barrack O. Otieno
> > > Geneva
> > > Skype: barrack.otieno
> > >
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> > 
> >  
> > 
> >  
> > 
> > 
> 
> 
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