[kictanet] Who is ICT Board? - Capacity Building

[Kamotho Njenga]

Dr Waudo,

I have absolutely nothing personal against any entity or person whatsoever.
The freedom to voluntarily associate under whatever banner is universally
guaranteed and no one can purport to interfere with the same. The case I am
trying to bring forth is straight forward: We stand to achieve more for the
industry if we work jointly rather than in isolation. The raging debate
appertains to the current status of Kenyan ICT institutional framework.
Probably the reason why the matter keeps resurfacing is because its yet to
receive a sufficient blow. The proposal to have a town hall gathering a
reality offers an opportunity for all of us to take stock of the
industry/profession. In so doing we might be able to celebrate the successes
and if we are willing to ruthlessly face the failures/gaps resulting from
our individual and collective misjudgements.

By pointing out certain issues that are glaringly out of order, I am not
doing so to demean any organization or because of what my organization has
achieved. In deed I consider myself a culprit as far as the whole quagmire
relates. My contributions are informed by some sense of reflection triggered
by the unfoldings of this thread.

As to whether I would be willing to work under KEPSA, I would have no
hesitation if my contribution would facilitate improvement. In my humble
opinion it would be additionally important to have a professional point of
reference for the industry. Obviously there exists some variations between
the interests of the private sector and those of professionals and Academia.

Regarding the matter you have cited on formation of another association my
position is clear. I am not advocating for the formation of an extra
association. What would be more appropriate if agreeable is to have the
different associations dissolve voluntarily so that we can reconstitute a
formidable umbrella entity that would have structures to accomodate the
various activity scopes of the multiple associations. My conviction is that
if all the organizations can operate under one roof there would be more
synergy since despite being detachable, all the facets of ICT are
interdependent. Surely, it would be considerably easier to engage each other
when working from a common secretariat than when there are organizational
demarcations.

Kamotho Njenga

On 4/7/10, waudo siganga <emailsignet at mailcan.com> wrote:
>
>   Bw Kamotho - perhaps you cross-check your two mails from yesterday and
> today as there are some apparent contradictions. Yesterday you wrote that
> some time back together with some friends you decided to form an
> association. Today you are writing that "There is a peculiar propensity
> amongst the ICT folk to create multiple versions (splinter lobby groups) at
> the slightest excuse.eg ". Yesterday you also wrote "There are many
> ongoing efforts within the ICT sector but they are too fragmentary to
> realize any substantial gains. " - which is not consistent with forming yet
> another association.
>
> The issue of an umbrella organization is another one that is being
> regurgitated on this list. KIF comprehensively dealt with this issue some
> years back. The other associations you mention such as LINUX, BPO, etc are
> to me also doing a good job except maybe ITSA which I think was formed by
> Prof and his buddies but appears non-operational.
>
> Finally are there some achievements or activities of your association that
> you could share and is your association willing to work WITH others e.g.
> under KEPSA?
>
> Waudo
>
> On Wed, 07 Apr 2010 10:23 +0300, "Kamotho Njenga" <kamothonjenga at gmail.com>
> wrote:
>
> Vitalis,
> Your view on the need to form an umbrella body "from a bird's eye view
> perspective " to guide the formulation and coordination of strategies in ICT
> sector is quite valid and realizable. There is absolutely no excuse for not
> having an authoritative reference point for such an enormous
> industry/pofession. But as you observe the process of getting every eligible
> person to see the need to board the common vehicle that you envision marks
> the point where the rubber meets the road. Its bound to be complex but as
> you say worth trying. For any solid progress to be registered the following
> realities attributable to the existing state of affairs warrant
> consideration.
>
> 1. ICT is a multifaceted discipline. It has seperate elements to do with
> Software design, Database issues, AI, Web Design, E-Learning, Mobiles,
> Hardware....Consequently there are those who argue that the specifics of ICT
> can not be accomodated in the wider ICT umbrella. The thrust of this opinion
> is not fully conceivable.
>
> 2. There is a peculiar propensity amongst the ICT folk to create multiple
> versions (splinter lobby groups) at the slightest excuse.eg we currently
> have some like ICT Association, Computer Association, Linux Association, BPO
> Association, ICT Consumers Society, IT Standards Association. In fact if the
> trend continues you will expect some associations to come in the following
> further versions: Mobile phone society of Kenya, Laptop Association of
> Kenya, Flashdisk consumers Association of Kenya, M-Pesa customers
> federation, Windows XP alliance. Word 2007 Self Help group, Blackberry
> movement of Kenya... name them. It's tantamount to having more preachers
> than the target congregation.
>
> 3. A large section of ICT people are indifferent. They love to mind their
> own business not the profession nor the industry. They dont see the quagmire
>
> Advancement is possible if all stakeholders decide to abandon mediocrity.
>
> Kamotho Njenga
>
> On Wed, Apr 7, 2010 at 7:33 AM, <bitange at jambo.co.ke> wrote:
>
> Vitalis,
>
>
> Brother Siganga and Kamotho are best placed to comment on your post.
>
>
> Ndemo.
>
>
>
> > For effective and long term strategic development, the system needs to
> be
> > looked at as a whole, from "helicopter view, or bird's eye view
> > perspective.  The right hand needs to know what the left is doing.Â
> > Duplication of roles and many centres of powers can only deter
> > development. Starting from the global perspective, it was a big debate to
> > arrive at the jus the name "Information, Commuinications and
> > Techonologies." It took the world nations a number of forums and
> > numerous dicussions and dialogue sessions, before a concensus could be
> > reached to coin the name, ICT.  The main reason was the the complexity
> > due rapidly changing technologcal innovations, the changing needs of the
> > people, the needs for governments to develop policicies, etc., Some
> > polcies were were based on comand-and-control sytems approach, in
> > the indutries or sub-sectors, in what is now commonly known as the ICT
> > sector.  At the beginning the indutry boundaries were distinct,
> >  mainly revolving around telecommunications and broadcasting. The life
> > was easy because the enviroment was stable and the future was easily
> > predicable. With the techlological innovations in computing and
> > communications, and the converegence of variuous technologies, industry
> > boundaries have become more maleable. This this is a challenge as well
> > as an oppotunity that we are facing and need to be addressed, at all
> > times. There is need for an umbrella body "from a bird's eye view
> > perspective " to guide in formulation and coordination of strategies in
> > ICT sector to achieve the long-term national objectives. Otherwise we
> > will end-up with fragmented development plans, with very little impact on
> > the sytem as whole at the national level. Â Â
> >
> > Controbutions have been made including mentioning about professional
> > bodies/assocaiations in othe fields, e.g. ICPAK, KMA, etc. Also there are
> > variuos governmental authorities in this country. Apart from the ICT
> > Board, there are the Roads Boad, Coffee Board, etc. which may or may not
> > be professionally based. However, it is important to note that ICT is
> wide
> %
>
>
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