[kictanet] the used computers debate

[Barrack Otieno]

Colleagues,

"In a recent report, Information permanent secretary Bitange Ndemo
proposed a ban on used computer imports. This is good because of the
growing threat posed by hazardous e-waste from used electronic
equipment — computers, mobile phones, television sets and even
fridges."

This is just a proposal, i agree with Mr. Ikua there is
misrepresentation of facts, let us focus on access for all and if used
computers can address this issue then they should be permitted,
ikssues of e-waste can be handled by KEBS, i am aware of the fact that
there are vested interests in the whole issue, if we are not careful
we will continue playing second fiddle to Europe and other continents
I am sickened by the fact that we are are mostly "resellers" and
"consumers"(peripheral roles) access is what will stimulate knowledge
transfer hence innovation. We need a stakeholder meeting before the
ban is effected if at all it will be effected and possibly a
referendum on the matter.

Thank you

On Wed, Mar 10, 2010 at 5:42 PM, waudo siganga <emailsignet at mailcan.com> wrote:
> Evans - I am also sad regarding this ban but I have to unfortunately
> challenge you. I think we need to blame ourselves in the industry rather
> than the Ministry because we are too busy with too many things to
> properly engage the Ministry. I believe the Ministry has an open-door
> policy and even the PS has agreed to be on this list which is
> commendable. You and I run associations that engage in Public Policy
> advocacy. Can you tell us what exactly your association has done to
> predict this development and what engagement you have had with the
> Ministry on the issue which was then dis-regarded when the decision was
> made?  I know my association has not attended to this issue mainly
> because we are attending to too many things - so we need to proceed from
> there before blaming the Ministry.
>
> Waudo
>
>
> On Tue, 09 Mar 2010 01:39 -0600, ikua at lpakenya.org wrote:
>> So we are back to this debate about used computers. seems like the
>> Ministry will not relent on this.
>>
>> The story in the business daily has a lot of misinformation and half
>> truths coming from the Ministry. To say that the price of new
>> computers has come down to affordable levels is to be economical with
>> the truth. How much is a new Dell or HP computer? About 45k. The lower
>> priced models like Mecer or Acer will go for about 35k and above for
>> standard specs.
>> How about a new clone? About 25k. And the lifespan of a new clone?
>> About 3 years, 4 if you are lucky. The warranty on new clones is only
>> 3 months. Used/refurbished computers can give the user upwards of 5
>> years in good use. Between a new clone made with cheap parts from
>> China and a used computer of a major brand, I would go for the used
>> computer.
>> With 10k, you have a good low spec used computer. So as a student or a
>> home user, you get easy access to technology. With 15k, you have a
>> powerful used computer with specs like P4 3.0/512mb RAM/80gb HDD. So
>> as a small business which needs to buy 10 computers, or a school or
>> college that needs to buy 40 computers, what would you go for with a
>> limited budget?
>>
>> Why cant the government regulate the trade in used computers instead
>> of imposing a total ban? The industry will still have jobs for IT
>> technicians, whether its used computers or its assembly of clones.
>> which leads m,e to the question, what happened to the eMado computer?
>> How is it doing as a business proposition? How many have been sold and
>> to whom? How much is it? How many components are being manufactured in
>> Kenya?
>>
>> We can for instance say  that we will not accept into the country a
>> computer manufactured over 5 years ago, or 8 years, like motor
>> vehicles. Or that we will not accept computers below a certain speed.
>> Clones have much more ewaste than used computers as they die faster.
>> Yet new branded computers are way beyond the reach of the common
>> mwananchi. but again, this has never been about the common mwananchi,
>> inasmuch as noone sees the need to find out what he thinks about such
>> policy decisions.
>>
>> Regards,
>> Ikua
>>
>>
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-- 
Barrack O. Otieno
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