[kictanet] Why It's Wrong For Kenya To Try Pac ifying Angry Bashir-reality check

Wed Dec 7 13:15:31 EAT 2011

Walubengo,
Here is what I think.

Technology can indeed help solve many of the problems that you refer to as pure ranting.  Problems are actually opportunities.  Imagine if we create an application that automatically sends an SMS to KPLC every time the power goes off.  Another application to read the meter and synchronize it with billing such that the customer gets an alert before disconnection.  Develop a querry system to compare bills from the local area.  Use geo-sensing to determine consumption patterns.

This is how we can create efficiencies and create jobs.  We can also clean our environment by use of clean power.  Our sewage in Kariobamngi is a good source for biogas.  We can use it too to water the Muthaiga Golf course.     

As I write this we are discussing how big data can impact policy.  Our foreign policy needs to come from evidence base, that is big data on trade, environment, diplomacy.  We need data to inform us the long term effect to our national interests if we vary any of the variables stated.  Big data analytics is pure IT but formulation of relevant variables is politicking.

We cannot hide behind our inadequacies.  What we need are volunteers to take any debate here and relate it to IT and how technology can help solve the problem.  This is the basis of innovation.  It is dangerous to avoid confronting issues.

Steve Jobs died before making discoveries on technology and speech.  Our failure to critically this how technology can help reduce hate messages will hurt us in the days to come.  We are not even able to condemn bad content yet we promote content as a driver of ICT growth.

Kictanet has just requested to have Mugo as guest discussant yet ICT is a small aspect of the Vision.  

In my view you need a radical review of this noble initiative.  Our discussions must lead to some specific objective.  We can use the forum to spur innovation.  Simple issues like cost of broadband, customer service and other mundane issues  will not impact on our desired future (that is if we all understand it but I leave Mugo to articulate it). 

Have a wonderful day.

Ndemo.

Sent from my BlackBerry®

-----Original Message-----
From: Walubengo J <jwalu at yahoo.com>
Date: Wed, 7 Dec 2011 01:29:09 
To: <kictanet-bounces+bitange=jambo.co.ke at lists.kictanet.or.ke>; <bitange at jambo.co.ke>
Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions<kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke>
Subject: Re: [kictanet] Why It's Wrong For Kenya To Try Pac ifying Angry Bashir-reality check

Dr. Ndemo, All

I agree it is a very thin line that we have to strive to balance on. ICT is and should be cross cutting into socio-economic and political spheres. But the way I see it is for the list is as follows:

1. Pure Politcs:
"Why its wrong for Kenya to Pacify Bashir": then followed by discussions for and against the move to pacify Bashir. Many vibrant lists exist for this type of conversations e.g http://www.mashada.com/

2. ICTs and Politics
"How Media is (mis?)leading the Masses in the Bashir Case": then followed by discussions on how this could be propagated or curtailed using new media?(FB, Twitter, etc). Obviously this is the "boring" option but it is what KICTAnet is/was about ref:    http://www.kictanet.or.ke/

I could be wrong but option 2 is they way I have always viewed this list.  Another example.

1. Pure Ranting.
"No Fuel, No Electricity, No Water".  Again, many lists exists elsewhere to ventilate on this. Indeed I have quite ventilated on this on my twitter handle @jwalu. But have a look at point 2 below

2. ICTS and Fuel, Electricity, Water, -What ICT tools exists to prevent persistent shortages in Fuel, Power, Water etc? Obviously this again is probably the "boring" option but closer to the KICTAnet mission http://www.kictanet.or.ke/

But that was the thinking 8yrs ago, maybe what Listers are saying is that they want this to change and hey, I cannot stop that since it is about democracy and what the majority want.  But I can remind you that this list is both local and international and unless contributors seek to bring out the ICT connection, quite a bit of Listers are likely to seek a way out.

walu.

--- On Wed, 12/7/11, 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] Why It's Wrong For Kenya To Try Pac ifying Angry Bashir-offtopic?
To: "Walubengo J" <jwalu at yahoo.com>, kictanet-bounces+bitange=jambo.co.ke at lists.kictanet.or.ke
Cc: "KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions" <kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke>
Date: Wednesday, December 7, 2011, 10:41 AM

Walubengo,
Yesterday we spent a great deal of time discussing how technology will impact governance in the days a head.  We heard arguments from leading social scientists, economists, politicians and journalists.

Then in my break I read your post on refocusing our discussions around IT issues.  I have spent the night reflecting on this and now I am a bit confused.  What do we mean when we say ICT is cross cutting?  What is content in ICT terms?  Can we use ICT as a tool for development?  And what is development?

Ndemo.

Sent from my BlackBerry®

-----Original Message-----
From: Walubengo J <jwalu at yahoo.com>
Sender: kictanet-bounces+bitange=jambo.co.ke at lists.kictanet.or.keDate: Tue, 6 Dec 2011 07:23:49 
To: <bitange at jambo.co.ke>
Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions<kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke>
Subject: Re: [kictanet] Why It's Wrong For Kenya To Try Pac ifying Angry
    Bashir-offtopic?

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