[kictanet] Open Data - Where does it sit?

Thu Jul 14 11:14:34 EAT 2011

Aki,

You make reference to KICTB taking shortcuts, please clarify.

I am impressed by how fast the conversation about open data went from the
fact that it is available to the question of when local infrastructure will
good enough to host it locally. Obviously we are not about to rest on our
laurels even for a minute :)

I think spurring innovation, improving the amount and quality of data,
passing FOI/RTI legislation & moving the data onto local infrastructure are
conversations that should happen in parallel (and will). Those with true
access or an appetite for the data will always be a minority. It is
incumbent on this minority, in my opinion, to curate that data in a way that
makes it appetizing/palatable for the majority. Open data will change the
fabric of our nation (I am an optimistic idealist :) ) but only if 'great
stuff<http://semacraft.com/blog/2011/07/will-open-data-give-rise-to-great-stuff/>'
is made using it. Legislation, infrastructure and data won't do the man on
the street any good otherwise.

Kind regards,

*Muchiri* Nyaggah

Principal Partner

@muchiri

+254 722 506400

Semacraft.com

On Thu, Jul 14, 2011 at 10:27 AM, arap Kirui <arapkirui at gmail.com> wrote:

> Paul,
>
> Can we consider a data set on the legislature, the institution that remains
> shrouded in secrecy yet key in the governance of our country?
>
> Kipkemoi arap Kirui
>
> Sent from my Nokia phone
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Paul Kukubo
> Sent:  14/07/2011 10:23:01
> To: arapkirui at gmail.com
> Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions
> Subject:  Re: [kictanet] Open Data - Where does it sit?
>
> Thank you or your email and your request.
>
> Indeed we don't have transport Data yet and I shall take this up as it
> has come up a few If you go onto thewebsite you will see that there is
> a page where we ask for data suggestions and there is a long list.
>
> I shall confirm to you what the status is on this later. PS Ndemo has
> been working with other permanent secretaries to champion the issue of
> availing data to the public. There are are very many data sets that
> people have written to request for and this is an on-going process.
>
> Paul Kukubo
> CEO Kenya ICT Board
>
> On Thursday, July 14, 2011, James Muendo <timrick at gmail.com> wrote:
> > Paul,
> > You asked what data is missing? We haven't been able to access data that
> is in regards to the transport sector. Is it possible to have it? Am trying
> to put together an application that needs me to get the data/statistics
> in-order to have a concrete application. Any help?
> >
> > Regards,
> >
> > On 13 July 2011 20:12, Paul Kukubo <pkukubo at ict.go.ke> wrote:
> >
> >
> > I would like to shift the discussion if I may to what people can do
> > with the data? What data is missing? how citizens are using it. What
> > possible value additions we can have?
> >
> > Socrata.com is an online hosted service that enables data to be
> > visualized to enable graphs and charts and data comparisons with ease.
> > This visualization is what gives meaning to the data in a way that the
> > common citizens can view it. The benefits of doing this quickly for
> > launch and citizen access far outweigh the cost of waiting for the
> > time it would have taken for us to develop a similar online
> > application locally. One the same website we have published the same
> > lists of data in their original formats.
> >
> > Indeed we have spoken to many software developers who have suggested
> > that they can replicate this The data is there for anyone to replicate
> > it on any website. What we have indicated to software developers is to
> > take the plunge into imagining solutions that are based on have access
> > to that data.  This is where the greatest value is.
> >
> > The issue of local hosting has our attention and we will resolve it,
> > not just with a local data centre, that is not the limitation, but the
> > replication of a similar online tool to visualize the data.
> >
> > This campaign has to be about the benefits of open data. Knowledge,
> > empowerment, commerce entrepreneurship, citizen participation. By
> > crusading for, lobbying and obtaining data that was previously only in
> > thick books, PS Dr Ndemo has broken ground for us. By launching this
> > HE President Kibaki has demonstrated Kenya's commitment to citizen
> > access.
> >
> > Once the entrepreneurs developers have a system that can replicate or
> > even improve or add value to Socrata, or even improve on Socrata and
> > Google's public data tools, the hosting decisions will be easy. As an
> > implementing agency, we are committed to working with all to make this
> > happen. There is much to be done.
> >
> > Thank you to those who have emailed us with specific suggestions of
> > encouragement and improvements to this process. The journey has just
> > began.
> >
> >
> > Sent from my iPad
> >
> > Paul Kukubo
> > CEO Kenya ICT Board
> > Tweeter: @pkukubo
> >
> > On 13 Jul 2011, at 17:04, Solomon Mbũrũ Kamau <solo.mburu at gmail.com>
> wrote:
> >
> >> This is indeed a healthy discussion which I really appreciate.
> >> However, as a layman, just as someone pointed out, what exactly is a
> >> (open) data centre? And how does it differ to what NBK, KPLC(?),
> >> Equity bank have?
> >> Where the Kenya Govt Open Data is, sets a curios question: doesn't the
> >> govt have plans to have it located locally? And if there are
> >> challenged reeling, can't it be brought to the fore, so that we may
> >> put our heads together and brainstorm?
> >> The idea of some sections of the government classifying information
> >> does not go well since the government is nopt an exclusive members
> >> club.
> >> If by what has been said, of Paul Kukubo 'sitting' on some resources,
> >> then it would be prudent to look at the matter in a sober manner and
> >> see how they can be put into good use.
> >> And, if there are no plans for Kenya to have the data centres locally
> >> based for the next three years, then why are we talking of Konza
> >> (Malili) ICT City, which would be a perfect place for piloting this
> >> DC?
> >> A lot of deliberation needs to be made, to realize the establishment
> >> of our own DC here.
> >>
> >> My 2 cents.
> >>
> >> On 13/07/2011, Michuki Mwangi <michuki.mwangi at gmail.com> wrote:
> >>> Hi Robert,
> >>>
> >>> On 7/13/11 3:31 PM, robert yawe wrote:
> >>>> Hi Michuki,
> >>>>
> >>>> Thank you for the information, please give us the following missing
> >>>> information.
> >>>>
> >>>> 1) An Operators license from CCK - ISP, Mobile, etc
> >>>>
> >>>> I will follow up on the license requirements from CCK but out of
> >>>> curiosity what license do UNON, KRA & NBK have
> >>>> (
> http://www.tespok.co.ke/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=77&Itemid=92
> >>>> <
> http://www.tespok.co.ke/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=77&Itemid=92
> >)
> >>>> just
> >>>> to get a better understanding of the entire process?<--
> > 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
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> >
> >
> > 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
> >
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> >
> > The Kenya ICT Action Network (KICTANet) is a multi-stakeholder platform
> for people and institutions interested and involved in ICT policy and
> regulation. The network aims to act as a catalyst for reform in the ICT
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> >
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> >
> >
> >
>
> --
> 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
>
> _______________________________________________
> kictanet mailing list
> kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke
> http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet
>
> Unsubscribe or change your options at
> http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/arapkirui%40gmail.com
>
> The Kenya ICT Action Network (KICTANet) is a multi-stakeholder platform for
> people and institutions interested and involved in ICT policy and
> regulation. The network aims to act as a catalyst for reform in the ICT
> sector in support of the national aim of ICT enabled growth and development.
>
> KICTANetiquette : Adhere to the same standards of acceptable behaviors
> online that you follow in real life: respect people's times and bandwidth,
> share knowledge, don't flame or abuse or personalize, respect privacy, do
> not spam, do not market your wares or qualifications.
>
> _______________________________________________
> kictanet mailing list
> kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke
> http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet
>
> Unsubscribe or change your options at
> http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/muchiri%40semacraft.com
>
> The Kenya ICT Action Network (KICTANet) is a multi-stakeholder platform for
> people and institutions interested and involved in ICT policy and
> regulation. The network aims to act as a catalyst for reform in the ICT
> sector in support of the national aim of ICT enabled growth and development.
>
> KICTANetiquette : Adhere to the same standards of acceptable behaviors
> online that you follow in real life: respect people's times and bandwidth,
> share knowledge, don't flame or abuse or personalize, respect privacy, do
> not spam, do not market your wares or qualifications.
>
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