[kictanet] [ISOC_KE] ICT Secretary is it a wise move?

Thu Apr 25 09:05:42 EAT 2013

I totally agree with Mark that we don't have to 'insiders' to succeed. You don't have to have a doctor as the head of department. A few examples may illustrate this. Look at Kenyatta National Hospital. The current Director has done fairly well compared to previous directors who were medics. In the UK, for example, you don't have to studied education to be the head of a school (headmaster, headmistress, principal etc.). You don't have to be a lawyer to a magistrate. Even though we must contextualise, I think interest, passion, ability and willingness to learn and adapt etc. should help one excel in whichever department. Of course expert knowledge of the industry and expertise help but these are not the only things you need to succeed. Besides, in any government department, there are technocrats who possess the expertise and do most of the work, and these should provide the requisite advice and guidance.

Just a few thoughts …

George

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On Apr 24, 2013, at 10:50 PM, Mark Mwangi <mwangy at gmail.com> wrote:

> I am not for the idea of closing up industries to purely insiders. The lethargy and infighting and loss of focus can only be detrimental. For instance the holder of the highest office of the land is the commandeer in chief of the armed forces. I have not heard or seen him serve for the military before yet he is expected to lead us into battle. Ofcourse he will need able and competent bureacrats within the rank and file to advise him. 
> 
> I expect the same goes for the cabinet secretaries. Being a trained doctor does not necessarily mean you are best placed to lead a ministry. Let us not forget that Cabinet secretaries are negotiators and implementors o broader overarching goals. 
> 
> lawyers have however managed to clam their profession shut to outsiders. 
> 
> 
> On Wed, Apr 24, 2013 at 3:13 PM, Edith Adera <eadera at idrc.ca> wrote:
> Bwana Ndemo is also an industrial economist – he may be chosen as PS for another Ministry – entrepreneurship?, industrialization? etc. Bwana Ndemo is on the PS list in Nation today, ready for Interview as PS – he can tell us his choice – as I guess you have to indicate your choice. Or is it a pool, from where they will chose?
> 
>  
> 
> As for the New Cabinet Secretary, I don’t envy him as the ICT industry stakeholders are known not to keep quiet….so he has a tough job ahead. He will need a strong PS and great technical people below him to deliver in this dynamic industry where the stakeholders will speak loudly, if unhappy – esp. via KICTANET list.
> 
>  
> 
> I wish him well.
> 
>  
> 
> Edith
> 
>  
> 
> From: kictanet [mailto:kictanet-bounces+eadera=idrc.ca at lists.kictanet.or.ke] On Behalf Of Pamela
> Sent: April 24, 2013 12:46 PM
> To: Edith Adera
> 
> 
> Cc: 'KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions'; isoc at orion.my.co.ke
> Subject: Re: [kictanet] [ISOC_KE] ICT Secretary is it a wise move? http://www.cid.suny.edu/about_us/staff_in_focus/about_staff_in_focus_fred.cfm
> 
>  
> 
> @Gilda, not entirely accurate, Dr. Ndemo’s Masters degree is in MIS (management information systems) from the University of St.Thomas, Minnesota.
> 
> Regards
> 
> Pamela
> 
>  
> 
> From: kictanet [mailto:kictanet-bounces+pamela=cardiacimplants.com at lists.kictanet.or.ke] On Behalf Of Gilda Odera
> Sent: Wednesday, April 24, 2013 6:33 AM
> To: pamela at cardiacimplants.com
> Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions; isoc at orion.my.co.ke
> Subject: Re: [kictanet] [ISOC_KE] ICT Secretary is it a wise move? http://www.cid.suny.edu/about_us/staff_in_focus/about_staff_in_focus_fred.cfm
> 
>  
> 
> @Barrack I think you go it wrong. If my knowledge serves me well, neither a demo nor Kagwe were ICT experts when appointed as PS. But they had the intellectual capacity and drive to run with it. They consulted widely and went out of their way to hear and learn. That is what is required, not necessarily an ICT expert. 
> 
> Regards,
> 
>  
> 
> Gilda Odera
> 
> 
> On Apr 23, 2013, at 7:49 PM, Solomon Mbũrũ Kamau <solo.mburu at gmail.com> wrote:
> 
> Barrack, et al,
> 
> While there is a legit cause for aligning the ministries to the people who are running them, it is important that we don't think inside the box - that is the ICT Secretary should be a ICT expert. It can be anybody who the constitution so points out.
> 
>  
> 
> On 23 April 2013 19:41, Barrack Otieno <otieno.barrack at gmail.com> wrote:
> 
> Listers,
> 
> Just googled the nominee for the ICT Secretaries post and i am a bit lost as to whether he is the right person for the job. Two things come into my mind:
> 
> 1. With regional balancing Dr. Ndemo will definately not make it as principal Secretary even if he merits. For such a crucial ministry i thought we needed some continuity otherwise we might slow down or lose out on the gains we have achieved in the last couple of years, i wonder what listers think. As a public we also have an obligation to vet the nominees.
> 
> 2. The nominee appears to be a governance expert as opposed to an Information and Communications Technology expert, will he inspire the ICT community to move to the next frontiers the way Kagwe, Poghisio and Ndemo did? This are some of the concerns i have whilst respecting the Presidents Choice, what do others think? Let us collect our views as an ICT community, i am willing to consolidate them and then we submit to the necessary Parliamentary Commitee.
> 
> Best Regards
> 
> -- 
> Barrack O. Otieno
> 
> +254721325277
> 
> +254-20-2498789
> Skype: barrack.otieno
> 
> http://www.otienobarrack.me.ke/
> 
> 
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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 sector in support of the national aim of ICT enabled growth and development.
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> -- 
> Regards,
> 
> Mark Mwangi
> 
> markmwangi.me.ke
> 
> 
> 
> 
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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 sector in support of the national aim of ICT enabled growth and development.
> 
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