[kictanet] kictanet Digest, Vol 70, Issue 7

Wed Mar 6 14:58:07 EAT 2013

Hey Liko, Dennis, Ali,

Please do not blame the IEBC their core role was to ensure this elections
happen, which have happened.

When speak about the quality of their delivery, are there standards that
outline fit for purpose, like we see a KEBS sticker?  As it is an
Independent Board the right people would have been placed for such important
jobs, as we say right people doing the wrong jobs. The results are evident,
we have every procurement decision questioned by the public, the systems in
place have been failing, let's look at the root of the issue and not
delivery, to provide a lasting solution.

When will the ICT world learn how to manage failure better, the rest of the
industries do it elegantly, look at the Banks and finance house, but we
still trust them with our cash, the Mobile Network Operators drop calls all
the time we still pay them to provide us with a sub-standard service. My
point here simple let us together define the right IT fit for purpose policy
from the Scoping of new systems to the final acceptance of these systems, it
will limit some of the innovations we have seen, but it will also deliver
some surety. 

The IEBC official only fault was that they were too busy being biased and
favouring certain companies and individuals rather than looking and the
requirements and scope and being prudent about their delivery. I am sure
they will claim lack of time, but it is down to good project management and
operational practices that could have been put in place. They were all
enjoying their new found material wealth after the BVR procurement windfall,
including gym memberships, new cars etc. etc. It is an opportunity of a life
time for the officials who are protected by the law and will get away with
the failure to leave behind a legacy of a successful and peaceful elections,
have I said this to early, let's wait for a few more days and see how the
political system sets the tone for Economic progress, I believe if all play
our part Kenya has a real opportunity to set the pace Africa wide purely
from a ICT stand point.

Thanks

Best Regards,
Baiju Shah

-----Original Message-----
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Sent: 06 March 2013 10:20
To: Baiju Shah
Subject: kictanet Digest, Vol 70, Issue 7

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Today's Topics:

   1. Re: Has the ICT Sector Failed? (Agosta Liko)
   2. Re: Results Transmission System (Dorcas Muthoni)
   3. Re: Has the ICT Sector Failed? (Roland Omoresemi)
   4. Re: Has the ICT Sector Failed? (Agosta Liko)

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Message: 1
Date: Wed, 6 Mar 2013 10:12:12 +0300
From: Agosta Liko <agostal at gmail.com>
To: Dennis Kioko <dmbuvi at gmail.com>
Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions <kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke>
Subject: Re: [kictanet] Has the ICT Sector Failed?
Message-ID:
	<CAAgAc796W5jrv_yHCVuX8n=ADRGN0ZEcX-jRrt8126kkf6Aduw at mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

Dennis

You are speculating ... about skills etc etc

Unless you have insider information from IEBC ... and in that case am sure
you would publish

On Wed, Mar 6, 2013 at 9:58 AM, Dennis Kioko <dmbuvi at gmail.com> wrote:

> How long will government agencies continue to be dumbfounded by IT 
> systems? The same way we have a CIRT, it's time to have a group of 
> revolving IT experts that can help troubleshoot government agencies 
> when in technical trouble, from KNEC servers to IEBC servers.
>
> Seems IT officers hired here are usually not that skilled or 
> experienced in such challenges. I'm sure they would learn if they had 
> experts and skilled guys seconded to them.
>
>
> _______________________________________________
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> kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke
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>
> Unsubscribe or change your options at
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> 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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Message: 2
Date: Wed, 6 Mar 2013 10:06:29 +0300
From: Dorcas Muthoni <dmuthoni at gmail.com>
To: Edith Adera <eadera at idrc.ca>
Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions <kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke>
Subject: Re: [kictanet] Results Transmission System
Message-ID:
	<CACFhaS6mU_+ZjAeV8Mff0xLC+cEnO4eK5bZ8XkCtJ4YTJ5iLTQ at mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

Now, there is loads of information that is becoming available about the
system. I am sharing more that has come my way:

   1. The RFP used to source a vendor:
   http://buyersguide.ifes.org/procurement_pdf/1356124968.pdf
   2. RFP was closing only 4th January, 2013, yes..only this January
   3. An external party (US based) that seems to have been fully involved
   in the entire procurement process and i would imagine implementation as
   well is http://www.ifes.org/. See all details about their role in the
   RFP and others on their website.
   4. Project was USAID funded.
   5. A good blog with several discussions on this:
   http://iebctechkenya.tumblr.com/

Before we blame anybody or feel sorry for any party, Please lets do a
thorough review of the ongoings. I am sure we shall then address the IT
problem in this case.

On Wed, Mar 6, 2013 at 9:21 AM, Edith Adera <eadera at idrc.ca> wrote:

> This story and another on safaricom being pressured not to support the 
> transmission was in the public domain, as a sector, we should have 
> discussed these ahead of time.
>
> these articles were in the public domain.
> ________________________________________
> From: kictanet [kictanet-bounces+eadera=idrc.ca at lists.kictanet.or.ke] 
> on behalf of Dorcas Muthoni [dmuthoni at gmail.com]
> Sent: Wednesday, March 06, 2013 12:39 AM
> To: Edith Adera
> Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions
> Subject: [kictanet] Results Transmission System
>
> Stories that we may have missed:
>
>
> http://www.the-star.co.ke/news/article-108148/iebc-must-fix-results-tr
> ansmission-system-fast
>
> Story was published as early as Feb 19th 2013.
>
> I hope in future, departments like Directorate of e-Goverment launch 
> competent QA and IS Audit teams that could be more involved in 
> software projects at various agencies. It would be good for all of us.
>
> --
> Muthoni
>
> My Blog: http://rugongo.blogspot.com/
> --------------------------------------------
> Mahatma Gandhi once said:-
>
> First they ignore you,
> Then they laugh at you,
> Then they fight you,
> AND THEN YOU WIN!!!
>

--
Muthoni

My Blog: http://rugongo.blogspot.com/
--------------------------------------------
Mahatma Gandhi once said:-

First they ignore you,
Then they laugh at you,
Then they fight you,
AND THEN YOU WIN!!!
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Message: 3
Date: Wed, 6 Mar 2013 07:00:12 +0000
From: "Roland Omoresemi" <roland at tezzasolutions.com>
To: "Edith Adera" <eadera at idrc.ca>, "kictanet"
	<kictanet-bounces+roland=tezzasolutions.com at lists.kictanet.or.ke>
Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions <kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke>
Subject: Re: [kictanet] Has the ICT Sector Failed?
Message-ID:

<950057692-1362553214-cardhu_decombobulator_blackberry.rim.net-632746152- at b2
.c10.bise6.blackberry>

Content-Type: text/plain

Can we really blame ICT when the true culprit appears to be the lack of
proper testing of the systems in play?

IEBC could have performance tested (both load and stress) their systems to
see how they would react under varying loads.

The tools and human resources were right there in Kenya but it is obvious we
failed to apply them to help create a different result than what we
currently face.

What we are witnessing is a classic case of what happens when we fail to
adequately test our applications. Our non-conformance cost skyrockets...IEBC
now has to worry about the cost of doing damage control on the biggest stage
ever when it could have spent a fraction of the same cost to perform load or
stress tests which would have helped them identify issues/bottlenecks in
their systems long before now. 

This is also not much different from what some of our local companies
do...we deploy critical systems without proper testing and we then pray and
hope nothing happens. 

It is saddening that we don't see much value in setting aside adequate time
for testing our applications (most especially those that are
customer-facing) or we push whatever little testing we do to the very last
minute when its practically too late to make any difference...or until the
"s..." hits the ceiling and we then start to wonder why any of our issues
could be happening.

Could we really blame ICT here or should we be looking closely at our lack
of proper software testing?

- Roland
------Original Message------
From: Edith Adera
Sender: kictanet
To: Roland Omoresemi
Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions
Subject: [kictanet] Has the ICT Sector Failed?
Sent: Mar 6, 2013 12:55 AM

Listers,

It is a shame that for the first time in Kenya's history when IT is given a
chance to bring credibility and efficiency in the electoral process, ICT has
failed SPECTACULARLY!

what went wrong?

Edith
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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.

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.

---------------------------------------------
Roland Omoresemi | CEO
Tezza Business Solutions Ltd
p: +19139612234
e: roland at tezzasolutions.com
w: http://www.softwaretestingafrica.com
skype: banfii
gmail: rolandomoresemi at gmail.com

------------------------------

Message: 4
Date: Wed, 6 Mar 2013 10:20:13 +0300
From: Agosta Liko <agostal at gmail.com>
To: roland at tezzasolutions.com
Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions <kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke>
Subject: Re: [kictanet] Has the ICT Sector Failed?
Message-ID:
	<CAAgAc795g10xJzrgNH2qW6nyddhYN66XEbQ4FTxh8Kst-B29wQ at mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

Roland

The governance experts are saying - lack of governance

The networking experts are saying - lets get better VPNS

The server experts are saying - we should have used HP or SUN or IBM

The database experts are concerned Oracle was used (Open Source Guys would
want MySQL)

Software Developers - why use language X and not you

Software Testers - want more testing

Everyone is pitching their wares ... no one is sure what happened .......
... and the job is over this week :)

On Wed, Mar 6, 2013 at 10:00 AM, Roland Omoresemi <roland at tezzasolutions.com
> wrote:

> Can we really blame ICT when the true culprit appears to be the lack 
> of proper testing of the systems in play?
>
> IEBC could have performance tested (both load and stress) their 
> systems to see how they would react under varying loads.
>
> The tools and human resources were right there in Kenya but it is 
> obvious we failed to apply them to help create a different result than 
> what we currently face.
>
> What we are witnessing is a classic case of what happens when we fail 
> to adequately test our applications. Our non-conformance cost 
> skyrockets...IEBC now has to worry about the cost of doing damage 
> control on the biggest stage ever when it could have spent a fraction 
> of the same cost to perform load or stress tests which would have 
> helped them identify issues/bottlenecks in their systems long before now.
>
> This is also not much different from what some of our local companies 
> do...we deploy critical systems without proper testing and we then 
> pray and hope nothing happens.
>
> It is saddening that we don't see much value in setting aside adequate 
> time for testing our applications (most especially those that are
> customer-facing) or we push whatever little testing we do to the very 
> last minute when its practically too late to make any difference...or 
> until the "s..." hits the ceiling and we then start to wonder why any 
> of our issues could be happening.
>
> Could we really blame ICT here or should we be looking closely at our 
> lack of proper software testing?
>
> - Roland
> ------Original Message------
> From: Edith Adera
> Sender: kictanet
> To: Roland Omoresemi
> Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions
> Subject: [kictanet] Has the ICT Sector Failed?
> Sent: Mar 6, 2013 12:55 AM
>
> Listers,
>
> It is a shame that for the first time in Kenya's history when IT is 
> given a chance to bring credibility and efficiency in the electoral 
> process, ICT has failed SPECTACULARLY!
>
> what went wrong?
>
> Edith
> _______________________________________________
> kictanet mailing list
> kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke
> https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet
>
> Unsubscribe or change your options at
> https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/roland%40tezzaso
> lutions.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.
>
> ---------------------------------------------
> Roland Omoresemi | CEO
> Tezza Business Solutions Ltd
> p: +19139612234
> e: roland at tezzasolutions.com
> w: http://www.softwaretestingafrica.com
> skype: banfii
> gmail: rolandomoresemi at gmail.com
> _______________________________________________
> kictanet mailing list
> kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke
> https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet
>
> Unsubscribe or change your options at
> https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/agostal%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.
>
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