[kictanet] Our Response to Systematic ICT Systems Failure at IEBC

Wed Mar 13 15:14:40 EAT 2013

+1 Harry. I am in. I agree we need a post election audit.

Please note I cannot vote in this election and dislike both front runners.

On Tue, Mar 12, 2013 at 11:31 PM, Harry Delano <harry at comtelsys.co.ke>wrote:

> Aye..! ****
>
> ** **
>
> Dear Edith,****
>
> ** **
>
> Actually, on the contrary, I was one very vocal Kenyan, about the issue
> last week.. You do not remember..? Maybe the gist of what I raised as a
> pertinent issue in my earlier email got lost somewhere within.  So again,
> here, my rejoinder.****
>
> **1.       **The IEBC ICT systems failed last week during a very crucial
> national process – We all agree they failed, and  so spectacularly for that
> matter.****
>
> **2.       **We on the list here, were up in arms  - some highlighting,
> criticizing, demanding answers, and an audit of the happenings on the ICT
> front of the process, and some coming to its defense****
>
> **3.       **Were we fronting different positions, only based on how each
> of our candidates was performing in the tallying process, or it was to deal
> with an anomaly – irrespective..? Is it for the love of country, or love of
> self, me, us and I..?****
>
> **4.       **We loosely agreed for a post-election audit, but quickly the
> issue fizzled out. The main process was concluded, putting  the matter to
> rest, so it seems.  No follow-up mechanism in place etcetra. Thankfully
> Brian, just indicated a discussion will be held on the issue. But we may
> need a credible, independent body/ taskforce to deal with the issue and
> report back to Kenyans. ****
>
> **5.       **Early this week saw the list jump to another component of
> this national process – The media.  Again, one cannot help but see the
> divergent views taking a tangent that’s all too familiar. Again, this will
> fizzle out once positions are firmly cemented  in place and the whole issue
> will come to naught. Do we seem to have a diversionary streak in us..?****
>
> ** **
>
> What is it that’s our main undoing..?****
>
> **1.       **We have deep seated and deep rooted issues, within us that
> inform the divergent views/opinions/positions we hold and a two-year old
>  will have little difficulty seeing through the masks we put on.****
>
> **2.       **We talk a lot. On the list, in our gatherings, streets,
> villages – everywhere. But we need to really put mechanisms in place to go
> beyond the ‘talk-shop’. Can we start on this list.****
>
> **3.       **Let’s be unselfish and strive to consider and front country
> and each other – first and we will progress much, much more.****
>
> Harry****
>
> ** **
>
> ** **
>
> We need to take a lead on matters ICT that affect this nation, based on
> principle/substance and avoid at all costs taking divergent opposing
> positions that best answer to  the****
>
> Question, - what is in it for me/us ( read – partisan).****
>
> ** **
>
> ** **
>
> *From:* Edith Adera [mailto:eadera at idrc.ca]
> *Sent:* Tuesday, March 12, 2013 4:35 PM
> *To:* harry at comtelsys.co.ke
>
> *Cc:* KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions
> *Subject:* RE: [kictanet] Our Response to Systematic ICT Systems Failure
> at IEBC****
>
> ** **
>
> Harry,****
>
> ** **
>
> Not sure you were in Kenya or buried your head in the sand!****
>
> ** **
>
> It’s a fact that the system did not work and IEBC had to revert to the
> manual system as reported by the Chair of the IEBC on TV.****
>
> ** **
>
> We need to learn to tell the truth as a country and confront our issues.
> Someone suggested on this list, can’t remember who,  that as an ICT
> industry an audit should be carried out so we know what went wrong and
> learn for the future.****
>
> ** **
>
> Why do we always turn to the easy targets….tribalism, partisan interests
> etc when hard questions are asked?****
>
> ** **
>
> Edith****
>
> ** **
>
> *From:* kictanet [
> mailto:kictanet-bounces+eadera=idrc.ca at lists.kictanet.or.ke<kictanet-bounces+eadera=idrc.ca at lists.kictanet.or.ke>]
> *On Behalf Of *Harry Delano
> *Sent:* March 12, 2013 3:22 PM
> *To:* Edith Adera
> *Cc:* KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions
> *Subject:* [kictanet] Our Response to Systematic ICT Systems Failure at
> IEBC****
>
> ** **
>
> ** **
>
> Aye..!****
>
> ** **
>
> Could someone please aver what the furor was all about on this list when
> systems failed at IEBC last week. I thought it was so that****
>
> we could address systemic issues in that part of the election process..?
> Please someone correct me, but I seem to be settling on****
>
> this conclusion that we collectively only raise hue and cry when the
> system(s) are perceived to be working  against “us”, or not in ****
>
> “our” interests – whichever side of divide each one of us sits. Once they
> serve ‘our’ interests, we quickly move on.. So where is ****
>
> posterity in all this..? A pattern emerges where well calculated
> intellectual arguments everywhere nowadays, that  thinly  veil and ****
>
> mask the real motives in us. We completely bury our heads in the ground
> and deny that we have deeply rooted issues that stem****
>
> from tribe, class etc and as a result,  we are caught up in this  vicious
> cycle that we cannot seem to free ourselves from and which ****
>
> clouds our entire vision as a nation. Who will free us, if we do not take
> initiative ourselves..? How and when will we as a nation ****
>
> confront this ‘monster’ head on, by first of all acknowledging it exists.
> Then moving to deal with it. Can this list be at the forefront ****
>
> of it..?****
>
> ** **
>
> If so,  let’s start now..****
>
> ** **
>
> Harry****
>
> _______________________________________________
> 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/warigia%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.
>

-- 
Dr. Warigia Bowman
Assistant Professor
Clinton School of Public Service
University of Arkansas
wbowman at clintonschool.uasys.edu
http://democratizingegypt.blogspot.com
-------------------------------------------------
View my research on my SSRN Author page:
http://ssrn.com/author=1479660
--------------------------------------------------
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/pipermail/kictanet/attachments/20130313/abea711b/attachment.htm>