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

Wed Mar 13 15:16:48 EAT 2013

Dear Muraya,

If Hassan was actually a part owner in the deployed systems (yet to be
proven) that is corruption  and a conflict of interest. He should be liable
for civil fines, and (I would guess) criminally prosecuted, although that
is a manner for Kenyan law.

Please note that in the US there is no uniform electronic system, each
polling place uses different equipment, and the manual vote is the final
vote.

Asante, Warigia

On Wed, Mar 13, 2013 at 12:54 AM, S.M. Muraya <murigi.muraya at gmail.com>wrote:

> Delano,
>
> Baiju, if I am reading right, seems to believe kickbacks were involved in
> this project.
>
> Time to deploy & test the electronic tallying, transmission & storage
> systems was short. This we can concur was our greatest failure.
>
> IEBC chose to go manual (after procurement of an electronic system became
> more complicated by time & politics) but the Cabinet & Donors (such as Ms.
> Clinton | USAID) believed we needed the electronic system to compliment the
> manual system.
>
> If we did not try and fail, would we be learning some valuable lessons now?
>
> Was the deal directed to the highest bidder/briber?
>
> Should the EACC investigate?
>
> On Mar 13, 2013 7:50 AM, "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****
>>
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>>
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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.
>

-- 
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
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