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

Wed Mar 13 15:23:02 EAT 2013

Edith,

First it starts with me and you, looking inwards. My assertions were never
meant to cast aspersions on any single one's person - as I have severally
reiterated, we have

to do these things collectively. It's right to ask the questions, like the
ones you asking - but then the horse seems to have bolted, see...!  Taken as
a whole, this debacle

is a symptom of the greater  malaise bedeviling us and the reason a lot of
things that just go haywire. We seem at times to make progress, but at every
turn hit into some 

brick wall - why...?  We need to really look at our core values. What's
ailing us so badly to this point...? Just to give you a tip of the iceberg,
the whole process right from

sourcing,  procuring and getting the ICT system at IEBC functional was
bedeviled at every turn. How do we smoothen such things..? A
requirement/request  to test it, 

came in at the 11th Hour as ISACA has just mentioned, why..?  What is at the
core of all this..

Let's first start with ourselves, and seriously do some thorough
house-cleaning, by getting a credible, professional oversight body in
place..

Harry

From: Edith Adera [mailto:eadera at idrc.ca] 
Sent: Wednesday, March 13, 2013 12:41 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,

Why should we always.and quickly.conclude partisan interests when issues are
raised? Can we stop clouding our minds with the going ons? Kenya is moving
to a different level, as I said before, a new foundation is being laid.based
on "truth and justice" NO matter the leader (after all, it's God who allows
a leader to rule for a PURPOSE - good or bad - as we have seen many examples
in the good book). Let us not divert attention and stick to the issues - how
do we address failing ICT systems as we witnessed?

I recall a while back on this list divergent discussions on digital villages
and whether they had failed..after lengthy discussions, we agreed to go out
and search for the answers. Warigia took the bold step to volunteer herself
to do this and get back to the list which she did with a report.

For this issue, Brian seems to have taken the initiative to organize a
reflection. I agree with you, maybe it needs to be more than a reflection
and possibly a similar step as was taken by Warigia needs to be pursued
involving the right institutions based on the legal framework and issues
that Walu has raised in his post w.r.t. auditing information systems.

What do you suggest?

Edith

From: Harry Delano [mailto:harry at comtelsys.co.ke] 
Sent: March 13, 2013 7:32 AM
To: Edith Adera
Cc: 'KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions'
Subject: RE: [kictanet] Our Response to Systematic ICT Systems Failure at
IEBC

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]
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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