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

Wed Mar 13 15:32:31 EAT 2013

Why not do both, introspect (& create right institution) while undertaking an independent audit of what happened? We need to learn from our failures as Ndemo pointed out regarding this issue.

Edith

From: Harry Delano [mailto:harry at comtelsys.co.ke]
Sent: March 13, 2013 3:23 PM
To: Edith Adera
Cc: 'KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions'
Subject: RE: [kictanet] Our Response to Systematic ICT Systems Failure at IEBC

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]<mailto:[mailto:eadera at idrc.ca]>
Sent: Wednesday, March 13, 2013 12:41 PM
To: harry at comtelsys.co.ke<mailto: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]<mailto:[mailto:eadera at idrc.ca]>
Sent: Tuesday, March 12, 2013 4:35 PM
To: harry at comtelsys.co.ke<mailto: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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