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

Wed Mar 13 16:42:01 EAT 2013

Warigia,

My reference was to comments, on this list made by Baiju. He did not name
names.

If we invest more on skills/deployment of information systems, less money
would be available for hardware purchases/insider trading. Hardware
sales/purchases do not require as much skill, team work or transparency as
deploying information systems.

As noted before on this list:

*”Government of Kenya spends 0.3% on IT as a percentage of overall
spending. This is 20 times less than government industry average of 6.5% .
(based on Gartner benchmarks).* * * *a. Most of the spending is on hardware
at 65% compared to global benchmark of 18%. IT spending on staff is
significantly lower 18% as opposed to 38% for global benchmark.”*

http://www.cio.co.ke/news/main-stories/kenya-launches-national-ict-master-plan-2017,-aims-to-connect-all

On Wed, Mar 13, 2013 at 3:16 PM, Warigia Bowman <warigia at gmail.com> wrote:

> 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****
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> 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/murigi.muraya%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.
>>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> 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/20130313/07792117/attachment.htm>