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

Wed Mar 13 16:44:48 EAT 2013

Muraya,

Just addressing the general point that I think we have all heard by now as
a rumor. Thanks for the clarification.

Cheers, Rigia

On Wed, Mar 13, 2013 at 8:42 AM, S.M. Muraya <murigi.muraya at gmail.com>wrote:

> 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****
>>>>
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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
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>>>>
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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
>> --------------------------------------------------
>>
>
>

-- 
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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