[kictanet] Is KeNIC turning the corner?

[Ali Hussein]

Listers

Apologies for cross posting.

As a former director at KeNIC I have been on record as one of its most ardent supporter and critic and I thought it is incumbent upon me to spare some time and talk about what I witnessed yesterday during its AGM.

From the numbers presented it was evident that something positive is cooking in the .ke name space. 

1. Ke registrations rose from 13k in 2011 to 26k in 2012.
2. Turnover jumped from kshs. 29 million to 34 million.
3. Profit from +1 million to 15 million.

An interesting new item in the balance sheet appeared called Financial Assets. And this had about 33 million at the end of the year, 2012 with about 3.7 million in interest earned. This is as a result of prudent use of resources which may otherwise have languished in a checking account not earning any interest. Looking at the books it was obvious to me now that any surplus Cashflow goes into this pot as the Board and Management resolve how best to utilize these funds going forward. This is as it should be and it is Treasury Management 101. Good to see this prudence continue at KeNIC. 

The obvious question stakeholders now need to ask is how best to utilize these funds for the betterment of the .ke name space in particular and ICT evangelism in the country in general.

Congratulations to the Management & Board of KeNIC for a job well done in 2012.

The other issue I want to raise is the Elephant in the Room. 

Whereto KeNIC? 

What is the future of KeNIC and the .ke name space?

There was a very healthy debate on this and the Board and Management assured all stakeholders that there would be transparency and total engagement with various stakeholders on this matter. For the listers who may not be privy to this issue we are referring to the ICT law that basically changes the status of KeNIC to being a licensed operator under the CCK. 

Without belaboring this point too much it raised issues of governance, the independence of KeNIC going forward, what ccTLD model best fits our situation and even whether KeNIC will exist in the near future. Suffice it to say that this is not an easy answer but I'm hopeful that as this debate goes on CCK and KeNIC will ensure full disclosure and engagement. This they have promised and we should take them at their word and continue to be vigilant.

The other matter that was touched on by Barrack was the issue of inclusion and embracing Multi-stakeholderism without fear or favour. This KeNIC has done, though not so well. Room for improvement for sure and again the Board and Management assured us they will strive to improve. To this end I believe it is time to incorporate the Internet Society, Kenya Chapter into the Board of KeNIC.

Kudos to the team at KeNIC for rising to the challenge. We assure them of continued engagement and vigilance to protect and improve the .ke name space. 

Regards

Ali Hussein

+254 0770 906375 / 0713 601113

"Kujikwaa si kuanguka, bali ni kwenda mbele" (To stumble is not to fall but a sign of going forward) - Swahili Proverb

Sent from my iPad
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