[kictanet] [ISOC_KE] Is KeNIC turning the corner?

Fri Sep 20 17:04:08 EAT 2013

Thank you very much Ali for starting this important topic.

Definitely, KENIC is destined for better times, and I would like to thank
the board for the positive outlook.

But I would be very wary of celebrating this early. The domain statistics
presented at the AGM from the Chairman's report had glaring errors and were
not accurate at all, from 13,132 domains in 2011 to 26,026 in 2012 a
purported rise of 34% (clearly, 13k to 26k is 100%). In 2009, the domains
were at around 12,000, in 2010  the numbers were at 15,000, and 2011 at
 over 20,000, not the 13,132 reported.

I'm not an accountant but a jump in profit from negative Ksh1.4Million to
Ksh15Million in one year might need further explanation. The domain jump
between that period was about 5000, while the costs of doing business
between the two years had a difference of Ksh 5,572,011 (A positive thing
indeed), the difference due to reduced wages instituted in the
restructuring process. Some clarification on this might be in order. The
number one rule of audit is Trust but Verify.

Otherwise the discussions were very fruitful and these were some of the
deliberations;

1. That stakeholders can still lobby like in any other law making process
if they need the law changed to fit a particular purpose.
2. That the ICT bill was passed in 2009, and KENIC has been operating with
borrowed time (government has been gracious enough). The Kenya
communications amendment act 2009 is attached, I wish we can really get to
understand it, and the provisions that separate the regulator from sitting
in KeNIC board.
3. That the community will drive the change process, including the
timeliness for dissolution.
4. That a consultant was given the assignment of exploring the best model
to be used in managing the .ke. This is through exploring what route
successful ccTLDs out there have followed. The findings will be shared with
the community. And the community must be the one to make the final decision.
5. Mr Michael Katundu raised a very important point, that even if KeNIC is
dissolved, the .ke brand will still remain, and it should be protected.

The issue of corporate governance and term of directors was never discussed
at the AGM.

My appeal to the community is we support the .ke brand, and KeNIC because
it's a national resource, and an object of identity. The community has for
a while now been very vile with it.

Warm regards.

-- 
______________________
Mwendwa Kivuva
twitter.com/lordmwesh
kenya.or.ke | The Kenya we know

______________________
Mwendwa Kivuva
twitter.com/lordmwesh
google ID | Skype ID: lordmwesh

On 20 September 2013 06:40, Ali Hussein <ali at hussein.me.ke> wrote:

> 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
>
> _______________________________________________
> isoc mailing list
> isoc at orion.my.co.ke
> http://orion.my.co.ke/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/isoc
>
>
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