[kictanet] #KeIGF15 Online Discussions Day One: Inclusiveness and Diversity

Tue Jul 21 08:51:16 EAT 2015

Thank you all for your input.
I understand that we are still in transition to the new constitutional
dispensation but sometimes one gets the feeling that we could do better as
a nation, that we could establish norms that would serve us well into the
future. In the ICT sector, we had already established consultation as a
norm even before the new Constitution.
I guess the question is how we can have more meaningful participation. I
think one practical way is to avail information to citizens so that they
can have what it takes to play their part.

@GG, Generally, it is not a bad thing to have matters interpreted in court
as it creates jurisprudence for use by later generations. For example, we
now know who is eligible to serve in boards of public bodies thanks to the
CA cases.  (No, it is not the lawyer in me speaking here). However, court
processes tend to be adversarial, time consuming and sort of lock out
participation by non parties. We could explore non court means of dispute
resolution. BTW, does anyone have information/statistics on how the ADR by
KENIC has been working?

@Meshack, you make a good point about participation and devolution. This is
an area with great opportunities for engagement with citizens. I see
individual leaders at both national and county level engaging with their
"people" on social media about topical issues, but it is yet to catch on as
a corporate culture by county government structures.

@ Barrack, I agree that participation is so important there should be staff
dedicated to engaging the public. Perhaps this is a proposal we can suggest
to stakeholders at the IGF?

@Mwendwa, could there also be a lack of awareness or information on
USF/USAC?  Maybe if we had an idea about the projects and activities, we
may be able to appreciate the fund....

Regards,

2015-07-21 5:38 GMT+03:00 Grace Githaiga <ggithaiga at hotmail.com>:

> Hi Grace B
>
> Let me respond on two questions you have raised.
>
> On Kenyans being litigious: IMHO many people opt for litigation (which is
> tiresome and wastes alot of time) if they feel they have no other option(s)
> to discuss their issue(s). And this may be one way of putting checks on
> systems. What we should be asking though is, has this been the only way to
> resolve conflicts in this sector? And if so, why? Did people feel that
> there was no room to discuss their concerns? And is it possible that there
> are other forms of conflict resolution that were not considered? Would
> bringing the complainants onto the table for some negotiation have
> forestalled the court cases? And how should we take things forward?
>
> Article 10 of Kenya's Constitution places people at the heart of policy
> making processes. And lets be fair. CA has for example been buying space in
> newspapers to call on this or that input, and ICTA has infact on several
> occasions posted the calls on our lists. However, the call for public
> participation stops there! There is usually no interaction afterwards. And
> this is a weakness. We therefore need a framework that clarifies on this
> public participation process. The framework should for example map how
> views and ideas suggested are reflected in an outcome document of a policy
> process. If views/suggestions from certain stakeholders are not taken on
> board, then legitimate reasons for their lack of incorporation (either
> grounded in law or offensive to public morality) should be provided. This
> is to avoid suspicion and a feeling from concerned stakeholders who feel
> the need to participate legitimately in a process, that their time was not
> wasted and that those calling for public participation were not just giving
> lip service to article 10 of our constitution.
>
> Rgds
> GG
>
>
> Date: Mon, 20 Jul 2015 08:59:37 +0300
> Subject: [kictanet] #KeIGF15 Online Discussions Day One: Inclusiveness and
> Diversity
> From: kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke
> CC: nmutungu at gmail.com
> To: ggithaiga at hotmail.com
>
>
> Listers,
>
> Since promulgation of the Constitution, Kenya has become a litigious
> society, and the ICT/Internet sector has not been spared. For instance, the
> processes used to constitute public ICT bodies was contested while a good
> part of the digital migration process also played out in the public
> galleries.
>
>
>
> Looking at Kenya's past journey in ICT/Internet governance, has it been
> inclusive?
>
> Are we presently adhering to Article 10 on public participation in local
> Internet governance matters?  Do the present mechanisms facilitate
> meaningful participation of all including those with disabilities?
>
>
> What are the roles of the various stakeholders and are they all playing
> their roles?
>
> Is the ICT environment in Kenya inclusive—that is, with an atmosphere in
> which all people feel valued and respected and have access to the same
> opportunities?
>
>
> What is the state of Universal Access and implementation of Universal
> Service Fund in Kenya?
>
> Are the USF Council members representative of the Internet community in
> Kenya? Are all stakeholders' interests taken into consideration in forming
> the USF council?
>
>
> Welcome to the discussion.
>
> --
> Grace L.N. Mutung'u
> Nairobi Kenya
> Skype: gracebomu
> Twitter: @Bomu
>
>
>
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-- 
Grace L.N. Mutung'u
Nairobi Kenya
Skype: gracebomu
Twitter: @Bomu

<http://www.diplointernetgovernance.org/profile/GraceMutungu>
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