[kictanet] ICT Authority request on Connected Kenya

Ahmed Mohamed Maawy ultimateprogramer at gmail.com
Mon Jan 18 14:40:21 EAT 2016 

I would add to all this the factor of poverty. Yes, its s scape goat for so
many things but let me explain this one.

How many people would afford to be connected to the grid if they had a
choice. And this is not just SMS and voice, which is doing OK, the issue
here is access to USSD and Mobile Apps that can add value. There may be
infrastructure and Internet may be decent in some parts of the country, but
access is also limited to what the pocket can hold.

The other important issue is the issue of digital literacy, especially in
Rural Areas. And this is in 2 forms. Literacy on how to make use of Digital
Technology, and also, of course, literacy on how to navigate the Internet
with mobile devices or any other networked device and similar services.

It may be of concern that some people may have a small decent smart phone,
but may invest more in Alcohol than in Internet Bundles and Airtime. Is
this a literacy issue? It may be an issue of choice.. that is yet another
debate.

Just raising an opinion.

On Mon, Jan 18, 2016 at 1:57 PM, Fiona Asonga via kictanet <
kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke> wrote:

> Hallo Barrack
>
> MHO What you are requesting in terms of an audit should be shared soon
> with what I hope CA will be publishing as the Access Gap analysis. I
> haven't seen the report yet but am aware a study was conducted sometime
> last year. The outcome of that study would answer the question of where are
> the gaps in infrastructure deployments on a national scale. Then we can
> discuss and consider why and recommend some practical solutions.
>
> On self service, we need to review several factors; Power and road
> infrastructure, levels of literacy, available and affordable access
> mechanisms (end-user devices),  ease of use of the applications developed
> this I think are not a conclusive list but can be added into the list of
> factors that we need to pay attention to from the users end. Here am
> thinking of Wanjiku being able to apply for ID replacement, report
> incidents and get updates from the local officials via sms.
>
> There is also the supply side and on this we need to look at the role of
> county government to facilitate or block ICT infrastructure development,
> existing infrastructure policy (thinking of the critical infrastructure
> bill), operator and community incentives (function of the USF). There could
> be several more we can list on both the supplier and end-user sides of the
> divide.
>
> Kind regards
>
> Fiona Asonga
>
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Barrack Otieno via kictanet" <kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke>
> To: tespok at tespok.co.ke
> Cc: "Barrack Otieno" <otieno.barrack at gmail.com>
> Sent: Monday, January 18, 2016 11:16:15 AM
> Subject: Re: [kictanet] ICT Authority request on Connected Kenya
>
> Hi GG,
>
> Many thanks for this request. It came at a perfect time.
>
> Back to Nairobi is not Kenya and Kenya is not Nairobi.
>
> Over the weekend i went on a visit to a place called Keekonyokie,
> approximately 70 Kilometres from Nairobi in the Rift Valley to the
> South of Nairobi. The following were my observations:
>
> 1) There was no road or Infrastructure for that matter.
>
> 2) There was no network (Safaricom, Airtel etc. I did not try Thuraya)
> I saw some satelite dishes on houses suggesting DSTV presence.
>
> 3) There was no electricity. We left the Kenya Power grid at a place
> called Oltepesi 30 Kilometres away. The grid ended up in a private
> ranch ( I cant recall the name).
>
> Closer to the City (52 Kilometres to be precise) i have been begging
> the network service providers (specifically Safaricom) to boost their
> Signal or bring a base station at a place called Kisamese for one
> year. They have been managing me really well and i am gratefull for
> their politeness and prompt action in responding on social media.
>
> Conclusion
>
> 1) We need a thorough country wide audit of infrastructure
> (Communications, Roads, Power etc)
> 2) We need to estabish whether the same infrastructure is serving the
> intended purposes.<div
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> On 1/18/16, Grace Githaiga via kictanet <kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke>
> wrote:
> > Good morning Listers
> > I have received a request from  the ICT Authority on the topic of
> Connected
> > Kenya.
> >
> >
> >
> > Connected Kenya this year wants to
> > explore the theme of getting Citizen to “Self Serve”  through provision
> of
> > e-government services.
> > The theme is “Bridging the service gap”
> >
> >
> > In the spirit of consultation, and in recognizing the valuable ideas from
> > the different sectors of the community, the ICT Authority would like to
> get
> > industry thoughts and views on what they
> > perceive as barriers to the achievement of ‘self-services’ to mwananchi
> in
> > Kenya.
> > What can government do in terms of
> > policies, implementation of projects, engagement to further this agenda?
> > And what role does the Private sector also
> > play and how can both come together to further the interest of getting
> the
> > citizen to access services at the comfort of their homes?
> >
> >
> > We request that for the next five days, you kindly feel feel free to
> > contribute and help the Authority shape up the agenda for this important
> > conference. Phyllis from ICTA will collate all your ideas.
> > Asanteni sana.
> > RgdsGrace
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
>
>
> --
> Barrack O. Otieno
> +254721325277
> +254-20-2498789
> Skype: barrack.otieno
> http://www.otienobarrack.me.ke/
>
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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.
>



-- 
*Ahmed Maawy*
Executive Director - SwahiliBox / M-Power (CBO)
Ambassador - Open Knowledge
Director - Startup Grind Mombasa
Software Developer - AJ+ / EveryLayer
(KE) +254 714 960 627
Skype: ultimateprogramer

swahilibox.co.ke
www.okfn.org <http://okfn.org/>
startupgrind.com
ajplus.net
www.everylayer.com
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