[kictanet] ICT Authority request on Connected Kenya

[Ngigi Waithaka]

Grace,

My thoughts....

The biggest impediment to self-service to government applications is the
lack of innovation around the same applications.

The lack of innovation is due to the closed system approach the government
has taken. Every application in use today is almost as a result of a tender
award, then the subsequent design-implementation process through the
various committees. Almost always, the end result of these is the
proverbial camel as anyone who has ever tried to use most of the government
applications will tell you.

However, there is a set of applications that tend to do very well; the
mobile ones.. Most of the applications done on the mobile platform such as
say checking exam results for KCPE students are a brilliant example of what
could be achieved.

The *ultimate* solution, however, is to open up GoKs backend systems in a
way that allows various vendors/individuals to innovate around it. Kind of
have an AppStore for GoK Apps.

As an example, suppose KRA was to make the iTax APIs for Taxpayer
Registration / PIN Process available. I can bet you within a week we'd have
someone designing a much better interface than what's currently available
through the iTax System. The same could be said of the current IFMIS
eProcurement System etc

Apple, Google & M$, even with their huge resources couldn't pull it off by
making all the applications needed by everyone. They just built a platform
that the rest of the world could build and compete on.

So, in conclusion, successful self-service applications are unlikely to be
implemented by GoK. Let GoK provide the market with the APIs to build these
applications. Let the market compete on innovating around these.

Rgds



On Mon, Jan 18, 2016 at 10:56 AM, 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.
>
>
> Rgds
>
> Grace
>
>
>
>
>
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-- 
*Regards,*

*Wait**haka Ngigi*
Chief Executive Officer | Alliance Technologies | MCK Nairobi Synod Building
T +254 20 525 0750 |Office Mobile: +254 716 201061 | M +254 737 811 000
www.at.co.ke
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