[kictanet] ICT Authority request on Connected Kenya

Wed Jan 20 07:27:40 EAT 2016

Totally agree on this one.. Have applications as services and allow 3rd
parties to develop apps on top of these services will allow innovation in
many forms.

All the major Internet products n the market today employ the API - which
is a way to expose these services - and impressive 3rd party apps have come
up to work in conjunction with or to even supplement these services. These
products include YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, popular messaging
apps, etc.

Tons of established tech companies and products are moving to the API model.

Its worth noting that notable Government Open Data around the world
projects also expose data via APIs.

On Wed, Jan 20, 2016 at 1:20 AM, Ngigi Waithaka via kictanet <
kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke> wrote:

> 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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>>
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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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>
> 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.
>

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