[kictanet] Draft National ICT Policy Discussions Day 8 of 10: Emerging Issues ( Big Data, Bitcoin, Internet of Things)

Fri Jul 1 14:32:45 EAT 2016

Thank you Barrack,

Though I have to admit I am not sure how I can tamper with such policy
documents so professionally crafted :D

Mine will be to suggest what I think is also needed to be done and I am
sure the Kictanet community with the CS will be able to understand how it
fits within the context of the document.

Ahmed

On Fri, Jul 1, 2016 at 1:55 PM, Ali Hussein via kictanet <
kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke> wrote:

> Grace
>
> On the mark and on point. Maswali nyeti unayouliza.
>
> *Ali Hussein*
> *Principal*
> *Hussein & Associates*
> +254 0713 601113 / 0770906375
>
> Twitter: @AliHKassim
>
> Skype: abu-jomo
>
> LinkedIn: http://ke.linkedin.com/in/alihkassim
>
>
> "Discovery consists in seeing what everyone else has seen and thinking
> what no one else has thought".  ~ Albert Szent-Györgyi
>
> Sent from my iPad
>
> On 1 Jul 2016, at 10:36 AM, Grace Githaiga via kictanet <
> kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke> wrote:
>
> The issue of virtual Money/BlockChains is gaining traction all over the
> World. I was in a meeting recently and one question that most people asked
> me when they learnt I was Kenyan was on what were my thoughts around block
> chain technology disrupting our famous mpesa. Unfortunately I had no answer
> for them but it got me thinking. I am glad that someone on this list shared
> this link
> https://followmyvote.com/online-voting-technology/blockchain-technology/ which
> explains clearly how it works, at least for those who are not conversant.
> It is a worthy read.
>
> My questions:
> 1. Considering that Kenya has taken a lead in issues of technology, should
> we be concerned about block chain technology considering it kinda provides
> a platform where no one organisation owns the data? And in light of KRA
> wanting to compel safaricom to share the data of its subscribers?
>
> 2. Will it disrupt Mpesa?
>
> 3. Where is Central bank in this matter? Is central bank concerned that
> technology is about to change the way it does business or will it wait to
> make some unfortunate comment like it did recently on bloggers being
> responsible for the withdrawals at Chase Bank?
>
> 4. And where is Treasury in this debate? Is it concerned with financial
> technology?
>
> 5. Considering that this might be an idea whose time has come,  do we need
> policy direction on this issue?
>
> I believe we have an opportunity with this ICT policy to be futuristic.
> Ama niaje?
>
> Rgds
> GG
>
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
> Date: Fri, 1 Jul 2016 06:13:08 +0300
> Subject: Re: [kictanet] Draft National ICT Policy Discussions Day 8 of 10:
> Emerging Issues ( Big Data, Bitcoin, Internet of Things)
> From: kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke
> CC: ultimateprogramer at gmail.com
> To: ggithaiga at hotmail.com
>
> I think there is a huge statement being made by Samsung with their move to
> Tizen
> <http://venturebeat.com/2015/09/02/samsung-has-shown-its-serious-about-tizen-but-is-it-yet-the-os-of-everything/>,
> and apparently bold statements being made with regards to Android (and that
> Tizen will be the platform of choice). Outwardly the world will tell
> Samsung that they can not openly compete with Google on this.
>
> But then there’s something we are not seeing in this whole equation - the
> future of technology and computing.
>
> Major players are all looking to invest in IoT and Big Data. Because in a
> world of 6 Billion people in the Information and Knowledge revolution, IoT
> is not something that may happen. It will. Because according to IBM
> <https://www-01.ibm.com/software/data/bigdata/what-is-big-data.html> -
> Every day, we create 2.5 quintillion bytes of data. And this is why Samsung
> might win big. They are not building for now. They are building for the
> next 2 to 5 years to come.
>
> Kenya faces a magnitude of challenges home made technology can solve. And
> technology does exist for us to create sustainable solutions - and create
> markets for sustainable solutions, as SwahiliBox had demonstrated close to
> a year back when we had very much earlier predicted the marriage between
> Big Data and IoT
> <http://swahilibox.co.ke/blog/2015/06/open-data-and-the-iot-bootcamp--mombasa--june-2015>
> and we had developed prototypes that were even open sourced
> <https://github.com/SwahiliBox/OpenDataIoT> to demonstrate how easy and
> sustainable it can be to develop next generation solutions making use of
> both Big Data and IoT.
>
> Bwana Waziri, I think as a market this is one of the major areas we need
> to focus on - and that we are seriously neglecting. We can not keep on
> innovating on top of ERPs and M-Pesas and that is just it. Silicon Valley's
> innovative potential does not just encompass systems like Adobe Photoshop,
> but also innovations on top of IoT and Big Data
> <http://www.crn.com/slide-shows/networking/300079090/the-ten-coolest-iot-startups-of-2015.htm>.
> We need to innovate hardware that can be relevant within the African
> Context - Hardware that can then hook up with the ERPs and M-Pesas, and
> maybe bring to life a whole different export channel to other countries and
> governments looking for sustainable hardware solutions. And Kenya can do
> this.
>
> We need to push more resources into innovating around Big Data, Cloud and
> IoT. As a market we can only achieve maximum innovative potential in
> adopting the trends that players like Samsung, Intel, IBM, and the likes
> are investing billions of dollars to get right.
>
>
>
> On Fri, Jul 1, 2016 at 5:30 AM, Ali Hussein via kictanet <
> kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke> wrote:
>
> Barrack and all
>
> For the first time Net Neutrality is being given a voice. But not far
> enough. We need clear direction on this important issue. Where do we stand
> on:-
>
> *Net Neutrality*
> 1. Third party liability?
> 2. Fair and equitable treatment of Internet traffic?
> 3. Zero rating of services?
> 4. I understand that Tespok did a study that showed an increase in data
> revenue from OTT and messaging services like YouTube and WhatsApp. It would
> be interesting if we could see that report or failure of which (as Tespok
> is a member based Organisation and may choose not to share it with the
> general public) CA may need to step in.
> 5. Finally can the new regime tell us once and for all whether Kenya
> finally signed WCIT12 and what prompted the change of heart?
>
> *Mobile Money and the new reality of Blockchain Technology.* Let's not
> beat about the bush here. The very leadership position that has been
> achieved by our adaption of Mobile Money is at risk by burying our heads in
> the sand when it comes to Blockchain Technology.
>
> We need to stop thumping our chests about the phenomenal success of Mpesa.
> The reality is that Mpesa is only successful here in Kenya and a few other
> countries. Mpesa stopped innovating in this space years ago. It's time for
> a new reality. Mpesa is yesterday's news. Let's start creating a new
> narrative. We need a Global Champion. The likes of PayPal, eBay, Google
> etc. and we have it in us to do it.
>
> Kenya, and Africa are again at risk of being left behind. No other than
> the Governor of the Central Bank is on record saying that we shall wait and
> see what the West does before jumping in. I respect the man alot but I
> think engagement with the nascent Fintech Space in Nairobi together with
> the ICT Ministry is long overdue. We MUST chart our own path - And it needs
> to be a pioneering path not a follower path. We need a clear policy
> statement from the ICT Ministry on this.
>
> I'm reliably informed that the ICT Ministry and the Central Bank has
> formed or will form a joint committee to look into the adaption of
> BlockChain Technology. I may have missed this but is there a
> representative(s) from the private/banking/Fintech space? Sometimes I get
> the feeling that this country's leaders still don't get the spirit of the
> New Constitution we promulgated in 2010. I would like to humbly remind
> ourselves of this:-
>
> The *constitution* was presented to the Attorney General of *Kenya* on 7
> April 2010, officially published on 6 May 2010, and was subjected to a
> referendum on 4 August 2010. The *new Constitution* was approved by 67%
> of *Kenyan* voters. The *constitution* was promulgated on 27 August 2010.
>
> In the spirit of Uzalendo and moving this country forward let us share
> more and consult more extensively. This exercise of subjecting the new ICT
> Policy to this level of public scrutiny and intellectual discourse on a
> list like Kictanet is unprecedented. And highly commendable, This certainly
> shows the willingness and openness of the leadership of CS Mucheru. It's
> not a coincidence that he and PS Victor Kyalo are founder members of
> Kictanet. Intellectual discourse, sharing and engagement is in their DNA. I
> must however caution them that they must shine daylight into *EVERYTHING*
> that involves the public good. This new discussion on Blockchains is good
> for the public and the nascent FinTech community. We *CANNOT* and *MUST
> NOT *let vested interests prevail in the corridors of power at the
> detriment of the country at large.
>
> It may well be that this country decides that BlockChain Technology will
> do more harm than good to us. However, I humbly suggest that decision
> should not be left to a few individuals. No matter their station in life or
> government. A robust platform of discussion and consultation spearheaded by
> the ICT and Treasury Ministries must be held. And this must be kicked off
> as soon as possible because time's a-wastin'.
>
> My humble two cents..
>
> *Ali Hussein*
> *Principal*
> *Hussein & Associates*
> +254 0713 601113 / 0770906375
>
> Twitter: @AliHKassim
>
> Skype: abu-jomo
>
> LinkedIn: http://ke.linkedin.com/in/alihkassim
>
>
> "Discovery consists in seeing what everyone else has seen and thinking
> what no one else has thought".  ~ Albert Szent-Györgyi
>
> Sent from my iPad
>
> On 1 Jul 2016, at 1:33 AM, Barrack Otieno via kictanet <
> kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke> wrote:
>
> Day 8 of 10:
>
> * Internet of Things, M2M
> * Net Neutrality & OTT
> * Big Data
> * Virtual Money/BlockChains
>
> The Background:
>
> Internet of Things is a vision (now a reality) of physical objects
> (machines, vehicles, buildings, etc) fitted with sensors that allow
> them to  communicate with each other.  The smart-city concept
> envisions sensors continuously reporting status (e.g Traffic status,
> Pollution Status, Maintenance Status) of the different objects to
> allow for efficient management response. A lot of data exchanges
> arises hence the term Big Data with its associated data analytics
> requirements.
>
> Meanwhile, Virtual Money/Currency (Bitcoin, etc) threatens to disrupt
> the need for a centralised banking institutions. Over The Top (Skype,
> Twitter, FB, Youtube) have been around longer but the need to regulate
> or NOT to regulate them continues to be debated.
>
> Given recent developments on the KiCTANET list on Virtual money  what
> should  our position on these and other emerging issues be from a
> policy perspective ? is there need to embrace the issues?
>
> Your comments are welcome
>
>
>
> --
> Barrack O. Otieno
> +254721325277
> +254733206359
> Skype: barrack.otieno
> PGP ID: 0x2611D86A
>
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>
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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)
> Curator - Global Shapers Mombasa Hub
> Ambassador - Open Knowledge
> Director - Startup Grind Mombasa
> Software Developer - AJ+ / EveryLayer
> (KE) +254 714 960 627
> Skype: ultimateprogramer
>
> swahilibox.co.ke
> globalshapers.org
> www.okfn.org <http://okfn.org/>
> startupgrind.com
> ajplus.net
> www.everylayer.com
>
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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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>
> Unsubscribe or change your options at
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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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>
> Unsubscribe or change your options at
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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)
Curator - Global Shapers Mombasa Hub
Ambassador - Open Knowledge
Director - Startup Grind Mombasa
Software Developer - AJ+ / EveryLayer
(KE) +254 714 960 627
Skype: ultimateprogramer

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