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

Barrack Otieno otieno.barrack at gmail.com
Fri Jul 1 18:14:54 EAT 2016 

Many thanks Kivuva,

Indeed i hope we can be allowed to include something on blockchain in
the policy. @ Walu will guide us on whether we are out of order, could
you please insert the statement into the draft policy on the Jadili
platform?, i see our face to face meeting being very hot.

Regards

On 7/1/16, Mwendwa Kivuva <Kivuva at transworldafrica.com> wrote:
> Barrack, please not that you have jumped the gun. Blockchain and
> cryptocurrency is not in the Draft Policy. :-)
>
> As you can see from the sentiments, the pioneers of tech want to hear the
> government voice on the same. *I hope after this public consultation, we
> will see a paragraph about blockchains in the draft.* It can be a high
> level paragraph that read
>
> *x) Blockchains: We acknowledge the tremendous potential of the blockchain
> technology in transforming various sectors of our economy and their
> application in governance especially smart contracts. As the innovations
> progress, Kenya is committed to adopt the technology in our society. *
>
> It has been said before that "That blockchain technology will have an
> impact equal to the creation of the Internet ..."
>
> The Harvard Business Review conducted a two-year research project exploring
> how blockchain technology can change the way we securely move and store
> host "money, titles, deeds, music, art, scientific discoveries,
> intellectual property, and even votes" It states that blockchain is the
> first native digital medium for value, just as the internet was the first
> native digital medium for information. And this has big implications for
> business and the corporation.
> https://hbr.org/2016/05/the-impact-of-the-blockchain-goes-beyond-financial-services
> .
>
> Regards.
>
> ______________________
> Mwendwa Kivuva, Nairobi, Kenya
> twitter.com/lordmwesh
>
>
>
> On 1 July 2016 at 11:00, Barrack Otieno via kictanet <
> kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke> wrote:
>
>> Ahmed,
>>
>> Thank you for your intervention. How do we convert this wonderfull
>> idea into a simple policy statement that can support innovation and
>> research and developement, please feel free to edit the policy
>> document on the Jadili platform to make sure it captures this
>> suggestion. We can refine it during the face to face meeting. Here is
>> the link http://jadili.ictpolicy.org/docs/kenya-ict-policy.
>>
>> On 7/1/16, Ahmed Mohamed Maawy via kictanet
>> <kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke> wrote:
>> > 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
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>> >>
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> > --
>> > *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
>> >
>>
>>
>> --
>> Barrack O. Otieno
>> +254721325277
>> +254733206359
>> Skype: barrack.otieno
>> PGP ID: 0x2611D86A
>>
>> _______________________________________________
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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.
>>
>


-- 
Barrack O. Otieno
+254721325277
+254733206359
Skype: barrack.otieno
PGP ID: 0x2611D86A

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