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

Fri Jul 1 20:52:40 EAT 2016

Many thanks for your insightfull feedback @ Muthoni, i agree with your
sentiments, your input on the other topical areas is also welcome.

On 7/1/16, Muthoni Masinde via kictanet <kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke> wrote:
> Here is  my take on IoT:
>
> From the Research & Development (R & D) angle, if Kenya is to benefit from
> the 'IoT Boom', we need to develop capacity in R&D; to reclaim, re-tell and
> re-write the Kenyan story; we need to be able to set the agenda for
> ourselves. For instance, successful implementation of IoT demands for new
> and different skill sets such as data and analytics.  The dynamic and
> diverse nature of skills required will not be met by traditional one-off
> degrees and technical courses; instead, online, continuous and
> collaborative
> learning platforms will suffice. This is what is referred to as connected
> learning; it is anchored on four pillars: people, process, data and things
> (quoated from Cisco). Having been a trailblazer in a number of
> technological
> innovations in the Africa, Kenya has a great chance taking leadership in
> this area.
>
>
> I am part of an IoT Working Group working on IoT agenda for Africa; the
> Group¹s proposals will be featured in the 2016 IEEE 3rd World Forum on
> Internet of Things (WF-IoT) (http://wfiot2016.ieee-wf-iot.org/
> <http://wfiot2016.ieee-wf-iot.org/> ). My personal hypothesis in this
> agenda
> is that Africa has unique challenges and opportunities that should
> influence
> the R & D for IoT agenda. This way, we might succeed in reversing the trend
> where we tend to become consumers as opposed to innovators and creators of
> technological solutions and services.
>
>
> Kind regards
> Muthoni
>
> From:  kictanet <kictanet-bounces+muthoni=uonbi.ac.ke at lists.kictanet.or.ke>
> on behalf of Ali Hussein via kictanet <kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke>
> Reply-To:  KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions <kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke>
> Date:  Friday, 1 July 2016 12:55
> To:  Muthoni Masinde <muthoni at uonbi.ac.ke>
> Cc:  Ali Hussein <ali at hussein.me.ke>
> Subject:  Re: [kictanet] Draft National ICT Policy Discussions Day 8 of 10:
> Emerging Issues ( Big Data, Bitcoin, Internet of Things)
>
> 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-b
>> ut-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 there¹s 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-start
>> ups-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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>>>> people and institutions interested and involved in ICT policy and
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>>>>
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>>> people and institutions interested and involved in ICT policy and
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>>> of the national aim of ICT enabled growth and development.
>>>
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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 <http://swahilibox.co.ke>
>> globalshapers.org <http://globalshapers.org>
>> www.okfn.org <http://okfn.org/>
>> startupgrind.com <http://startupgrind.com>
>> ajplus.net <http://ajplus.net>
>> www.everylayer.com <http://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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>>
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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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> ictanet 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