[kictanet] KISERO: Kenya’s corruption tsars have perfected looting through Ifmis - Daily Nation

Mon Jan 9 22:49:00 EAT 2017

David,

I didn't make any comment on issues he's raised touching on integrity et.al
On those, Baiju is entitled to his own opinion.

However, to say there are no decent ICT professionals in Kenya and they can
only be from 'Somewhere else', needs qualification!

Regards

Waithaka Ngigi

Sent from [Nylas N1](https://nylas.com/n1?ref=n1), the extensible, open source
mail client.

On Jan 9 2017, at 10:32 pm, David Otwoma <otwomad at gmail.com> wrote:  

> Ngigi,

>

>  

>

> This guy Baiju is spot on when he writes "If you want ethics and integrity
then let's award government jobs on merit and not who you know and what
personal relationships exist, bring transparency to the whole. Can we do
that?"

>

>  

>

> We should upgrade from talking about colonialism to talking of neo-
colonialism with our own black skins  treating us badly, worst case point
being the Riek Machar vs Silva Kir in our neighbourhood. There is an old book,
written before I was born which has this quote "The leader pacifies the
people. For years on end after independence has been won, we see him,
incapable of urging on the people to a concrete task, unable really to open
the future to them or of flinging them into the path of national
reconstruction, that is to say, of their own reconstruction; we see him
reassessing the history of independence and recalling the sacred unity of the
struggle for liberation. The leader, because he refuses to break up the
national bourgeoisie, asks the people to fall back into the past and to become
drunk on the remembrance of the epoch which led up to independence. The
leader, seen objectively, brings the people to a halt and persists in either
expelling them from history or preventing them from taking root in it."
<https://www.marxists.org/subject/africa/fanon/pitfalls-national.htm>

>

>  

>

> Close at home let us call a spade a spade and interrogate how our ICT bodies
have CEOs and other heads along what Baiju asks.

>

>  

>

> In energy where I am more conversant the same scenario is repeated as what
is happening in ICT.  We have village boys sitting on both PS positions with a
clueless CS shuffling in between. So we have "Kenya Power has restored supply
to parts of Nairobi and Mount Kenya regions, with Eng Tare saying efforts were
being made to restore supply to the Coast region."
<http://www.businessdailyafrica.com/Nairobi--Mount-Kenya-and-Coast-region-hit-
by-blackout/539546-3510776-14wpp7hz/index.html>

>

>  

>

> As if that is not enough the 5,000+ MW addition is having to stay in the
back burner and the diesel generators will be back. Hear "CS Keter said the
thermal stations are now account for 18 per cent of the power produced in the
country. He expects this to further go up to 24 per cent in the coming months
as the drought bites, which would mean further decline in the contribution of
hydro electricity."

>

> Read more at: <https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/business/article/2000229172
/demand-setback-now-puts-kenya-s-mega-power-plan-on-the-back-burner>

>

>  

>

> So Ngigi, please go slow on Baiju along the race card and let us address the
issue he raises i.e. "If you want ethics and integrity then let's award
government jobs on merit and not who you know and what personal relationships
exist, bring transparency to the whole. Can we do that?"

>

>  

>

> David

>

>  

>

> \--  
\--  
David Otwoma, PhD  
Chief Scientist,  
National Commission for Science Technology and Innovation (NACOSTI)  
Utalii House, P.O Box 30623-00100 Nairobi, Kenya  
Safcom tel: +254 722 141771,  
Orange tel: +254 (0)20 2346915,  
email: [otwooma at gmail.com](mailto:otwooma at gmail.com) &
[otwoma at uonbi.ac.ke](mailto:otwoma at uonbi.ac.ke)  
[http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?ref=profile&id=100000614284149](http://ww
w.facebook.com/profile.php?ref=profile&id=100000614284149)  
<http://www.nacosti.go.ke>  
&  
Chairman,  
Eastern Africa Association for Radiation Protection,  
<http://www.eaarp.org/>  

>

>  

>

> On Mon, Jan 9, 2017 at 11:01 PM, Ngigi Waithaka via kictanet
<[kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke](mailto:kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke)> wrote:  

>

>> Baiju,

>>

>>  

>>

>> So you claim, there are no decent System Architects, Projects Managers,
System Analysts in Kenya...

>>

>>  

>>

>> Would you perhaps extend that to other professions such as there are no
decent Lawyers, Doctors, Architects etc in Kenya, or is ICT an exception?

>>

>>  

>>

>> In which case then, you would be suggesting that we were born 'lacking' a
certain gene, perhaps, that would have endowed us with certain ICT
capabilities.

>>

>>  

>>

>> The last time we heard such talk in this country was during the colonial
period, when *Africans* could never be good at anything that the white man
did, so I suggest you retract your statement above, as it racially loaded and
has not place in this forum!

>>

>>  

>>

>> Regards

>>

>> Waithaka Ngigi

>>

>>  
__Sent from [Nylas N1](https://nylas.com/n1?ref=n1), the extensible, open
source mail client.__

>>

>>  
On Jan 9 2017, at 8:56 pm, Baiju Shah via kictanet
<[kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke](mailto:kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke)> wrote:  

>>

>>> Hi Barrack,

>>>

>>> If I agree with you then I am not being honest to this group. I have not
seen a decent solution architect in exception the are from Somewhere else, I
have not seen a decent business analysts or system analyst, I have not seen
decent project managers...

>>>

>>> Therefore, we need to get the education system up and running.

>>>

>>> If you want ethics and integrity then let's award government jobs on merit
and not who you know and what personal relationships exist, bring transparency
to the whole. Can we do that?

>>>

>>> Not really, it is impossible to get any traction on the government ICT
jobs while a briefcase co or a co from anywhere else in wins the work because
of their local agent who cannot even spell ICT. The company deploys a poor
project as our stakeholders are not managed and our requirements have not been
ratified and confirmed by business experts. We are not able to get a holistic
delivery as the solution architecture was never done e.g. Please look at ifmis
have a critical audit and compare them  
To the original set of requirements that were drawn up. I am sure you will not
be allowed.

>>>

>>> I hope this provides a view of my personal experiences and helps to put
together a framework that the new Kenyan built technology solutions come to
market and  
NOT built in the USA...

>>>

>>> Thanks,

>>>

>>> Best Regards,  
Baiju

>>>

>>> > On 9 Jan 2017, at 08:10, Barrack Otieno
<[otieno.barrack at gmail.com](mailto:otieno.barrack at gmail.com)> wrote:  
>  
> Hi Baiju and colleagues,  
>  
> Reading your comments, the main challenge is ethics and integrity. We  
> have to address it even if it affects all of us. We are not short of  
> qualified project management experts, Software Analysts and Designers  
> as well as System Engineers. We are not short of industry lobby  
> groups as well, we are short on ethics and integrity.  
>  
> Regards  
>  
>> On 1/9/17, Baiju Shah via kictanet
<[kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke](mailto:kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke)> wrote:  
>> Hi All,  
>>  
>> Well now ok about the issues with the IFMIS, can we focus on building a  
>> better pool of business system analyst, solution design, quality assurance  
>> and project management. These are the key skills missing from the ICT  
>> sector, furthermore let's not blame the customer as we all lack a little or  
>> any amount of ethics... In reality please look at yourselves in the mirror  
>> and reflect when and where you individually have taken short cuts or came
up  
>> with lame reasons for non delivery. Have created issues for fellow  
>> professionals who have won a project on merit. It my prayer that we get out  
>> stakeholder management sorted and develop a proper lobby group that is
given  
>> a representation on the government projects to provide quality assurance
and  
>> assure the delivery of the project in line with the vision, mission and  
>> scope signed off by the key stakeholders. Further provide advice on the  
>> Correctness of the scope which requires industry expertise per vertical.  
>> Therefore, my challenge to the group is what are we doing to align the  
>> technology with the business needs?  
>>  
>> Thanks and have a good week,  
>>  
>> Best Regards,  
>> Baiju  
>>  
>>> On 9 Jan 2017, at 05:29, Alex Watila via kictanet  
>>> <[kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke](mailto:kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke)>
wrote:  
>>>  
>>> good morning,  
>>> IFMIS is in the news again  
>>>  
>>>  
>>> State audit finds serious loopholes in Ifmis system - Daily Nation  
>>> <https://t.co/4dPksjnJBT>  
>>>  
>>> [https://twitter.com/dailynation/status/818261005935448064](https://twitte
r.com/dailynation/status/818261005935448064)  
>>>  
>>>  
>>>  
>>>  
>>> On 3 Dec 2016 12:08, "S.M. Muraya via kictanet"  
>>> <[kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke](mailto:kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke)>
wrote:  
>>> Ngigi,  
>>>  
>>> Nothing less than Multi Factor authentication is required in Kenya.  
>>>  
>>> [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multi-
factor_authentication](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multi-
factor_authentication)  
>>>  
>>> Negligence needs to be penalized (we know, in Kenya, prosecution never  
>>> succeeds where looting succeeds).  
>>>  
>>> This includes negligence of local talent, not just theft. Kickbacks are  
>>> often deposited (invested) abroad. As such, foreign firms will always be  
>>> favored by crooked officials. Developed nations penalize bribery because  
>>> it compromises national pysche, skills and service delivery levels.  
>>>  
>>> EACC should also look for good examples to publicize.  
>>>  
>>> Public officials, organizations, who/which over a 24 month period, have  
>>> sourced and provided MANNED (conversation recording) hotlines, e-mail  
>>> addresses, feedback portals and CRM's to measure, and promptly provide  
>>> citizen services.  
>>>  
>>> Crooked officials have no problem with payment systems (which increase the  
>>> funds they collect), but they neglect systems which measure, expose  
>>> service delivery levels.  
>>>  
>>>  
>>> SMM  
>>>  
>>> "Better a patient person than a warrior, one with self-control than one  
>>> who takes a city." Prov 16:32  
>>>  
>>> On Fri, Dec 2, 2016 at 9:45 AM, Waithaka Ngigi via kictanet  
>>> <[kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke](mailto:kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke)>
wrote:  
>>> Ali,  
>>>  
>>> It's also time to put‎ professional blame squarely where it lies.  
>>>  
>>> Any system tasked with moving *huge* sums of money and that does not come  
>>> with at least Two-Factor authentication be *default* is either:  
>>> 1\. A very, very bad implementation  
>>> 2\. ‎Intentionally left unsecure to allow looting.  
>>>  
>>> Blaming users & ethics in our users is just looking for scapegoats.  
>>> Citibank, Stanchart & other Financial Institutions do not rely on user  
>>> ethics when using their online banking platforms. You key in your  
>>> password, for every transaction, you confirm using your 2FA Code, ensuring  
>>> it's only you, or someone you gave your physical 2FA card that can  
>>> authenticate that transaction.  
>>>  
>>> And that's before you put in anti-laundering functionality, which should  
>>> catch most of those transactions dead in their tracks if well implemented.  
>>> E.g before payment of sums above KSH 100m cross-check on company  
>>> registration date, if less than 1 year, flag! Common addresses, Directors  
>>> btn different firms.  
>>>  
>>> ‎Online payments in Kenya have been with us since the early 2000s, why is  
>>> it we've never heard complaints from the Banks that billions are being  
>>> lost through basic identity fraud similar to IFMIS.  
>>>  
>>> Don't blame the Kenyan people, blame lies squarely with the Systems we  
>>> have put in place.  
>>>  
>>> Waithaka Ngigi  
>>>  
>>> Alliance Technologies  
>>> [www.at.co.ke](http://www.at.co.ke)  
>>> From: Ali Hussein via kictanet  
>>> Sent: Friday, December 2, 2016 5:33 AM  
>>> To: Ngigi Waithaka  
>>> Reply To: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions  
>>> Cc: Ali Hussein  
>>> Subject: [kictanet] KISERO: Kenya’s corruption tsars have perfected  
>>> looting through Ifmis - Daily Nation  
>>>  
>>> Listers  
>>>  
>>> Related to to the discussion of 'reigning in' quacks in the ICT Sector how  
>>> do you explain the fiasco that is IFMIS?  
>>>  
>>> Except from the article:-  
>>>  
>>> In theory, the Ifmis system we have is based on Oracle E-Business Suite,  
>>> an accounting package developed by Oracle of the USA. In reality, what is  
>>> in place is a product of conspiracies between crafty government officials  
>>> and local rent-seeking software merchants.  
>>>  
>>> Through highly inflated and ill-conceived customisation and re-engineering  
>>> projects, the merchants have colluded with public officials to create a  
>>> mongrel of the original Oracle E-Business Suite.  
>>>  
>>> This is the system at the heart of corruption in the public sector.  
>>>  
>>> [http://www.nation.co.ke/oped/Opinion/Kenya-corruption-tsars-have-
perfected-looting-through-
Ifmis/440808-3469632-kg5rbv/](http://www.nation.co.ke/oped/Opinion/Kenya-
corruption-tsars-have-perfected-looting-through-Ifmis/440808-3469632-kg5rbv/)  
>>>  
>>> So if we were to talk this discussion a step further:-  
>>>  
>>> 1\. The customization of an Oracle E-Business Suite cannot be done by a  
>>> 'quack' who isn't a Certified Oracle Software Engineer.  
>>>  
>>> 2\. The customization must be approved by the client and mapped with the  
>>> business processes mutually agreed by the vendor and the customer. In this  
>>> case the government.  
>>>  
>>> A pig is a pig even if you apply lipstick on it. Let's call this what it  
>>> is - Corruption. Period. Perpetuated in this case by the client and using  
>>> qualified IT Professionals. We in the industry must call out the ones who  
>>> collude to fleece this country instead of chasing a red herring in the  
>>> name of 'quacks'!  
>>>  
>>> Ali Hussein  
>>> Principal  
>>> Hussein & Associates  
>>> +254 0713 601113  
>>>  
>>> Twitter: @AliHKassim  
>>> Skype: abu-jomo  
>>> LinkedIn:
[http://ke.linkedin.com/in/alihkassim](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  
>>>  
>>>  
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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  
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>>> sector in support of the national aim of ICT enabled growth and  
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>>> KICTANetiquette : Adhere to the same standards of acceptable behaviors  
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>>  
>  
>  
> \--  
> Barrack O. Otieno  
> +254721325277  
> +254733206359  
> Skype: barrack.otieno  
> PGP ID: 0x2611D86A

>>>

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>>

>>  
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>  

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