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

[Douglas Gichuki]

Baiju,

Retract nothing.

Call it how you see it. And if people take offence, well too bad. I am a
advocate and just the other day we were protesting attempting to reclaim
our very black bar from the disgrace it had become. With notably few
exceptions, corruption, incompetence and a lack of dedication to duty
permeate almost every sector of Kenyan life. These issues are systemic and
I cannot imagine that the rot and incompetence in bar- bench circles has
antiseptically avoided the ICT sector.

Regards,



On Jan 9, 2017 9:33 PM, "David Otwoma via kictanet" <
kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke> 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 & otwoma at uonbi.ac.ke
> http://www.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> 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> 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>
>>> 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>
>>> 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> 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
>>> >>>
>>> >>>
>>> >>>
>>> >>>
>>> >>> On 3 Dec 2016 12:08, "S.M. Muraya via kictanet"
>>> >>> <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
>>> >>>
>>> >>> 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> 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
>>> >>> 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/
>>> >>>
>>> >>> 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
>>> >>>
>>> >>>
>>> >>> "Discovery consists in seeing what everyone else has seen and
>>> thinking
>>> >>> what no one else has thought". ~ Albert Szent-Györgyi
>>> >>>
>>> >>> Sent from my iPad
>>> >>>
>>> >>>
>>> >>> _______________________________________________
>>> >>> kictanet mailing list
>>> >>> kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke
>>> >>> https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet
>>> >>>
>>> >>> Unsubscribe or change your options at
>>> >>> https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/murigi
>>> .muraya%40gmail.com
>>> >>>
>>> >>> 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,
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>>> >>>
>>> >>>
>>> >>> _______________________________________________
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>>> >>>
>>> >>> Unsubscribe or change your options at
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>>> 40telemedia.co.ke
>>> >>>
>>> >>> 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
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> kictanet mailing list
>>> kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke
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>>>
>>> Unsubscribe or change your options at https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/m
>>> ailman/options/kictanet/ngigi%40at.co.ke
>>>
>>> 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.
>>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> kictanet mailing list
>> kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke
>> https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet
>>
>> Unsubscribe or change your options at https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/m
>> ailman/options/kictanet/otwomad%40gmail.com
>>
>> 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 https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/
> mailman/options/kictanet/dgichuki%40strathmore.edu
>
> 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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