[kictanet] Talk to the Senate- 2017/2022 Priorities

Mon Feb 5 10:58:03 EAT 2018

Dear Hon. Halake, 

Thank you for your interest in engaging with the public on ICT matters. 

I have noted the Ministry of ICT has a program targetting MNAs to see that they have ICT hubs in their respective constituencies. The funds to set up these hubs are to be deducted from CDF kitty, about 1 million for every ward in the constituency. 

At the same time, Nairobi county CIDP wants to ensure there is access to ICT in the county by also building hubs (I think). I have not read any other CIDP so I cannot confirm whether this is ongoing in other counties. 

This is a duplication of efforts within the same area. Wouldn't it be more prudent for the national government to partner with ICT departments in the counties for the development of ICT? Wouldn't it make more sense for national executive to speak with county executive? Wouldn't it be a better use of resources for the two levels of government to work together on similar matters? 

In my view this is how devolution will work. The current set- up of the national government working with MNAs to further ICT looks more like decentralisation, which undermines devolution.

I have noticed this strategy is not just with ICT but also with the Ministry of Industrialization (setting up industrial zones at constituency level while counties are also doing the exact same thing) . There is need to relook at how the national government is interacting with other players in the entire government structure so as to streamline all activities and avoid duplicating efforts. 

Regards, 

Deborah

-----Original Message-----
From: "Abshiro Halake via kictanet" <kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke>
Sent: ‎04/‎02/‎2018 23:27
To: "deborah.wanjugu at gmail.com" <deborah.wanjugu at gmail.com>
Cc: "Abshiro Halake" <abshiro.halake at gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [kictanet] Talk to the Senate- 2017/2022 Priorities

Dear Grace, DearAll, 

Grace, thank you very much for your message and for taking forward our discussions regarding the Senate ICT Committee engagement with stakeholders.

KICTANet list members, please allow me to introduce myself to those of you that I haven’t met.  As Grace already mentioned, my Name is Abshiro Halake, Nominated Senator from Isiolo County and Vice Chairperson of the Senate ICT Committee. 

On behalf of the Senate ICT Committee and our  Committee Chairman Senator Moi, I am very pleased to be engaging with you at this time as we develop our committee’s business agenda and priorities. As a committee, we are very keen to to align our work to the real needs and issues as well as to the opportunities that have real potential for positive impact for our country, counties and our people. 

Of course we will consult widely with diverse stakeholders, but having met with some of you,  and having followed some of the discussions on the KICTANET forum, I cannot think of a better place to start than with yourselves. 

I look forward to “listening”, learning, interacting and converting some  of these lessons and ideas into some strategic legislative and policy initiatives for our committee’s work.  

Thank you all and kind regards, 

Senator Abshiro Halake
Vice Chairperson 
Senate ICT Committee

Sent from my iPad

On 2 Feb 2018, at 15:01, Grace Githaiga via kictanet <kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke> wrote:

Dear Listers

Greetings!

Kindly allow me to t briefly interrupt you from the turning off of TV signals debate, to make a short announcement.

As you are aware, the role of the Senate is to represent the counties, serve, and protect the interests of the counties and their governments.

The Senate Committee is currently developing its agenda and is keen on interacting with various players in the ICT community. Of interest to the Committee, is what needs to be done or prioritised in relation to ICT and the counties. This can range from issues of infrastructure, problem with implementation of legislation, acts that need revision, resources etc.

In light of this, KICTANet recently called on the the Senate Committee on ICT leadership. To this end, we are honoured to have Sen. Abshiro Halake, the vice-chair of the Committee on the list.

Therefore, we propose to hold a structured discussion over three(3) days on this list, starting on (Monday February 5th to Wednesday February 7th February 2018- next week). The aim will be to propose priorities that the ICT Senate Committee should include in their agenda to spur economic and social growth.

Mercy Mutemi will moderate the discussion.
The questions for discussionwill fall under the following broad thematic areas:

a) What are the key ICT issues(challenges and opportunities) in the Counties that require the attention of the Senate?
b) What are the ICT issues that need legislative intervention by the Senate Committee (E.g. proposals for a new law or a law that needs amendment)?
c) What can the SenateCommittee do to strengthen its engagement with the ICT community on ICT law and policy?

A report will be prepared from the suggestions given here on the list and shared with the Senate ICT Committee. We will also agree with Senator Abshiro on a future date for a face to face meeting.

KICTANet has been at theforefront in pushing for effective public participation in policy making. Now that we have the opportunity to speak to legislators, we must heed the call and participate!

Asanteni sana. And looking forward to a stimulating discussion as has been demonstrated on the list recently.

Best regards

Githaiga, Grace

Co-Convenor
Kenya ICT Action Network (KICTANet)
Twitter:@ggithaiga
Tel: 254722701495
Skype: gracegithaiga
Alternate email: ggithaiga at hotmail.com
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gracegithaiga
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"Change only happens when ordinary people get involved, get engaged and come together to demand it. I am asking you to believe. Not in my ability to bring about change – but in yours"---Barrack Obama.

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