[kictanet] Tech Solutions for Covid-19

Mon Apr 6 08:54:14 EAT 2020

Dear Listers,

As someone in the film industry, I am captivated by the idea of reviving
drivein movie theatres. Films may seem trivial at this time but there is no
denying the power of art therapy.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/jamos/2020/03/30/texas-cinemas-drive-in-is-a-blockbuster-opening-weekend-hit/#5df0e0c25d6a

Regards,
Mildred Achoch.

On Sunday, April 5, 2020, Grace Githaiga via kictanet <
kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke> wrote:

> Indeed Liz. Good that you will conflate the two threads as they speak to
> the same issues.
>
> I couldn't agree more to the views expressed by majority of listers on the
> need to make Internet a basic right. Cory (as Noah has referred to covid)
> has necessitated remote working and use of internet to deliver services,
> and is now becoming the 'new normal'.
>
> See how some everyday tasks are panning out during this covid19:
>
> Education: we have seen several institutions/companies offering their
> online content to students and pupils for free.
>
> Health: Health providers have sent out text messages that people can now
> access  a doctor from the comfort of their homes. One only needs to
> download an app and sign up with their health insurance membership.
>
> Access to food, water and basic commodities: Most of us have received
> messages from Nairobi Water urging us to utilize their pay bill number in
> line with observing social distancing.
> Supermarkets have texted us to utilize their online services to avoid
> crowding, and even farmers choice now has a 'kwa estate' delivery service.
>
> Churches have gone online with sermons including today's Palm Sunday Mass
> from Holy Family Basilica streamed live.
>
> These are all basics for citizens. But how many are able to access these
> online services? I have in mind the children in our rural schools where
> there is no internet, or where people have to prioritize between food and
> bundles. Further, there are many who do not even have the tools to access
> these services mostly smart phones. Let us not forget that these tools
> (phones, comps, tablets) are also being taxed heavily presenting another
> challenge.
>
> Of importance though is that the Senate has this golden opportunity to put
> in place a policy or policies that prioritize the Internet as a tool for
> offering basic services. For example, we need a policy that will allow for
> schools/students and hospitals access a fast, stable and secure internet.
> There needs to be a policy that compels service providers to support such
> services as part of public service/good. And here, the idea suggested of
> having some 'internet days' would work so long as speeds are not throttled.
>
> There is also the Universal Service Fund which should be used to address
> to these connectivity gaps or else it may find itself being moved to
> support non ICT stuff.
>
> #Stayhome stay safe.
>
> Rgds
> GG
>
>
> *"Usiwai jidharau...ona sasa haka ka emoji (😷) kamepata kazi hivyo tu
> kimchezo!"*
>
>
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------
> ----------------------
>
> *Grace Githaiga*
>
> Twitter: @ggithaiga
>
> Skype: gracegithaiga
>
> Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gracegithaiga
>
>
> .*..**the most important office in a democracy is the citizen. So, you
> see, that’s what our democracy demands. It needs you!----Barrack Obama.*
>
> ------------------------------
> *From:* kictanet <kictanet-bounces+ggithaiga=ho
> tmail.com at lists.kictanet.or.ke> on behalf of Liz Orembo via kictanet <
> kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke>
> *Sent:* 05 April 2020 11:17 AM
> *To:* ggithaiga at hotmail.com <ggithaiga at hotmail.com>
> *Cc:* Liz Orembo <lizorembo at gmail.com>
> *Subject:* Re: [kictanet] Internet Should Be A Public Utility Service
>
> Thanks Dorcas ET all,
>
> I'll also record the contributions on this thread.  What are the immediate
> actions that need to be taken? How can the government and the rest of the
> tech community collaborate?
>
> On Sun, Apr 5, 2020, 10:47 Dorcas Muthoni via kictanet <
> kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke> wrote:
>
> Thanks Muraya,
>
> If CDF is being used to put up bodaboda sheds, I don't see why it cannot
> be used to put up Internet infrastructure at constituency level.
>
> We need to begin advocating for access right at the grassroots level
> coupled with basic digital skills.
>
> Local village polytechnics should have curriculum to support artisans and
> other graduates with digital skills.
>
> The spectrum is a public resource and there in lies the opportunity to
> change model to enable universally accessible and affordable Internet.
>
> This cannot be the bundles currently unavailable to the masses.
>
> Regards, Muthoni
>
> On Sun, 5 Apr 2020, 10:13 S.M. Muraya, <murigi.muraya at gmail.com> wrote:
>
> Hi Muthoni,
>
> This also addresses the Senate query posted by Liz Orembo concerning how
> our industry can help with emergencies such as the pathogenic one we are in
> right now. Will try to summarize some thoughts in one *long* paragraph :)
>
> Energy (to power the internet) is connected to water infrastructure
> (cooling data centres). Data centres (even in a single container) require
> physical planning (national & county level approvals always require
> kickbacks). County offices have been burning (arson - evidence destruction/
> data protection). Schools are under counties, therefore ward level internet
> infrastructure (providers) also needs protection. Community policing
> (public participation) is required. Technology to enable public
> participation (including online learning) is not being prioritized until
> now. Local radio stations may be the most important but are not enough.
> Infrastructure to download recorded (digital) data should be available in
> all public schools.
>
> https://www.govtech.com/em/safety/Arson-Homeland-Security.html
>
> Now think of all the on going criminal cases in Kenya relating to the
> above, sure to be delayed/destroyed in our courts. In this decade, will we
> "succeed"  like in the past 5 decades in fighting AGAINST (transparency,
> education) in Kenya? Remember these 2012 threads? Bitange Ndemo at his
> best!
>
> http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/pipermail/kictanet/2012-January/015115.html -
> enjoy - over 10 pages - clicking  next "thread"
>
> On Sun, Apr 5, 2020 at 12:17 AM Dorcas Muthoni via kictanet <
> kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke> wrote:
>
> Hi John,
>
> Thanks for mentioning the other pioneers I may have missed. Big thanks to
> them too.
>
> Regards, Muthoni
>
> On Sat, 4 Apr 2020, 20:05 John Kariuki, <kariuki_jn at yahoo.com> wrote:
>
> Hi Muthoni,
>
> I agree with you on the need to consider Internet as a Public Utility. It
> is not difficult to implement it. It is not expensive either. Bundles will
> never fully meet users needs for internet service. Remember the cost curve
> of ICTs. Regarding the beginning of internet in Kenya in the early
> nineties, there was some work done by USAID (Leyland Initiative) lead by
> John Mark though not often acknowledged. Even more work was done by African
> Online. It is worth checking on it.
> Sent from Yahoo Mail on Android
> <https://go.onelink.me/107872968?pid=InProduct&c=Global_Internal_YGrowth_AndroidEmailSig__AndroidUsers&af_wl=ym&af_sub1=Internal&af_sub2=Global_YGrowth&af_sub3=EmailSignature>
>
> On Sat, Apr 4, 2020 at 16:53, Dorcas Muthoni via kictanet
> <kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke> wrote:
> Hi all,
>
> This is an article I wrote recently: http://www.afchix.
> org/blog_post/internet-should-be-public-utility/
>
>
> Happy to here your thoughts.
>
> The regulatory framework needs to be future looking. The COVID-19
> situation is bringing us back to the table to revise what we otherwise
> thought was reasonable use and penetration of the Internet in Kenya and
> across Africa.
>
> Good time to revive  like APC, KICTANET etc to revisit policy advocacy
> on  universally accessible and affordable Internet access. Internet
> should be considered as critical as other services like water, electricity,
> sewerage etc.
>
> We all know the school calendar is in total jeopardy and talks on having
> kids repeat 2020 on the table.
>
> Universally accessible and affordable Internet access is what will give
> us a continuity strategy for education and support telemedicine. These are
> some of the areas where growth must happen.
>
> Regards, Muthoni
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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.
>
>
>
> --
> SMM
>
> *"Better a patient person than a warrior, one with self-control than one
> who takes a city." Prov 16:32*
>
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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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http://kenyarockfilmfestivaljournal.blogspot.com
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