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<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>John and All, </FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Obviously the wrong John Maina. I thought this
conversation and behavior did seem out of character for him. I do know
Joe Manthi, though (at least I hope this is the same Joe Manthi I know from
KCA!), and what he has just posted makes a good point: no "control" or
foreign "ownership". That should be bedrock. But that's not an issue in this
case, is it? </FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>And it seems clear that we don't know for certain
what nationality Brian is...though this surely has brought up a number of
important and sensitive issues.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>FYI, I run the international branch of a Kenyan
HIV/AIDS and development nonprofit in rural western Kenya. I have, along with
the Kenyan HQ, developed ICTs-related projects for our organization (<A
href="http://www.kaippg.org">www.kaippg.org</A>), written ICTs-related grants
(GenARDIS), and helped to create a 5-party e-learning consortium--sponsored by
The Commonwealth of Learning--that addresses subjects ranging from health to
education. That is called GRASSUP NOW.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>In 2007, GRASSUP NOW (which stands for "Grassroots
Socio-economic Underpinnings: Poverty reduction, Nutrition and food
security, ODL/ICTs, Women", denoting the subjects we cover) was a
finalist in the Stockholm Challenge.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>For more on our work, see:</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><A
href="http://ictupdate.cta.int/en/Feature-Articles/Kenya-The-health-and-agriculture-community-radio-network">http://ictupdate.cta.int/en/Feature-Articles/Kenya-The-health-and-agriculture-community-radio-network</A></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><A
href="http://gkp.stockholmchallenge.se/node/33020">http://gkp.stockholmchallenge.se/node/33020</A></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>I have been part of a team that created an
emergency response network (using the Internet and mobile phones) in Kenya
to promote peaceful resolution of the post-election crisis . In the eforums I
moderate, I have posted about ICTs-related opportunities in Kenya which my
members have taken advantage of, one recently winning the top award: a
state-of-the-art multipurpose center for their youth and development activities,
which will help hundreds of young people and their families, in addition to
promoting education and peace via their radio station. This org is located in
Nairobi.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>There is more I could say but that is not
necessary: I am indeed a "stakeholder", and that is why I am here. I
do NOT post about American conferences that have nothing to do with Kenya. I
only post abt topics that have some connection to Kenya.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>All of this, in a way, is completely beside the
point. But, as I said above, it does bring up many issues that are
relevant, including how we perceive others and behave towards others, let alone
how we sometimes make assumptions and speak before knowing the facts. These
issues are important to address, but not in an "attack-dog" way, whether it
is "foreigners" or Kenyans doing the attacking.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Thanks and best wishes, Janet</FONT></DIV>
<BLOCKQUOTE
style="PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; BORDER-LEFT: #000000 2px solid; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px">
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial">----- Original Message ----- </DIV>
<DIV
style="BACKGROUND: #e4e4e4; FONT: 10pt arial; font-color: black"><B>From:</B>
<A title=j.maina@ymail.com href="mailto:j.maina@ymail.com">John Maina</A>
</DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>To:</B> <A title=kaippg@earthlink.net
href="mailto:kaippg@earthlink.net">Janet Feldman</A> </DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Cc:</B> <A
title=kictanet@lists.kictanet.or.ke
href="mailto:kictanet@lists.kictanet.or.ke">KICTAnet ICT Policy
Discussions</A> </DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Sent:</B> Wednesday, December 03, 2008 11:31
AM</DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Subject:</B> Re: [kictanet] John, All: Kenyan
Representation Important...But How Abt Discussing Points in the Report?</DIV>
<DIV><BR></DIV>
<DIV
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman,new york,times,serif"><BR
style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; COLOR: rgb(0,0,255)"><SPAN
style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; COLOR: rgb(0,0,255)">Janet</SPAN><BR
style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; COLOR: rgb(0,0,255)"><BR
style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; COLOR: rgb(0,0,255)"><SPAN
style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; COLOR: rgb(0,0,255)">Check Answers in Blue</SPAN>.
<SPAN style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; COLOR: rgb(0,0,255)">You are simply not making
sense defending foreigners. When did a foreigner start heading and sitting on
the board of FCC?</SPAN><BR style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; COLOR: rgb(0,0,255)"><BR
style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; COLOR: rgb(0,0,255)"><SPAN
style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; COLOR: rgb(0,0,255)">JM</SPAN><BR>
<DIV><SPAN class=gmail_quote>On 12/3/08, <B class=gmail_sendername>Janet
Feldman</B> <<A
href="mailto:kaippg@earthlink.net">kaippg@earthlink.net</A>> wrote:</SPAN>
<BLOCKQUOTE class=gmail_quote
style="PADDING-LEFT: 1ex; MARGIN: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0.8ex; BORDER-LEFT: rgb(204,204,204) 1px solid">
<DIV bgcolor="#ffffff">
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Dear John and All,</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>I know you in a different context (KCA), as a
person who has always been supportive of me, a foreigner (American) working
with Kenyans on humanitarian and development projects in Kenya.
</FONT></DIV></DIV></BLOCKQUOTE>
<DIV><BR><BR style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; COLOR: rgb(0,0,153)"><SPAN
style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; COLOR: rgb(0,0,153)">I dont know you Janet. I dont
know where you knew me from but I dont know you and have never met you so
either you are confusing me with someone or I just forgot</SPAN>
<BR></DIV><BR>
<BLOCKQUOTE class=gmail_quote
style="PADDING-LEFT: 1ex; MARGIN: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0.8ex; BORDER-LEFT: rgb(204,204,204) 1px solid">
<DIV bgcolor="#ffffff">
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>While your point about Kenyan representation is
an important one as a "principle", where is this discussion of Brian's
supposed lineage getting us? </FONT></DIV></DIV></BLOCKQUOTE>
<DIV><BR><BR><SPAN style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; COLOR: rgb(0,0,153)">Janet, this
is housekeeping. A foreigner cannot and should not and must not sit on Kenyan
state corporation Board. Thats not something which you as a "foreigner" can
understand. You are basically not well conversant with facts here and so you
entering the bedroom and telling the owner of the house to change where the
bed is facing is uncalled for intrusion</SPAN> <BR></DIV><BR>
<BLOCKQUOTE class=gmail_quote
style="PADDING-LEFT: 1ex; MARGIN: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0.8ex; BORDER-LEFT: rgb(204,204,204) 1px solid">
<DIV bgcolor="#ffffff">
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>There are very important "issues" to be
discussed in the statement, issues and challenges that impact on millions of
lives, and any success we might achieve (as the human collective) in
bridging digital divides and putting truly sustainable development--one that
"lifts all boats"--into practice.</FONT></DIV></DIV></BLOCKQUOTE>
<DIV><BR><BR><SPAN style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; COLOR: rgb(0,0,153)">Do you think
that getting a foreigner to sit on CCK board is not important issue? How will
you bridge the digital divide while the foundation of the other side of the
digital divide is being ignored. Do you think the bridge will stand the test
of time?</SPAN> <BR></DIV><BR>
<BLOCKQUOTE class=gmail_quote
style="PADDING-LEFT: 1ex; MARGIN: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0.8ex; BORDER-LEFT: rgb(204,204,204) 1px solid">
<DIV bgcolor="#ffffff">
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>If someone is doing a good job of representing
"us" (whoever we are or however we identify), being of service, or otherwise
working for a purpose near and dear to us--even if s/he is not one of us by
birth or nationality--what real difference does nationality make in this
case, as a "practical" consideration (again, I understand that the principle
is important in a "meta" way)?</FONT></DIV></DIV></BLOCKQUOTE>
<DIV><BR><SPAN style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; COLOR: rgb(0,0,153)">Janet, you can
never be us because you are not us. this is KICTANET and we are talking about
Kenya ICT network. One time when a person, I think Robert Alai, did post some
things here about an American conference, he was told by one of the attack
dogs that what has something happening to women in USA got to do with
KICTANET. What has Janet Feldman who is not Kenyan got to do with KICTANET.
Are you an investor, a stakeholder or simply an interested
by-stander?</SPAN><BR> </DIV><BR>
<BLOCKQUOTE class=gmail_quote
style="PADDING-LEFT: 1ex; MARGIN: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0.8ex; BORDER-LEFT: rgb(204,204,204) 1px solid">
<DIV bgcolor="#ffffff">
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>It is a good thing for that person to
understand that there are limits to how much they can speak for us, or our
needs, experiences, thoughts, et al. But this particular subject doesn't
seem to be so "nationally" related that a person from Malawi cannot do
justice to what is happening in Kenya re ICTs and all related
issues.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>There obviously need to be many channels of
open communication, many ways in which viewpoints from Kenyans can be
included centrally in whatever is important for Kenyans to address. Outreach
for such information-gathering and inclusion is vital, and forums like this
can provide that. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Appointing of Kenyans to policy-making
positions and in other venues where "Kenyan" input is crucial is both
important and necessary, especially in circumstances where
non-representation would lead not only to ineffectual policies and programs,
but even worse, a return to a form of colonialism (ie policies and programs
constructed "for" Kenyans, but "without" Kenyans represented as central
decision-makers).</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Again, that doesn't seem as relevant here,
though. The development-related issues are crucial to learn from and
address, however. Do you have some thoughts about the contents of the
report itself?</FONT></DIV></DIV></BLOCKQUOTE>
<DIV><BR><BR>It wil never seem relevant to you since you dont have any stake
in ICT in Kenya and so will never argue for the Kenyan case. Lets observe some
decorum and you , Janet Feldman, dont think that being offered sahani is same
as being told to take the whole Sufuria <BR></DIV><BR>
<BLOCKQUOTE class=gmail_quote
style="PADDING-LEFT: 1ex; MARGIN: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0.8ex; BORDER-LEFT: rgb(204,204,204) 1px solid">
<DIV bgcolor="#ffffff">
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Its conclusion is this: "Key stakeholder
lesson: relevant content drives demand - Safaricom's m-pesa met a basic and
everyday need, this has driven the increased use of their mobile platform by
touching the lives & livelihoods of both urban & rural
citizens."</FONT></DIV></DIV></BLOCKQUOTE>
<DIV><BR><BR style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; COLOR: rgb(0,0,153)"><SPAN
style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; COLOR: rgb(0,0,153)">Yes, We know that but whats its
relation to Brian Longwes nationality. Why are you mixing and gathering alot
of things to confuse the points?</SPAN> <BR></DIV><BR>
<BLOCKQUOTE class=gmail_quote
style="PADDING-LEFT: 1ex; MARGIN: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0.8ex; BORDER-LEFT: rgb(204,204,204) 1px solid">
<DIV bgcolor="#ffffff">
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><FONT face=Arial size=2>Can we discuss the
lessons and their implications, as well as the way(s) forward for ICTs
linked to improving lives and enhancing development of
communities?</FONT></FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><FONT face=Arial size=2>Thanks much and best
wishes to all, Janet</FONT></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><BR></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<BLOCKQUOTE
style="PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; BORDER-LEFT: rgb(0,0,0) 2px solid; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px">
<DIV
style="FONT: 10pt arial; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal">-----
Original Message ----- </DIV>
<DIV
style="BACKGROUND: rgb(228,228,228); FONT: 10pt arial; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial"><B>From:</B>
<A title=j.maina@ymail.com
onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)"
href="mailto:j.maina@ymail.com" target=_blank>John Maina</A> </DIV>
<DIV
style="FONT: 10pt arial; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal"><B>To:</B>
<A title=kaippg@earthlink.net
onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)"
href="mailto:kaippg@earthlink.net" target=_blank>kaippg@earthlink.net</A>
</DIV>
<DIV
style="FONT: 10pt arial; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal"><B>Cc:</B>
<A title=kictanet@lists.kictanet.or.ke
onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)"
href="mailto:kictanet@lists..kictanet.or.ke" target=_blank>KICTAnet ICT
Policy Discussions</A> </DIV>
<DIV
style="FONT: 10pt arial; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal"><B>Sent:</B>
Wednesday, December 03, 2008 9:27 AM</DIV>
<DIV
style="FONT: 10pt arial; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal"><B>Subject:</B>
[kictanet] Satement by Brian Longwe from Panel on Access in MainSession of
Internet Governance Forum, Hyderabad, India 3rd Dec 2008</DIV>
<DIV><BR></DIV>
<DIV
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman,new york,times,serif">
<DIV>Ndugu Murigi<BR><BR>being in Kenyan primary school uniform doesnt
make you Kenyan. Brian in Malawian with a brother called Anthony Maundu
longwe in malawi and his cousins and brothers. Brian is not Kenyan and as
we move on we will prove this. Kenyan Public companies cant have
foreigners masquerrading as locals. And the foreigners are the ones who
are used as attack dogs in these fora. Lets see and know that we want to
know if by giving Brian who has very cheap CV on ICT to sit on CCK board
is the way PS Ndemo is benefiting the foreigners. <BR><BR>Ukweli
uutajulikana<BR><BR>JM<BR></DIV>
<DIV
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman,new york,times,serif"><BR>
<DIV
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman,new york,times,serif"><FONT
face=Tahoma size=2></FONT>
<HR SIZE=1>
<FONT face=Tahoma size=2><B><SPAN
style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">From:</SPAN></B> S.Murigi Muraya <<A
onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)"
href="mailto:murigi.muraya@gmail.com"
target=_blank>murigi.muraya@gmail.com</A>><BR><B><SPAN
style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">To:</SPAN></B> John Maina <<A
onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)"
href="mailto:j.maina@ymail..com"
target=_blank>j.maina@ymail.com</A>><BR><B><SPAN
style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Cc:</SPAN></B> KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions
<<A onclick="return top.js..OpenExtLink(window,event,this)"
href="mailto:kictanet@lists.kictanet.or.ke"
target=_blank>kictanet@lists.kictanet.or.ke</A><WBR>><BR><B><SPAN
style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Sent:</SPAN></B> Wednesday, December 3, 2008
6:10:39 PM<BR><B><SPAN style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Subject:</SPAN></B> Re:
[kictanet] Satement by Brian Longwe from Panel on Access in Main Session
of Internet Governance Forum, Hyderabad, India 3rd Dec
2008<BR></FONT><BR>Brian is Kenyan. Some of us used to be in our primary
school uniforms playing video games at Sarit Center in the 80's ...and he
was one of us!<BR><BR>John Maina wrote:
<BLOCKQUOTE type="cite">
<DIV
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman,new york,times,serif">
<DIV>Ndugu Mungai<BR><BR>Check <A
onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)"
href="http://lists.itmalawi.org/pipermail/ictassociation/2008-August/000695.html"
target=_blank
rel=nofollow>http://lists.itmalawi.org/<WBR>pipermail/ictassociation/2008-<WBR>August/000695.html</A><BR><BR>Which
schools in Kenya did Brian go to. I was in Lilongwe and met one of his
former close associate.. Brian is not Kenyan and I am just finishing my
investigations. I dont know why PS Ndemo appoints foreigners in Kenyan
ICT companies boards. Another one also who is a prominent member of this
forum is not Kenyan<BR><BR>I am not talking out of rumours. Wait for
proof<BR><BR>JM<BR></DIV>
<DIV
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman,new york,times,serif"><BR>
<DIV
style="FONT-SIZE: 13px; FONT-FAMILY: arial,helvetica,sans-serif"><FONT
face=Tahoma size=2></FONT>
<HR SIZE=1>
<FONT face=Tahoma size=2><B><SPAN
style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">From:</SPAN></B> Wainaina Mungai <A
onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)"
href="mailto:wainaina@madeinkenya.org" target=_blank
rel=nofollow><wainaina@madeinkenya..org></A><BR><B><SPAN
style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">To:</SPAN></B> John Maina <A
onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)"
href="mailto:j.maina@ymail.com" target=_blank
rel=nofollow><j.maina@ymail.com></A>; <A
onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)"
href="mailto:picta-kenya@yahoogroups.com" target=_blank
rel=nofollow>picta-kenya@yahoogroups.com</A>; <A
onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)"
href="mailto:ke-internetusers@bdix.net" target=_blank
rel=nofollow>ke-internetusers@bdix.net</A>; KICTAnet ICT Policy
Discussions <A onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)"
href="mailto:kictanet@lists.kictanet.or.ke" target=_blank
rel=nofollow><kictanet@lists.kictanet.or.<WBR>ke></A><BR><B><SPAN
style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Sent:</SPAN></B> Wednesday, December 3, 2008
5:34:03 PM<BR><B><SPAN style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Subject:</SPAN></B> Re:
[kictanet] Satement by Brian Longwe from Panel on Access in Main Session
of Internet Governance Forum, Hyderabad, India 3rd Dec
2008<BR></FONT><BR>FYI John et al.<BR><BR>Brian may as well be called
"Mblayo"...He's a Mkamba if that helps<BR>qualify him as a real
Kenyan...Munyao to be exact. As for mixed<BR>heritage, you may give him
the same positive recognition as<BR>OBAMA...except that he's worked
tirelessly for years now building our<BR>ICT standing on the
planet.<BR><BR>Have an informed day ;-)<BR><BR><BR><BR>On 12/3/08, John
Maina <<A onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)"
href="mailto:j.maina@ymail.com" target=_blank
rel=nofollow>j.maina@ymail.com</A>> wrote:<BR>>
KICTANET<BR>><BR>> Why is a Malawian representing Kenya at the
IGF? Do we lack enough Kenyans<BR>> to sit on Kenyan boards and also
represent Kenya abroad? This is disgusting<BR>> and the earlier the
masqueraders like Brian Longwe and the bunch of foreign<BR>> attack
dogs are told off the better..<BR>><BR>>
JM<BR>><BR>><BR>><BR>><BR>>
______________________________<WBR>__<BR>> From: Brian Longwe <<A
onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)"
href="mailto:blongwe@gmail.com" target=_blank
rel=nofollow>blongwe@gmail.com</A>><BR>> To: <A
onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)"
href="mailto:j.maina@ymail.com" target=_blank
rel=nofollow>j.maina@ymail.com</A><BR>> Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy
Discussions <<A
onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)"
href="mailto:kictanet@lists.kictanet.or.ke" target=_blank
rel=nofollow>kictanet@lists.kictanet...or..<WBR>ke</A>><BR>> Sent:
Wednesday, December 3, 2008 3:15:20 PM<BR>> Subject: [kictanet]
Satement by Brian Longwe from Panel on Access in Main<BR>> Session of
Internet Governance Forum, Hyderabad, India 3rd Dec
2008<BR>><BR>><BR>> Brian Munyao Longwe – Main Session on
Access (Development Perspective)<BR>><BR>> Traditionally
teledensity has been used as a measure of access or the extent<BR>>
to which communication technologies have pervaded a
community.<BR>><BR>> In the past Africa as a region has recorded
extremely low fixed-line<BR>> teledensity of below 1% that is less
than 1 line per 100 people. Believe it<BR>> or not this is still the
case!<BR>><BR>> However, when one incorporates mobile lines in a
teledensity analysis - the<BR>> results are not only incredible, they
are amazing. as of 2007, Africa's<BR>> mobile teledensity stood at an
impressive 23% or 23 lines per 100 people.<BR>> There was a recorded
growth in mobile users from 128 million in 2006 to over<BR>> 215
million subscribers by 2007. This represents an annual growth of
over<BR>> 46%. We have just heard that India's mobile network is
growing at an<BR>> incredible rate of over 10 million new connections
per month!<BR>><BR>> Given the fact that most operators around
Africa have rolled out GPRS/EDGE<BR>> coverage across most of their
networks as well as deployment of 3G access<BR>> across their larger
markets it is entirely feasible that mobile, not<BR>> broadband may
present the opportunity for increased access for developing<BR>>
countries. MOBILE and not BROADBAND is the silver
bullet.<BR>><BR>> Another key element crucial to the growth of
access in developing countries<BR>> is a suitable environment for the
dispersion of relevant content and<BR>> applications that meet the
day to day needs of the populace. Internet<BR>> Exchange Points are
the primary critical ingredient needed to create these<BR>>
conditions. By keeping all locally originated and requested traffic
local,<BR>> Internet exchange points serve a crucial role in
enhancing the user<BR>> experience, lowering operational costs and
providing a suitable framework<BR>> for the growth and development of
the Internet in general.<BR>><BR>> While many developing countries
have adopted policies and regulations that<BR>> encourage and promote
competition in the mobile sectors, which has resulted<BR>> in
continued growth in the numbers of users, the establishment of IXPs
has<BR>> received a relatively low priority - despite the significant
impact that<BR>> such simple infrastructure presents to the
community.<BR>><BR>> Access enhances the interface between
government and the citizen at a<BR>> transactional level.. The Kenya
Revenue Authority last year suggested that<BR>> the Kenya Internet
Exchange Point receive "critical infrastructure" status<BR>> with
24-hour armed guard due to the fact that 100% of all
import/export<BR>> declarations and documentation transit the IXP via
the revenue authority's<BR>> web-based platform.<BR>><BR>>
Going back to mobile, Safaricom, a Kenyan mobile operator introduced a
money<BR>> transfer service called M-Pesa less than two years ago.
M-Pesa now has over<BR>> 4 million subscribers (within 1 year - the
service signed up more users than<BR>> Kenya's entire banking
industry signed up within a century!) Safaricom<BR>> reported that
over half a Billion US dollar had been transacted over the<BR>>
platform within less than 18 months.<BR>><BR>> Key policy lesson?
The financial services and communications regulator in<BR>> Kenya
decided not to subject m-pesa to punitive obligations through<BR>>
treatment as a bank but rather chose to perceive m-pesa a non-bank
payment<BR>> service. That decision has today affected and continues
to affect millions<BR>> of lives.. Regulators can either promote
innovation, access & development or<BR>> hinder
it.<BR>><BR>> In East Africa communications regulators have
completely opened up the<BR>> communications sector; fully
liberalizing every area, but providing<BR>> structure through unified
licensing regime that separates facilities,<BR>> services and content
In Kenya this has spurred investments of over half a<BR>> Billion USD
over the past 2 years.<BR>><BR>> Key stakeholder lesson: relevant
content drives demand - Safaricom's m-pesa<BR>> met a basic and
everyday need, this has driven the increased use of their<BR>> mobile
platform by touching the lives & livelihoods of both urban &
rural<BR>> citizens.<BR>><BR>><BR>> --<BR>> Brian Munyao
Longwe<BR>> e-mail: <A
onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)"
href="mailto:blongwe@gmail.com" target=_blank
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