what Koch Fm needs........

when power goes, the radio goes off air....

inspired by a pirate radio in Brazil, Koch Fm started operation as a pirate radio two years ago. last year, the radio got a licence to operate within 2km radius in Korogocho slums.

just like many other sectors that depend on the erratic power, the station is in need of a generator.
the volunteers have raised money and bought a generator but have not installed it. a company profile with the history and programs will be availed,

here is the breakdown of what is needed.

1 piece 3 safe automatic change over = 80,000
24 metres , 10mm twin width earth @140 = 3,360
4 piece roll bolts 8mm @130 each = 520
1 piece concrete earth dip @2000 =2000
1 piece earth rod 4inch @ 550 =550
4bags of cement @ 400 =1,600
1 tonne concrete each = 1,100
1 tonne of sand @1,300= 1,300
4 pieces box iron/ion tube 2x2 each @ 1200= 4,800
3 pieces box iron/ion tube 1x2 @ 950 - 2,850
4 pieces iron sheets 21/2m @ 550 each = 2,200
4 pieces wire mesh @ 1400 = 5,600
2kg hood iron @ 180 =360
3 pieces inches @ 85 = 255
exhaust system @ 7,000
labour and transport = 45,000
testing and communication = 3000
VAT @ 16% = 25, 839

GRAND TOTAL 187,334

most of our web content is irrelevant- Michuki

only 10 per cent of kenya websites are relevant

Having a website maybe the most fashionable thing for many Kenyan companies, but how many websites are relevant? How many have content that is important to local people?

Michuki Mwangi, Chief Executive Officer at KENIC reckons that 90% of the websites in Kenya are irrelevant and user unfriendly. The 10% are under construction, and remain so for a long time.

At the monthly forum, Michuki indicted many organizations of developing websites that don’t give visitors reason to come back, because they have same information after three years.

“Less than 50 % of the content of the web is irrelevant and does not address the core functions of the organizations,” said Michuki.

For instance, Nakumatt Holdings website; it has a slide show of buildings, information about the company and very little about the products available and the prices. Uchumi website has information about products and the prices but is limited to products on special offer.

Compared to Tesco super market in the UK- all the walkways are listed, groceries, finance, media information occupies less space, and maximizes on their core business.

The Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) website is equally incapable of providing flight information, parking costs and directions to and from the airport. The website does not load up easily and has more information on tourism compared to its core functions.

With the website being labeled as off the mark, one participant commented that even the boards at the airport do not work.

compare to the British Airports Authority website- it has flight information, how to leave from one airport to the next, car park direction and fees, security alerts among other features.

Telkom scored higher marks, had all the information about their services, loads fast but there is no way to purchase the services online, one has to fill forms and visit agents to get services.

Michuki argued that the main problem lies in the fact that websites have been labeled as “IT jobs” and are only there, not to help in marketing. In this respect, many organizations leave website management to their IT departments and do nothing to improve on the content available.

To redress this, organizations need to identify right target group, build online social networks, and collaborations between academia, media and government to ensure that content is generated.

ends

KICTANet members make a difference at Koch FM

When Carol Wanjiru and Hellen Wanjiku gave their presentation about Koch Fm, the challenges and successes, the crowd was delighted.

It was a capacity crowd of Kictanet members who turned up probably to listen to the opportunities and challenges to development and maintenance of local content in local radio stations and websites.

For a station that started as a pirate radio at the Korogocho slums in Nairobi, Koch Fm officially launches tomorrow (Saturday June 16^th)

The station broadcasts at 99.9 at a radius of 2km, incidentally, the same frequency is licensed to Ghetto Fm at Majengo slums. If they exceed the radius, then they interfere with each other’s frequencies.

In this respect, Koch Fm would like to stream online so that even those living beyond Korogocho can listen to them. But they have no website.

That was made history yesterday by KENIC and Communicart. KENIC will organise for them to get a domain while Communicart will develop their website and ensure it’s interactive.

Because Koch Fm wants to encourage qualified youth to abandon crime and seek employment or entrepreneurship, the website will allow organizations and individuals to post employment and training opportunities which will be broadcast at the station.

Ends

Radio Simba to train presenters at Koch Fm

When Carol Wanjiru agreed to make a presentation at KICTANet’s monthly forum, she did not expect the response to be that overwhelming.

“I knew good things would come, but this is more than good. Thank you KICTANet!” she said.

Apart from having an operational website, Radio Simba invited Koch Fm presenters for a hands-on training at their offices in Lavington.

Nicola Munene, from Radio Simba, confirmed that the station would be delighted to expose the volunteers at Koch Fm to the rigors of a commercial radio station and how they make presentation beneficial to the community.

“We will arrange when they can come over to our offices. I think it will be mutually beneficial,” said Munene.

Koch Fm is operated by youth at Korogocho slums on voluntary basis.

Ends

Koch Fm needs a generator

It is not every day that Kenyan journalists commit their money to the community but Ng’ang’a Mbugua had a noble idea- to contribute towards Koch Fm’s acquisition of a generator.

Mbugua, a journalist with the Nation wanted had learnt that Koch Fm was fundraising to buy a generator and wanted to contribute to the cause. So he sent sms to all his friends. He asked for whatever they had, shs 100, 500, 1,000 or 10,000.

Now, Koch Fm has a generator but has no money to install it. They got estimate costs of about shs 120,000.

KICTANet members have been invited to pledge their contribution towards this worthy cause. Whether monetary or in kind, all are welcome to contribute.

We are drawing a list of those interested in contributing.

Andrew Limo from E-government directorate was the first to pledge. Please add your name to this list.

Ideally, Kenya ICT Action Network would like to help, and make sure the ACTION part is more prominent. It is such acts that will bridge the digital divide……

Do I hear the names???

E-learning experts in town

For the last two days, Safari Park hotel has been abuzz with techies, governments and e-learning advocates comparing notes.

It’s the second e-learning Africa conference and from the choice of the venue, it’s not a place for ordinary men and women to just walk in and participate in sessions, or exhibitions.

Oops! Did I forget to say that you need about sh 22,000 to get in? Yes, it is the participation fee.

How many people can afford the fee? Who are the people who need to know much about e-learning opportunities and appreciate the technology out there?

From the ambience, this is not a place for the poor chaps with bad breath and brown teeth. If anything, they may just as well suggest that the fee is better off in their pockets than with conference organizers.

For instance, the press room has no computers because it is assumed that the local journalists and bloggers would use their laptops, and take advantage of the wireless hotspot.

Reuben Kyama, a local journalist, could only say “we are sending a message” when asked why there is no properly equipped press room or area for bloggers and journalists.

So, who are the “real winners” in this conference?

Ends

A whining Nation

It is no secret that Moi messed up Kenya. It is equally no secret that Kenyans have acquired a whining mentality-that things are not working well as they ought to.

In the spirit of whining, the civil service has been painted as pathetic and lazy, corrupt and inept. The public has been accused of ignorance and illiteracy.

While the indictment may be true, I guess we should always give room for change. When we ever know the situation is changing if we do not give people a chance, every act is condemned.

Most of the people working in government offices are our mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters and cousins, who probably we hold in very high esteem. These relatives have organised their homes, pushed kids through school with peanut salary and clothed all of us somehow.

I am not in any way condoning the ills that wreck the country but I think its time we gave people a chance.

Change comes from within, we must change our outlook.

Most of the people who whine and trash the government do not queue for its services, don’t visit our hospitals, don’t go to our schools- they have access to the best services.

We may want things to move faster but even Rome was not built in a day. It takes time.

For instance, America took almost a century to make meaningful gains in the fight against child labour and efficiency in government.

We all want an efficient civil service and an informed public but it has to start somewhere.

I always feel good when I visit an office and am served well. Not because it’s a favour but because it reminds me that the situation is not that bad after all. Of course there is room for improvement but for once, stop whining.

Without fear of contradiction, I can say that at times I don’t like the services offered but if you get to know the level of poverty or the residence or salary of the person serving you, I think you say THANK YOU!

Ends

THE DEBATE OF THE YEAR

It was going to be the debate of the year, it was eagerly waited for, and at last Kenyan politicians were expected to address issues.

“I was going to be extremely impressed if they turned up. It would have been the debate of the year,” said Michuki Mwangi.

Probably Michuki’s argument epitomizes the feeling of over 80 people who gathered for the debate. It was going to be a good day.

It has been argued that some of the expected guests may not have been aware of the ICT issues expected to be discussed. Whilst this may be true, the leaders- Balala, Raila, Ruto, Kalonzo, Mudavadi, Nyagah, and Umar were sent a background note outlining the state of ICT in the country.

There was every indication that they would turn up, Ruto and Mudavadi even claimed to be on the way. At the end of it, the wait was too long and we had to proceed with the program.

The function was facilitated by Eng. James Rege and Muriuki Mureithi and all networks within KICTANet were represented.

Joseph Mucheru, Kanja Waruru, Edith Adera and Brian Logwe took turns leading the debate and the participation was equally good.

Though the live stream was hampered by poor PA system, people managed to tune in. it was a first step towards creating local content. Next time KDN and Intersat Africa will provide video streaming.

POLITICIANS AND ISSUES

It has been said many times that Kenyan politicians need to move beyond petty politics and embrace issues.

So when the so called ODM big wigs were invited to the ICT debate, it was expected that they would for once give a blue print of an ICT enabled country.

Most of those politicians will also be on the frontline of telling you how South Korea has developed than Kenya, yet in 1969, Kenya was perceived to be doing much better.

It was therefore expected that these politicians, who are gunning for Kibaki’s job will do better by demonstrating how Kenya could follow South Korea which by the way is the world’s most wired country.

That the politicians confirmed to participate but withdrew last minute is indicative that they either do not understand the role of ICT in developing the country or they do not care about addressing issues.

Am told that for the politicians, they are only interested in the ignorant voter and not the professionals, who are accused of shouting from roof tops yet do not turn out to vote.

I have heard stories that because Kenya has not built or maintained roads means that the politicians can not hold such a debate or such a debate can’t stream live on the internet.

Such arguments are made by people who are not in touch with reality in Kenya. They would rather stand on high horses and say how the government should do this or that instead of appreciating the simple things.

On a different note, somebody commented on radio how we are always quick to criticize the police yet we do not take time to commend them when they do something nice. They stand in traffic whole day at times rained on yet expected to perform like those in Europe or US.

So, if the comment is to tell me how Kenya is a pathetic country, don’t comment here, am sure there are other blogs that will entertain that, this is only for those who appreciate the small steps the country is taking towards development and change.

Whilst the failure to participate may demonstrate lack of maturity by the politicians, does it mean we are all at that level.

Is there anything that can be done to change politics?

Life in a coffee estate- hard work or exploitation??

There is nothing interesting in a coffee estate but being a young girl or boy growing up in central province, it’s worth it.

As a teenager, the major hurdle is waking up at 4am, one must monitor the lorry moving up before strategically lining up by the roadside and wait for the rope to be lowered down, and the “turn boy” hoists you up.

This marks the beginning of a hectic day.

Rewind!!!!! Why would a teenager go to the estates??

Of course there is nothing good about child labour but the joy of making your own money is overwhelming. For those who don’t have parents to shower them with money and gifts, it feels good to have your own money and the liberty to spend it.

On the other hand, the more money you make, the more you set yourself aside from the other lazy bones.

This was probably one of the reasons why we would walk about five kilometers to a coffee estate just outside the town I grew up. We would gather around every morning and walk there, this happens when there is no transport.

After 5 pm, we gather and compare our money, and vow to do better the following day. To us, it was the formation of the spirit of hard work and competition.

But there is a thin line between child labour, competition and hard work.

There are various reasons why teenagers, not children work in the estates, but when this work is forced and exploited, then it becomes something else.

Just like Bill Clinton delivered newspapers when he was young. If there were any coffee estates in his region, am sure he would have taken the offer.

Get me right, I am not advocating for child labour, I am only looking for the constructive side of it.

So, read on……

FIDA: ELITIST OR NOT?

When Keriako Tobiko, advocate of the high court labeled FIDA as “busy bodies”, the statement attracted angry reactions from the feminist movement in Kenya.

Because Tobiko was representing former cabinet minister Julius Sunkuli in a rape case, many saw his remarks as utter disrespect for FIDA.

After all, Tobiko was arguing his client’s case, which was finally withdrawn, and a whole soap opera followed. Am sure you all know the story of how the girl in question appeared on TV after withdrawing the complaint.

In retrospect, Tobiko’s remarks may have had some truth. In the recent past, the role of FIDA has become increasingly questionable.

Though Tobiko is now Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) and may have toned down his feelings about FIDA, others may not have.

Sample this: FIDA is only heard representing clients when one of the culprits is an MP or a “fat cat”. Does it mean those are the only people suffering?

Of course FIDA will say that the media is biased and does not report those small cases but how many?

As Nekessa put it, there may be many stories of people who have written to FIDA and not gotten responses.

To assess the situation, I had a chat with Jo, my friend who gave the little girl a ride. I sought to know why she did not refer the mother to FIDA.

“FIDA is not for desperate people, its all about big people and big publicity. For me I saw it as a social issue and not a political one like FIDA likes them,” said Jo.

As a lawyer, Jo apologized profusely that she did not see FIDA as a representative of the poor. For her, FIDA is all about show biz and the quest for donor money. In short, the bigger the culprit, the bigger the story.

FIDA will argue that the introduction of fees may be important to sustain the organizations, but the organization moved offices to Lavington, a posh area.

Whether that place is accessible or not, am sure that is not within my province to determine.

It may seem like harsh judgment to FIDA but I called their offices and they promised to call back. Am still waiting.

Back to the question- is FIDA a mere busy body?

Is it there to chase big wigs or is it for the Kenyans with brown teeth and bad breath?

In my opinion, I don’t think so. I have met quite a number of people stranded at the law courts wondering where the FIDA lawyers are, only to be told that the lawyers came and adjourned the cases and left.

Having offices in Lavington is not the best gesture, how many people can access the offices? How far do they walk or are expected to drive??

With the rising cases of rape, violence against women among other crimes in Kenya, one would have expected FIDA to have their strong presence in Naivasha, Kiambu, Nyeri, and Kisumu among many other areas that such crimes are prevalent.

If you do not hear of FIDA in such areas, what do you expect of those silent sufferers who can only write a letter and hope it is followed up?

Be the judge!

Ends

Changing face of government

The first time, Bitange Ndemo, Information and Communication PS responded to an article I had sent to the KICTANet mailing list, I could not believe it. I thought someone else was doing it on his behalf.

After all, we are used to government officers who follow protocol that even responding to straight forward questions is a problem. Even clarifying issues.

So, for me to read from a PS explaining how I had left out vital points or misconstrued facts was amazing. He did not condemn, only clarified. He also encouraged dialogue, invited list members to ask, and he answered promptly.

Ndemo is now well known by list members and does not wait or give appointments just to explain about the fibre optic cable. He is known to visit forums such as mashada and explain to the youth about issues affecting his ministry.

For a journalist, this is easy, just drop him an email and you are home and dry….

Ndemo may be exceptional because he is trying to promote ICTs but there are other instances where the face of government has changed.

Sample this, during the KICTANet monthly forum, a young man, Robert Ogutu, from the ministry of youth affairs was present to explain about their projects at the ministry. She was accompanied by a colleague who was speaking about reviving the village polytechnics and the inherent challenges.

What was good about the presentations was that both presenters had just a day to make presentations; they worked hard and made it.

They extinguished earlier ideas that civil servants are lazy and will always point to red tape as a reason not to participate in events especially organised by private sector.

In my opinion, this is the kind of country we would like, where government officers freely interact with the public and can participate easily with private sector and civil society and share ideas.

We almost there….

Ends

A mother's agony when rapists strike

“Why is my stomach aching, I am feeling so bad, why mum, why?” Jane asked as she alighted off the vehicle.

Jane is eight; she was raped at the Ngomongo village in Kiambu. On this day, she was being taken back to Kiambu district hospital for further check up.

The mother could not explain to the girl why she was in so much pain. The girl can note even tell whether the pain is in her stomach or in her private parts, it’s too much for her and she looks dazed.

To add to all the trouble, Jane is mentally challenged, after an attack of pneumonia when she was five. According to the mother, her life changed then.

Most of you may not know Ngomongo slums but its somewhere between Kiambu and Zimmerman, beyond Starehe girls centre. That place has quarries, hence the name Ngomongo.

Jane was home that day; she can not fit in normal schools because she is violent and can not concentrate. The mother had ran out of options.

Ran out of options because she has other kids to feed and is a casual laborer, she claimed that Jane had just been kicked out of school the previous week, and had been left home alone.

So, this guy came and asked who was home and Jane responded she was alone. He convinced her to go the maize plantation and the rest is history.

Incidentally it was the mother who heard the screams; she had just rushed back home to check on her. The man was caught in the act, roughed up and taken to Kiambu police station.

When I enquired much about it, she said the man was released and back in the village. She was not very familiar with the legal regime. All that she knew was that she and her daughter were tormented.

The way I met this girl was so funny because I was to meet my friend Jo at KIST, she was coming from her house near Starehe girls, she was taking so long, anyway, she is the kind who says she is around the corner, when she is not even showered, let alone start the car.

So when I started ranting and threatening to take off she said,

“Hold on, am picking up a sick girl,” I thought she was lying but I knew she can’t lie about something like that.

When I saw the girl, I insisted that all my plans could wait for the girl to get to hospital. Because she could not walk, the mother depended on lifts. On this case, she did not know how to get back home.

As Jane alighted, she was now crying aloud, and from the corner of my eye I could see Jo fighting back tears. The mother seemed to have resigned to fate.

Incidentally, Jo is a lawyer and we never thought of referring her to FIDA. But was it because she said she had explored all options? Is it because FIDA is now too elitist?

The story was moving because it would have been my daughter, sister, cousin and it could be me.
Ends

TAKING IT TO RURAL SCHOOLS

By Rebecca Wanjiku

At the heart of Meru district, Eastern province, a dusty road leads to Ruiga girls’ school. It is a typical village school with no power and vehicles to the shopping centre operate only on market days.

To access it, one needs prior information, if it rained; don’t bother visiting because the road is impassable. The school is two kilometers from the road with no public transport.

Imagine this: the school has an integrated system that allows teachers to teach mathematics, chemistry, biology and physics using animated computer graphics and has an integrated system that allows parents to monitor students’ academic and disciplinary progress from the internet.

The imagination can roll on to the classroom where the teachers use LCD projectors in place of black boards and exam past papers are available online. The assignments are forwarded via email and teachers, parents and students are in constant communication.

Well, this is the dream that the headmistress of the school has dared to dream. The school is typical of many village schools but wants to be the pioneer of computer technology in the area.

This school imposes itself as the testimony of the determination by Cyber School Technology Solutions (CSTS) of providing quality educational services to schools in Kenya- whether rural or urban.

With no power and coming from a place where computers are still perceived as myths, CSTS is proving that all students can enjoy world-class teaching aids that enhance the learning environment.

Fatma Bashir, chief marketing officer at CSTS narrated to ICT stakeholders gathered for the KICTANet forum how she has had to teach communities about benefits of computers before embarking on her mission to promote educational packages.

“One time a headmistress of another school blocked us from entering the school because we were introducing ‘bad pictures through the internet’ to the students. I took time to explain to the teachers the benefits of computers in schools, and that we had good intentions,” Bashir told the forum.

CSTS develops teaching resources, aligned to specific syllabi, featuring 3D animations. Each Unit within a Chapter apart from 3D animations contains 2D animations, visuals, charts, experiments and other reference materials required by teachers in a classroom environment.

Today, Ruiga girls’ school has 220 students and 12 teachers. Granted the challenges, the school was ranked 18 out of 79 schools in 2006, up from 33rd position in the district in 2005, and according to Bashir, the students have demonstrated positive index improvement in sciences subjects after using the Digital Science products for barely 6 weeks before the final exams.

This school epitomizes the desire by CSTS to bridge the infrastructure and digital divide and ensure that rural schools enjoy similar opportunities as those enjoyed by urban schools.

Through the electronic teaching aids offered to schools, CSTS hopes to bridge the digital divide between rural and urban schools. This, Bashir argued, will lead to early familiarization with ICT for teachers and students alike.

According to Bashir, CSTS hopes to qualitatively improve learning by conceptualizing more creatively and digitizing learning resources to help educators build better learning interventions.

For the tough science subjects, CSTS hopes to make them fun by introducing new teaching aides in the subjects of Mathematics, Biology, Physics and Chemistry that animate and turn the subjects to life, making it easier to learn and recall.

Standardizing the learning process thereby creating an equal opportunity for success for every student sitting the examination across the board.

Digital Science is a revolutionary teaching aid because by using animated visuals, that brings to life the abstract concepts learning science has been made easier thus more interesting and readily understood by the students.

“The interactivity built into these modules also gives students a feeling of hands-on experience. At the same time, it gives control to the teachers and students as the lessons follow syllabi of specific subjects while pace and explanations can match the level of the student,” said Bashir.

In Physics, interactivity allows students to tweak parameters in situations and literally see how the system responds to the change. In short, the limitations of a school laboratory are overcome. For example, no school lab can show a nuclear reaction, but this is also shown in our modules.

In Chemistry, using the virtual lab, students can conduct potentially hazardous experiments safely and without the expenditure of chemicals. Even dangerous experiments dealing with poisonous gases, etc. can be performed (students are warned adequately in such cases to prevent them from replicating it in reality). They can also repeat experiments over and over until they are familiar with the process in preparation for practical examinations, all this at the click of a button.

In Biology, through animation of complex concepts students get to understand what they are being taught and can thus apply this not only in their lives but also while responding to examination questions. For example a process such as importance of diffusion in the human body, cell division during reproduction etc are visually depicted aiding the understanding and retention process required in the teaching and learning environment.

CSTS has introduced a new technique of teaching mathematics. In Mathematics, when teaching about shapes, the animation shows the shapes in 3 dimension, thus attracting the students to get into the concept and learn it better and with self-interest.

CSTS recognizes the necessity for educating students about HIV / AIDS appropriately and effectively, using the power of multimedia. The organization has developed innovative, original multimedia teaching tools, on CD ROM for HIV / AIDS education for children between the ages of 6 and 18.

The content sophistication increases for higher age groups, covering the nature of viral infections and causes and effects of HIV / AIDS. Because this is a global problem with many mature themes, it is treated in a sensitive and flexible, non-judgmental manner to appeal to persons from different backgrounds.

The lessons are created in a visually attractive style with cartoon characters giving the message in a manner which is easy to understand. This is followed by interactive exercises, quizzes, etc. to reinforce the learning process, evaluate what they have learnt, and show them how this knowledge can be applied in safe behavior to avoid HIV / AIDS.

By Advocating the use of relevant ICT software in education CSTS hopes to improve learning processes of all students in Kenya as well as improve living standards.

Ends

SETTING DIGITAL PACE IN KENYA’S EASTLANDS

By Rebecca Wanjiku

When Dr Bitange Ndemo, Information and Communication Permanent Secretary asked Collin Bruce and his team to visit Eastlands, everybody was eager.

Eager because the PS had sang praises about Kimathi Information Centre (KIC) and how it had used Information Communication Technologies (ICTs) to uplift the lives of the youth in the area.

As the PS and his team snaked through the streets of Maringo, Jerusalem, Bahati and Uhuru, the team of youth at KIC were putting final touches to the presentation. The KIC team is comprised of Catherine Atieno Agallo {21}, Jose Njuki-Imwe Ngunjiri {26} and Lillian Gloria Okumu {28).

Before welcoming the visitors, the KIC team and the volunteers had to ensure that all the work due to the local schools has been delivered and any other pending jobs are finalized. This is their day to show what the youth can do.

The PS has been so impressed by KIC’s digital innovation and integration to the community that every visitor to Ndemo’s office is referred to the centre for examples of how Kenya has embraced ICTs.

Bruce, the World Bank country director was not disappointed at what he saw. He witnessed how the area youth had worked with meager resources to improve living conditions in the area.

“We have received tremendous support from Dr. Ndemo. It has motivated us to keep exploring our potential,” said Ngunjiri.

He was speaking at the Kenya ICT Action Network (KICTANet) monthly forum, where innovators in ICTs showcase their achievements to other industry players as well as the public.

So why was KIC started?

According to Ngunjiri, they teamed up in December 2005 and decided to come up with innovative practical solutions to the problems of unemployed youth in the area. KIC serves Eastland’s community in Kimathi, Bahati, Jerusalem, Maringo and Uhuru.

Apart from unemployment, the youth in the area lack of proper skills to search for jobs, lack job interview skills and some have been unable to secure attachment opportunities after university.

Armed with their findings and suggested solutions, the trio approached Computer for Schools Kenya and the International Development Research Council (IDRC) seeking assistance.

Impressed by the innovation, the two organizations donated 13 computers and agreed that the trio would train and equip the youth and the whole communities in the area.

“I think they have done an excellent job that can be shared with others,” said Edith Adera from IDRC.

Ngunjiri told KICTANet members how that partnership has improved ICT knowledge, reduced crime rate, unemployment and ignorance among the youth.

“We have tried to ensure that the community owns the project, they give collective security and our equipment has never been stolen. The youth who would have been out mugging people is now working behind computers,” Ngunjiri added.

KIC works with neighbouring schools to provide computer services if needed. For instance, at the end of the term, the teachers forward the scores for tallying and grading instead of doing it manually.

“It is now easier and time saving for teachers to grade the students. Once they mark the exams, we send one volunteer to get the data, organise according to instructions then send back to the school. A minimal cost is charged,” said Ngunjiri.

KIC has tried to integrate everybody into the project provided they show interest in learning. Those with skills they can share with others are encouraged to visit the centre and benefit the others.

Working with university graduates, KIC goes beyond ICTs skills and teaches accounting and small business management skills to those aspiring to start businesses.

Other services offered include- research and study centre, library centre through e-learning, data base centre for small business entrepreneurs, security pay point for Kimathi estate, networking centre, web design training for teenagers under the Mtandao Africa initiative.

Out of the activities, the centre raises money to sustain itself and pay minimal wages to the workers. The priority now is to ensure the community fully embraces ICTs before they can pursue profits.

To fulfill their social responsibility, Ngunjiri told KICTANet forum how KIC supports Shelter of Hope Centre- the local children’s home. The home houses sixty orphans in the neighboring Kiambiu slum.

Because the space at KIC is limited, two trainers from the children’s home have been trained with the expectation that they will impart the orphans with ICT knowledge. Every Sunday, have a volunteer from KIC teaches 5 students from the children’s centre on computer packages and any advanced skills needed.

The progress of KIC has not gone unnoticed by the corporate sector, Popote wireless gave thirty volunteers a chance market the company’s products.

The library and research centre expects to train many students and enter competition for international awards including the Bill and Melinda gate Foundation Program.

Ends

STILL WAITING FOR ICT LAW

By Rebecca Wanjiku

It has been a long wait for an ICT Act, and there is no immediate sign that the wait is over. Though the draft policy was presented to the cabinet by Attorney General Amos Wako, it is yet to be published in the Kenya gazette.

If the draft is published in the gazette, then there can be a chance it will be presented to parliament for debate before end of this year.

Though the AG’s office claims to be attending to the bill together with others pending, the challenge is how to harmonize the draft bill to be in tandem with the Communications Act (1998).

Wako’s office is debating whether to come up with a separate ICT Act or to repeal the communications Act to incorporate the draft bill.

Lawyer Paul Mwangi, who has been following developments of the draft policy, says that the AG can come up with a new Act so long as it does not contradict the Communications Act.

“The draft bill can be published and presented to parliament then they can decide whether to enact an ICT Act or to come up with a more comprehensive Act by repealing the Communications Act and,” says Mwangi.

Mwangi argues that the excuses by the AG are about convenience, and nothing substantial. He adds that it is just a matter of codifying the law, and that can come up with another Act and they will still be applicable.

Lawyer Joseph Kihanya agrees that Bills can be debated and passed to repeal Acts in force.

“Why this cannot be done with the Communications Act (1998) I can not tell,” says Kihanya.

Kihanya adds that Telecommunications law demands that the laws be consolidated into one statute. He illustrates this by quoting the UK Communications Act 2003 which was consolidated into one statute that deals with every aspect of ICTs.

The UK Communications Act (2003) deals with issues ranging from regulations, media ownership and control, internet, ecommerce to the relationship between the ministry and the British Broadcasting Corporation.

The UK CA (2003) is divided into parts that exhaust legislation relation to the field for instance, part 5 deals with competition in communications market. Under this part, there are chapters guiding on functions of the ministry according to the law, and media mergers, detailing how they should be carried out.

The Kenya ICT draft bill is a product of the Economic Recovery Strategy for Wealth and Employment Creation (2003-2007) and was developed by the Ministry of Information & Communications in January 2006.

According to the ministry of Information and Communication website, the ICT draft bill is seeking to encourage sustained economic growth and poverty reduction, promote social justice and equity, mainstream gender in national development, empower youth and disadvantaged groups, stimulate investment and innovation in ICT, and achieve universal access.

The draft bill addresses market structure, policy objectives and targets, implementation strategies, universal access, and the institutional framework of information technology (IT), broadcasting, telecommunications, radio frequency spectrum, and postal services.

But some stakeholders in the ICT industry feel that some amendments should be made to the draft before it is presented for debate. Media owners feel that the draft has not adequately addressed their concerns and instead has come up with draconian measures regarding media ownership.

Ends

FOUR CABLE COMPANIES COMPETING FOR KENYA

Its now official, another company- Herakles Telecom LLC has commissioned Tyco to survey the 13,000km East and South African coast.

Herakles awarded the SEACOM marine survey to Tyco Telecommunications of USA. The survey commences the development of the undersea fiber optic network which will provide high capacity bandwidth connectivity between South Africa, Madagascar, Mozambique, Tanzania, Kenya, India and Europe.

In a press statement posted by Victoria Dillon from Tyco and Brian Herlihy from Herakles, it was confirmed that the cable will connect South Africa, Madagascar, Mozambique, Tanzania, Kenya, India and Europe.

SEACOM becomes the fourth entrant to the scene with questions being raised on whether the costs will come down and the time its likely to take before we get the cable.

In February, the government said the cost of international broadband is set to drastically reduce within 18 months after it confirmed it is ready to adopt three different under sea cables provided through various routes.

Bitange Ndemo, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Information and Communication said that Kenya was taking a three pronged approach calculated to reduce the cost of international connectivity.

Priority is given to the East African Marine System (Teams) the fibre optic cable link to Fujairah in the UAE.

“The lead arranger will take over the private/public TEAMS project and will be in charge of financial sourcing. We expect to be done within 18 months,” said Ndemo.

Under the Teams agreement, the Kenya Government will have a 40 per cent holding in the project, Etisalat of UAE will hold 20% and the remaining 40% will go to investors in the East African region. The Government has said it will organise an Initial Public Offer (IPO) on the Kenyan Stock Exchange.

According to John Waweru, Director General at the Communication Commission of Kenya, the Teams project is expected to recover the costs within three years.

Kenya is still pursuing the controversial East African Submarine Cable System (EASSy) an initiative aimed at constructing and operating a submarine fiber optic cable along the East African Coast. EASSy will connect nine coastal countries and island nations and to the rest of the world. The route will be from South Africa to Port Sudan, covering over 9,000 km, connecting Djibouti, Kenya, Madagascar, Mozambique, Somalia, South Africa, Sudan and Tanzania (including Zanzibar).

Thirty-two leading telecommunications operators from East and Southern Africa signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in December 2003 to carry out the construction and maintenance of EASSy.

But the project was dogged by controversy over whether NEPAD should take the overall leadership or the leadership should be led by the private sector. Terrestrial backbone networks are also being built in separate developments to link all capitals and major cities in Eastern and Southern Africa to the EASSy cable and the international backbone system.

The third international fibre project is fronted by Kenya Data Network (KDN) and which has now signed its contract with Flag Telecom. KDN will link from Mombasa and terminate in an undersea junction in international waters off of the Yemen.

KDN says the link will be fully operational in the first quarter of 2008, just 15 months away. KDN also stresses that its landing station at Mombasa will allow other carriers to co-locate therefore charging only electricity and services at cost.

According to the PS, the three options are meant to make Kenya competitive in provision of international broadband. Ndemo underscored the need for the country to compete internationally and attract international businesses.

He argued that the broadband purchased by international businessmen at a cost of USD 200 costs USD 7,500 in Kenya, therefore ruling the country out as an internet investment destination.

SEACOM now gives industry players a chance to evaluate whether any of the operators will lay the cable, then the debate can start over its efficacy.

Ends

Yote yawezekana na ICT….

In 1982, Kenya was holding a major conference seeking to bridge the missing link in telephone connectivity. Twenty five years down the line, another major conference- seeking to bridge the digital divide between the rural and urban areas.

The ongoing expo, dubbed “ICTs for Development”, is bringing together people from all sectors and is geared towards improving connectivity and business prospects in rural areas.

Information and Communication minister Mutahi Kagwe presided over the opening ceremony and reiterated the government’s commitment to improve connectivity and boost business prospects in both rural and urban areas.

To underline the government’s commitment, Kagwe pointed at the fast tracking of multiple Optic Fibre Cable (OFC) i.e. TEAMS, EASSy and FLAG.

The minister promised to speed up implementation of the ICT policy though the draft bill is yet to be published in the Kenya Gazette.

Regarding telephone connectivity, the ministry wants to raise the number of users from the current 7.5 m lines to 23 million and raise the number of internet users from the current 1.5 million to 5 million.

He commended the print media for highlighting ICTs issues but argued that the media could even play a bigger role.

The ministry is organizing an ICT road show that will visit all major towns in the country, and the 210 constituencies.

While the minister was quick to challenge the private sector to demystify e-commerce to ordinary men and women, he forgot to mention lack of proper legislation would hamper e-commerce in the country.

As the private sector explains about e-commerce as the vehicle to economic recovery, there is need to explain that the same government that is touting ICTs as the savior to our economy is the same government that is dragging its feet on legislation. Whether it is the Attorney General’s responsibility or the ministry’s the public assumes they all sing from the same hymn book and they all appreciate the role of ICTs.

Yes, yote yawezekana na ICTs!
Ends

Adopting schools

Adopting schools

It all started with “Adopt a light”, an ambitious city lighting project. Now, Manu Chandaria, industrialist cum philanthropist wants to apply the same concept in ICTs.

Speaking at the ICT for Development opening ceremony, Chandaria challenged Kenyans to adopt schools and make sure they can access computers.

“You can change the face of your village school. Just go there and donate a computer. You can change the face of Kenya,” Chandaria said.

He also disclosed that he will finance a digital training centre in Mariakani. The centre will be expected to act as a base to establish digital villages in coastal area. One digital village will cost approximately shs 140,000 (USD 2000).

When surfers misunderstand!!

There is always a temptation to ignore comments made by people but for the sake of completing the communication process, I choose to respond.

True, this is a blog, and bearing in mind the blogosphere is a new component in our lives, there is always a chance one may not understand the meaning and intentions of the writer.

But this blog is not any different from the articles that you read in the papers, only that some articles maybe subjective, because they are my opinion, but aren’t all articles subjective? Anyway, that’s discussion for another day.

I am particularly responding to someone who demonstrated a masterly of ignorance when leaving a comment thus “do you ever find male journalists writing about women?” I can only say the writer has not been reading newspapers.

Forget about blog articles, recall the article by Gakiha Weru, then at the Nation, about seven years ago, detailing his experiences in the hands of a witchdoctor??? That article gave some us a preview of what happens in that room. It would be ignorant of anyone to say, “do women write about witchdoctors?” that would be simply myopic.

The role of a journalist is that of a gatekeeper, telling /warning of what is happening. You may wonder whether they have a right to, but that’s the profession, just like lawyers!

Journalists also set the agenda, they determine what you discuss when you sit at the dinner table. Ever wondered why Kenyan eat, think, drink politics? It’s because, everyday, all headlines are about politics!

So do you think journalists are valuable? Bob Mugabe summed it up when he said newspapers are only good for blowing our noses and wiping our bottoms!!!!
I don’t know what he says about internet.

Then there were pieces about my intentions to visit a gay pub in Brazil, so there is this friend who smsed me and told me he can guess what kind of person I am, then I thought, does he think am of loose morals or am gay? I never sought to know because it was clear this guy did not understand the working of a journalist.

Whether you agree or not, the job sends us to various places that many people may not agree with. But people have a right to know, many Kenyans will die without visiting Brazil, it’s only fair if they can read other sides except the football and samba.

It sounds like a long defensive piece but the upshot of it is that, next time I am in Greece, will make sure I visit the sorority house, next time am in Germany, I will get closer to a skin head and know how they think, that is without endangering my life. I don’t want to be a heroine!!

Next month I am in Lisbon, will tell you much of what you don’t see in the National Geographic!!!