Newspaper columnists are dinosaur bloggers- Maher

By Rebecca Wanjiku and Mantsha Nkayi

The blurred lines that differentiate blogging and journalism were exposed yesterday, at a discussion on whether bloggers are columnists or columnists are bloggers.

The discussion was spiced up by the presence of Freddy Khumalo, a columnist who thinks bloggers are not necessarily journalists/columnists and Vincent Maher, who is of the opinion that newspaper columnists are “dinosaur bloggers.”

One of the lingering questions was; who do bloggers speak to and who is their audience?

Khumalo took the opportunity to trash some bloggers as mere diarists who do not follow any code of conduct. He argued that some blogs are dedicated to pets and may not make much sense; however, he admitted that some blogs contain important and informative material.

“When am writing a column, I have to take time to consider the impact of what am writing about and whether it has been said before and under what context. With the blog, it is easy, and there are no such considerations because there is no code of conduct,” said Khumalo.

But Maher a former head of the New Media Lab at Rhodes University argued that bloggers have filled in a space that was not previously addressed by the mainstream media.

He was supported by journalism trainer, Roland Stanbridge who added that 50 per cent of the women in the Middle East are blogging and addressing issues considered as taboo and not addressed in mainstream media.

“Blogs are giving people voices, whether it is eroding morality in society is not the issue, it is a place for the people to air what they feel. Maybe the people want a change to such standards of morality,” said Maher.

While supporting the argument that newspaper columnists are dinosaur bloggers, Maher invited participants to evaluate the development of communication from newsletters to newspapers and to letters to the editor-through snail mail.

He argued that blogs give an opportunity for feedback and connection with the communities, which is vital for any media organisation, and he also mentions that blogs are personal web pages.

But the main question that was not satisfactorily answered in the discussion was: given the challenges of technology and information penetration in Africa, can one claim to be blogging for the public while they have no access to internet or computers? Is blogging elitist?
Ends

Highway Africa turns 11

Part of the crowd at Highway Africa conference opening ceremony in Grahamstown.

holiday homes??

ever heard of those holiday homes? they are plenty in PE

view from above

Port Elizabeth coast line, from above.

Malawi, Zambia and Mauritius win inaugural gender and HIV/AIDs awards

By Rebecca Wanjiku

Malawi, Zambia and Mauritius yesterday won the inaugural gender and HIV/AIDs awards, in recognition of their exemplary work place policies.

The awards were judged through peer review and targeted 218 newsrooms in the southern Africa region.

Malawi Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) won the HIV/AIDs category; Times of Zambia was runners up. In the gender policy category, Mauritius Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) scooped top honours while the Malawi Broadcasting Corporation took the runners up position.

Organised by Gender Links and several regional organisations, the awards sought to initiate a process where the media houses in the region will develop and implement policies and commit resources to implement them.

“We all know that the media has not produced gender and HIV/AIDs policies. But how do you change an institution without putting your neck on the line? The awards seek to recognise media houses in the region willing to sacrifice and implement such policies,” said Colleen Lowe Morna, head of Gender Links.

While citing scanty statistics of HIV/AIDs reportage in the media, Morna added that the awards are critical in showing other media houses in the region how to implement their policies and improve the quality and quantity of stories.

The awards were organised in conjunction with the Sol Plaatje leadership Institute which is dedicated to training media managers in Africa .

“We would have liked more entries and we hope to receive more last year. It was inspiring to see that most applicants also presented the actual policies and implementation plans, which validated their claims,” said Francis Mdlongwa, head of the institute.

The awards are targeting 80 per cent of Southern Africa newsrooms by 2008 and it is hoped that reporting of gender and HIV/AIDs issues will also improve. It is also projected that more media houses will implement policies to support national, regional and international legal instruments.

Speaking on behalf of the judging panel Mdlongwa said the winners, had committed resources to ensure that policies were understood and complemented through a series of policies. In Mauritius , it was noted that MBC had appointed a gender coordinator who made monthly reports to the head of MBC.

The award ceremony was spiced up by music from Nia band, which embodied the true spirit of Africa with representatives from Kenya , Zambia and South Africa . Participants were treated to songs in Swahili, Xhosa and English.

As the ceremony drew to a close, Morna encouraged participants to dance to the famous song “Vulindlela” which is Xhosa for “open the way”. The song was sung by the late South African musician Brenda Fassie.

The song was symbolic for the winners, expected to open or lead the way for other regional media houses.

Ends

Rural stories remain untold

By Rebecca Wanjiku

Africa’s best stories remain untold, because journalists and bloggers have concentrated in urban areas and neglected rural areas, said Tanzanian journalist Ansbert Ngurumo.

Presenting at the Digital Citizens Indaba, Ngurumo indicted journalists and bloggers for the insufficient content of African stories on the internet.

“The stories have to cover the feelings and aspirations of people. Most of the stories cultural, social and political are in the rural areas. These rural people are isolated because they have no access to the technology and if they do, they may not be able to blog or publish their stories,” Ngurumo added.

With journalists, he said they concentrate in town centres because that is where there is technology to transmit the stories meaning that most stories told are from the urban centres and occasionally from the rural areas.

In developing local content, Ngurumo argued Africans have to develop the civic will to blog more because “it does not take political will to start and maintain a blog”. Ngurumo told the Indaba that Africa has to “villagize” the internet and make sure that people in the rural areas blog, podcast and tell their stories to the world.

Speaking about lack of a critical mass of African languages on the internet, Ngurumo said he chose to blog in Swahili because that is the language he knows best and is spoken by about 100 million people in east, central and parts of southern Africa.

“Why would I want to blog in English yet 100 million Africans communicate in Swahili?” asked

Through his blog- www.ngurumo.blogspot.com , he was able to reach several people mostly from Tanzania where Swahili is the national language. The comments on the blog, he says, have been used to gauge the political and social temperatures. For instance, he said he had been forced to delete certain posts after readers complained about them.

Ends

Negative images- Africa complained, the west has responded

By Rebecca Wanjiku

The longest and loudest complaint by African leaders is that western media portrays Africa as desperate and hopeless, the west has now responded.

The complaints have been directed to the global media houses such as CNN, BBC, AP, AFP and Reuters accused of only covering civil wars, hunger, corruption and deprivation in Africa- these are form the bulk of African content on the internet.

Well, the response does not come from the big media, but from a group of Dutch journalists who felt the situation should change and started a website- www.africanews.com.

Africanews.com is a website dedicated to Africans to tell their stories to the world without any inhibitions. The website is targeting politics, social as well as the economic challenges and successes in the continent.

The stories, photographs and video are uploaded to the site and have reached audiences in Europe, America, Australia, Asia and Africa. This is calculated to improve on variety and content of stories available of the internet.

According to Elles van Gelder, the South African representative, the website has received critical acclaim and is hoping to recruit journalists and bloggers from every African country.

“Why should western media fly in journalists while there are local journalists willing to tell the stories? We tap the talent, train them, and they become better writers, photographers and can take good videos,” said van Gelder.

The organisation has started a pilot project for reporting using state of the art mobile phones that can shoot video and upload to the website. This project will be tested during the general elections in Kenya, scheduled for December this year.

To establish the reliability of mobile phones in reporting Van Gelder said a group of Dutch students will embark on an Africa-wide trip, testing the mobile phones and the challenges faced.

This, van Gelder added, will help improve the quality of African content available on the internet, and the stories that come from the continent.
Ends

welcome to 11th edition of Highway Africa

welcome to another edition of HA conference.

many speeches, book launches, trainings and the blogging Indaba. keep visiting for updates.

will also try to review some books.

bex

life truly begins at 40

for Edith Masai, this statement is a reality. at 40, the kenyan finished 8th at the just concluded IAAF Osaka athletics meet.

she is a true revelation, started competing at the mature age of 32, silencing those who say that one must start running in childhood. i recall reading a past interview on Ndereba saying how in her youth, running was not so much in her mind but she took it up later, after attending the prisons training college.

so, watching the women in Osaka yesterday, i felt so proud to be kenyan. it was just phenomenal. i must admit that the women's team did well at this event. i hope it gets better.
Hongera!!

The young cheats of UON

For those who passed through University of Nairobi and registered at the department of Political Science, you must know Prof. Phillip Nying’uro.

For those who don’t, Nying’uro is proud and arrogant to be a lecturer, he will not shy away from letting you know he has a PhD and has gone to school for all those years. He goes on to tell you how in their day, they used to read and would still get any supplementary.

While at it, he laments how the parallel program has produced still born who don’t read, rely only on notes, are in a hurry to finish their courses and most of all, rely on their notes and still do not get any supplementary.

He claims that students rush to the sociology and communication departments because they get to “harvest A’s”.
If arguing on emotions, one may attack the prof. as being arrogant, conceited, egocentric, and a host of other adjectives you can come up with.

But evaluated soberly, his concerns are very valid. None of the students I talked to, disputed his arguments about time spent in the library and the fact that the departments in question give “good or better grades.”

That may be a better story to defend, talk about exams.

A friend of mine found herself to the subject of giggling, immature girls when she reported to the lecturer that they were copying exams and in the process adulterating her grades.

The girls were pointing at her because she had asked the lecturer to be more vigilant to the students who were distracting the class because they were bus turning pages. They thought she was hostile to their “good grades”.

The girls and boys were busy turning pages and asking each other “ni hii? Apana sio hiyo,” while dabbing in an exam. The students were so thick that they don’t even know their exercise books very well.

But the UON administration is to blame, there were about 80 students crammed in the stuffy Science 1 lab. It was so squeezed that the students could easily read each other’s answer papers.

And the lecturer kept on walking in and out of the exam room. It is understandable if some students feel cheated.

You would be shocked that in most cases, the students who carry “mwakenya” to the examination room are not the older working students. In most cases they are the young 19, 20-year-olds, who are dropped to school by their parents at 8 am and leave at night.

One has to wonder, if you have all the time, why cheat. The answer is simple, they have no clue, most of them. There are some who have a hung of things, but other, can even cram for you the whole book and reproduce it if need be.

One girl, known for dabbing, wondered why people have a problem. “Kama mtu hataki ku-dab si akae,” she said.

You may also ask a similar question and add that in some universities in the west, students are given exams to do overnight and deliver in the morning. So why do we feel bad when they cram or dab.

In my opinion, I think the parallel program is a good idea, and I am not saying that regular students don’t dap, they do.

The university suspends students guilty of examination irregularities, but this has to be accompanied by other measures like making sure that the examination environment is conducive.

More than that, I think the parallel programme should have an age limit, admit students who are beyond 25 so that they can have a level of maturity.

The opinions are varied. Bring them on!!!!

Ends

CTO Forum talks rural connectivity- but to who?

Last week, the Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation (CTO) held a forum in Nairobi to examine solutions to Africa’s rural connectivity in Africa.

It is argued that about 80% of the continent’s population has no access to internet or telephone. Egypt and South Africa have the best penetration in Africa. The CTO said in the conference promo that this will take a giant leap forward when ministers, regulators, operating company executives and high-level officials from various development partner agencies converge at the meeting.

But the event, hosted by the Communications Commission of Kenya (CCK), failed to provide a forum where all stakeholders could meet and hold discussions of research findings, policy options, regulatory strategies, business models, financing and investment facilities, available technologies and public-private-people-partnerships that could enable improvement in African rural connectivity.

Though the topic was on rural connectivity, the shs 40,000 entrance fee was not meant to bring in the rural folks. How many rural folks make the shs 40,000 in a month forget about saving that much for entrance fees.

When I raised this issue with one of the CTO organizers, he argued that the London based outfit needed the money so that it can redistribute to all areas it operates in.

But my argument is, we needed the rural market women and men to come and share how their lives had changed after they started using mobile phones, how it has helped save time and how the internet can revolutionalise the way they do business.

At such a meeting, you would expect the brokers who get cabbages and potatoes from Kinangop to come and share how they no longer have to take trips to the farms, they just make a call and the goods are loaded and delivered in Nairobi. How the instructions can change or be clarified by just making a phone call.

However, these stories can not be told, because they don’t have the requisite entrance fees, the event was left to top level government, civil society and private sector officials who can pay that amount.

The event was therefore punctuated by the same statistics and papers that had been presented in other events and all that was changed was the date and title of the conference.

When commercial interests take precedence

Last week, the media fraternity united, journalists, editors, photojournalists and took to the streets in protest against the media bill.

It was a first- even during Moi days the media never took to the streets. They may have protested, but never before have journalists and their bosses united that well.

It had been decided that on that day, all newspapers would carry blank from pages without headlines. The electronic media would also not air news. This was expected to make a statement to the public on the role of media.

But this plan was defeated by competing commercial interests with some entities claiming that they may not make as much money if such steps were taken.

It may also be argued that admissions by Wako and Kagwe that they are ready to advice the president to shelve the bill may have taken the steam off the elaborate plans.

But it remains to be seen whether commercial interests can be sacrificed for the sake of common good.

ends

Julie Gichuru does the job

Julie reads the petitio......

more colours.....

a close up ......

showing the real colours

showing the real colours.
no one was talking, afterall, they are expected to be silent....

muzzled press

they came with all their tools of trade...

journalists' demo

it is only times like these that one can tell how many journalists in kenya. for once, we rallied to our cause.
it was historic, never before have journalists taken to the streets.
today, editors, writers, photojournalists took to the streets..

from the silent demo

dressed in a variety of colours and covering their mouths, kenyan media practitioners matched throught the streets of Nairobi, protestitng aganist the media bill. The colours also represented the diversity of the electronic and print media present at the demo.

the early morning march was well attended by all journalists from all media houses. they carried their tools of trade.
Julie Gichuru read the petition at the state law office. the gates were locked and the journalists could only speak from outside.

i think the public is right when it accuses the media of being selfish. just google the hulla balloo about the media bill and you will see the number of pages coming up.
the media went on with the silent demo as a way of making a point to the government.
off course the media was there to cover itself.

Wako deflates planned silent demo by the media

Kenyan journalists were scheduled for a silent demo on Wednesday 15th August and present a petition to Attorney General Amos Wako, urging him to advice the president to shelve the controversial clause 38 of the bill.
Because it’s only the president who can rescue the situation, the journalists wrote a letter to the AG asking him to expect them.
But the ever smiling Wako scuttled the demo by announcing that he will be advising the president to shelve the bill. At the same time, Wako is said to have called the bosses at media houses urging them to call off the demo. Sources indicated that the government was getting scared because in Moi days, there was no journalists’ demo whether silent or loud.
The problem with the clause is that like now where I talk about sources, I would have to reveal the source of my info. There is nothing wrong with that except that it is very ambiguous and can easily be misused. Meanwhile, here is Dr. Ndemo’s take on news about the demo…..

Rebecca,
I did not want to comment on the Demo but I think the public is being misled here. What is the reasoning behind the Demo when the Government has made it clear that the issue shall be looked at? We delivered on all promises we made to the stakeholders and those who bothered to read and seek dialog.
I think by resorting into mob psychology you risk eroding the confidence and trust that we have built over the past view years.Since we have another bill coming, I have decided to present the lessons learnt (attached) from the Media Bill to avoid such situation in the ICT Bill. It is important that we all understand the legislative process in Kenya and it is only by making decisions based on knowledge that we can develop a civilized nation.
Regards
Bitange Ndemo.

Reality of Kenyan journalism

Patrick Kariuki Muiruri is known for many things, the fiery Gatundu North legislator has been implicated in tea and coffee wars in his area, does not shy away from confrontations and most of all, “tells things as they are.”

So, when PK said how poor journalists are, and that they survive on hand outs, he found some support from some parliamentary reporters.

“It’s the truth and people don’t like admitting the reality, for once, I support PK,” said one parliamentary reporter.

I decided to engage the journalist because it is the only way to know the way they feel. After all, it can be assumed PK was making reference to journalists based on his experience with them.

Journalists in Kenya are heavily vilified for being lazy, poorly read and surviving on hand outs.

Yes! It is true!

Sample this, a correspondent from the Nation or Standard earns a retainer of shs 15,000 and the rest is calculated on contributions. The possibility of making shs 30,000 a month is tough for some.

What correspondents earn in these two papers is what most staffers earn at the People daily and Kenya Times that is- shs 30,000.

This means that if the journalist has a family, they can only live in Kayole, Mathare North and Kawangware. There is nothing wrong in staying in these areas but bear in mind that the same criminals you expect the journalists to write about rule these areas.

So, there sets in greed, we all want to live beyond our means. But who is to blame, the journalists or the media owners who pay poorly?

The other reason is that journalists mix with the movers and shakers of the economy, some of the, can only buy beer, not even food. The politicians and businessmen exploit the poverty loophole to use the journalists in the dirty games.

Journalists are also guilty of agreeing to be used.

For instance, journalists in rural areas, they have no official vehicles, have to use politicians’ cars to the function. If not the politicians’ cars, they use the DC or DO’s car. How do you expect a journalist who was given a ride from Mathioya to somewhere interior to report negative issues about the people giving a ride?

There was this story of how some coast legislator kicked out a journalist from his vehicle because he had dared to contradict him. Unfortunately the journalist was left in the middle of the forest.

So yes, journalists may be a shame, but is that not the story of our society?

That is why it borders on immorality for a Kenyan journalist based abroad to hold themselves in their high horses and castigate Kenyan journalism (one actually did, and his comment was ill informed.)

The conditions are different, they are tough, just like that civil servant has to withstand staying in Ruai yet expected to report to work at 8 am, and journalists too have their excesses and vices.

By the way, you will be shocked that when it comes to handouts, the journalists in Nation and Standard get higher share because the newspapers are highly read. The other journalists get lesser handouts.

We can lie to each other about journalism and single it out as the most corrupt but it may be a reflection of corruption in society. And as such there are very honest journalists who I know will not take your handout, it doesn’t matter the source.

Of journalists, and corruption….

When a friend of mine sent a scathing SMS castigating a fellow journalist, I was offended. He had advised me to urge my colleague “to go to hell”.

I was offended because I expected more from a lawyer I had grown to respect, I thought he had better skills to deal with it than to splash mud on everyone. He complained of bad faith and malice, demonstrated by a cartoon in the newspaper.

But the core of my friend’s complaint was what he described as chronic corruption within journalism. He felt that the journalists who write or publish negative things are the same ones who queue for handouts.

This is an old saying, has been told over generations. Even the meanest of characters, who can’t even afford to buy a drink for anybody, shout themselves dead when speaking about corrupt journalists.

I am not overly impartial in this, because my opinion has always been- it takes two to be corrupt. Can anyone who gives money or other favors to journalists claim to be righteous?

The main question: do the journalists hold a gun to anyone demanding money?

This question was underscored by the Members of Parliament who claimed the only reason for passing the media bill is because the journalists are corrupt and survive on hand outs.

It was argued that it is fair to pass the controversial media bill that will force journalists to reveal sources,” because journalists are corrupt”. It was even said that journalists are always seen walking to parliament. How right!

The question of corruption is controversial, because the journalists threaten to publish malicious details. But there are other mechanisms for redress can sue or officially complain.

can journos champion their cause??

am just watching news about the civil society protesting about the media bill. am just wondering whether they have the basis to protest about the bill. where are the journalists to champion their cause?
apparently few practicing journalists take to the streets, leaving it to media owners to do the job....

Erratic power, changing bills

“There is a problem with my bill, it’s too high!!” Mary said to the Kenya Power and Lighting Company cashier across the counter.

“You tell me, you are the one using the power, not me,” the cashier responded.

Mary had no choice than to pay the shs 2000 bill. Failure to pay would have meant disconnection, and reconnection procedures are a story for another day.

It was shocking for Mary, a single mother of three to receive that bill, because her bill for the last two years had been shs 150 or at most sh 200.

One can assume that Mary was justified to seek explanation for the drastic change in her bill. She wondered how she would have consumed all that power with the light bulb and the transistor radio.

But her story applies to so many Kenyans whose bills are inflated once in a while. KPLC argues that some meters are interfered with and once the interference is detected, the bills can be backdated.

With interference, the consumer gets a jua kali electrician to ensure that one consumes a lot but pays less. For instance, you can find a block of flats with all sorts of electrical appliances yet the bill is minimal.

There was a time Kenya Power and Lighting Company (KPLC) talked about selling power “pay as you use” like the scratch cards. Maybe that would have been a better idea, so that we can control what we use.

Tanzania has made good progress with LUKU- Lipa Umeme Kadri Utumiavyo- and it has been argued that LUKU minimizes the interference. But I knew friends who had interfered with the power

KPLC has been promoting the Umeme Pamoja, program, to connect more homes at minimal costs. But with the erratic blackouts and talk of power shortages, maybe KPLC should address some of these problems before connecting more.

Of course I am in support of more connections so that we can all share the light but are there things that KPLC can do better and improve the quality of their services.

CDMA- the future of communication

Written by Rebecca Wanjiku

Considering just how good the news seems, it is astounding just how poorly the messengers are telling it. The drastic discounts and improved product that Telkom Kenya has put on the market may well represent a revolution. If this was Celtel or Telkom's prettier cousin Safaricom, Nairobi and the countryside would have been swooning in a deluge of colours and a cacophony of promotions, but this is Telkom Kenya even in 2007. The most noise we have heard about the new service has been from the company's competitors, and specifically Celtel who are feeling increasingly like the third wheel in the love fest that is Kenya's mobile phone industry. With a market estimated at 9 million subscribers, 2.2 million of whose are Celtel's, the colossal profits should be a sufficient palliative even as Celtel await the adjudication of the Communications Commission (CCK). Celtel's complaint has been that the national fixed line operator does not have the unified licence that would allow it to operate both fixed lines and mobile networks. It also complains about Telkom's exemption from the 10% excise duty and the fact that it did not suffer the Ksh. 55 million that Celtel did on entry into the market. Telkom counters that it does indeed have such licences, being as it was in the market long before the invention of Celtel and Safaricom, but also that its service is not mobile but merely a fixed service with portable handsets. As the CCK mulls over the issue, Director Waweru has in the past made statements that would seem to confirm Telkom's self-assessment, Celtel - who are bringing their world headquarters to Nairobi from the Netherlands and Safaricom- East Africa's fattest fat cat, would do well to consider just how lucky they are that Telkom Kenya are such poor marketers. Telkom's CDMA technology ,which allows its subscribers to make landline calls as though they were cell phone calls, gets as cheap as 5/- a minute for inter-network calls) on some tarrifs, a world of difference from the 8/- which is Safaricom's cheapest per minute rate. This 5/- rate is for preferrred numbers, with other calls from a Telkom wireless number to another going at 5/50 a minute. SMS is dispensed at 2/50 again a big difference from the 3/50 t0 5/- range that dominates the market. For those with eager thumbs, this is a godsend as the 2/50 is only available in Safaricom's Saasa tarrif at off-peak hours. Telkom even have a tarrif, the aptly named Furaha that allows you to call any network, anytime, at a flat rate of 14/-. In addition, and this is perhaps what is fuelling the rage at the mobile phone operators, the Telkom charges do not depend on geographical proximity as is the case with ordinary landlines. Whether a call is connected between Mandera and Isebania, or Lodwar and Vanga the charges remain constant. The new Telkom service, built on CDMA technology is key to a future where fixed line companies will see their copper-networks rendered obsolete by advances in technology. Further, the CDMA technologies are vital to a future where consumers will use their phones for more than just phone calls and text messages. In this exciting new world, with intensive internet browsing, games, music and movie downloads, streaming and other bandwidth hungry services in high demand, CDMA will finally triumph over the GSM technology that both Celtel and Safaricom are built on. So it is not just It is not just low prices that come with Telkom. The CDMA network is superior for data transfer with nominal maximum download speeds of about 2 MB. The normal speeds are somewhere in the region of 700 Kbps which is still much higher than you can hope to achieve on a GSM phone. CDMA consistently provides better capacity for voice and data communications than other commercial mobile technologies, allowing more subscribers to connect at any given time, and it is the common platform on which 3G technologies - which allow the use of data, video and voice at the same time-are built. The technology which is the basis of the networks in South Korea and Japan's advanced status, is described as a "spread spectrum" technology, allowing many users to occupy the same time and frequency allocations in a given band/space. It assigns unique codes to each communication to differentiate it from others in the same spectrum, or as a smart one on Wikipedia put it As a trivial comparison imagine a cocktail party, where couples are talking to each other in a single room. The room represents the available bandwidth. In GSM, a speaker takes turns talking to a listener. The speaker talks for a short time and then stops to let another pair talk. There is never more than one speaker talking in the room, no one has to worry about two conversations mixing. In CDMA, any speaker can talk at any time; however each uses a different language. Each listener can only understand the language of their partner. As more and more couples talk, the background noise (representing the noise floor) gets louder, but because of the difference in languages, conversations do not mix. The future then is bright for the Kenyan consumer. In the ensuing price wars, we cn fantasise about improved services and maybe even free talktime, free sms and other such services. The religious can also seek intercessionary aid on the matter of cell phone prices. The CDMA handsets are currently retailing for as little as Ksh 4,000 although these are really rudimentary, lacking many of the little conveniences that GSM phones had made us accsutomed to. As regards tarrifs, already, if you are brave enough, Celtel's Mambo 6 service allows you to speak for as little as 6/- between 11.00pm and 5.00am. On its Uhuru Umoja tarrif, you can go for a 16/- flat rate. On Safaricom's Super Taifa, after an initial two minutes charged at 20/- each, one can enjoy a pleasing 10/- per minute flat rateBoth mobile phone providers are also keen to boost up their GSM, and have launched EDGE services especially with a view to boosting GPRS speeds. Outside Kenya? You can now get far more minutes on your calls home if the other end is a Telkom wireless one. The minutes on your calling card will double or even triple, and you needn't wait for the evening to call the house anymore.

kenyan techies headed to jail

Kenyan techies headed to jail...

By Rebecca Wanjiku

If the new Kenya Communications Amendment bill becomes law, all Kenyan techies and computer owners with pay a fine of shs 1 million, or risk a jail term or both.

Why?

Section 86 of the KCA bill states that...

• No person shall

– Operate an electronic Certification system

– Update a repository

– Administer a sub-domain in the ccTLD

To do the above one requires a license, or face the penalties.

Michuki Mwangi, the chief executive officer of KENIC, reckons that there are many Kenyan techies who have been infringing on this rule and will face the full force of the law once its assented.

In interrogating these issues, Michuki asks, what is a repository? He argues that a repository could constitute a computer hard disk, mainly because the bill has not defined what a repository is.

“I have a self signed certificate, I create sub-domains and so many other Kenyans do. The government will have to give 32million potential sub-domain users. That’s a whole load of licenses to issue,” said Michuki.

Section 87 and 88 provides that:

• The dot KE registry and the Digital Certificate Registry need a license

Michuki reckons that .KE model is globally recognized and in deed South Africa wants to follow up but adds that the new law will open room for subdivision of the registry, provided one can pay the license.

For instance in south Africa, the .CO.ZA , .AC.ZA and other domains were operated by different entities and this is the time they are trying to integrate registry operations under one registry.

“It has the right intentions but just needs a bit of tweaking and rewording. The bill could have captured other areas of IT like local content matters were not well addressed,” said Michuki.

Ends

stakeholder views or just feeding us??

Stakeholder forum is ok, but does it work?

At Safari park hotel, many stakeholders gathered to give their views. From Safaricom, Celtel to the consumer association, they all had something to say about the KCA bill.

ICJ described the bill as unprecedented and the PS Bitange Ndemo assured participants that their views would be incorporated.

But if the past process is anything to go by, is there any assurance that the views will be taken on board.

Stakeholders wanted an expansion of the constituencies expected to be consulted, and an assurance that the views would be considered… no one seemed to answer the question categorically, it was only said that the views would be compiled and forwarded.

Others wanted the bill to protect them from any perceived crime because they are carriers while others wanted the bill to conform to other established principles in the commonwealth. It was a productive forum.

Those with contentions about the wording of the clauses were also encouraged to help by bringing in the clauses worded in their favourable way.

But is this a chance for people to meet, take the tea and lunch or is it going to bear any fruits.

I guess the fruits will be manifested by the inclusion of substantial contributions from the cross section of constituencies.

why amend?

Am sure people are expecting a “convoluted” reason as to why the AG decided amend KCA (98) instead of coming up with a brand new Act.

Well, don’t wait for a “huge” explanation, its simple- the AG just thought it was easier to amend instead of coming up with a new Act that may be changed or be altered by insertion of new issues including typing errors.

At least that is what we were told at the stakeholders meeting.

For George Kegoro, ICJ-K head, the present bill is terribly confusing for lawyers and parliamentarians. Kegoro felt that it would have been procedurally easier in terms of practice to bring a brand new statute (through an original Act).

He added that the government can be accused of lack of good faith in this case because it could have been done better.

examining the KCA bill

faced with growing criticism, the ministry of information and communication is meeting stakeholders at Safaripark hotel to get their views on the proposed bill.

here are some highlights of the bill....

One, as drafted the Bill seeks to converge all sectors of communication (broadcasting, telecommunications and information technologies/internet) under one regulatory body i.e. the Communications Commission of Kenya (CCK) and thus, purportedly, streamline the licensing procedures and management of frequency spectrum, through numerous fundamental amendments to an existing principal Act and other incidental laws.

At a glance, this style of law making is clumsy, without precedent in Kenya and indeed the whole Commonwealth. It is the form of law making process that will most likely convolute issues and end up with bad law. Would it not have been tidier to come up with a new law that retains all the required provisions and repeals the existing law?

Since the principal Act, the Kenya Communications Act, 1998, is merely a skeletal legislation that only establishes the CCK, provides for licensing and regulation of telecommunications services, radio communications and postal Services, it is difficult to comprehend the wisdom of using it as the building block towards a law that will incorporate all aspects of broadcasting and information technology.

Again whether having a converged regulatory regime is the most ideal situation or having separate regulatory frameworks for the various communication sectors is to be preferred is a big question and one not easy to resolve without elaborate and structured consultations with all stakeholders and consumers of information – i.e. the general population.

kenya using wireless 5000 years ago

A laugh from wainaina Mungai

After digging to a depth of 100 meters last year, Russian
 scientists found traces of copper wire dating back 1000
years, and came to the conclusion that their ancestors already
had a telephone network one thousand years ago.

So, not to be outdone, in the weeks that followed, American
scientists dug 200 meters and headlines in the US papers
read: " US scientists have found traces of 2000 year old
optical fibers, and have concluded that their ancestors
already had advanced high-tech digital telephone 1000 years
earlier than the Russians."

One week later, the Ken yan newspapers proudly reported the
following:

"After digging as deep as 500 meters, Ken yan scientists
have found absolutely nothing. They have concluded that 5000
years ago, their ancestors were already using wireless
technology.

Na ndio maana najivunia kuwa Mkenya!!!

ICT IS JUST CRAP- MY GRANDMOTHER

My grandmother has always been a drama queen. if insearch of a divergent opinion, she is the best candidate.

so, when three of her grand kids sought her opinion on ICT, all answers were expected.

Of course we did not tell her about ICT, we broke it down. Like a mobile phone. My brother suggested she would buy her a phone so that they can communicate easily.

The answer was no!

“Ndikwenda gacheneneki,” translated to- I am not interested in the loud mouthed. “Gacheneneki” would ordinarily refer to a person who is jumpy and loud, all with negative connotations.

For the old lady, all the people in the village suddenly become loud mouthed once they own the cell phone.

Justifiably so- they all wan to demonstrate they have embraced the information age.

She continues to give examples of how people share their information in public because they talk so loudly.

However, she does not admit that the only reason why she goes to the local mini market is not to sell her wares but to pursue her hobby of finding out how everyone is doing and the developments in their lives.

Amid the drama and idle talk, my grandma explains to my bro that the only reason he would buy her the “gacheneneki” is to make sure that he defaults on his monthly visits.

“The phone does not mean much, I need to see you and talk to you,” the 80 year old iron lady says.

As she eloquently speaking about politics and social affairs, we sought to know why she gladly accepts a new transistor radio and not the phone.

She argues that with the radio, she can listen to the news and other topical issues. After all, the kikuyu plays tickle her and take away the boredom.

As we go through the motions of the uses of a computer and how it makes things easy…blab la bla.

She makes it clear that we can save the crap for another day, arguing that all the talk was just a euphemism for departing from our customs and obligations.

Ends

Is Africa a dump for electronic waste?

The recent push for computerization in Africa has come with new challenges of dumping which has posed environmental hazards in many African countries.

Pictures of computer dumpsites in Nigeria have arrayed fears that western countries are using Africa as dumping ground for obsolete computers in the name of computer donations.

At the just concluded e-learning Africa conference, the theme of collaboration was underscored and computer donations were at the heart of it.

Tony Roberts, the Chief Executive Officer and founder of Computer Aid, sees the question of e-waste from a more generalized view.

“People need to be asked and challenged about electronic waste, its not only computers, the mobile phone we use will one day need to be disposed, the hi fi system, the TV at home, will have to be disposed at one point,” says Roberts.

According to Roberts, the world has now consumed more than a billion PCs, a billion mobiles and a billion TVs, which need to be disposed in an environmentally friendly way.

Without underrating the environmental concerns, Roberts says the images from Nigeria and china is all about greed. Some companies in the west are said to promote such kind of dumping to avoid costs of recycling and purchase of computer components.

The major metals use in computer manufacture are gold, silver, platinum, and copper, and their costs are up the roof, making recovery of such metals a booming business in most developing countries.

Instead of breaking the components and recycling as required, Roberts says most companies engaging in such dumping do not care about recycling or environmental concerns posed by such activities.

Though the costs are high, most countries in the European Union especially the Scandinavia have invested in recycling plants that are environmental friendly. But some countries like Britain are yet to invest in such measures.

So, for the computers that are donated but do not meet the minimum required standard set by Computer Aid; they are shipped to Germany and Holland for recycling. The charity meets the costs of recycling.

“We ensure that all the computers we get are in proper conditions, for anyone to use. We donate P3 and P4s which are professionally evaluated before shipping,” says Roberts.

Gladys Muhunyo, the Africa programme manager at Computer Aid says the charity is concerned with improving people’s livelihood and not harming them.

Locally, Muhunyo says there is a recycling project at Computer for Schools Kenya, one of the major computer recipients from the charity.

“Computers are improving lives of people and businesses. That’s an advantage and the challenge is designing ways to recycle them at an affordable and environmental friendly way,” says Muhunyo.

However, Muhunyo insisted that the issue of e-waste does not relate to refurbished computers only but also new computers which at one point will need to be disposed in an environmental friendly way.

She calls for concerted efforts between communities, governments and organizations in designing innovative and cost effective ways to recycle the electronic products.

Ends

A decade of providing computers in Africa

When Tony Roberts and two colleagues came up with the idea of assisting communities in less developed countries with computers, the idea was termed as “crazy”.

Roberts and his colleagues never gave up! They started Computer Aid, a UK based charity that refurbishes computers and ships them to various communities in the world.

This year, the charity celebrates a decade with an aim of surpassing the 100,000 computers’ mark. To date, Computer Aid has provided about 90,000 computers to various organizations, 75 per cent of them in Africa, and the numbers are rising by the day.

“It’s a good way to celebrate our 10^th anniversary. Back then, the idea was termed as crazy but today, that question is not open for discussion,” said Roberts.

At first, Computer Aid worked with major international organizations such as Action Aid and Oxfam where they identified community organizations in need of computers and worked together to make it happen.

To make it easier, Roberts says the charity posted an application form on their website where the non governmental organizations were expected to fill and update on the number of computers needed.

“We not only received feedback from our partner organizations but other people surfing stumbled on our site and expressed interest. We received applications from organizations working in sanitation, education, health, among many other fields,” says Roberts.

According to Roberts, the various organizations wanted to introduce computers but lacked the money to buy new computers and even where they had the money to buy, they felt a need to make savings.

Because Computer Aid could not meet the overwhelming demand, Roberts says communities were urged to meet the costs of refurbishing and shipping, which still ends up being cheap.

From humble beginnings, Computer Aid has now provided 75 per cent of the 90,000 computers to African schools, colleges, hospitals, among other community based projects.

Asked about community response, Roberts says communities have mobilized resources and applied for computers, as well as government institutions.

Rwanda government has been at the forefront of embracing computers. Indeed, the Ministry of Health in the central African nation has deployed 500 computers in the national referral hospital, and is pushing digitization to the districts hospitals and local level.

At the just concluded E-learning Africa conference, Roberts met with government ministers from Uganda, Zambia and Madagascar who all expressed interest to continue the partnership.

In Madagascar, the minister requested 26000 computers in five years, which translates to about 6,000 computers annually; a task Roberts says is easy.

“We have hit such numbers before Computer Aid provided 6000 computers in Chile annually during their computerization programme,” said Roberts.

Whilst Roberts insists that the response has been good, he cites other challenges such as training of users and servicing of the computers once deployed.

“Supply is one part, training teachers, providing installations and rolling out the ICT curriculum is another part that requires concerted efforts between governments and communities to work together,” he adds.

The policy framework in African countries has also been problematic but more countries are formulating policies to guide the rolling out and implementation of ICT projects. In Kenya, the government has published the Kenya Communications (amendment) bills and is expected to b e debated in parliament soon.

With donations to over 100 countries, Roberts has helped communities achieve the dream of having computers and making their work easier.

“I could see in my own country (UK) computers benefit schools, hospitals, and in economic and trade. The EU has successfully built its economy on ICT for 15 years and I wanted that to happen in other parts of the world,” says Roberts, with a look of satisfaction on his face.

But for Roberts, the real satisfaction is in hearing the story of James Muthoka, a farmer in Machakos who has used computer generated metrological analysis to determine what crop to plant and make a bumper harvest or the ministry of health official who is able to map the patterns of the malaria carrying mosquitoes and advise residents accordingly.

His satisfaction is also reflected in the faces of students and teachers who are able to access computers in their schools.

Ends

Ever been a witness in court?

It is known that most people in Kenya approach the courts with fear and trepidation. A visit to the court reduces even mighty men.

Lawyers, magistrates and judges have contributed to this image. They ask a barrage of questions that can confuse even sharp minds.

Lawyers bank on their ability to confuse and harass in order to get answers.

For instance I was listening to a case where one of those mean looking directors was on the stand. He heads a big company and to cap it all, he is white.

So with a mastery of English, the witness had managed to evade all questions by the lawyer until he (the lawyer) asked; so you are a conniving fraudster?

The witness turned red, was seething with anger and said all the things he was trying to hide.

So, the lawyer might be bad and hated, but he won the day for his client.

Then there are these other lawyers who ask the same question ten times or ask a long convoluted question that leaves the witness dazed and saying all contradictory things.

There was this guy, he came to court claiming he was a manager and was speaking very good English. At one point, he forgot his English and asked for an interpreter in his mother tongue, he no longer understood or maybe he chose to be stubborn.

I guess with a magistrate, a bad cross examining lawyer and a court full of eyes staring at you is a proper recipe for fear.

Woe unto you if you in the rural courts!

But there is a slaying ground for lawyers; it’s called the court of appeal. In that court, the appellate judges ask questions before you start talking. Only the toughest lawyers survive.

That is why they hire the lead counsel.

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