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

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