African Regional Centre for ComputingAfrican Regional Centre for Computing

(ARCC)(ARCC) Ngong road, opp. Ngong Hills HotelNgong road, opp. Ngong Hills Hotel

P. O box 58638, Nairobi 00200P. O box 58638, Nairobi 00200Tel: 2721008, Cell 0721 536409Tel: 2721008, Cell 0721 536409

“RAPID APPRAISAL OF NATIONAL INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION

TECHNOLOGY (ICT) POLICY INITIATIVES IN KENYA”

Presentation by:

Mark Matunga (Rev)

Research teamResearch team Dr. Shem Ochuodho Dr. Carey Onyango Hon. Jackson Mwalulu Eng. Bruce Owalo Mrs. Jedida Ochuodho Rev. Mark Matunga Mr. Joseph Onyango Ms. Cathrine Ndung’u Ms. Sopher Ondiaka Mr. Bob Wekesa Mr. Lucas Odemba

Interns: Ms. Janet Oyende Ms. Linda Odhiambo Mr. John Ouma Ms. Plister Adongo Ms. Njeri Njenga

Specialists: Mr. Tom Nyang’au (Statistician) Mr. Samson Owino (Editor)

IntroductionIntroduction

Africa Regional Centre for Computing (ARCC) has been conducting a rapid appraisal of Information

and Communication Technology (ICT) policy initiatives in Kenya. The exercise involves

identifying and collecting relevant documented initiatives or efforts by both public and private

sectors, as well as civil society. The project’s focus is in documentation of existing national ICT Policy

or policy initiatives.

ObjectivesObjectivesIdentify major sector/stakeholders in ICT and draw up a

list of key informants for interviewing and questionnaire administration with regard to their roles in policy formulation.

Carry out a review of related literature including sector policy documents, legislation, and working papers.

Conduct stakeholder workshops/symposia to brainstorm and discuss the sector laws and other related policy documents.

Produce a comprehensive report at the end of the study.

WorkshopsWorkshopsWe identified major sector stakeholders and invited

them to stakeholders’ workshops:- 1st Workshop 10th/Sept/2003 : A brainstorming session

- Private and public sectors were represented- The general call was for integrated efforts and coordinating

body for formulation of ICT policies in Kenya

- 2nd Workshop 24th/Sept /2003: Sector paper presentations- Telecom sector: By Eng. Charles Aloo- IT sector: By Mr. John Omo- Library & Archives: By Mrs. Rosemary Ndegwa- Media sector: By Mr Maina Muiruri

Literature ReviewLiterature Review The rapid assessment of the status of ICT initiatives in

Kenya involved conducting a review of Sectoral policy documents, legislations, working papers e.t.c.

This activity entailed two parts.(i) Creation of a select bibliography of relevant literature,

(ii) Analysis and critique, i.e. review of literature.

Review of literature of over 200 books, journals, working papers, magazines, articles, policy documents etc. were done for each of the four sub-sectors : Telecom, IT/computers, Library/Archives, and Media.

Questionnaire analysisQuestionnaire analysisQuestionnaire formulation, administration, and

analysis.- Pilot questionnaire, and

- Revised questionnaire

Sent out over 180 Questionnaires- By Snail Mail (postal)

- By Electronic media (e-mail & Web)

- Hand delivery

We received back 128 questionnaires, which is 71% return rate and analyzed 124 questionnaires.

FindingsFindings

Public Sector

Private Sector

Academia

Civil Society

Development Partners

Other groups

The study involved 124 respondents drawn from the public sector (26.6%), private sector (30.6%), academia (17.7%), civil society (11.3%) development partners (4.0%) and other groups like diplomatic missions (9.7%).

FindingsFindingsMajority (71.0%) of the respondents were males the rest female. (4.0%) did not disclose. The ages ranged from 20s to over 50 years. Specifically, 17 (13.7%) respondents were in the 20-29 years age category, (40.3%) were in the 30-39 years age group, 30 (24.2%) were in the 40-49 years age category while the 50 years and above age group made 13 (10.5%) respondents. (6.5%) did not indicate.

0.00%10.00%20.00%30.00%40.00%50.00%

Age

Percen

tag

e

Series1

FindingsFindings42.7% of the respondents had standards for hardware, 45.2% for software, 38.7% for maintenance and 41.1% for operating systems. There were cases of non-response ranging from 19.4% for training to 26.6% for maintenance.

34.00% 36.00% 38.00% 40.00% 42.00% 44.00% 46.00%

OperatingSystems

Maintenace

Software

Hardware

Series1

FindingsFindingsThe study also attempted to look into the existence of policies on the various components of ICT. For IT/Computers the proportion of respondents was 46.8%. There were nearly similar proportions for internet and library (41.9% and 40.3% respectively) as well as for media and telecom (29.8% and 25.0% respectively).

0.00%

10.00%

20.00%

30.00%

40.00%

50.00%

IT/Computers Library Internet Media Telecom

Series1

Findings Findings In terms of ICT sub-sector, 23.4% were in IT/Computers, 16.9% in library, 7.3% in telecommunications and 19.4% were in media. There were some respondents who did not regard themselves to belong to any of the four sub-sectors (29.0%) while a few did not respond at all (4.0%).

0.00%5.00%

10.00%15.00%20.00%25.00%30.00%35.00%

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6.0%

8.0%

10.0%

12.0%

14.0%

16.0%

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When asked about the ministry/institution under which they would prefer the national ICT policy to be administered from.MOSET (15.3%), GITS (14.5%) New Ministry (13.7%). TRANSCOM (11.3%) OP (10.5%), MoTI (8.9%)MoPND (8.1%)C C K (7.3%) N C S (5.6%).

Concluding ThoughtsConcluding Thoughts The need for an ICT Champion in Kenya A Body Responsible for ICT Development and

Regulation (eg. An ICT Council/Authority) Borrow ideas from other success stories e.g

Rwanda, Singapore, India Bring all ICT sub-sectors and stakeholders

together to build consensus and create a critical mass that can push the policy process forward

DiscussionsDiscussionsThank you!

Africa Regional Centre for Computing (ARCC)Ngong road, opp. Ngong Hills Hotel

P. O box 58638, Nairobi 00200Tel: 2721008, Cell 0721 536409

Web: www.arcc.or.ke

Email: info@arcc.or.ke