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The pitfalls of Innovation moving faster than Regulation - The case of Safaricom and Lipisha
by Ali Hussein 28 Nov '15

28 Nov '15

Listers Did we miss this unfolding precedence setting battle? In brief:- Safaricom has been sued by two mobile money service providers for suspending their services through alleged intimidation. Lipisha Consortium Limited and Bitpesa Limited Friday went to court over termination of their services on November 12. The pair offers a platform for businesses that enables them to collect, process and integrate payments from customers and clients using mobile money. Read on:- http://www.nation.co.ke/business/Mobile-money-providers-sue-Safaricom-for-s… My questions and comments:- 1. Is Safaricom correct in shutting down a service without notice to protect its brand? Your guess here is as good as mine. 2. The legality or otherwise of bitcoins seems to be the main bone of contention here. Here's an opinion from Wikipedia on the treatment of bitcoins in various countries. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Legality_of_bitcoin_by_country 3. Did the CBK ask Safaricom to shut down the service or is Safaricom acting unilaterally because of point 1 above? 4. How do we protect the innovation ecosystem in the region from such happenings? This may well be a legitimate case of a startup that didn't do its homework regarding the regulatory framework in the space it chose to play in. According to Rosemary Kimwatu, a Legal Officer in the Tech Fin sector:- "The main problem Bitpesa faces is that cryptocurrency operate from an unrecognised payment system. The position by CBK on Bitcoins is that it's a currency that operates outside the purview of the normal payments system and can therefore not be monitored in regards to Money Laundering. A payment system/platform needs to work within a recognized payment system because then funds origination and destination can be tracked. Bitcoins however are not from the banking system so how will one know if someone is not using it to clean up illegally obtained funds?" Good and solid arguments. My only problem with that argument is that innovation is almost always ahead of regulation. And Safaricom, of all organizations should know better than to behave like this. I fully understand the situation they are in and I can imagine the legal heads at Safaricom working overtime to 'contain' a potential mine field situation that can contain its core Mpesa System. I however believe that a softer approach could have had a better effect. My humble opinion:- Safaricom needs a better approach than the ones they take handling potential Frenemies. The case of Equitel is still fresh in our minds. The narrative is going against them and they need to manage this. The current scenario paints them as a Bully intent on crushing any potential threat to their payment platform. They are better than this. However Rosemary has a different argument:- "The whole thing is bad for innovation but the battle should be with the regulator not Safaricom. It would be in everyone's interest if CBK was forced to deal with change but this won't happen if the Bitcoin guys fight Safaricom. They have to deal with it in the right way by facing the regulator head on and proving how secure their system is in regards to Anti Money Laundering (AML) by showing how it has been done in other countries." Can't argue with that.. 5. A few day ago I talked about the Angani issue. Here's another compelling issue to add on to our bucket list of helping and growing the Startup space in our region - Compliance with Regulation. It's become such a major component of institution building that we can't play 'Pata-Potea' (loosely translated as gambling) with it anymore. #TechRoundTable, are you listening? Ali Hussein Principal Hussein & Associates +254 0713 601113 / 0770906375 Twitter: @AliHKassim Skype: abu-jomo LinkedIn: http://ke.linkedin.com/in/alihkassim Blog: www.alyhussein.com "Discovery consists in seeing what everyone else has seen and thinking what no one else has thought". ~ Albert Szent-Györgyi Sent from my iPad

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Broadcasting and Telecommunications PS
by Ali Hussein 27 Nov '15

27 Nov '15

Listers This one is for the new CS of ICT and PS of ICT & Innovation. Congrats both of you. I know that you have the interest of the community and country at large. I would like to humbly request you to quickly bring the new PS of Broadcasting & Telecommunication into the community. His is an inbox over flowing with major issues that will affect us for years to come. I’d request (again, humbly) to bring him up to speed with such subjects as:- 1. Dominance in the Telco space 2. Net Neutrality 3. Kenya’s space in trailblazing Policy, Innovation and Regulation in the Global Arena. Lastly, we hope that you will reverse the almost non-existent engagement with the community perpetuated by the outgoing regime. You guys don’t need Karibu. You are a part of us. Thanks & Regards Ali Hussein ali(a)hussein.me.ke +254 713 601113 Twitter: @AliHKassim Skype: Abu-Jomo LinkedIn: http//ke.linkedin.com/in/alihkassim Blog: www.alyhussein.com

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Kenya acts to double Internet reach by 2017
by Barrack Otieno 25 Nov '15

25 Nov '15

Listers, In Summary ICT Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i on Tuesday said he was working with the National Treasury on a legislation that will support broadband investments through public-private partnerships. Dr Matiang’i said there were plans to leverage on excess infrastructure from Kenya Power, Kenya Electricity Transmission Co Ltd (Ketraco) and Kenya Pipeline, to supply broadband to rural Kenya. Facebook has also partnered with Airtel Africa to complement its free Internet initiative. The social media giant wants to beam Internet using drones to remote areas in Africa by 2016. For more: http://www.nation.co.ke/business/Kenya-acts-to-double-Internet-reach-by-201… -- Barrack O. Otieno +254721325277 +254-20-2498789 Skype: barrack.otieno http://www.otienobarrack.me.ke/

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How to destroy value and the Ecosystem at Silicon Savannah
by Ali Hussein 24 Nov '15

24 Nov '15

Listers I'm sure by now most of us have read about the goings on at Angani. There has been a very loud and noticeable silence on this list regarding this issue. I suspect mainly because many of us know the protagonists and possibly also (at least I'd like to believe) that this list has become more responsible on what we all write and share. However I think we must be very vocal for the right reasons. Through out all this unfolding events two key constituents seem to have been almost forgotten:- 1. The Customer 2. The Community (or ecosystem if you will) In my own small way, I'm standing to be counted for the above. https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/how-destroy-value-ecosystem-silicon-savannah… *Ali Hussein* *Hussein & Associates* Tel: +254 770 906375/ 713 601113 Twitter: @AliHKassim Skype: abu-jomo LinkedIn: http://ke.linkedin.com/in/alihkassim <http://ke.linkedin.com/in/alihkassim> Blog: www.alyhussein.com Any information of a personal nature expressed in this email are purely mine and do not necessarily reflect the official positions of the organizations that I work with.

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Coming Soon: Free Internet to Rural Areas (There is never a free ride)
by Ali Hussein 18 Nov '15

18 Nov '15

Listers I'm really concerned about the continued silence of the Regulator regarding Zero-Rating of certain services bundled by telcos in this country in partnership with the big boys and girls of the Internet. Are we not clear how this continued silence and tacit approval of this practice that had basically been outlawed in their home countries is going to impact our nascent Internet economy? http://www.nation.co.ke/business/Free-Internet-to-rural-areas/-/996/2960730… We deserve some action from the Communication Authority. Ali Hussein Principal Hussein & Associates +254 0713 601113 / 0770906375 Twitter: @AliHKassim Skype: abu-jomo LinkedIn: http://ke.linkedin.com/in/alihkassim Blog: www.alyhussein.com "Discovery consists in seeing what everyone else has seen and thinking what no one else has thought". ~ Albert Szent-Györgyi Sent from my iPad

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Agency sets Sh250m minimum capital for Konza city investors
by Ali Hussein 18 Nov '15

18 Nov '15

Listers Interesting article in the Business Daily today. IN SUMMARY Investors eyeing space at Konza Techno City will be required to raise between Sh250 million and Sh2.6 billion for various projects earmarked for phase one, a document from Konza Technopolis Development Authority (KoTDA) indicates. Investors are also required to focus on technology, engineering and innovation projects, with the demands meant to lock out land speculators. The expression of interest will close on January 30, 2016 after which evaluation of the bids will be undertaken, setting the stage for investment flows starting next year. This is laudable and commendable. I'm however looking for incentives and push for the local companies & startups who may not have the millions to invest in the real estate but are brimming with ideas and enthusiasm. Ali Hussein Principal Hussein & Associates +254 0713 601113 / 0770906375 Twitter: @AliHKassim Skype: abu-jomo LinkedIn: http://ke.linkedin.com/in/alihkassim Blog: www.alyhussein.com "Discovery consists in seeing what everyone else has seen and thinking what no one else has thought". ~ Albert Szent-Györgyi Sent from my iPad

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Fwd: [ALAC-Announce] ICANN News Alert -- Apply Now: Experts in Consumer Protections, Economics and Security Needed for New gTLD Program Review
by Barrack Otieno 04 Nov '15

04 Nov '15

---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: ICANN At-Large Staff <staff(a)atlarge.icann.org> Date: Tue, 3 Nov 2015 07:26:12 +0000 Subject: [ALAC-Announce] ICANN News Alert -- Apply Now: Experts in Consumer Protections, Economics and Security Needed for New gTLD Program Review To: "alac-announce(a)atlarge-lists.icann.org" <alac-announce(a)atlarge-lists.icann.org> [ICANN]<http://www.icann.org/> News Alert https://www.icann.org/news/announcement-2015-11-02-en ________________________________ Apply Now: Experts in Consumer Protections, Economics and Security Needed for New gTLD Program Review 2 November 2015 ICANN today announced that it extended the application deadline for participation on the community-based team that will review the New gTLD Program in regard to competition, consumer trust and consumer choice (CCT). Experts in consumer protections, economics and security are highly desired, and geographic diversity will be taken into account when selecting review team member. Any travel required will be funded by ICANN. The deadline for expressing interest is 13 November 2013 at 11:59 UTC. Apply Now!<https://www.icann.org/resources/pages/call-volunteers-cct-rt-2015-10-01-en> Participants selected as CCT Review Team members will pioneer an ongoing effort to track and examine data about the domain name industry and system. Their analysis of how new gTLDs are affecting the market place and the Internet's root zone will impact future rounds of the New gTLD Program through potential changes to policy. Enhancing competition, choice and trust in the domain name space are key goals of the New gTLD Program, and the Internet community has a vested interest in determining whether new gTLDs have delivered on these promises. CCT Review Team members will represent the broader community in determining these conclusions. Team members will be chosen in December 2015 and work is scheduled to begin in January 2016. Participants are expected to work closely with one another and there will be opportunities to network with other fellow community members. The CCT Review Team will set its own schedule for data collection, analysis and reporting, with the goal of producing its final report by 31 December 2016. The review of the New gTLD Program in regard to competition, consumer trust and consumer choice is mandated by ICANN's Affirmation of Commitments. The review team is tasked with examining "the extent to which the introduction or expansion of gTLDs has promoted competition, consumer trust and consumer choice, as well as effectiveness of (a) the application and evaluation process, and (b) safeguards put in place to mitigate issues involved in the introduction or expansion." The team will consider multiple inputs in its deliberation, including metrics recommended by the Internet community. ICANN has been collecting data for those metrics and recently created a webpage<https://www.icann.org/resources/reviews/cct/metrics> where this information is displayed. Other metrics were captured in global surveys of Internet users and domain name registrants, and through an economic study. -- Barrack O. Otieno +254721325277 +254-20-2498789 Skype: barrack.otieno http://www.otienobarrack.me.ke/

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APPLY NOW!!! Applications Open for Internet Society Fellowship to IETF 95 (Buenos Aires, Argentina) **
by Mwendwa Kivuva 02 Nov '15

02 Nov '15

FYI ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: "Niel Harper" <harper(a)isoc.org> Date: Nov 2, 2015 8:00 PM Subject: [Community-il] ** APPLY NOW!!! Applications Open for Internet Society Fellowship to IETF 95 (Buenos Aires, Argentina) ** To: "community-il(a)elists.isoc.org" <community-il(a)elists.isoc.org> Cc: Dear All, The Internet Society is inviting applications for its next round of Fellowship to the IETF programme. The Fellowship programme allows engineers and researchers from emerging and developing economies to attend an Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) meeting. As you know, the IETF is the Internet's premier standards-making body, responsible for the development of protocols used in IP-based networks. IETF participants represent an international community of network designers, operators, vendors, and researchers involved in the technical operation of the Internet and the continuing evolution of Internet architecture. Fellowships will be awarded through a competitive application process. The Internet Society is currently accepting fellowship applications to the following: *** IETF 95, April 3-8, 2016, Buenos Aires, Argentina *** Information about the programme and links to apply can be found at: http://www.internetsociety.org/fellows-ietf Fellowship applications will close on 22 November, 2015. I encourage you to apply or pass this information about the programme to your colleagues and individuals in your network that have a keen interest in the Internet protocol development activities of the IETF. The Internet Society Fellowships to the IETF are sponsored by Afilias, Google, NBCUniversal, Microsoft, and Verisign. If you have questions, please do not hesitate to contact Niel Harper < harper(a)isoc.org>. Regards, ----------------------------- Niel Harper Senior Manager, Next Generation Leaders Programmes Internet Society 1775 Wiehle Avenue Reston, VA Email: harper(a)isoc.org Skype: OlokunBB Follow us on Twitter at @ISOC_NextGen <https://twitter.com/ISOC_NextGen>! _______________________________________________ Community-il mailing list Community-il(a)elists.isoc.org https://elists.isoc.org/mailman/listinfo/community-il

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Fwd: [Skunkworks] Corporate Sales Account Manager Job Opening
by Barrack Otieno 28 Oct '15

28 Oct '15

Listers, For your information. Regards ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Joe Njogu via skunkworks <skunkworks(a)lists.my.co.ke> Date: Tue, 27 Oct 2015 14:15:37 +0300 Subject: [Skunkworks] Corporate Sales Account Manager Job Opening To: Skunkworks Mailing List <skunkworks(a)lists.my.co.ke> Hi Guys, See the attached - Best Regards, Joe Njogu -- Barrack O. Otieno +254721325277 +254-20-2498789 Skype: barrack.otieno http://www.otienobarrack.me.ke/

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Fwd: [Internet Policy] IPU Resolution on democracy, privacy, and mass surveillance
by Barrack Otieno 27 Oct '15

27 Oct '15

Listers, This might be usefull to some listers. Regards ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Richard Hill <rhill(a)hill-a.ch> Date: Sun, 25 Oct 2015 16:36:27 +0100 Subject: [Internet Policy] IPU Resolution on democracy, privacy, and mass surveillance To: internetpolicy(a)elists.isoc.org The Inter-Parliamentary Union is the organization that comprises many of the world's parliaments. It is not well known, but it has recently adopted some resolutions that should be of interest. In particular, a new resolution on Democracy in the Digital Era and the Threat to Privacy and Individual Freedoms, see: http://www.ipu.org/conf-e/133/Res-1.htm Operational paragraph 3 underscores that legislation regarding surveillance must be based, inter alia, on the principles of necessity and proportionality. I believe that this is the first example of a global state institution explicitly adopting those principles (but I believe that some European court judgments also mention both principles). Paragraph 4 calls for removing limitations on freedom of expression (as does paragraph 17) and upholding the principle of net neutrality. Again, I believe that this is the first example of a global state institution explicitly adopting the principle of net neutrality. Paragraph 7 basically calls for an end to current mass surveillance practices. Other paragraphs of the resolution are also significant. Information on the IPU is at: http://www.ipu.org Best, Richard _______________________________________________ To manage your ISOC subscriptions or unsubscribe, please log into the ISOC Member Portal: https://portal.isoc.org/ Then choose Interests & Subscriptions from the My Account menu. -- Barrack O. Otieno +254721325277 +254-20-2498789 Skype: barrack.otieno http://www.otienobarrack.me.ke/

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