Should CBK issue its own digital currency?
DAILY NATION By JOHN WALUBENGO
Wednesday November 27, 2018
Should the Central Bank of Kenya issue its own digital or cryptocurrency?
This is not a popular question to ask, particularly at a time like now when the most famous cryptocurrency has shed off 90 percent of its value over the last one month.
Additionally, the question of a sovereign country issuing its own cryptocurrency begs another question – what is the problem with the current physical fiat currency that would necessitate a digital version?
A final begging question would be – aren’t we creating an oxymoron by putting Central Bank and digital or crypto currency in the same sentence, especially because cryptocurrencies like bitcoin were designed from scratch to eliminate the need for intermediaries like Central Banks?
What is the progress of ICT in the counties?
DAILY NATION By JOHN WALUBENGO
Wednesday November 11, 2018
When the international media says Kenya is a hotbed of innovation, many a time they are referring to Nairobi County.
Mention high-speed internet, innovation hubs, mobile apps for paying bills and for hailing taxi rides, apps for dating, or just about anything else, and you will get it in Nairobi.
Nairobi seems to have it all in terms of ICT.
However, is Nairobi the same as Kenya? What exactly is the state of ICT in the counties?
Difficult to tell, but reading from a 2015 County ICT study that was commissioned by the ICT Authority, the story was not so rosy. The study looked at the maturity levels of ICT governance and usage within the county governments.
Mucheru, Rotich drawn into GAA enquiry
DAILY NATION By DAVID MWERE
Monday October 29, 2018
Information Communication and Technology Cabinet Secretary Joe Mucheru and his National Treasury counterpart, Mr Henry Rotich, are among the senior government officers to be probed by a parliamentary committee over the loss of Sh2.5 billion at the Government Advertising Agency (GAA).
Their Principal Secretaries Fatuma Mohamed (Broadcasting and Telecommunications) and Kamau Thugge (Treasury) will also be probed.
DIRECTIVE
This comes as Lugari MP Ayub Savula, former Broadcasting and Telecommunications PS Sammy Itemere, and former GAA boss Dennis Chebitwey are expected to be charged today with the theft of Sh122.3 million on the recommendation of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Mr Noordin Haji.
Telcos regulator seeks to monitor WhatsApp
DAILY NATION By PATRICK ALUSHULA
Friday November 2, 2018
Kenya is considering regulating online services such as WhatsApp and Skype in a radical move that could force the internet-based service providers to share data with the government.
The Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) is in search of a consultant to study and determine how the so-called over-the-top services (OTTS) operated by groups such as Facebook, which runs WhatsApp, and Skype owner Microsoft, could be regulated.
The regulator wants to have some measure of control, much like it does with other traditional telecom products such as calls and phone text messages.
“Given that providers of OTTS are likely to gather their subscribers’ data and may not be domiciled in Kenya,” the CA said in a statement to the Business Daily.
Auditor: ICT authority is technically insolvent
DAILY NATION By IBRAHIM ORUKO
Monday October 22, 2018
The Information Communication and Technology Authority is technically insolvent and cannot meet its financial obligations, Auditor-General Edward Ouko says.
The authority recorded a Sh2.41 billion loss in the 2016/17 financial year.
The auditor, in a report tabled in the National Assembly last week, said the agency's liabilities of Sh1.6 billion exceed its Sh386 million assets.
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“Its financial statements are prepared on a going concern basis. The assumption is that the authority will continue to receive financial support from the government, bankers, creditors and donors,” the report said.