Tech Solutions for Covid-19

Dear all,

currently, we are part of the Ushahidi COVID-19 deployment see
kijijiyeetu.ushahidi.io/views/map and would willing to share our
data and information.

Thanks

On 2020-04-07 10:03, wairimu R via kictanet wrote:
> Hi
>
> Something like what ushahidi is doing
>
> kenyacovid19.ushahidi.io/views/map
>
> On Tuesday, April 7, 2020, Wambui Wambui via kictanet
> <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>> My thoughts are related to awareness creation and information
>> provision. Various technologies can be used to promote each
>> citizen’s right to accurate and timely information, accountable
>> leadership, and responsible use of public resources. Some ideas:
>>
>> 1. I echo Stephen Machua’s call for an open data portal that
>> provides centralized information in English and Swahili on the areas
>> he suggested. The Open Data portal was promoted in the previous
>> administration but seems to have lapsed under this one. In addition
>> to the areas that were proposed for what can be on the Open Data
>> portal, here are a few others:
>>
>> a. Criteria for testing for COVID-19
>>
>> b. How many test kits are available, by county
>>
>> c. How many people tested at any given time, by county
>>
>> d. Relevant policies/laws related to COVID-19
>>
>> e. County-specific information related to COVID-19 e.g.
>> measures taken to address the matter (hand-washing points), medical
>> centres for testing and treatment, hotlines to call in the event of
>> an emergency, etc.
>>
>> 2. Use digital technologies to encourage devolved
>> communication between citizens and government down to
>> location/sub-location_ _level. Chief Kariuki in Lanet Location,
>> Nakuru County effectively used to send texts to residents through
>> Twitter. This service has since been discontinued but the Committee
>> could look into reviving it so as to allow chiefs/subchiefs to:
>>
>> a. provide national updates and information in their areas.
>>
>> b. Provide County-specific updates and information
>>
>> Residents can also use such platforms to:
>>
>> c. raise concerns particular to their needs/area through their
>> chiefs/subchiefs, which can then be escalated upwards.
>>
>> d. propose solutions for particular needs in their community
>>
>> 3. Authorities should provide frequent, accurate updates in
>> different languages on multiple platforms – e.g. social media,
>> mainstream media, trusted community leaders – from credible sources.
>> This would also a more effective way to curb misinformation rather
>> than resorting to threats of arrests, etc.
>>
>> 4. Government can also partner with telcos and local developers in
>> deploying technology (apps, mobile phones) to enable information
>> exchange across counties (e.g. about food availability) without
>> violating rights to privacy.
>>
>> 5. A final thought for the committee is that nations such as Germany
>> are on lockdown with no incidences of policy brutality or citizen
>> outcry. Citizen compliance can be achieved if authorities can do the
>> following:
>>
>> a) show empathy/understanding of citizens\’ needs (e.g. not everyone
>> is able to stay at home for days on end working remotely so provide
>> options/alternatives)
>>
>> b) treat all citizens with respect
>>
>> c) acknowledge that digital access is not equally available to all,
>> so ensure that everyone has access to similar COVID-related
>> information
>>
>> d) be accountable for the resources that are generated through
>> taxpayer money (why an Open Data portal becomes useful).
>>
>> e) be willing to take responsibility for mistakes made, and to show
>> how the errors are being addressed.
>>
>> f) be willing to explain tough decisions
>>
>> g) be willing to do their jobs as they should. E.g. Legislators
>> should develop far-reaching policies and laws that will revitalize
>> national/county economies and institutions, not just buy
>> self-branded soaps.
>>
>> Thanks.
>>
>> WW
>>
>> On Tue, Apr 7, 2020 at 11:59 AM Barrack Otieno via kictanet
>> <[email protected]> wrote:
>>
>> Dear Liz,
>>
>> My Feedback inline,
>>
>> On Sun, Apr 5, 2020 at 11:04 PM Liz Orembo via kictanet
>> <[email protected]> wrote:
>>
>> Thank you Stephen,
>>
>> I like your idea of an open data portal and a single webpage for all
>> sorts of communications and statistics regarding covid 19. Can
>> covid-19.ke [1] resemble that of John hopkins?
>> BO : IT IS WORTH NOTING THAT OPEN DATA IS NOT A NEW CONCEPT IN
>> KENYA. WE HAD AN OPEN DATA PORTAL DURING HIS EXCELLENCY
>> KIBAKI'S REGIME. I GUESS PRIORITIES MAY HAVE SHIFTED. I KNOW
>> THERE ARE OPEN DATA CHAMPIONS ON THIS LIST, IT COULD HELP IF THEY
>> CAN GIVE AN AN EXPERT OPINION ON WHERE WE ARE AS A COUNTRY AND THE
>> CHALLENGES WE ARE FACING THAT CAN HAMPER THE USE OF OPEN DATA. WHEN
>> ALL IS SAID AND DONE WHAT IS COMING OUT CLEARLY IS TECHNOLOGY HAS TO
>> BE BACKED BY STRONG DIGITAL LITERACY.
>>
>> I also know we have various community network projects driven by
>> some of our members on this list. How can they coordinate with the
>> ministry of health to provide content in the local languages and in
>> forms that are easily consumed in the areas where the community
>> networks serve?
>> BO : Community Networks are playing their part, got some inspiring
>> feedback from @Josephine Miliza on some initiatives they are
>> carrying out at Tunapanda Networks in Kibra to provide support in
>> Kibra where implementing preventive measures such as social
>> distancing has been a challenge. They are working with teachers in
>> the local school to upload content on the e-learning platforms (Soma
>> -e-learning platform) which will be availed to learners through the
>> Community Network. They are also Customizing COVID-Related
>> information to fit the local context by creating Videos and memes to
>> demistify COVID-19. Some of the Connected Centres are also making
>> masks for the Community. I am sure @Josephine Miliza can share more.
>> I am involved with a Community Network hosted by CISS [2] which
>> operates in Homabay, Kisumu and Siaya County supporting over 200
>> women and youth groups in the rural communities from the three
>> counties. We are actively engaging them through Whatsapp to
>> understand the challenges they are facing as well as convey reliable
>> information about COVID-19. Together with partners we are also
>> working on Videos aimed at informing educating and influencing
>> behavior change which will be uploaded on our infrastructure at the
>> Community Centre\’s and which can be accessed for free. @Rapudo Hawi
>> is also spearheading a Community Initiative [3] which is documenting
>> various initiatives taking place kwa ground.
>>
>> FINALLY COMMUNITY RADIO IS ALSO PLAYING A CRITICAL ROLE. I WATCHED A
>> FEATURE ON NTV OVER THE WEEKEND WHERE A COMMUNITY RADIO RUN BY A
>> CHURCH IN HOMABAY IS THE ONLY SOURCE OF INFORMATION ON COVID-19.
>> I AGREE WITH YOU THAT WE NEED TO STEP UP COLLABORATIVE EFFORTS TO
>> SHARE CONTENT WHICH CAN THEN BE PASSED ON TO THE COMMUNITIES.
>>
>> On Sun, Apr 5, 2020 at 12:09 PM Stephen Machua
>> <[email protected]> wrote:
>>
>> Good Morning Liz,
>>
>> I see an opportunity for Open Data to boost transparency+future
>> preparedness, e.g. a portal/site where Kenyans and interested
>> parties can track progress on;
>>
>> a) Donations received and their allocations (Monetary + in-kind)
>> e.g. World Bank has already given $50M, Danish Government $3.2M
>> b) Medical supplies (produced + donated) and their allocations
>> c) Average spending per patient until recovery in different
>> hospitals across the country – might inform future preparedness
>>
>> Basically, trying to capture as much data as we can and learn from
>> this process.
>>
>> Hoping to hear what other listers think, especially those in open
>> data.
>>
>> Regards,
>> Stephen Machua
>>
>> On Sat, Apr 4, 2020 at 12:59 AM Liz Orembo via kictanet
>> <[email protected]> wrote:
>>
>> Good morning listers,
>>
>> The senate has established an ad-hoc committee that will oversee the
>> responses of the national and county governments to the covid 19
>> pandemic. The committee has issued a call for submissions on the
>> following themes.
>>
>> * HEALTH – includes community health, testing centers, mental
>> health, role and engagement of county governments.
>> * ECONOMIC AND FINANCE ISSUES – Includes macro economic effects,
>> measures that the government can take to cushion SMEs and borrowers.
>> * SOCIAL, PUBLIC ORDER AND HUMAN RIGHTS – Includes protection of
>> vulnerable groups, and enforcement of curfews
>> * ACCESS TO FOOD, WATER AND OTHER BASIC COMMODITIES Includes
>> measures to support continuous production and supply of essential
>> services at affordable prices. Food, water etc
>> * SUPPORT SERVICES AND CROSS CUTTING ISSUES – Includes awareness
>> creation, how to combat stigmatization and network access across the
>> country.
>>
>> Listers, what are your views? How can ICTs help in these 5 areas?
>> and how can the government improve its communication and network
>> connectivity across the country?
>>
>> Please find attached the call for public participation with more
>> details. The deadline for submission is 8th April. —
>>
>> Best regards.
>>
>> Liz.
>>
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>
> —
>
> Best regards.
>
> Liz.
>
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> The Kenya ICT Action Network (KICTANet) is a multi-stakeholder
> platform for people and institutions interested and involved in ICT
> policy and regulation. The network aims to act as a catalyst for
> reform in the ICT sector in support of the national aim of ICT enabled
> growth and development.
>
> KICTANetiquette : Adhere to the same standards of acceptable behaviors
> online that you follow in real life: respect people\’s times and
> bandwidth, share knowledge, don\’t flame or abuse or personalize,
> respect privacy, do not spam, do not market your wares or
> qualifications.
>
> —
> Barrack O. Otieno
> +254721325277
> +254733206359
> Skype: barrack.otieno
> PGP ID: 0x2611D86A
>
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>
> The Kenya ICT Action Network (KICTANet) is a multi-stakeholder
> platform for people and institutions interested and involved in ICT
> policy and regulation. The network aims to act as a catalyst for
> reform in the ICT sector in support of the national aim of ICT enabled
> growth and development.
>
> KICTANetiquette : Adhere to the same standards of acceptable behaviors
> online that you follow in real life: respect people\’s times and
> bandwidth, share knowledge, don\’t flame or abuse or personalize,
> respect privacy, do not spam, do not market your wares or
> qualifications.
>
> —
> Educating the mind without educating the heart is no education at all
> – Aristotle
>
>
>
> Links:
> ——
> [1] covid-19.ke
> [2] cisskisumu.org
> [3] kijijiyeetu.co.ke
> [4] lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet
> [5] www.facebook.com/KICTANet/
> [6]
> lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/stephenmachua%40gmail.com
> [7]
> lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/otieno.barrack%40gmail.com
> [8]
> lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/wwamunyu2009%40gmail.com
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>
> The Kenya ICT Action Network (KICTANet) is a multi-stakeholder
> platform for people and institutions interested and involved in ICT
> policy and regulation. The network aims to act as a catalyst for
> reform in the ICT sector in support of the national aim of ICT enabled
> growth and development.
>
> KICTANetiquette : Adhere to the same standards of acceptable behaviors
> online that you follow in real life: respect people\’s times and
> bandwidth, share knowledge, don\’t flame or abuse or personalize,
> respect privacy, do not spam, do not market your wares or
> qualifications.

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