The Budget as I see I.T

During the budget speech that Honorable Uhuru Kenyatta, I was not at a position to take notes as I used to do for the last two years. I knew this year it would have great direct positive effect within the jurisdiction of my interests on ICT for development (ICT4D) issues. As I put pen to paper I am being prompted by my thoughts to write a disclaimer before I would go on with this conversation. Here goes “It is important to note that the information written herewith is my own opinion and is not intended to attack any person or institution directly or indirectly”. Phew! I am safe now.


People perish because of lack of information but more so, because of lack of knowledge. I was excited when the C.E.O of Telkom Orange the other day presented laptops to the paliamenterians.This was a wave to entail that its high time our leaders would show by example and became computer literate and use the Internet to source for information at a click of a button. At this age and time, we are having all sorts of social networks that include Facebook, Google groups and twitter just to mention a few. It’s encouraging to see the government setting up opportunities like the 1 million laptop computers campaign countrywide to tap emerging ICT opportunites.This will raise up a generation of individuals who shall use this social networks to make money through this very interactive and informative sites.


I cannot stop to think how the ICT4D practitioners may place ourselves strategically to benefit from what our P.S Dr.Ndemo has worked hard to see equipments like the taxable goods and services to film producers, Items used in film production such as photographic film roll, video recording or reproducing apparatus get Zero rated. To my own understanding, if a Digital Village can get someone to bring in such equipment from the States, Britain or Afghanistan wherever outside the country, they can get it at cost price!! No Tax! No nothing! This shall bring sustainability to the programs we run. We shall now diversify into better broadcasting on institutions with community radio; we shall be able to meet the market demand if we are using mobile phones. Though it’s important to note that money isn’t on the mobile phone but on the airtime spent. So it’s like the government wants everyone to own a mobile phone so that all will call.


Its high time for the ICT4D practitioners approached the ICT Board with one voice to know on how best we can acquire money either as a group or individuals to carry out the community development sustainable projects that will be used to add value to inhabitants of certain clusters by using computers as a tool to foster development. Will the Fiber optic cable be of any use to those who are in ICT4D practice? Hmmmm……….I am not sure about that. At this point, my comments are with held till further notice. Allow me to mention that the physically challenged persons have not been forgotten. For once I wish I was disabled for me to benefit from the tax free income of up to 150,000 Kenya shillings per month!!Gosh! Isn’t that breath taking or what!! Take home of 150K TAX free!! YAY!!It doesn’t end there! 200 Million Interest free revolving fund established and it awaits implementation. I see about 30 Kimathi Information Centre’s planted across the country with this money (that’s what good use of government money is all about).


For a short while, it rung in my mind on how the Kenya Red Cross has gained favor with the government. Everything supplied to the organization will be Zero rated. This includes services rendered from Auditing, etc etc.My thoughts on this, We ICT4D practitioners should continually lobby for such provisions and in the next budget we should hear something like this “goods and services supplied to the ICT4D practitioners should be Zero rated”. Gosh!! I am just visualizing our 28 story skyscraper community centre changing lives in this continent. This year’s budget in my own opinion has truly favored us not forgetting the increase of the CDF kitty.