ITS TIME IEBC BORROWS A LEAF FROM ENTREPRENEURS

1. 1.       Start Small

Like the adage goes “ A journey of a 1000miles starts with one step”. IEBC should stop expensive advertising stunts and begin small. Let the officers disseminate e-letters to all government organs, civil service and have social media campaigns by contracting students across campuses and colleges within the 47counties. I am sure the cost would be a third of their expense account on newspaper, radio, road-shows, workshops and TV adverts for a month.

With their automation of the electoral process they should consider “open-source”. They can again hire the top brains at the “ihub” and shortlist best programmers in all universities for this. Believe me there are geniuses out here and they could have a finished product within 60days or less.

1. 2.       Network

IEBC should not work in isolation. Yes we do understand that they need independence but I believe they are men and women of good character and will be overboard in liaison with public and private sector. There many organizations that would give towards their budget in kind and in-deed.

Could they ask KWS for their choppers and pick-ups? The KDF for security? And even five 4X4 cars from each main stream ministry. Schools and colleges could give their students as interns for the whole voting period. NGOs and other private organization would give other things like fractions of their print costs etc.

1. 3.       Bargain

They should cut the chase on all purchases and deal with the manufacturers who will in-turn use their country distributors for the best deals. The South African Electricity company did this and saved a lot on their ICT infrastructure.

They could consider re-negotiating with all their suppliers for cuts both in cost and quantities of good or services required.

1. 4.       Partner

There are  those Super brands that would love the opportunity to partner to deliver the best ever election on the planet.

HACO industries could partner in all writing/ink solutions. Microsoft, Nakumatt, Uchumi, Oracle, Cisco, Huawei, Ericsson, Motorolla, KDN, Orange, YU, Safaricom and many others. This could be in terms of connectivity, operating and office software, communication equipment, call termination services, database management etc.

1. 5.       Get simple

IEBC should consider using a semi-electronic voting system. Or go Chinese and print Chip-emmbedded voting cards. With an order of approx. 20 million cards am sure Chinese firms could give competitive quotes of between 20-500shillings for each card and the PDQ machines plus software to swipe-vote could be less than $1000.

I believe IEBC as lead by the very able Commissioner Hassan could still pull through with their allocation. Many entrepreneurs here and beyond start with nothing but have successful business empires. With 18Billion IEBC should deliver the best election ever in East Africa!

KENYA’S REVISED TRAFFIC LAWS

STRINGENT KENYAN TRAFFIC LAWS YOU SHOULD BE AWARE OF
By Rahab Kinyanjui
Earlier this year, there were new amendments to the traffic laws. Just in case you do get busted by Traffic police, at least you can’t say you didn’t know.

1. OVERSPEEDING- This will run you the risk of paying a fine of Kshs. 10,000 or 3 months imprisonment or both. The busted speed addict’s driving license will also be suspended for not less than 3 years.

2. MOTORCYCLE OPERATORS are required to carry ONLY one passenger. Both the passenger and driver must wear reflective cloths and helmets. Otherwise you face a fine of 10,000 and default of that, will result in 12 months imprisonment.

3. DANGEROUS DRIVING Persons convicted of causing death by dangerous driving-life imprisonment.

4. MANDATORY EYE TEST is required every 3 years for licensed drivers. If you fail the test then licence is required to be withdrawn.

5. OVERLAPPING-This is probably the most annoying acts carried out by impatient motorists during traffic jams. It involves driving on pavement, through a petrol station, footpaths… etc, in order to avoid traffic. It results in more traffic jam. Well now, getting caught could get you coughing up Kshs. 30,000/3 months or both.

6. SURRENDER YOUR IDENTIFICATION PLATES…after selling your car otherwise, you are at risk of facing a fine of Kshs. 30,000. It gets worse, an additional fine of Kshs. 10,000 will need to be paid for every month you don’t surrender your plates.

7. DRUNKEN DRIVING, upon conviction it can lead to imprisonment of not less than 10 years and a fine of not less than 500,000Kshs.

8. UNAUTHORISED PSV DRIVER-This means, he or she is out of uniform or without a special badge. It can result in a fine of not less than Kshs. 500,000 or possible imprisonment of ten years.
These traffic rules seem harsh. Cheer Up! Here are some the weird traffic rules that are around the world

1. Denmark-You must do a routine check under your car to look for sleeping children every time you want to drive anywhere!
2. Philippines-If your number plate ends in 1 or 2 you can’t drive on Monday
3. Russia/Romania-It is illegal to drive a dirty car
4. Mecca, Saudia Arabia-There are two highways, one Muslim (non-Muslims are not allowed to enter the Holy City) and the other non-Muslim. Being a non-Muslim on the Muslim Highway can land you in serious trouble
5. California, USA-It is illegal for a woman to wear a dressing gown while driving

 

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