I have to start y by apologizing to the readers because this post is waaaaaaaaay overdue. In fact, I wanted to title it “A long overdue post on WordCamp Kenya 2012” but then I realized this is as much for me as it is for you. So I titled it Paul Kukubo’s session instead. This here event took place on the 10th and 11th November 2012 at Maanzoni Lodge in the outskirts of Nairobi County where Waititu wants to be governor. LOL :). It was organized by David Mugo a.k.a. (@raidarmax) and he did a damn good job. Big up David, you did good. No, you did great. Most people I spoke to enjoyed the conference. Especially the Camp Fire team.
I took the liberty of breaking down the sessions I attended titles as per speaker. Here they are:
Paul Kukubo: Quote, Unquote.
We must make a pledge to Responsible blogging. Is it a bigger force of change than being positive? Paul pointed out that we all have that one Vision that Kenya will become a top ten global ICT hub. We can only achieve this through transformation and strategic partnerships, infrastructure, and social growth. There was a call for bloggers to be responsible because they have the ability to go in depth with issues more than normal reporters who have a bit more limited space. The privilege of being responsible and being able to mass reach without abusing the privilege without the drunkenness of high reach. It is also important to take time to be factual and deep. When you grow as a blogger, the country grows with you. Take time to report positives about your country.
Blogging community is becoming the face of the local community. Globally companies are asking a lot about stuff being written about by bloggers. Bloggers need to understand the benefits of service vis-à-vis value and the push to get access to technology whilst making sure everyone can access technology as and when they need it. There is also a huge need to understand Kenya as an emerging market and its needs and wants through companies that are uniquely Kenya and aim to serve Kenyans regardless of location and marginalization.
Paul pointed out that ICT is more or less a productivity driver. Nevertheless, the internet at Maanzoni was not working. Yet we were at a bloggers forum.
The issue of the use of Open Data also came up and a case in point is the US elections where open data initiatives were used. One of the dangers of the blogging community is that we sometimes entertain ourselves and always want to write for each other. The key to reaching a bigger mass is to write for the bigger audience; the audience you cannot see. All bloggers should aim to become bigger than mass broadcast media.
In closing, Paul mentioned that the Kenyan law states that what happens online and offline should be the same. Don’t do online what you cannot do offline. If I cannot slap you offline because the law does not allow, then why should I be able to slap you online? Lastly, we need to promote responsible blogging.
