Benjamin Ngugi

M-Pesa: A Case Study of the Critical Early Adopters’ Role in the Rapid Adoption of Mobile Money Banking in Kenya

This study reviews key factors that led to the phenomenal growth of mobile money banking services in Kenya using M‐PESA, “mobile cash money”, the leading mobile money service provider as a case study. The study considers the outstanding challenges experienced by users, possible solutions and future trends. These aspects are covered through a critical review of existing literature, secondary data and a survey targeting mobile phone users living in the major urban centers, considered to be the early adopters of new technologies in Kenya. Several lessons learnt from the mobile money rollout in this Kenyan experience are identified for future researchers and practitioners.

Typing Biometrics: Impact of Human Learning on Performance Quality

The use of stolen personal-identifying information, like Social Security numbers, to commit identity fraud continues to be a major problem. The fact that an impostor can pass as the genuine user by possession of stolen identification information is a weakness in current authentication systems. Adding a biometric layer to the traditional knowledge and token-based authentication systems is one way to counter this problem. Physical biometrics, such as fingerprint systems, are highly accurate; hence, they would be the first choice for such applications but are often inappropriate. Behavioral biometrics, like biometric typing patterns, have the potential to fill this gap as another level of security but this research identified some deficiencies in performance quality. Two research streams for improvements have emerged. The first approach attempts to improve performance by building better classifiers, while the second attempts to attain the same goal by using richer identifying inputs. Both streams assume that the typing biometric patterns are stable over time. This study investigates the validity of this assumption by analyzing how students’ typing patterns behave over time. The results demonstrate that typing patterns change over time due to learning resulting in several performance quality challenges. First, the changing patterns lead to deteriorating authentication accuracy. Second, the relevancy of the reference biometric template created during training becomes questionable. Third, the deterioration in accuracy compromises the security of the whole system and fourth, the net effect brings to question whether the biometric keypad is no longer “fit for use” as an authentication system. These are critical data quality issues that need to be addressed if behavioral biometrics are to play a significant role in minimizing authentication fraud. Possible solutions to the problem, including biometric template updating and choice of uncorrelated PIN combinations, are suggested as potential topics for future research.

Biometric keypads: Improving accuracy through optimal PIN selection

While online applications can provide convenience to individuals and organizations, they can pose significant remote user authentication challenges. One possible solution to these challenges is to utilize behavioral typing patterns to provide an additional layer of authentication. Such behavioral biometrics have the advantage of being revocable if compromised, unlike physical biometrics such as fingerprints. This study investigates the viability of biometric keypads. Results indicate that biometric keypads can differentiate authentic users from impostors even when a secure PIN has been compromised. Furthermore, it is shown that authentication accuracy can be improved through optimal PIN selection by avoiding correlated key combinations.

Computerizing Primary Schools in Rural Kenya: Outstanding Challenges and Possible Solutions

This paper investigates the outstanding challenges facing primary schools’ computerization in rural Kenya. Computerization of schools is often envisaged as a ‘magic’, or at least a particularly efficient, solution to many of the problems that developing countries face in improving primary school education. However, while a great deal of consideration is given to the technical issues surrounding computer implementation, government policy makers, administrators, aid organizations and individuals participating in school computerization programs often have not carefully considered the contextual questions surrounding this endeavour. Specifically: 1.) what problems do rural schools actually want to solve with computerization; 2.) is computerization the most important priority for rural schools; 3.) are schools ready, in terms of infrastructure, for a computer in the classroom; or 4.) might there be better avenues for implementing access to the benefits of the digital age? These questions and the issue of school computerization are considered via results from a survey of thirty‐seven rural Kenyan primary public schools. Results indicate that, while all schools had low ICT status making them primary targets for computerization, only eleven percent had at least one ICT compliant teacher, of which all were considered to require further training. In addition we found inadequate infrastructural preparedness – lack of access to electricity, internet; no classroom computer space, few desks, secure walls and protective roofing – posing severe challenges to the outstanding conception of computerization. We consider these results and make recommendations for better adapting programs for computer introduction, and also suggest the use of new innovative devices, such as cell phones, which might already have overcome many of the technical challenges found.

How Would Children Register Their Own Births? Insights from a Survey of Students Regarding Birth Registration Knowledge and Policy Suggestions in Kenya.

Birth registration and obtaining physical birth certificates impose major challenges in developing countries, with impact on child and community health, education, planning, and all levels of development. However despite initiatives, universal registration is elusive, leading to calls for new approaches to understanding the decisions of parents. In this paper, we report results of a survey of students in grades six to eight (age ~12–16) in an under-registered area of Kenya regarding their own understanding of registration issues and their suggestions for improvement. These students were selected because they themselves were also nearing the age for high school enrollment/entrance examinations, which specifically requires possession of a birth certificate. This assessment was also a companion to our previous representative survey of adults in the same Kenyan region, allowing for parent-child comparison. Results supported previous research, showing that only 43% had birth certificates. At the same time, despite these low totals, students were themselves quite aware of registration factors and purposes. The students also made quite prescient sources for understanding their households’ motivations, with many of their suggestions—for focus on communication of pragmatic benefits, or automatic measures shifting responsibility from parents—mirroring our own previous suggestions, and showing a level of pragmatism not witnessed when surveying their parents. This paper therefore adds evidence to the discussion of registration policy planning. More generally, it also builds on an important trend regarding the treatment of children as stakeholders and important sources of information, and raising an intriguing new avenue for future research.

Why Don't You Register Your Child? A Study of Attitudes and Factors Affecting Birth Registration in Kenya, and Policy Suggestions

Abstract Birth registration imposes major challenges in developing countries, with importance to rights, health and all levels of development. Despite targeted initiatives, often with focus on improved access and information, universal registration has been elusive. Using cross-sectional survey from Kenya, we provide new evidence for why parents may not register. We report high awareness, low barriers – however with over 50 per cent of children unregistered. We argue this is due to deliberate, informed choice by parents where they weigh perceived costs/benefits. We recommend new focus on this deliberation and policy piggybacking hospital delivery, vaccination and information and communications technology to re-balance parent decision.

Typing Biometric Keypads: Combining Keystroke Time and Pressure Features to Improve Authentication

Pervasive online applications are changing the way people perform routine activities. But while providing convenience to individuals and organizations, these applications can pose a significant remote user authentication challenge. Current authentication systems can be strengthened by adding an additional biometric layer to an existing authentication process. This paper addresses implementing such a solution by 1 presenting a novel biometric method that uses key-press pressure and timing patterns from a typed password to determine whether the person typing it is its true owner even with a compromised PIN; and 2 investigating differences in perceptions of biometric keypads between two user groups, nursing and computing majors. Results reveal that combining pressure and timing patterns leads to better authentication compared with timing patterns alone. Furthermore, nursing majors are more cautious in accepting biometric keypad technology than computing majors, suggesting that care must be taken when introducing such technologies to different groups of people.

PCI Compliance: Overcoming the Challenges

This study reviews the progress made by the introduction of the Payment Card Industry (PCI) compliance rules in the USA. Available data indicate that compliance has grown but several issues remain unresolved. These are identified within, along with an analysis of the feasibility of several solutions to the challenges that have hampered compliance with the Payment Card Industry rules. These solutions are evaluated by the extent to which they can help the merchants meet their business objectives while still safeguarding the credit card data. The first solution involves upgrading the current PCI standards as suggested by the PCI council. The second solution would require moving the burden of credit card information storage to the credit card companies and member banks, as suggested by the National Retail Federation. A third option reflects a socially responsible approach that protects the interests of all stakeholders. The study concludes by suggesting the way forward.

Mitigating microfinance marketing channels inefficiencies with customerization of mobile technology

The purpose of this paper is to investigate how technological innovations mitigate inefficiencies in marketing channels in the context of microfinance markets in emerging markets. By examining in detail, specific market inefficiencies that inhibit the efforts of micro and small enterprises to access microfinance in emerging markets and the use of technology to alleviate these failures, the authors bridge the literatures on marketing channel inefficiencies and technological innovation relevant to emerging markets.,The authors use a qualitative method in the form of phenomenological interviews and participant observation in Ghana, West Africa, to investigate the research question.,The three themes that arise from the findings are: channel structure and structure selection; power-dependence relationships and relational outcomes; and conflict mechanisms and control behaviors. Customerization of technology is observed to mitigate inefficiencies in mobile marketing channels by facilitating data sharing, reminders, peer referencing and other marketing strategies of awareness, affordability, access and scalability.,The limitations of this study are the fact that the context of the study is only one emerging market country – Ghana. This market is however experiencing dynamic changes in mobile technology innovations that is revolutionizing the microfinance industry.,Mobile money innovations have advanced the scope of marketing channels to the point that an updated perspective of the role of mobile technology in mitigating marketing channels inefficiency is both appropriate and timely.,The authors make the contribution of customerization as an aspect of mobile technology that is a key enabler in microfinance marketing channels, serving to mitigate microfinance market inefficiencies. Additionally, the study augments theories on the marketing channels framework by contributing perspectives on mobile technology.

Data quality shortcomings with the US HIV/AIDS surveillance system

This study investigates some of the data quality challenges facing the HIV surveillance system in the United States. Using the content analysis method, Center for Disease Control annual HIV surveillance reports (1982–2014) are systematically reviewed and evaluated against relevant data quality metrics from previous literature. Center for Disease Control HIV surveillance system has made several key achievements in the last decade. However, there are several outstanding challenges that need to be addressed. The data are unrepresentative, incomplete, inaccurate, and lacks the required granularity limiting its usage. These shortcomings weaken the country’s ability to track, report, and respond to the new HIV epidemiological trends. Furthermore, the problems deter the country from properly identifying and targeting the key subpopulations that need the highest resources by virtue of being at the highest risk of HIV infection. Several recommendations are suggested to address these issues.