FlashCast: Update on real time challenges and plans for Kenyan Elections 2017
This is a blog post update from the grant we received from Code for Africa and ICFJ to build and extend our Sonar Mobile App and Digital Screen in matatus (public service vehicles).
Upon receipt of the grant from Code for Africa and ICFJ, we decided to focus on a few low hanging fruits — get a developer onboard and develop the smart screens to bring even more digital real-estate into public service vehicles. These new smart screens would be a great improvement to the current LED technology we’ve deployed in 14 matatus so far on 5 routes: Thika Super Highway, Waiyaki Way, Ngong Road, Mombasa Road, and Jogoo Road.
But as with every great love story, we must overcome some great tribulation first. And this was no different. Even as the ink dried on the grant agreement papers, we encountered 2 main challenges almost immediately.
Hopefully from this, you can take lessons from our experience, and we will share how we are pivoting in the coming months.
Challenges and Learnings
Initially our partners (matatu SACCOs ad owners) thought we were changing our model to showing music as is synonymous with screens in matatus. We made it clear that these would be for exactly the same use as the LED panels but now they will display graphics and video content with no sound.
After being comfortable with this aspect, their concern shifted to the amount of power used and we had to perform tests with them to show that the screens consumed the same power from the matatu battery as the LED panels.
And as expected, their final concern and more expectation was that they would receive more commission — from the fact that there was a “TV” in their matatu. We shared that the contract we signed was still applicable for the screens and they would receive the same percentage of commission and probably more money given the rate card for the screens was priced to be higher than the LED panels.
We did not get to the stage of working with advertisers as the challenges outlined above with the smart screens could not be resolved within the time frame given for testing.
Smart screen development
We had tested smart screens back in early 2014 and knew the main constraints: dust coating causing over heating of the motherboard every 3 days, loosening of connections from excessive vibration of the matatus, and size of screens in the market were too small for all passengers to see content.
Therefore we focussed on what was required — at least 27 inch screens, running v6.0 Android with an internal battery for safe powering and management and compact sealed design with built-in sensors for GPS, moisture and accelerometer and a rubbered casing.
After back and forth with a number of manufacturers and suppliers, we settled on CMAC Group Limited in Shenzhen China, the one supplier not afraid to experiment with new ways of putting together the screens — as a solid rubber-cased tablet with no soldered components. We needed only 3 screens to test their viability and were easily set back, including shipment to Nairobi, approximately US $1,280 (more than double our previous testing screens).
Sourcing a software developer
We knew it would be a challenge to get a suitable developer in the Kenya technology space given the limited number who would understand our platform and the exorbitant hourly rates charged. After falling behind schedule for a few months, we settled on a developer who had previously been exposed to the backend coding of our technology and was willing to take up the role on a part time basis. Thus far, our working relationship has been productive and we were able to roll out the updated Sonar App and are working on the website geared towards the Polls.
Elections in Kenya and the Opportunity
The Kenyan Polls 2017 have elicited great excitement and new ventures to reach more citizens to encourage them to share their views — through various technology platforms, traditional media in TV and radio and eventually through the ballot box. With our estimated reach of over 700 eyeballs per smart bus on a daily basis and our viability, we felt it was ideal to pivot to this direction.
FlashCast applied and received IEBC Voter Education Accreditation — this allows us to use our technology and platform to reach more citizens and engage them on key issues regarding the upcoming elections. Under the guidance of IEBC, FlashCast ran 3 survey campaigns — sample results are displayed below.
Survey Example #1: “What issues concern you the most in 2017?”
IEBC shared that they would like to test our platform with multiple choice questions and in regards issues of concern. We designed the question given the criteria IEBC required and options given. Option A was targeted to youth mainly, B was targeted to the population with leanings on Ethnicity, C on the sentiment on government handling of corruption and D on the more recent attacks on Kenyans in malls, university and public spaces from outside.
Jobs creation was the largest area of concern that depicted the large number of youth engaging with the FlashCast technology and their acute need to find ways to sustain themselves. Corruption and security were relatively equal — many people find a correlation between the level of perceived corruption and their lack of jobs and insecurity within the country from unfriendly people slipping into the country illegally.
Survey Example #2: “What message do you have for Kenyans during the elections?”
This example looks at a qualitative survey question. We asked respondents to express their views around the elections. This provided an opportunity for depth and detail, openness, simulation of people’s individual experiences, and attempts to avoid pre-judgements.
The results depict a very clear sense that people would like for peace to prevail during and after the elections. Having seen and suffered the violence that engulfed parts of the country a decade ago, Kenyans are keen not to go the same way. A United People, A United Kenya is the common call.
The Opportunity for Media Houses
Nairobi is known for it’s horrible traffic. The second worst in the world after Kolkata in India. We spend, on average, 62 minutes in traffic. Meaning majority of Kenyans spend at least an hour in public service vehicles to get from point A to point B.
Seated in front of a screen for so long, this is an opportunity for media houses to engage commuters in a new way. And FlashCast has the technology for organisations and newsrooms to receive rich data while giving actionable information to citizens.
FlashCast: FlashCast operates a network of location-aware, dynamically refreshing text displays installed in public transit vehicles. We leverage this novel technology to offer businesses of all sizes an affordable, powerful, geotargeted channel to capture new business. We enable NGOs, government agencies, and social enterprises to broadcast vital information to a notoriously difficult to reach demographic.
International Center for Journalists: ICFJ is at the forefront of the news revolution. Its programs empower journalists and engage citizens with new technologies and best practices. ICFJ’s networks of reporters and media entrepreneurs are transforming the field. It believes that better journalism leads to better lives.
Code for Africa: CfAfrica is the continent’s largest federation of civic technology and open data laboratories, with affiliate members in 10 African countries and funded projects in a further 12 countries. CfAfrica manages the $1m/year innovateAFRICA.fund and $500,000/year impactAFRICA.fund, as well as key digital democracy resources such as openAFRICA.net and GotToVote.cc. CfAfrica helped fund the OpenGazettes initiative.
