In Kenya, Computer Aid International was forced to pay duty for 42 laptops and PCs donated to public hospitals, community agricultural projects and schools.

"It is not right that doctors, nurses, teachers and students cannot access computers because the duty is prohibitive," said Gladys Muhunyo, assistant director for Africa programmes, Computer Aid International.

At the heart of the decision to ban and impose duty is the desire by the Ugandan and Kenyan governments to ban dumping of electronic waste from the West to Africa.

"All equipment received by Computer Aid is subject to extensive and rigorous testing in our own workshop to ensure that we deliver to recipients only high-quality equipment, which can then provide a minimum of three years' productive use," said Muhunyo, at a function organized by the British High Commission in Kenya to raise awareness on electronic waste.

To address the problems of computer dumping and limited access, Muhunyo and Atwine say that governments need to develop strict guidelines for testing imported refurbished PCs to ensure that they can serve a community for at least three years, and that there needs to be established electronic waste disposal projects.