- KICTANet - KICTANet

Re: [kictanet] [Fwd: [Fibre-for-africa] Kenya's fibre optic cable project queried]
by bitange＠jambo.co.ke 18 Mar '07

18 Mar '07

Dear Wakabi, Thank you for raising the question on whether the Ministry ignored best practices in procurement. The answer is No. There are three approved methods of procurement, that is, open tender, selective tender and single sourcing. Open tender you have got to adverise and any interested party can bid to supply service. It is a lengthy procedure (takes a minimum 45 days). It is the most competitive of all. Logically it applies to goods that can be obtained from many sources. Selective tendering however, is mostly applied to a sitiation where the popolation of the suppliers is limited as in Marine works. There are two companies, that is, Tyco and Alcatel that have the necesary experience to do such jobs. There are three other companies, that is, NEC, Fujistu and Global Marine/Huaweii that are usually subcontracted by the larger two. They have limited experience compared to the big two. Therefore it would have been absolutely non sense and wasteful to advertise for the the works in the local papers. Single sourcing is used where there is only one supplier of service/good or where there is an emergence. The committee which is tasked with the Teams project comprising the Investment Secretary, Director, Directorate of Procurement, MD Telkom, Solocitor General, and CCK Director General agreed to fast track the project by seeking authority from Treasury to procure Detailed Feasibility Study (DFS), Detailed Technical Study (DTS), and The Mirine Survey (MS)using the later methods and subjected Financial Arrager (FA) tender to an open tender. If you look at the overall project, the four services DFS, DTS, MS and FA are crucial to determining the time the project takes. Three of these projects DFS, DTS, and FA are complete and once the MS is complete, it would enable us to procure the supply contract with sufficient knowledge. Secoindly, whoever is awarded the contract, will actually immediately procure the material since all the information is available. The argument that the MS is given along with the Suply contract does not hold water since there are many cable networks that have used the model. EASSY for example will not know the material requirement until the MS is complete. In technical terms they are several months behind Teams. You must understand that there are several interested parties, some who want to make quick bucks. Ask yourself: what is it they are seeing that our people can't see? Consider Germany cable operators bagging in more that 6 billion euros in the last world cup in one month. My friend we need a serious talk. Seriously, if I had my way, I would give the entire works as a tunkey project. By now we could be at least three months to getting connected. Regards Bitange Ndemo. ---------------------------------------------- This message has been scanned for viruses and dangerous content by Jambo MailScanner, and is believed to be clean. --------------------------------------------- "easy access to the world"

6 7

Fwd: [ke-internetusers] Viacom v YouTube/Google
by Alex Gakuru 17 Mar '07

17 Mar '07

Looking over yonder ... /Alex Date: Sat, 17 Mar 2007 08:14:51 +0300 To: ke-internetusers(a)bdix.net Subject: [ke-internetusers] Viacom v YouTube/Google [actual txt of Viacom complaint: <http://online.wsj.com/public/resources/documents/Viacom031207.pdf >http://online.wsj.com/public/resources/documents/Viacom031207.pdf ] [benton] VIACOM IN $1 BILLION COPYRIGHT SUIT VERSUS GOOGLE, YOUTUBE [SOURCE: Reuters, AUTHOR: Kenneth Li and Michele Gershberg] Viacom sued Google and its Internet video-sharing site YouTube for more than $1 billion on Tuesday in the biggest challenge yet to the Web search leader's strategy to dominate the online video market. The lawsuit accuses Google and its popular online video unit of "massive intentional copyright infringement" for allowing users to upload popular shows, threatening ambitions to make YouTube a major entertainment and advertising outlet. The legal challenge from Viacom, home to the MTV and Comedy Central channels, also suggested a wider battle between traditional and Internet media companies that now compete for audiences and advertising dollars. http://www.reuters.com/article/technologyNews/idUSWEN535120070313 * Public Knowledge statement: "Without commenting on the specific allegations involved, we note that simply because material is "unauthorized" does not make its use illegal. There are limitations to copyright law, known as fair use, that do not require the copyright owner's permission before use of a work. Many of the users of YouTube who have posted short clips of main-stream media's works have done so using their fair use rights, for reasons of criticism, comment, education, and news reporting. We are confident YouTube and Google will continue to take appropriate actions in accordance with the safe-harbor provisions of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA). By a previous request of Viacom, YouTube has already removed some 100,000 clips." http://feeds.publicknowledge.org/~r/publicknowledge-main/~3/101398694/860 * Old Viacom doesn't get it, new CBS does http://feeds.publicknowledge.org/~r/publicknowledge-main/~3/101424170/861 * Viacom Sues YouTube Over Copyright http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/03/13/AR200703130… * Viacom sues Google's YouTube in $1B copyright suit http://www.usatoday.com/printedition/money/20070314/viacom14.art.htm * Viacom files $1-billion suit over YouTube http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/front/la-fi-viacom14mar14,1,363811… * Viacom Sues Google Over Video Clips on Its Sharing Web Site http://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/14/technology/14viacom.html * Viacom vs. Google: Test of key online law http://www.siliconvalley.com/mld/siliconvalley/16899987.htm * Viacom v. Google Could Shape Digital Future http://online.wsj.com/article/SB117379140954435400.html?mod=todays_us_marke… YOUTUBE'S FATE RESTS ON DECADE-OLD COPYRIGHT LAW [SOURCE: C-Net|News.com, AUTHOR: Declan McCullagh] Whether YouTube suffers the same fate as Napster may depend on the wording of a nearly antique law written long before video-sharing Web sites were envisioned. The law is, of course, the Digital Millennium Copyright Act, or DMCA, which made its appearance in the U.S. Congress in July 1997. Central to the question of Google's legal liability is the phrasing of a densely worded portion -- Section 512 -- of the DMCA. Section 512's so-called safe harbor generally lets hosting companies off the hook for legal liability, as long as they don't turn a blind eye to copyright infringement and if they remove infringing material when notified. YouTube does the second part through a formal posted policy, and it prohibits uploads of unauthorized videos more than 10 minutes in length. But what about the safe harbor's first requirement of not ignoring massive infringement? Viacom's complaint says, "YouTube has failed to employ reasonable measures that could substantially reduce, or eliminate, the massive amount of copyright infringement on the YouTube site from which YouTube directly profits." (For its part, Google says it's confident that YouTube has respected the legal rights of copyright holders and predicts that the courts will agree.) http://news.com.com/YouTubes+fate+rests+on+decade-old+copyright+law/2100-10… * Google confident digital liability law protects it http://www.reuters.com/article/technologyNews/idUSN1316411620070314 _______________________________________________ ke-internetusers mailing list ke-internetusers(a)bdix.net http://www.bdix.net/mailman/listinfo/ke-internetusers --------------------------------- It's here! Your new message! Get new email alerts with the free Yahoo! Toolbar. _______________________________________________ ke-internetusers mailing list ke-internetusers(a)bdix.net http://www.bdix.net/mailman/listinfo/ke-internetusers

1 0

[Fwd: [Fibre-for-africa] Reliance Telecom set to roll into Kenya]
by alice 15 Mar '07

15 Mar '07

Reliance Telecom set to roll into Kenya Reliance Telecom, the Indian telecoms giant which is the process of building a fibre optic cable between India, through the Middle East to the eastern coast of Africa, is part of a group which Kenyan authorities have allowed to take up the SNO slot. A report in Kenyas Business Day newspaper says Reliance, Triton Group (of Kenya) and Swedish communications firm Swedtel, will this week pay the local communications authority for the licence which Kuwaiti firm Vtel Communications initially won. Reliance hopes to connect Mombasa, Kenya, to the network it is erecting in the Gulf region in the second half of this year. The cable would then proceed to link to Mozambique, Tanzania, Madagascar, Mauritius and South Africa, before end of 2009. Reliances entry into Kenya makes their vision easier to achieve, but may require the architects of EASSy and The East African Marine Systems (Teams) to return to the drawing board. Or does it? According to the Business Day report, EASSy promoters are in talks with TATA (a competitor to Reliance in their home market) to help put together a team that will give Reliance a run for its money. And where does all this leave the NEPAD eAfrica Commission and the aspiration for Open Access? Wakabi == Reliance to pay Sh12bn for telecom license Written by Kui Kinyanjui Indias Reliance Telecoms and its Kenyan partner are expected to pay nearly Sh12 billion for the second national telephone licence by the end of this week. Triton Group, the Kenyan member of the consortium poised to take up the SNO licence said the group had accepted the Communications Commission of Kenyas (CCK) offer to take up the licence that was initially awarded to a consortium led by Vtel Communications of Kuwait. Indias Reliance Telecoms and its Kenyan partner are expected to pay nearly Sh12 billion for the second national telephone licence by the end of this week. Triton Group, the Kenyan member of the consortium poised to take up the SNO licence said the group had accepted the Communications Commission of Kenyas (CCK) offer to take up the licence that was initially awarded to a consortium led by Vtel Communications of Kuwait. Yagnesh Devani, the executive chairman of Triton Group, told the Business Daily that the company will pay for the licence on Friday. Everything is on course and we have already taken up the offer. Paying up for this bill will firmly place on course the process of setting up a competitor to Telkom Kenya, nearly years since the process started. The cash kitty will also significantly boost efforts by the Treasury to raise money it had budgeted for and ultimately reduce government borrowing from domestic money markets. This could add further reduce interest rates and strengthen the shilling as banks and insurance companies which mostly lend to the government find themselves flush with money they cannot invest profitably. Triton and its partner Reliance were offered the opportunity to become Kenyas SNO two months ago, after the first placed consortium Vtel failed to meet regulatory standards and lost its bid. The last few weeks have seen the regulatory body, CCK, vacillate on exactly when the offer would be formally taken up by Reliance and its partners. As late as yesterday, the regulator would not commit to when the formal announcement of Reliances paying up for the licence would be made. Delay in making the announcement has raised industry-wide fears that the battle for the SNO licence would go the way of the third mobile provider which has been in suspension for the last four years. The Reliance consortium had to raise an additional Sh4.1 billion ($58 million) for the license above their initial bid of Sh7.8 billion ($111 million), to match Vtels bid offer of Sh11.8 billion ($169 million). It is expected that Reliance will put in an initial investment of around Sh10.5 billion ($150 million) for the licence, leaving its partner Triton to foot the rest of the bill. According to regulation, the consortium will be expected to pay CCK a substantial amount of the licence fee on Friday to act as a bond for the licence. The Reliance Consortium is led by one of Indias largest private telecom service providers, Reliance Telecoms, and Kenyas Triton Group. Swedish communications firm Swedtel is the technical partner. The entry of the SNO is expected to significantly add pricing pressure in the telecommunication market with the possibility of lowering charges and cutting communications costs across the economy. A national operator has a combined licence, meaning it can handle both mobile and fixed lines services as well as operate an Internet backbone. Under the terms of its licence, an SNO must roll out networks across the country to help shore up the number of people with access to a phone line, or tele-density. United Nations research shows that a one per cent increase in tele-density can lead to a corresponding increase in a countrys GDP of 0.3 per cent. Reliances immediate competitor will be Telkom Kenya, which has long disappointed Kenyan companies and added huge costs to their operations. Telkom recently rolled out its wireless platform hoping to take advantage of new revenue streams as consumer interest in land-lines wane. The national operator also has plans to privatize this April, which alongside an upcoming IPO for Safaricom will boost the companys investment and infrastructure plans ahead of Reliances entry. The entry of another internet backbone provider is further expected to lower internet connectivity charges. Internet prices have been on the decline since the government began liberalising the information and communications technology sector three years ago. Kenyans are expected to benefit from improved access to the internet, increased bandwidth, and quicker and efficient services. Reliance is investing a further $1.2 billion on an undersea cable system linking India to Kenya, a move which should expand its already sizable global network and provide the company with ready-made infrastructure that will give it an edge against competitors Telkom, Safaricom and Celtel in coming months. Africa is a budding battlefield for Indian telecommunications companies. Reliances competitor Tata is reportedly in talks with the Eassy fibre optic cable consortium in a bid to beat Reliances . Fridays formal announcement of Reliances acceptance will see Kenya narrowly escaping the African SNO syndrome, which is characterized by licensing processes stalling mid-way and politics. Senegal is the continents most famous case, with its SNO still not operational six years after the government announced its intentions to license a second operator. Politicking around the process has seen the countrys national operator left with monopolistic control over 80 per cent of the market. Malawis SNO process has taken almost a year to realize as the countrys regulatory body continually shies away from committing to a bid on technical footing. _______________________________________________ Fibre-for-africa mailing list Fibre-for-africa(a)lists.apc.org http://lists.apc.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/fibre-for-africa

1 0

[Fwd: C4IDEA.com - BusinessXchange Forum - Wednesday 28th March 2007]
by alice 14 Mar '07

14 Mar '07

c4IDEA.com invites you to the March 2007 BusinessXchange Forum on Wednesday 28th March 2007 at the Nairobi Serena Hotel from 4:30pm to 6:30pm. This month's presentation will focus on innovative tools that are important for individuals, and Companies, to be able to make an impression with Presentations. Our speaker this month is Mr. Terry Wan, the Sales Director of VOSA International, a Singapore based firm that specializes in the VOSA iBoard, the most Versatile, Operational, Stylish and Advanced Interactive Digital Board in the Market today. VOSA International has the latest Interactive Digital Board in the Market, suitable for Boardrooms, Conference rooms and Classrooms, and Call Centres that allows users to make there presentations come alive, and incorporates tools that no other interactive board can provide e.g. remote networking with the presentation from users PC's over the Internet and much, much more! Title: Enhancing Presentations using Innovation Speaker: Mr. Terry Wan, Sales Director, Vosa International Limited. Date: Wednesday 28^th March 2007 Venue: Serena Hotel, Nairobi Cost: KShs. 1,200.00. corporateXchange members FREE c4IDEA.com is a resource network that helps individuals and organizations exchange innovative and proactive ideas to develop world-class Kenyan leaders in different professions and disciplines. Please email or contact us to make a reservation for this special businessXchange forum. Please send this email to your friends and associates who would be interested in knowing more about using Innovative Technology in making Presentations. This is a perfect opportunity to see a truly innovative product and cutting edge Technology. Njoki Mumira Program Manager c4IDEA.com ----------------------------------------------- c4IDEA.com - Idea Factory Ltd The Office Park, Riverside Drive. PO Box 12, Sarit Centre 00606, Nairobi, Kenya. Tel: 254-020-4449277. Tel: 254-020-4447655. Fax: 254-020-4449210.

1 0

Satellite technology to monitor elections
by Alex Gakuru 14 Mar '07

14 Mar '07

Mamma Mia! This means no ferrying of voters in trucks( at night?). Transporters job losses... ;-) I learnt from the ARSK that there are always over 500 satellites hovering in orbits above the earth all the time. Satellites have "night vision" capabilities. Interesting reads on commercial spy satellites 1. "Orbit of change for satellite firms" (2006) < http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/tech/article/0,2777,DRMN_23910_437344… > "...companies are building and preparing to launch new satellites capable of snapping Earth-based objects 1 to 2 feet across in size." 2. "Spy Satellite Image Business Booms", (2000) < http://www.space.com/businesstechnology/business/commercial_remote_sense_00… > /Alex ----------------------------------------------- Story by NATION Correspondent Publication Date: 3/14/2007 Cartographers have developed a modern satellite system to monitor elections. As a result, the Electoral Commission of Kenya will this year assess the progress of the polls by tapping data and images from the American and Russian satellites in space and offer solutions to any hitches. The technology, the first of its kind in Africa, will enable the commission to intervene in areas where problems might occur without necessarily travelling there. Using the Global Positioning System (GPS), digital cartography and remote sensing, experts can provide solutions with mathematical precision in cases where ballot papers are delayed due to natural events such as floods. The technology has been developed by the Regional Centre for Mapping of Resources for Development, an international research organisation based in Nairobi The centre provides surveying, mapping and remote sensing services. Speaking during the launch of Global Navigational Satellite System, a permanent reference station yesterday, Lands minister Kivutha Kibwana said systematic recording of information could promote effective decision making. Effective and efficient decision making and the planning and development of our resources requires fundamental map information collected and maintained in a systematic approach, Prof Kibwana said. The minister said the station would provide skills in satellite data processing and dissemination. Survey boundaries Prof Kibwana said Kenya tested the modern technology recently to survey boundaries of the newly created districts. The technology can also help solve conflicts between countries over territorial boundaries. As we move closer to regional integration and adopt regional approach to peace and security, environmental management, trade and industry, our mapping coordinates must be harmonised to avoid conflicts, said Prof Kibwana. The regional centre was established in 1975 under the auspices of the United Nations Commission for Africa, which later became the Organisation of African Unity, todays African Union. --------------------------------- Looking for earth-friendly autos? Browse Top Cars by "Green Rating" at Yahoo! Autos' Green Center.

1 0

Test 1 @ 20070309-1854
by Odhiambo WASHINGTON 14 Mar '07

14 Mar '07

This is a test. Please ignore. cheers - wash +----------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+ Odhiambo Washington . WANANCHI ONLINE LTD (Nairobi, KE) | wash () WANANCHI ! com . 1ere Etage, Loita Hse, Loita St., | GSM: (+254) 722 743 223 . # 10286, 00100 NAIROBI | GSM: (+254) 733 744 121 . (+254) 020 313 985 - 9 | +---------------------------------+------------------------------------------+ "Oh My God! They killed init! You Bastards!" --from a /. post

3 2

Global Online Course in ICT Journalism (April 20 to July 20 2007)
by Eric Osiakwan 13 Mar '07

13 Mar '07

After successfully pioneering an online course in ICT Journalism in 2006, The International Institute for Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) Journalism Penplusbytes is pleased to announce a three month (April 20th to July 20th 2007) online training opportunity for journalists in the area of ICT Journalism. Participants will be exposed to the wider context of ICTs assisted journalism including its history, how these technologies are impacting on the world of journalism, how ICT can be used in producing stories and how to manage change process in using innovative ICT tools. INTRODUCTION Course Description and Goals: This course teaches the theory and concept of ICTs journalism; the impact of ICTs on Journalism and how to increase excellence in journalism using ICTs as a tool. At the end of the course, the participants will learn four main set of skills: You will learn and understand broad spectrum of ICTs tools available for journalism You will learn how to research and publish content online You will learn that despite that the proliferation of technology for journalism the fundamental principles of journalism still apply. You will learn how to use a selection of ICT tools for journalism Prerequisites: This course does not have any special prerequisites though participants will need to have basic computer skills such sending and receiving mails, managing files and browsing the Internet. The course assumes participants are practicing journalists who have mastered journalism skills. Class Meeting: Participants are expected to meet online via group discussion weekly, it is expected that a participants must devote at least five hours per week online. Course Content -Introduction to ICT Journalism concept, theory and definition -ICT tools for Journalism web 2.0/3.0, wikis, blogs, podcasting, online collaborative tools, newsroom content management system and publishing platforms -The role of information and knowledge management in the newsroom -Specialization in ICT Journalism -Online Research -Business Models of Online Journalism -Future of ICT Journalism Materials Participants will be provided with regular resources during the duration of the course, these resources will available mostly online or via CD ROM. Grading: Participants are expected to undertake weekly assignment, participate in online discussion, make use of ICT tools and produce a final project work to be published on penplusbytes website. Certificates All participants who fully successfully complete the course and would be awarded a certificate. Application To apply, simply download and fill the application form (click on this link) Email completed form and statement to: info(a)penplusbytes.net Closing date for receipt of application and statement is 20th March 2007. Notification of acceptance: 2nd April 2007 LINKS Class bookmarks Class Blog Class Wiki Alumni list and 1st Online Course online Space 2nd Course Class online Space Ends Engaging, informative, and high-quality online training course created and offered by Penplusbytes. Eric M.K Osiakwan Executive Secretary AfrISPA (www.afrispa.org) Tel: + 233.21.258800 ext 2031 Fax: + 233.21.258811 Cell: + 233.244.386792 Handle: eosiakwan Snail Mail: Pmb 208, Accra-North Office: BusyInternet - 42 Ring Road Central, Accra-North Blog: http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/eric/ Slang: "Tomorrow Now"

1 0

- Call - International Essay Contest for Young People 2007
by Brian Longwe 13 Mar '07

13 Mar '07

FYI Begin forwarded message: > > [forwarded message, on behalf of Raquel Aguirre] > > > > > > International Essay Contest for Young People 2007 > > > > Theme: > > "The role of media and information and communication technologies > in building a peaceful world"-- TV, radio, Internet and other forms > of media have great influence in shaping our lives and society. > What should be the role of the media and communication technologies > in the future. How would you make use of these various tools of > communication to help create a better world. > > > More info: > > http://www.goipeace.or.jp/english/activities/programs/0702_00.htm > > ---------- Brian Longwe +254(0) 20 445 2327 - t Chief Executive Officer +254(0) 722 518744 - m InHand Limited +254(0) 733 518744 - m M3, Westlands Court, +254(0) 20 374 7881 - f Westlands Close, Westlands Rd. www.inhand.co.ke P.O. Box 30054-00100 SIP: 30753274(a)sip.epygi.com Nairobi, Kenya

1 0

Knowldege Management Training, 11-13 April 2007
by Harry Hare 12 Mar '07

12 Mar '07

Dear Colleagues, The value of Knowledge Management, relates directly to the effectiveness with which the managed knowledge enables the members of an organization to deal with today's situations and effectively envision and create their future. Without on-demand access to managed knowledge, every situation is addressed based on what the individual or group brings to the situation with them. With on-demand access to managed knowledge, every situation is addressed with the sum total of everything anyone in the organization has ever learned about a situation of a similar nature. Most organizations are built on structures that encourage self-reliance and islands of activities and thus knowledge. Interdependence between organizations that have complementary knowledge is completely cut out and lost in this structure. This, therefore, creates gaps in the available knowledge that need to be addressed and the situation corrected. To complicate this situation further, there is very little awareness of the power and usefulness of Knowledge Management as a tool to improve organizational efficiency and to facilitate better and more informed decision-making in the region. Common problems and challenges remain and continue recurring despite a wealth of knowledge albeit unmanaged and, therefore, un-usable or under-utilised. It is from this background that African eDevelopment Resource Center is hosting a three-day (11-13 April 2007) capacity building workshop on Knowledge Management in Nairobi, to bring information managers to speed with this very powerful process. The workshop will provide participants with both a theoretical and practical understanding of the key concepts of Information and Knowledge Management, and provide them with the skills to apply and facilitate effective Knowledge Management processes. Some of the areas that will be covered in the workshop include: * Introduction to Knowledge Management * Information and the Knowledge Economy * Knowledge Management as a Process * Knowledge Management Frameworks and Standards * Developing a Knowledge Management Strategy * Knowledge Management Strategies and Leadership * Knowledge Management Systems and Content Development The workshop will be conducted in both plenary and group session with participants taking hands-on activities. The Faculty for the workshop will be lead by Prof. Louis Fourie, who is the Chairman of Information Systems, Department of Information Systems, University of the Western Cape, South Africa. Prof Fourie has been in this field for the last ten years and has conducted more than a dozen such courses in the continent. The registration fee for the workshop is US$ 550 which will cover all the documentation, administration and meals during the workshop. To participate in this workshop, please fill out the attached registration form and return it to the email or fax indicated. Due to the nature of the course we have a limited number of spaces available and will be allocated on a first-come-first-served basis. Should you need further information or want to participate, pls drop an email to me. Thanking you for your continuous support. Kindest Regards Harry Hare Executive Director African eDevelopment Resource Centre (AeRC) KE +254 20 4453445 CELL + 254 725 650044 -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.446 / Virus Database: 268.18.8/717 - Release Date: 3/10/2007 2:25 PM

1 0

[Fwd: [Fibre-for-africa] Kenya's fibre optic cable project queried]
by alice 12 Mar '07

12 Mar '07

-------- Original Message -------- Subject: [Fibre-for-africa] Kenya's fibre optic cable project queried Date: Mon, 12 Mar 2007 08:32:18 +0300 From: Wairagala Wakabi <wakabi(a)cipesa.org> Reply-To: APC - Private list for use by EASSY Workshop Participants <fibre-for-africa(a)lists.apc.org> To: APC - Private list for use by EASSY Workshop Participants <fibre-for-africa(a)lists.apc.org> References: <mailman.0.1172828896.9025.fibre-for-africa(a)lists.apc.org> <45EBFF90.7090301(a)cipesa.org> <45EC0CF1.1050706(a)cipesa.org> So Kenya is pushing full throttle with its vision of building a cable to link the country to international fibre. The East African Marine System (TEAMS), promoted by government and expected to draw private financing as well, has been touted as the country’s answer to EASSy’s delays in getting off the ground – and in satisfying Kenya’s misgivings about the EASSy protocol, the role NEPAD has been playing in the initiative and – some say – South Africa’s attempt to dominate the show. But in the rush to get TEAMS off the ground, did the country ignore best practice in procurement? That is the question an article in today’s The EastAfrican newspaper asks. That is the question the country’s Attorney General’s Chambers has been asking. Their queries refer to the manner in which Tyco International Ltd. Was handed the $2.7 m deal to do prelim work on the deal “without competitive bidding”. One could join the AG’s office in asking questions: Will TEAMS go ahead with this plan anyway, now that some of the entities being expected to fund the construction of TEAMS have moved a step further with EASSy. Here we are referring to the likes of Telekom Kenya. And if EASSy goes ahead, then Flag Telcom/ Reliance Telecom actualise their advanced plan to build their cable (of which Kenya Data Network is a keenly involved party, just as it is in EASSy) how viable will these cables be? For more on cables planned on East coast of Africa, please see www.fibreforafrica.net . Wakabi -- Fresh snarl-ups in Kenya-Fujaira fibre optic cable project STAFF WRITER, The EastaAfrican, March 12, 2007 Controversy is simmering between the Office of the Attorney General and the Ministry of Information and Communications over the procurement for a multimillion-dollar plan by Kenya to build a fibre-optic cable link from Mombasa to Fujaira in the United Arab Emirates. Known as The East African Marine System (TEAMS), the project is expected to be launched in parallel with the $200 million East African Submarine Cable System (EASSy) — a fibre-optic cable link along the eastern seaboard of Africa, from South Africa to Sudan via a number of landing points including Mombasa. The EastAfrican has learnt that the Office of the Attorney General has raised queries over the manner in which Tyco International Ltd — a transnational that operates in 100 countries — was in January this year awarded a $2.7 million contract by the Information Ministry to conduct a marine survey without competitive bidding. The ministry had in January sought and was granted an exemption from the Directorate of Public Procurement to procure the contract for a marine survey through single-sourcing. However, the Office of the Attorney General has — in a letter signed by Solicitor-General Wanjuki Muchemi — argued that the application to the directorate was not done according to procedure and demanded minutes of the ministry’s technical evaluation committee that decided that the project be single-sourced. Apparently, the ministry had sought the exemption on the grounds of the onset of the monsoon season in the Indian Ocean and the consequent need to fast-track the project. It is understood that, during an earlier meeting in Dubai between Kenya government officials and the Dubai-based Etisalat Ltd — the main private sector sponsors of the project — the point was made to the officials that the marine survey contract and the cable construction contract could not be awarded to separate companies. The government had been warned that it was rare for a cable contractor to accept a marine survey conducted by another firm. Experts had also told the government officials that marine surveys are usually deemed to be part and parcel of construction works and that awarding the survey component separately would amount to giving the construction contract to the same firm. The Office of the Attorney General wants to know why the issues raised by experts had been ignored. TEAMS is one of the largest projects being undertaken by the government this year. The government decided to launch the project when it realised that the EASSy project was facing too many delays. The government is set to invite bids any time from now for a financial arranger who will design a plan to raise money for the project, tentatively expected to be completed by early next year. The contract will be awarded competitively by April this year. The government — through Telkom Kenya — is working with Dubai-based Etilasat to build the cable. The private sector will be invited to either buy shares in the project or will be brought in on the basis of proved capacity to raise funds through models worked out by the financial arranger. The information and communications technology sector in Kenya has for years been held back by reliance on expensive satellite connectivity to the international network. Interest in construction of fibre-optic cable links to the Kenya Coast has risen dramatically and Kenya appears set to acquire cheaper international connectivity in less than two years. First is the planned $200 million EASSy, which is beginning to pick up momentum after a prolonged three-year gestation period. Currently, the proposal is for an open-access operation modelled to allow new entrants to use the infrastructure without paying high entry charges. This is expected to result in low costs for connectivity and exponential growth in transmission. According to the financing plan, up to 85 per cent ($170 million) of the funding is to come from development finance institutions, including the International Finance Corporation. The EASSy Construction and Maintenance Agreement — an important project implementation landmark — was signed in Nairobi last month by 24 licensee parties of the EASSy consortium from 17 countries. It is the trigger that now makes the project fully funded and committed from an equity point of view. Reliance Group of India has also joined the fray. The giant company has announced plans for a third cable option along the East African coast that will link South Africa and Kenya and also serve Tanzania, Mauritius, Mozambique and Madagascar as well as some landlocked countries. The cable link will be laid down by Flag Telecom, a subsidiary of Reliance. Seith East Africa Ltd of the United States is also understood to have approached the government of Kenya to allow it to build a control centre around the Athi River area to serve a new cable link it is planning to build joining ports on the East African coast to the Arab world. The company is part of the Blackstone Group, one of the largest private equity companies in the world. ============== Wairagala Wakabi Research Associate CIPESA Plot 22 Bukoto Street, Kamwokya P.O Box 26970 Kampala, Uganda Tel. +256 41 531899 Cell: +256 772 406 241 Email: wakabi(a)cipesa.org www.cipesa.org _______________________________________________ Fibre-for-africa mailing list Fibre-for-africa(a)lists.apc.org http://lists.apc.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/fibre-for-africa

3 2