Dear colleagues,
i lost my shares in Vodacom Tanzania ( a company that I personally incubated) because of trickery of a few powerful nationals. I would not like that to happen to anybody I know. It is a very bitter experience especially at a time when the world is moving fast to eradicate boundaries. I suggest that we Kenyans must be ready to compete, without losing it all out to foreigners. The govt. must offer us opportunities to compete. As Edith Adera puts it, the whole world is today admiring Dubai, Kenyans included. this is because of openness.
With regard to Econet, I personally tried to assist farmers get their big chank of 85 percent of the shares, but we saw more of conferencing than action - they eventually lost it. Econet and Kenya Govt. eventually ended up in court and consequently Econet got their license. Was there a need for the time lost? Had Econet launch in time, Kenya consumers would have sniffed low Call tariffs much earlier as a result of competition - something that Michael Joseph was not afraid of.
Who are the the true directors of Kencall? If they are the Nesbits I know, then they must be Kenyans. As a child, Dr. Nesbit was my personal doctor and today I am an old man facing retirement. If they are the Nesbits I know, then kudos to them as the family is now offering jobs to their fellow Kenyans. Let us face facts. Before Vodafon arrived in Kenya, Safaricom was managed by us - KPTC. I am sure everybody can remember how prohibitive it was to even buy a handset, in the name of communications is reserved for the rich.
I love the debates. Without the debates we would not be this far in the ict sector. let us keep on sharing ideas. Communications is very vital to our life styles. I was in Havana Cuba recently for ten days and I thought I was in jail. I had to power down my telephone handsets and nobody knew where I was. Cubans are very nice people. The country may open up soon for communications.
'good week end
James Rege
Anyone has taken the time to thoroughly study the secret behind
Dubai's tremendous growth? (U.A.E in general). There are some useful
lessons!
---- Original Message ----
From: j.maina@ymail.com
To: eadera@idrc.or.ke
Subject: Re: [kictanet] Fwd: PS Ndemo, ECONET Scandal aand Vested
Interests
Date: Wed, 15 Oct 2008 09:03:50 -0700 (PDT)
Lizette
I think that you have racially inclined your mind.
When did KENCALL directors become Kenyans? After getting good
friends to bribe their way to this country. And let me tell you that
the money the so called investors are using are Kenyan money not
money from foreign banks.
They have come and borrowed from Kenyan banks. How much does the
most profitable telecomms companies leave in this country, very small
amount. We have Telecomms companies which are on their marks. They
have very inferior systems and dont actually deliver in service but
make billions and run away with the billions.
Dada Lizette, we know that there are Kenyans who are white, black
coloured and all but know that I am a mixed race Kenyan and really
sad when our brotehrs have to suffer because of bad policies from
people like PS
JM
----- Original Message ----
From: Lizette Kraft <lfkraft@gmail.com>
To: j.maina@ymail.com
Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions <kictanet@lists.kictanet.or.ke>
Sent: Tuesday, October 14, 2008 1:52:07 PM
Subject: [kictanet] Fwd: PS Ndemo, ECONET Scandal aand Vested
Interests
Just my two pennies worth here.
Kenya is not an Island that it can survive on its own even through
local investment. Most times we dont have the funds. I do agree
though about the Government and banks not supporting local investors
with loans etc. They must start giving them the opportunity to setup
local expertise and turn them in money making ventures, if only they
wouldn't fleece their own companies. Even America, the giant needs
investors!!! You all have a valid point but use it for the best
interests of Kenya and its people first and foremost. Not just self
interest for the few. And by the way Kenyans come in all shapes,
sizes, COLOURS, and creed. So please don't generalise who is kenyan
and who is not!!! Kencall directors and owners are Kenyan and not
outsiders if I understand correctly. When we are taxed whether
individually or coorporately, the money is used for Kenya and Kenyans
and not for outsiders who invested! Forcing local partnership in
foreign owned companies has
its negative and positive effects.
This needs to be look at more seriously to make it a win-win
situation. It has been known in the past that foreign investors with
forced local partnership have been subjected to threats and
intimidation by the local partners when they wanted more than their
fare share, (given to them mind you). Thus the weariness o
of being forced now. This does not attract any investor. But the
foreigners should not fleece the country either!
Let us have some constructive critisism without being racially
inclined. Fight to make things right no matter what but without
pinpointing nationalities or colours of people.
On 10/7/08, John Maina <j.maina@ymail.com> wrote:
http://www.wananchiforums.com/showthread.php?p=3150#poest3150
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Lizette Kraft
P.O. Box 18488, 00500
Nairobi, Kenya
Cell: 0722-800362
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