----- Original Message ----
From: Alex Gakuru <alexgakuru.lists@gmail.com>
To: robert yawe <robertyawe@yahoo.co.uk>
Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions <kictanet@lists.kictanet.or.ke>
Sent: Friday, 30 November, 2007 7:37:39 AM
Subject: Re: [kictanet] Fibre Optic

But Yawe,
[Sorry for this late response, this message only got to my inbox a
short while ago]

On Nov 28, 2007 8:06 AM, robert yawe <robertyawe@yahoo.co.uk> wrote:
>
> The diaspora makes up less than 5% of the population and many of them add no
> value to us, yet you are more concerned about how we can communicate with
> them instead of how to make it possible for my children to talk and see
> their grandmother in Mbita point without requiring to make the trip.
>
Not quite so. Diasporans send sizable chunks of home for Mbitarians consumption.

"The most recent data available indicates that remittances by Kenyans
reached a historic month-on-month high in June when Sh3.9 billion was
sent into the country."
<http://www.bdafrica.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=4622&Itemid=5822>

Though you are right also about a national fibre network would enhance
far flung  families bonding and save our Mbitarian business lexicon
travel expenses ( i.e. help in converting remittances into investments
rather than consumption).

"It is estimated that full compliance with the licensing requirements
costs Kenyan businesses Sh5 billion annually."
<http://www.bdafrica.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=4621&Itemid=5822>

Agreed! Local fibre saves locally and international one boosts
remittances hence my  argument elsewhere, "we need both pentium and
penicillin" and it the juglers' job ( Read Ndemo:) to give us the
optimal mix.

Notwithstanding, absent fibres remains no excuse for inefficient and
opaque service delivery by those employed by the public and all
government agencies.

Sawa?