> Date: Mon, 13 Aug 2012 00:07:23 +0300
> From:
bitange@jambo.co.ke> Subject: Re: [kictanet] Fwd: Konza Land Issue Attn Matunda and Ali
> CC:
kictanet@lists.kictanet.or.ke> To:
ggithaiga@hotmail.com>
> Lucy,
> I think we can do more than simply dealing with my issue. The root cause
> of the problems in this country is the Procurement Law. It was designed
> to stop former President from stealing. It is the same law today we are
> using to implement Vision 2030. Today's Nation reports on tender
> cancellation on the greenfield airport. This is the time neighbouring
> countries, Ethiopia and Rwanda are building new airports double the size
> of JKIA in order to create a real hub. We reisk being relegated to some
> small destination when we have always let with big dreams as a hub.
>
> Just last week the IEBC tender was cancelled because the law is not
> enabling and risk eroding credibility in this agency as we approach the
> elections. Public sector is not spending on key projects simply many
> accounting officers fear arrest. I recall in TEAMS we had to go to Dubai
> in order to negotiate downwards the bid from Al Catel Lucent since our law
> had no provision for negotiation. This is how the project was finished
> below budget.
>
> The other day we were informed of a department that buys a packet of milk
> for Ksh. 300 which you can purchase at Uchumi for Ksh. 40 and all is legal
> through open tender. No media has ever attempted to analyze this law
> which reduces everybody into a robot. There is no rational thinking. At
> one time I tried to reprimand my officers for buying expensive toilet
> paper but I was told I risk breaking the law. I could not for example
> take an advance to buy the toilet papers directly from Uchumi. Here I
> will have broken the law by single sourcing from Uchumi.
>
> In my view if we want to help our country prosper, let us ask Gaithu and
> team to conduct a comprehensive analysis of this Law and highlight its
> ironies. We then prepare a white paper and seek the changes in the law
> and automate processes to allow the public to see how their resources are
> spent. Mukhisa Kituyi attempted show the problem in today's Nation.
>
>
> Ndemo.
>
>
>
>
>
>
> > Ali,
> >
> > Great, I will MPESA my donation. Your point re accountability is fair and
> > well taken, and I hope the KICTANET officials will be willing to provide
> > us with details on how supporters of the Konza rebuttal can remit their
> > donations. In the meantime, please collect what is sent your way and you
> > can then submit to KICTANET if they are in agreement.
> >
> > Sent from my iPad
> >
> > On Aug 11, 2012, at 9:17 PM, Ali Hussein <
ali@hussein.me.ke> wrote:
> >
> >> Lucy
> >>
> >> Wiling and ready! Probably a good idea though to have an institution
> >> like Kictanet do that? So that there is accountability? Any which way
> >> I'm ready to support.
> >>
> >> Thanks
> >>
> >> Ali Hussein
> >>
> >> +254 773/713 601113
> >>
> >> Sent from my iPhone®
> >>
> >> On Aug 11, 2012, at 7:52 PM, Lucy Kimani <
lkimani@yahoo.com> wrote:
> >>
> >>> Warigia, while I echo your sentiments in support of PS Ndemo, the
> >>> activist in me is wondering why we can't do more... For example I
> >>> nominate Chief Matunda to draft an "Oped" in rebuttal based on PS
> >>> Ndemo's piece and the supporting posts to be signed by the KICTAnet
> >>> Community and Vision 2020, and any other entities..
> >>>
> >>> Ali not to pick on you, but I believe Warigia and I are over the seas
> >>> so would you be willing to act as the treasurer and all supporters can
> >>> MPESA you their donations for an "AD buy" for the Konza Rebuttal...
> >>>
> >>> Sent from my iPad
> >>>
> >>> Begin forwarded message:
> >>>
> >>>> From: Warigia Bowman <
warigia@gmail.com>
> >>>> Date: August 11, 2012 10:31:08 AM EDT
> >>>> To:
lkimani@yahoo.com> >>>> Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions <
kictanet@lists.kictanet.or.ke>
> >>>> Subject: Re: [kictanet] Konza Land Issue
> >>>>
> >>>> Dear Daktari Ndemo
> >>>>
> >>>> I am really sorry this has happened to you. As I said to one of my
> >>>> coworkers, if every permanent secretary were like Bitange Ndemo, Kenya
> >>>> would be in good shape politically and economically.
> >>>>
> >>>> I join my colleagues in extending my support and loyalty.
> >>>>
> >>>> Sincerely, Warigia
> >>>>
> >>>> On Sat, Aug 11, 2012 at 8:56 AM, John Kieti <
jkieti@gmail.com> wrote:
> >>>> Bwana Ndemo, et al
> >>>>
> >>>> The many of us in support may not be individually as powerful as the
> >>>> few 'powerful' forces against you. That said, our combined support
> >>>> will be too strong to wish away for any 'evil' force.
> >>>>
> >>>> Just tell us when and how to engage ...
> >>>>
> >>>> On Aug 10, 2012 10:17 AM, "Ali Hussein" <
ali@hussein.me.ke> wrote:
> >>>> Daktari
> >>>>
> >>>> Let me add my voice of support on this.
> >>>>
> >>>> There's a saying that one of the most vulnerable moments in aviation
> >>>> is when a plane is taking off and about to land. That's where I think
> >>>> Konza Techno City is. We must all in any way we can continue to
> >>>> support this model of progress in Africa.
> >>>>
> >>>> Daktari, having said that you didn't really think that it was going to
> >>>> be easy right? The forces of darkness and quick bucks will not let it
> >>>> be unless they have their pound of flesh. Unfortunately the same tools
> >>>> that progressive forces use to move their agenda are the same tools
> >>>> available for the forces of retrogression.
> >>>>
> >>>> This country has turned the corner for the better. The rule of law
> >>>> actually has a chance to thrive. Hang in there..And as the good bible
> >>>> says - The truth shall set you free!
> >>>>
> >>>> Ali Hussein
> >>>>
> >>>> +254 773/713 601113
> >>>>
> >>>> Sent from my iPhone®
> >>>>
> >>>> On Aug 10, 2012, at 8:04 AM, Brian Munyao Longwe <
blongwe@gmail.com>
> >>>> wrote:
> >>>>
> >>>>> Daktari,
> >>>>>
> >>>>> Thank you for taking this bold step to shed pure light on the Konza
> >>>>> Techno city site. It is truly unfortunate that the media persist in
> >>>>> casting aspersions and (allowing themselves to be used for)
> >>>>> mudslinging.
> >>>>>
> >>>>> I recall, with clarity, how the print media (and especially Nation)
> >>>>> were used during the early stages of TEAMs to try and discredit and
> >>>>> bring disrepute to the project, yourself and others who were
> >>>>> involved. It was laughable at the time how the newspaper even went as
> >>>>> far as making rabid claims that I was fronting for powerful
> >>>>> politicians via my company InHand Ltd which had procedurally applied
> >>>>> for, and received an allocation in the project. I recall how many
> >>>>> times the Anti-corruption commission carried out investigations, and
> >>>>> I also recall having to answer a barrage of questions from the good
> >>>>> folk at National Intelligence. All because of flimsy lies pushed
> >>>>> through the newspapers by unscrupulous journalists who clearly had
> >>>>> received the infamous "brown envelope" payoffs to publish dirt.
> >>>>>
> >>>>> Needless to say - and as has been pointed out by Mugo. TEAMs survived
> >>>>> the negativity and today has totally transformed this country and
> >>>>> region. While I know that it is personally tiring, draining and very
> >>>>> demoralizing to be a victim of this kind of treatment. Let me add my
> >>>>> voice to those who say "Usichoke" - please stay strong, keep the
> >>>>> vision, and hold the course. The Konza City project is still at a
> >>>>> critical stage that needs your drive and support. Once it gains it's
> >>>>> own momentum then you can take a well deserved rest, until then let
> >>>>> us all put our shoulders behind this project and push it forward.
> >>>>>
> >>>>> Best regards,
> >>>>>
> >>>>> Brian
> >>>>>
> >>>>>
> >>>>> Brian Munyao Longwe
> >>>>> | Mobile: 254715964281
> >>>>>
http://mashilingi.blogspot.com> >>>>> Facebook Twitter LinkedIn
> >>>>> Contact me: blongwe
> >>>>> Want a signature like mine? Click here.
> >>>>>
> >>>>>
> >>>>>
> >>>>> On Thu, Aug 9, 2012 at 8:43 AM, <
bitange@jambo.co.ke> wrote:
> >>>>> Listers,
> >>>>> A number of you have independently asked me to clarify the Konza Land
> >>>>> issue that was in the papers yesterday. Let me briefly explain the
> >>>>> problem.
> >>>>>
> >>>>> Prior to the purchase of Land we developed a conceptual framework on
> >>>>> the
> >>>>> locationing of a tech city. Here we largely relied on the work done
> >>>>> by
> >>>>> Booz Allen. Among other things research shows that a tech city must
> >>>>> be
> >>>>> located at least 30 minutes from the airport and be in the outskirts
> >>>>> of a
> >>>>> major city from where you can tap the human resource.
> >>>>>
> >>>>> With this we crafted a tender document that restricted the suitable
> >>>>> land
> >>>>> within the parameters of the conceptual framework. This was done
> >>>>> openly
> >>>>> and we assumed it was indeed an open tender. But it emerged that the
> >>>>> definition of open was to advertise land availability anywhere
> >>>>> without
> >>>>> restrictions. This grey area in the law is rediculous since land in
> >>>>> Wajir
> >>>>> will have been of no use to us and as such we flouted the procurement
> >>>>> law.
> >>>>>
> >>>>> After our competitive bid, we consulted with the Ministry of Lands to
> >>>>> give
> >>>>> us the valuation of which the recommendation was Ksh. 200,000. Since
> >>>>> most
> >>>>> quotes were in the 300 range we focused on the most suitable piece
> >>>>> and
> >>>>> offered to pay Ministry of Lands Valuation rate. In open tenders one
> >>>>> is
> >>>>> not allowed to negotiate even when it is in the interest of the
> >>>>> country.
> >>>>> Here it is said we manipulated the numbers.
> >>>>>
> >>>>> This clearly is a misunderstanding since we still have grey areas in
> >>>>> the
> >>>>> Procurement Law. Whereas KACC says we used direct or restricted
> >>>>> tendering
> >>>>> to buying the land, our view was that the method was open since and
> >>>>> one
> >>>>> that is in the interest of the country.
> >>>>>
> >>>>> We did indeed consult the AG's office if what we did was in order and
> >>>>> we
> >>>>> were given the clear. Much of this is done by various the
> >>>>> departments but
> >>>>> I bear the ultimate responsibility.
> >>>>>
> >>>>> What is absurd is the fact that the Daily Nation decided to highlight
> >>>>> this
> >>>>> issue while we were having the Konza conference here with
> >>>>> international
> >>>>> investors. This was the time we were telling investors that Kenya
> >>>>> has
> >>>>> changed and corruption is being dealt with. Well they did a great
> >>>>> damage
> >>>>> to my reputation. I read malice in the story since it is something
> >>>>> that
> >>>>> has been around. I would rather have taken a six month jail term
> >>>>> than
> >>>>> mess up with a project that I have devoted my life to. I have taken
> >>>>> risky
> >>>>> decisions to have this project take off but it is now clear that we
> >>>>> only
> >>>>> rejoice on successes.
> >>>>>
> >>>>> KACC has a right to question what we do and indeed in Teams they were
> >>>>> on
> >>>>> our case all through until the project was complete. The fact that
> >>>>> they
> >>>>> question does not amount to corruption. This is how we can change
> >>>>> laws
> >>>>> and make them dynamic with changing times. As much as I respect the
> >>>>> Media, in this case they hurt my character dearly yet what I did was
> >>>>> right
> >>>>> and hoped we can change the law for future rational decisions. Never
> >>>>> in
> >>>>> my public life have I tried to do something that is not in the
> >>>>> interest of
> >>>>> the country.
> >>>>>
> >>>>> Ndemo.
> >>>>>
> >>>>>
> >>>>>
> >>>>>
> >>>>> _______________________________________________
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> >>>>> platform for people and institutions interested and involved in ICT
> >>>>> policy and regulation. The network aims to act as a catalyst for
> >>>>> reform in the ICT sector in support of the national aim of ICT
> >>>>> enabled growth and development.
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> >>>>
> >>>> _______________________________________________
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> >>> for people and institutions interested and involved in ICT policy and
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> > for people and institutions interested and involved in ICT policy and
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