Listers, I am in Barcelona for the GSM World congress. I have never attended this congress before but this year I was requested to give three speeches touching on the infrastructure innovations that we have achieved in Kenya. Yesterday I spoke at one of the functions dedicated to freeing up Broadband from Broadcast to Mobile Broadband through Digital migration in other words known as Digital Dividends. The 700 and 800 Mgz band is in big demand for LTE roll out but in most countries including Kenya the band is occupied by broadcasters. Considering that some countries have made broadband a human right issue, it is urgent now that these bands are freed up for broadband. It is cheaper to deploy a new network using these bands and if everybody adopted them, due to economies of scale equipment cost will be lower and thus lower prices to majority of people who will need broadband in the days to come. I am writing not because of broadband but because I was bothered all night that we are not seeing the broader picture of Konza Technology City. This is after a dinner with an old friend of mine from college now an economist and professor at University of Murcia here in Spain. I asked him many questions with respect to the thinking behind Fira de Barcelona, the venue of the congress. For a start, Fira de Barcelona is a trade fair ground and organizer that was officially constituted in 1932 in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain. It is publicly owned company with autonomous management, organizing more than 80 trade shows, bringing together 40,000 companies and receiving three and a half million visitors (this is close to four times the number of tourists we get in Kenya). Fira de Barcelona has 365,000 m2 of exhibition floor space, one of the largest areas in Europe, divided into two exhibition centers, the initial one at Montjuïc (165,000m2 of exhibition floor space, 50,000 outdoor) and the new one at the Gran Via business district, opened in 2007 close to Hospitalet de Llobregat (200,000m2 exhibition floor space). It covers an area of about 100 acres. By contrast the Konza Convention Center will create about 50,000 m2 spaces and cover less than 20 acres. In 1932 when Spain was is worse state of economy than we are now, these people had a dream that brings close to $10 billion or one third of our economy annually. Hotel occupancy is in the upwards of 90% throughout the year with practically every brand located here. The Hospitality Industry is busy throughout the year. From car hire to hotels that are offering local dishes. WHAT IS SO DIFFICULT FOR US TO THINK THIS WAY IN THE 21st CENTURTY¬? By my estimate we shall achieve vision 2030 by 2020 if we stop corruption, elect good leaders, avoid self pity, plan the family (no more than 3 kids) and build confidence in ourselves. In corruption we have new breeds in town fronting Europeans to give a sense morality in any transaction (I know it is risky for me to write this but it has to be said). In Goldenberg there was Kettering. In Anglo Leasing there were Greek Cypriots. Such happens in the lead up to past elections and we are seeing aggressive approaches to create other mountains. I do not think someone else will come to our aid especially in strategic thinking. Today Giant companies are knocking our doors to do research here. It is imperative that we create the necessary ecosystem for knowledge to thrive. It is knowledge that will give rise to what we desire in vision 2030. That is why we need standards, we need Konza, we need broadband throughout the country and above all we need people to take responsibility for the vision. One cannot give birth to 15 children and blame the Government for not delivering the vision. Konza is simply a concept for us all to see it through. We must concentrate on understanding the concept so that it is not owned by just a few. I do not know where I shall be next year but I will be gratified to know that such concept is carried forward by those who sought to understand it and bear the responsibility of seeing it through. Ndemo.
Bwana Ndemo,
OK, do let us know when the stakeholder consultations will happen and as well the actual launch.
What are the implications to those who rushed to speculate on land within the zone?
Edith ________________ Edith Ofwona Adera Senior Program Specialist Climate Change & Water Program International Development Research Centre | Centre de recherches pour le développement international Regional Office for Eastern and Southern Africa Tel: +254202713160 | Fax/Téléc: +254202711063 | Skype: edithadera eadera@idrc.or.ke | www.idrc.ca | www.crdi.ca ________________________________________ From: bitange@jambo.co.ke [bitange@jambo.co.ke] Sent: 27 February 2012 21:37 To: Edith Adera Cc: bitange@jambo.co.ke; KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions Subject: RE: [kictanet] Looking back at Konza
Edith, We have been pushed back by at least two months. We were not aware that the Physical Planning Act required publication of intent to replan the entire zone. It will also give protection to Konza. The first advert was done a week ago. We need to have stakeholder consultation once more and a final advert to avoid being sued. We must follow the law to the letter. We shall be there since all other requirements have been taken care of.
Ndemo.'
Bwana Ndemo,
When will KONZA start?.....I think we need to move beyond talk and starting digging the foundations.
When will the first jembe hit the ground? What became of the Presidential launch which was to take place in January 2012?
Edith
-----Original Message----- From: kictanet-bounces+eadera=idrc.or.ke@lists.kictanet.or.ke [mailto:kictanet-bounces+eadera=idrc.or.ke@lists.kictanet.or.ke] On Behalf Of bitange@jambo.co.ke Sent: Sunday, February 26, 2012 7:14 PM To: Edith Adera Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions Subject: Re: [kictanet] Looking back at Konza
A facility like Konza is overdue. So far we have more than 18 Universities both local and International wanting space at the Science Park. The Park is just next to the IT Enabled Services Park. This is the only way you can develop the tripple helix (Universities, Government and Industry) in order to enhance innovation and competitiveness.
When you see Giant organization like Nokia setting up at I-Hub it tells you we are behind in what we have been doing. Indeed our thinking has always been minimalist and always comparing ourselves with Somalia. We must begin to develop the confidence to compete with the best. We have just started and we must continue to encourage this.
I have explained the Sameer debacle in an earlier post. We must now develop the SEC Law quickly so that we can create the necessary incentives.
Ndemo.
So why are we building a completely new city and for all intents and purposes a facility already exists?
On Sunday, February 26, 2012, Dennis Kioko wrote:
***** of Sameer says that the park was completed, and remained empty for almost 2 years, awaiting the initial agreement that the government was to move in.
It then became clear that the government was in no hurry to move in, and real estate can not afford to remain empty ....
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The Kenya ICT Action Network (KICTANet) is a multi-stakeholder 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.
KICTANetiquette : Adhere to the same standards of acceptable behaviors online that you follow in real life: respect people's times and bandwidth, share knowledge, don't flame or abuse or personalize, respect privacy, do not spam, do not market your wares or qualifications.