Hey Bill - I have to agree with everything you say in this mail. Brilliant stuff! Kenyans need to be promoted into all sorts of leadership positions. Secondly, the meeting being called is a good idea but it must be by and for KENYANS. We got to start believing in ourselves. If this meeting is organized with participation of all and with the small matter of involving only KENYANS taken into account, then I will definitely attend. I also agree with Bw. Manthi that Flo, though being the nice personality she is, should not chair the meeting as there are many qualified KENYANS.
About the other mail promoting me to the honourable position of goat herder I have to disappoint you since I have been goat-herding for a number of years now. Everyone who knows me well knows that whenever I get a chance I am always upcountry in Mukangu village, Kakamega. This in addition to my other work as WITSA Director and Vice President (feel free to call me Mr Vice President), still serving my term on ICANN Nom-Com, on the Board of IFIP, Co-Chair of WITFOR busy preparing the next meeting in Vietnam 2009, Board Member at the ICC BASIS in Paris, etc. In WITSA I have to serve until after the 2012 World IT Congress in Canada - and that is renewable! You see, rearing goats does not exclude one from being busy. We need to meet over tea Bill, preferably in the village.
Long live KENYA,
Waudo
On Mon, 14 Jul 2008 20:36:45 +0300, "Bill Kagai" <billkagai@gmail.com> said:
On Mon, Jul 14, 2008 at 7:57 PM, <alkags@alkags.com> wrote:I wonder if protectionist policies would enhance our global competitiveness as a country in the larger scheme of things?
Alkags,
I have written too much (today), but kindly indulge me with this one last post I could not resist because it harbours on what I do for a living - information vending ;-)
You know about Unilver Tea. Basic stats look like this...and another reason why you should subscribe to MediaCorp services
NSE Sector
Agricultural
Company
Unilever Tea
Code
UNLV
Year Of
1925
Year of Listing
1972
Issued Shares
48,875,000.00
Share Float
11
All Time Low
36.00
All Time High
130.00
Market Capitalisation (Million)
2.26B
Par Value
Top 10 Shareholders
Name
%
Shareholder1
Brooke Bond Group Ltd. -
88.23
Shareholder2
Board of Trustees Of NSSF
2.94
Shareholder3
KCB Staff Pension
0.52
Shareholder4
UAP Provincial Insurance
0.33
Shareholder5
Old mutual life Ass
0.29
Shareholder6
BBK Nominees
0.27
Shareholder7
Co-op Bank Kenya
0.22
Shareholder8
BBK Nominees
0.22
Shareholder9
xxxx
Shareholder10
Ins Co. of East Africa
0.17
Top10Total Shares
93.37
Profit Before Tax (Year)
[Million]
Profit After Tax (Year)
[Million]
2000
410.00
2000
450.00
2001
420.00
2001
220.00
2002
415.00
2002
130.00
2003
400.00
2003
60.00
2004
450.00
2004
370.00
2005
100.00
2005
70.00
2006
100.00
2006
60.00
2007
2007
Earning Per Share
Kshs
Dividend PayOut
Kshs
2000
9.20
2000
6.00
2001
4.60
2001
2.00
2002
2.50
2002
2.50
2003
1.30
2003
6.00
2004
7.40
2004
8.00
2005
1.40
2005
2.00
2006
1.10
2006
2.00
2007
2007
P/E Ratio
Bankers
Barclay bank of Kenya,Citibank NA,Cooperative Bank
Registrars
Cooperative Bank Registrars
My point
Foreigners hold 88% of the company and thus in a position to make board decisions regardless of the African investors thinking after all..they holding only 12%. Some investors bought into this company at more than kshs 100 and when it ceased trading, shares were moving in the 40-45 range. The shares will be called back because the foreigners agenda is different and there intention is not to make money for the local investors. [Country of origin and Fair trade issues]. The local investors including NSSF, KCB pensioners and many more Wanjikus have been screwed.
RVR is coming next.
Joe is therefore really not far from the point...if Unilever lesson is anything to go by. We need a unified approach ...If you want to do business in Kenya...get Kenyan partner...is simply not enough...
We need to get Kenyans in decision making positions also.
PS. Regarding Flo's kind request to facilitate...
Ownership of the process is what is critical. Locals should not only drive but own and ultimately be responsible for the direction they take. You have done well...but maybe...as Frank Sinatra would sing...its time for MY WAY.
Ciao,
Bill
People make a plan work, a plan alone seldom makes people work (Confucius).