----- Original Message -----
From: Brian Munyao Longwe <blongwe@gmail.com>
To: robert yawe <robertyawe@yahoo.co.uk>
Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions <kictanet@lists.kictanet.or.ke>
Sent: Friday, 9 March 2012, 21:44
Subject: Re: [kictanet] 140Friday. . . and I wept

Hi all

First of all, let me say that this response is NOT targeted at Robert
Yawe - though it addresses one of the main issues that he has raised.

I have said it here before and I will say it once again. Can we please
do our homework before we post scalding remarks?

Have we so quickly forgotten the genesis of KEPSA? And for those who
were not there when KEPSA was being originated, is it so difficult to
simply visit their website and read the first paragraph on their home
page? It simply states:

"KEPSA is the apex body and single voice of the private sector, with a
membership that comprises more than 60 Business Membership
Organisations (BMOs) and in excess of 180 corporate organizations –
and is still growing. "

Essentially - KEPSA's original purpose was to be an umbrella body -
allowing various sectoral and professional "Business Membership
Organisations" to bring their views together and then speak to
government with one voice. These BMOs then have representatives that
are recognised as KEPSA "Governors" and provide sectoral or business
specific input to KEPSA agendas.

This does not in any way replace, dilute, or diminish the purpose for
that BMOs existence nor the service it offers it's members. The BMOs
retain their unique identity and continue to engage with the specific
organs of Govt that serve or affect their sector on a day to day basis
while at the same time ensuring that the overall KEPSA agenda and
engagements contain their views, positions and input.

What was proposed today at #140Friday is the formation of a BMO
representing the interests of businesses in the information technology
sector. Whether or not BMO decides to become part of KEPSA or feels
that KEPSA would add value to it's mission and vision is something
that would need to be decided when, and if, it is formed.

So finally - please do your homework - understand the subject you are
commenting on, and the dynamics that surround it before making
sweeping statements to dismiss or blindly support initiatives.

As always,

Brian



On 3/9/12, robert yawe <robertyawe@yahoo.co.uk> wrote:
> Hi,
>
> I took time to attend the 140Friday session and at the end I wept first
> because as I sat there I realised that this was yet another talk shop
> activity in full swing but most importantly was the rubbishing of the
> late Evelyn Rono's efforts to give the sector a voice through KEPSA.
>
> Evelyn spent many hours lobbying for the ICT sector within the government an
> effort that has come to nought as we, yet again, scatter off into our
> various selfish corners.  If all those tributes we kept sending around after
> she past away were genuine then lets honour her by continuing from where she
> left off instead of going off in a tangent.
>
> It was suggested by Dr. Ndemo and echoed by Mr. Kokubo that a team be formed
> to prepare a white paper on the issues that arose during the session, it was
> suggested that this would be best handled through the ICT Sector of KEPSA
> just for one of the panel to wrongly imply that KEPSA was an association for
> manufacturers (that organisation is called KAM who are also members of
> KEPSA).
>
> Dan Awendo of Investeq indicated that what is ailing us as an industry is
> the one man show syndrome and the leopard hunting mentality.  If we can not
> within us form a body that can speak in one voice then all the efforts are a
> waste of time and resources.
>
> I will repeat what I raised a while back when I was not able to get a
> platform from which to take over the governorship of the ICT sector at KEPSA
> from Evelyn because the Computer Society of Kenya who I assumed would
> propose me had lapsed their membership.  Unless we as an industry can speak
> in one voice and become a constituency then we shall continue to wallow in
> the miasma of deceit that was the session we had today, together we stand
> divided we fall.
>
> Twitter town hall meetings will not resolve what ails the industry it is
> only if we learn to come together that we can make an impact.  KEPSA swings
> a sledge hammer on behalf of any of its sectors, it recommends who seats on
> government committees that require private sector participation and finally
> it has the machinery to draft and push through legislation.
>
> Forming small little talk shops will not make any progress and I read
> an ulterior motive to the proposal by Mr. Kokubo to form an "independent"
> group to prepare the white paper.  He is very well aware that such a group
> will never see the day of light but if it was under the umbrella of KEPSA
> well that will be another issue.
>
> Regards
>
>
>
> Robert Yawe
> KAY System Technologies Ltd
> Phoenix House, 6th Floor
> P O Box 55806 Nairobi, 00200
> Kenya
>
>
> Tel: +254722511225, +254202010696


--
Brian Munyao Longwe
e-mail: blongwe@gmail.com
cell:  +254715964281
blog : http://zinjlog.blogspot.com
meta-blog: http://mashilingi.blogspot.com

"Give us clear vision that we may know where to stand and what to stand
for, because unless we stand for something, we shall fall for anything."