[kictanet] Fwd: PS Ndemo, ECONET Scandal aand Vested Interests

Fri Oct 17 10:01:12 EAT 2008

Dear colleagues,

i lost my shares in Vodacom Tanzania ( a company that I personally  
incubated) because of trickery of a few powerful nationals. I would  
not like that to happen to anybody I know.  It is a very bitter  
experience especially at a time when the world is moving fast to  
eradicate boundaries.  I suggest that we Kenyans must be ready to  
compete, without losing it all out to foreigners.  The govt. must  
offer us opportunities to compete.  As Edith Adera puts it, the whole  
world is today admiring Dubai, Kenyans included. this is because of  
openness.

With regard to Econet, I personally tried to assist farmers get their  
big chank of 85 percent of the shares,  but we saw more of  
conferencing than action - they eventually lost it.  Econet and Kenya  
Govt. eventually ended up in court and consequently Econet got their  
license.  Was there a need for the time lost?  Had Econet launch in  
time, Kenya consumers would have sniffed low Call tariffs much earlier  
as a result of competition - something that Michael Joseph was not  
afraid of.

Who are the the true directors of  Kencall?  If they are the Nesbits I  
know, then they must be Kenyans.  As a child, Dr. Nesbit was my  
personal doctor and today I am an old man facing retirement.  If they  
are the Nesbits I know,  then kudos to them as the family is now  
offering jobs to their fellow Kenyans.  Let us face facts.  Before  
Vodafon arrived in Kenya, Safaricom was managed by us - KPTC.  I am  
sure everybody can remember how prohibitive it was to even buy a  
handset, in the name of communications is reserved for the rich.

I love the debates. Without the debates we would not be this far in  
the ict sector.  let us keep on sharing ideas.  Communications is very  
vital to our life styles.  I was in Havana Cuba recently for ten days  
and I thought I was in jail.  I had to power down my telephone  
handsets and nobody knew where I was.  Cubans are very nice people.   
The country may open up soon for communications.

'good week end

James Rege

On Oct 16, 2008, at 12:55 AM, eadera at idrc.or.ke wrote:

> Anyone has taken the time to thoroughly study the secret behind
> Dubai's tremendous growth? (U.A.E in general). There are some useful
> lessons!
>
>
>
>>
>>
>>
>> ---- Original Message ----
>> From: j.maina at ymail.com
>> To: eadera at idrc.or.ke
>> Subject: Re: [kictanet] Fwd:  PS Ndemo, ECONET Scandal aand Vested
>> Interests
>> Date: Wed, 15 Oct 2008 09:03:50 -0700 (PDT)
>>
>>> Lizette
>>>
>>> I think that you have racially inclined your mind.
>>>
>>> When did KENCALL directors become Kenyans? After getting good
>> friends to bribe their way to this country. And let me tell you that
>> the money the so called investors are using are Kenyan money not
>> money from foreign banks.
>>>
>>> They have come and borrowed from Kenyan banks. How much does the
>> most profitable telecomms companies leave in this country, very small
>> amount. We have Telecomms companies which are on their marks. They
>> have very inferior systems and dont actually deliver in service but
>> make billions and run away with the billions.
>>>
>>> Dada Lizette, we know that there are Kenyans who are white, black
>> coloured and all but know that I am a mixed race Kenyan and really
>> sad when our brotehrs have to suffer because of bad policies from
>> people like PS
>>>
>>> JM
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> ----- Original Message ----
>>> From: Lizette Kraft <lfkraft at gmail.com>
>>> To: j.maina at ymail.com
>>> Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions <kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke>
>>> Sent: Tuesday, October 14, 2008 1:52:07 PM
>>> Subject: [kictanet] Fwd:  PS Ndemo, ECONET Scandal aand Vested
>> Interests
>>>
>>>
>>> Just my two pennies worth here.
>>>
>>> Kenya is not an Island that it can survive on its own even through
>> local investment. Most times we dont have the funds. I do agree
>> though about the Government and banks not supporting local investors
>> with loans etc. They must start giving them the opportunity to setup
>> local expertise and turn them in money making ventures, if only they
>> wouldn't fleece their own companies.  Even America, the giant needs
>> investors!!! You all have a valid point but use it for the best
>> interests of Kenya and its people first and foremost. Not just self
>> interest for the few.  And by the way Kenyans come in all shapes,
>> sizes, COLOURS, and creed. So please don't generalise who is kenyan
>> and who is not!!!  Kencall directors and owners are Kenyan and not
>> outsiders if I understand correctly. When we are taxed whether
>> individually or coorporately, the money is used for Kenya and Kenyans
>> and not for outsiders who invested!  Forcing local partnership in
>> foreign owned companies has
>>> its negative and positive effects.
>>> This needs to be look at more seriously to make it a win-win
>> situation. It has been known in the past that foreign investors with
>> forced local partnership have been subjected to threats and
>> intimidation by the local partners when they wanted more than their
>> fare share, (given to them mind you). Thus the weariness o
>>> of being forced now. This does not attract any investor. But the
>> foreigners should not fleece the country either!
>>>
>>> Let us have some constructive critisism without being racially
>> inclined. Fight to make things right no matter what but without
>> pinpointing nationalities or colours of people.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> On 10/7/08, John Maina <j.maina at ymail.com> wrote:
>>> http://www.wananchiforums.com/showthread.php?p=3150#poest3150
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
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>>> kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke
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>>>
>>> This message was sent to: lfkraft at gmail.com
>>> Unsubscribe or change your options at
>> http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/lfkraft%40gmail.
>> com
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> -- 
>>> Lizette Kraft
>>> P.O. Box 18488, 00500
>>> Nairobi, Kenya
>>> Cell: 0722-800362
>>>
>>>
>>>
>
>
>
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