[kictanet] Discipline & Ethics - Re: Legislation and Regulation fore-Commerce in Kenya

[Brian Munyao Longwe]

Hi Manthi,

Now *that* is framed in language we can discuss....

It is true that we do no have a policy that guides the entry of  
foreign *companies* and/or investors from the standpoint of protecting/ 
building Kenyan capacity.

Take the example of mobile sector, there is not one single operator  
that is *controlled* locally - this is true for all 4 operators;  
safaricom, celtel, econet and orange. Is this a good or a bad thing?  
Hmmm - worth thinking about. Control comes through investment.

For the policy angle, look at what Egypt did with the first major mobile
  infrastructure rollouts. As part of they supply contract they  
required that the vendor build a local handset manufacture plant on a  
build-own-opreate-transfer (BOOT) model. Today these plants are 100%  
egypt owned, creating employment and Egypt manufactures handets for  
the local market and also exports to many other Arabic speaking  
countries.

Food for thought...

Brian
Sent from my iPhone

On 12 Jul 2008, at 11:35 PM, Joseph Manthi <jmanthi at gmail.com> wrote:

> Brian
> We can stick our heads into the sands all we want but when you look  
> around Kenya you will see major chunks of the economy controlled by  
> foreigners.
>
> No self respecting peoples should allow this to happen. Misquoting  
> Nyerere - this is ukoloni mamboleo.
>
> What really concerns me right now - and it really pains me - is that  
> we are about tobgive up the ICT industry to a bunch of foreigners.  
> If this is not ICT policy I do not know what is.
>
> Again go to India and the EEU and tell me how many Africans are  
> running major ICT corporations.
>
> Why are we letting this happen? So that we can look like we are  
> civilized? Does any one else see what I am saying?
>
> Joe
>
> Joseph Manthi
> CEO, MEO Ltd
> T:603 320 2924
> F:315 320 2920
>
> On Jul 12, 2008, at 3:38 PM, Brian Munyao Longwe <blongwe at gmail.com>  
> wrote:
>
>> Hi John,
>>
>> That kind of talk and reasoning is not helpful. There are actually  
>> very many Kenyans out there doing business and being successful all  
>> over the world.
>>
>> We should avoid racist/xenophobic insinuations on this list. We  
>> have already in the recent past permanently suspended members who  
>> persisted in ethic hate-speak. This forum is not a platform for our  
>> pet peeves or hangups.
>>
>> I would urge members to think about whether the comment/ 
>> contribution is related to ICT in terms of policy, advocacy,  
>> strategy and/or awareness and desist from posting if not.
>>
>> Brian
>>
>> Sent from my iPhone
>>
>> On 12 Jul 2008, at 9:12 PM, "Joseph Manthi" <jmanthi at gmail.com>  
>> wrote:
>>
>>> Kevit
>>> This is the height of arrogance - excuse my sceptism. The names  
>>> you have just mentioned are the exact reasons why Kenyan's should  
>>> be very ashamed of themselves.
>>>
>>> I do not see Kenyan's directing major corporations in India and  
>>> Europe.
>>>
>>> Joe
>>>
>>> On Sat, Jul 12, 2008 at 12:52 PM, kevit desai <kevit at centurionsystemsltd.com 
>>> > wrote:
>>> Dear Brian,
>>>
>>> Apologies accepted. And thank you Mr Chairman.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Wambui it is acceptable to challenge governance structures and  
>>> also wish to know more about associations. How else will we seek  
>>> your support with some off the very exciting things we are doing.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> What deeply concerns me is the notion that associations should be  
>>> run by Kenyans. We all have to rise well above this, especially  
>>> when we see the success and contributions of some people.    
>>> Kenya's grateful to have people like Mike Eldon, Steve Smith,  
>>> Michael Joseph, Marcel Werner, and others, they have contributed  
>>> so much. Even to the peace process let alone the advances in ICT's.
>>>
>>> Kictanet must stamp out any form of racist remarks. This is the  
>>> lowest of the lowest, and contributes to disengagement. Rules have  
>>> to be put in place.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Your leadership is a sigh of relief. And I look forward to you  
>>> uniting us all to a common vision of ICT's for National development.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> I am waiting….
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Kevit Desai
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> From: kictanet-bounces+kevit=centurionsystemsltd.com at lists.kictanet.or.ke 
>>>  [mailto:kictanet-bounces+kevit=centurionsystemsltd.com at lists.kictanet.or.ke 
>>> ] On Behalf Of Brian Munyao Longwe
>>> Sent: 12 July 2008 09:50
>>> To: kevit at centurionsystemsltd.com
>>> Cc: kictanet-lists
>>> Subject: [kictanet] Discipline & Ethics - Re: Legislation and  
>>> Regulation fore-Commerce in Kenya
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Dear Marcel/Kevit/KIF,
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> I will personally take this opportunity to apologize on behalf of  
>>> KICTANET for the ills which KIF has suffered in the recent dialogue.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> As Kevit (and you) have clearly pointed out, KiF has welcomed  
>>> anyone with questions to have these answered in person while at  
>>> the same time providing as many answers as this media allows.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> I know both yourself and Kevit to be men of integrity and  
>>> seriously dedicated to the advancement of IcTs in Kenya. I now  
>>> humbly beg you to forgive the indiscretions by some of our members  
>>> in their misuse of this forum.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> As Chairperson of this Network I will not stand by and see this  
>>> forum turned into the kind of low and despicable rant-fests that  
>>> have characterised certain other Kenyan lists and blogs.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> I hereby request a public apology to KIF on this list, from Alex,  
>>> by Tuesday, failing which I will suspend his (and any other member  
>>> who persists in mudslinging) list membership for one month.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> I once again humbly appeal to all members of this list to desist  
>>> from the kind of myopic, vindictive banter that we have recently  
>>> witnessed. We must work *together* for a better Kenya, and this  
>>> will not come through tomfoolery and irresponsible words/actions.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Sincerely
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Brian Munyao Longwe
>>>
>>> Chairman, KICTANET
>>>
>>> Sent from my iPhone
>>>
>>>
>>> On 11 Jul 2008, at 10:44 PM, "Marcel Werner" <marcelcwerner at gmail.com 
>>> > wrote:
>>>
>>>> Hello Kictanet membership,
>>>>
>>>> The Kenya ICT Federation (KIF) is a reputable organization, duly  
>>>> registered and maintaining a proper governance system with a  
>>>> registered, paid-up membership base consisting of equally  
>>>> reputable ICT associations and companies.
>>>>
>>>> KIF has done a number of useful things over the period of its  
>>>> existence (see Kevit's posting, earlier this week).
>>>>
>>>> Recent postings on the Kictanet list appear to discredit our own  
>>>> organization KIF and its members with insinuations and slander.  
>>>> This is unacceptable.
>>>>
>>>> The Kictanet web-site shows KIF as a member of Kictanet (nr 8).  
>>>> We do not wish to be associated with an organization that lends  
>>>> itself to unhelpful campaigns by individuals, campaigns that can  
>>>> go on with impunity. There is no need at all to damage our and  
>>>> other's initiatives that are being implemented in the public  
>>>> interest (see again Kevit's posting) by informal networks with  
>>>> doubtful legitimacy. Please note that KIF has never signed any  
>>>> membership instrument with Kictanet, neither have we been charged  
>>>> nor have we paid for any membership fees. (page 9 of the Kenya  
>>>> ICT Action Network Competence Status Survey Assessment Report  
>>>> (posted on http://www.kictanet.or.ke/) highlights the membership  
>>>> problems of Kictanet. Personally I had highlighted this  
>>>> membership problem already a year ago in the interview that  
>>>> Kictanet held with us some time mid 2007 in the evaluation study  
>>>> of its role and performance – I have to conclude today that me 
>>>> mbership management has never been addressed at Kictanet). We  
>>>> instruct Kictanet to remove KIF from its list of its appointed 
>>>>  "Members".
>>>>
>>>> We look forward to be part of a Kictanet that has a legitimate  
>>>> constituency because there is need for a place of dialogue  
>>>> between civil society and private sector. Kictanet is not playing  
>>>> such a role today at all and creates a space for civil society to  
>>>> alienate itself from the private sector. Kictanet needs to clean  
>>>> up its house.
>>>>
>>>> We need serious dialogue, between all sectors in society, and we  
>>>> need to reach out internationally. We don't have time for any  
>>>> nonsense.
>>>>
>>>> Best regards, Marcel Werner, chairman of KIF    :)
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> 2008/7/11 kevit desai <kevit at centurionsystemsltd.com>:
>>>>
>>>> Alex,
>>>> Kenya ICT Federation is a serious and well established  
>>>> organization,
>>>> supported by its members who are also reputable and well  
>>>> established
>>>> organizations.
>>>> I confirm Centurion systems does not receive any money from KIF.  
>>>> Please
>>>> verify the Business advocacy funds contributions and conditions  
>>>> since your
>>>> information is false.
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