[kictanet] Kenya ICT Sector Stakeholder Public Forum (was Re: Legislation and Discipline & Ethics

[Mike Theuri]

The default assumption is correct, there have been some discussions
(stemming out of recent controversy) such as excerpts from the one
below about the diaspora playing a role in the country's economy. Instead
of purchasing hotels, the diaspora if pointed to opportunities in other
sectors such as ICT could play a key role. Hopefully KAIF will be able to
have some representation at the forum.


---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Kanaka Ogendi <imo4492 at gmail.com
Date: Mon, Jul 7, 2008 at 6:09 AM
Wananchi
The idea of Diaspora Kenyans getting together to buy Grand Regency
Hotel isn't a bad one. Of course, the timing may not be the best but I
think it is a good idea subject to a number of provisions.

In Australia increasing numbers of mzungus are teaming up to form
cooperative-style arrangements that enable them achieve what no
individual could achieve on his/her own. The overriding provisions for
the success of such an arrangement include:

1. Mutual trust. If this is lacking there can be no success
2. Accountability/Transparency in all transactions
3. Shared goals, aspirations and strategies.
4. Access to information and resources required for the project.
5. Clearly identify risks and develop a clear management strategy

Business partnerships thrive on trust. The moment trust is lost the
partnership will crumble. For the current proposal to take off there
must be trust amongst us and trust in the project leaders. Is it
present?

Accountability/transparency. This is something that people have to
experience. It more or less guarantee smooth running of an endeavour
once started.

Shared goals, aspirations and strategies. What we want in our
lives as individuals may vary from person to person. Some are quite
happy and settled on the day job -  8am to 5pm type stuff. Others
meet their needs by doing a second or third job and they are satisfied.

Some are a bit more adventurous and seek to create additional
income streams in form of investments etc. Others prefer some
investment vehicles which others do not like. For instance, some
people have no time for managed investment vehicles whereas
others prefer to let 'professionals'  manage investments for them.

Do we have shared investment goals, aspirations and strategies?
Without this I'm afraid this great idea will be difficult to kick off.
Access to information & resources needed for the project. The
Grand Regency is presently in the grip of a grand controversy. There
is a caveat in place, a court injunction and signed sale documents.
Access to the kind of information an investor will require is quite
difficult in the current environment. This increases the risk
substantially and hence is a disincentive.

Matunda's suggestion of an elaborately laid out business plan
and strategy complete with numbers will be very helpful in getting
people interested. Mwangi's suggestion of waiting until the dust
settles before jumping in is very reasonable, at least to me. It is
a major undertaking and therefore utmost care and planning must
go into it. Otherwise success can be elusive.

My pesa nane.
Kanaka Ogendi

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: nmatunda <matunda at hotmail.com>
Date: Sun, Jul 6, 2008 at 8:53 AM

Mwaniki,

This is a good challenge.
As we have discussed before, identify the investment target $$amount and
challenge people to raise the money with clarity on how the money would
be managed; and returns expectations.

The last IPO (despite the calls of suspicion raised by some) generated
substantial inflow of money into Kenya! It is almost scary to imagine
the potential for investment that exists. Yet Safaricom attracted such
monies for the reason that investors understand the potential there is
in the shares and the returns thereof. It is also simple and
straighforward.

What KAIF needs is a couple of structured investment instruments,
complete with projected returns, along with reporting on the investment
performance. This can then be sold widely to people.

By the way, Grand Regency is just one of the potential investment
targets; the potential for investment in Kenya has never been higher!
There is a well-educated workforce whose emoluments are modest and (yes)
the people need jobs!

Matunda Nyanchama

--- In africa-oped at yahoogroups.com, FMwan at ... wrote:
>
>
> Wananchi,
> To quell this broil at home, let us all Kenyans abroad buy this asset
and
> kill two birds with one stone:
> 1. Solve the malady occupying the minds of people that should
be
> thinking of local dispensaries
> 2. Prove to ourselves that we care for our country
> This is not a test. Let us put a decent offer on the table and ask
the
> government to consider it now.
> We can in a matter of days put the financing and general management
in place
> in the Kenyans Abroad Investment Fund (KAIF), which is open to all
Kenyans
> overseas. If we pick people that we know can run a business, whether
in India,
> South Africa, England, Canada, Japan or the USA, this is something
very
> feasible and a snap.
> The point is to retain this asset as truly Kenyan and forget about
what
> happened prior to now. There is nothing to be gained by consuming
ourselves with
> misguided hatred. Tujiunge mikono and save ourselves from annoying
each other
> but most importantly, re-asserting that Kenyans do not fail, they can
> stumble but they win TOGETHER.
> Problem solved.
> 1. KAIF is already registered in Kenya
> 2. We have an agreement with a major Kenyan bank (100% Kenyan
owned)
> 3. We have the talent to gather the necessary funds
> Let us not be just talk. What say you?
> Regards,
> Frank Mwaniki, PhD
> Management Scientist
>
>
>
>


On Mon, Jul 14, 2008 at 10:35 AM, Alex Gakuru <alex.gakuru at yahoo.com> wrote:

>
> Our default assumption should be that the diaspora is interested. Recalling
> their sizable remittances, cultivating their goodwill and facilitating their
> hustle-free investment would solve some "localisation" challenges and
> exclusion perceptions.
>
>
> --- On Mon, 7/14/08, Brian Munyao Longwe <brian at caret.net> wrote:
>
> > From: Brian Munyao Longwe <brian at caret.net>
> > Subject: [kictanet] Kenya ICT Sector Stakeholder Public Forum (was Re:
> Legislation and Discipline & Ethics)
> > To: alex.gakuru at yahoo.com
> > Cc: "KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions" <kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke>
> > Date: Monday, July 14, 2008, 6:39 AM
>  > Hi all,
> >
> > We are proposing a Public Forum on Thursday 31st of July to
> > be held
> > at a suitable venue in Nairobi. The objective will be to
> > provide all
> > the different ICT stakeholder organisations within Kenya a
> > chance to
> > introduce themselves and their policies to the public.
> >
> > There will also be opportunity to evaluate Kenya's ICT
> > ecosystem,
> > especially with regards to the different entities, their
> > missions,
> > roles and goals. As well as provide organisations such as
> > KEPSA with
> > an opportunity to share their view/vision on how they
> > expect ICT
> > sector input/engagement.
> >
> > Formal announcement will be posted once details have been
> > worked out,
> > but in the meantime please pencil this into your schedules.
> > We can
> > also explore the possibility of an IP stream for the
> > Diaspora... if
> > there is interest in tracking this.
> >
> > Warm regards,
> >
> > Brian
> >
>
>
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