[kictanet] [NVK-Mageuzi] Is Singapore a Model Worth Emulating – Or Who Is? (was Honouring the man who linked Kenya to world.)
Shem Ochuodho
shemochuodho at yahoo.com
Thu Dec 23 20:21:27 EAT 2010
Nd. Rogers & Visioners,
Firstly, sincere apologies for a delayed reversal; this came at a time we were
in the nick of things stitching things together for the Kisumu Reunion, and at
the same time recovering from the marathon GoSS/CTO conference in Juba.
Having said that, I want to reiterate the importance of paying a close look at
the Singapore Model! This belief was even more fortified when Dr Seroney
yesterday shared with us the Singaporean Experience (being not far from Fiji
where he is based), and more so the fact that despite being a ‘tiny’ island (the
size of Mombasa: I don’t know!), Singapore is perhaps the world’s 3rd or 4th
strongest economy (fastest growing? Per capita? GDP/GNP? The Economists can tell
us). I am reminded of a study we had to take for the Ethiopian Govt about 3
years ago. Initially, some of the countries picked for comparative study were
South Africa, India, Egypt, Kenya, Malaysia, Mauritius and Rwanda. The first
thing I learnt was not to mix Egypt with Ethiopia; they are archrivals. At the
time, the population of Ethiopia was either 76m or 80m depending on your source.
Egypt’s population then was quoted at 78m; for the ‘patriotic’, Ethiopia’s had
to be 80m to be Africa’s 2nd most-populous country after Nigeria!!
But more fundamentally, one of the people I was answerable to told me point
blank: “Rwanda and Mauritius are such tiny economies that there is little to
learn from them!”. And he meant it! As to whether he was right or wrong I leave
to each person’s judgment. Yet one thing that I can say and reminds me of when
in the same year a grouping of over 200 young Kenyan professionals invited me to
Naivasha for a retreat and gave me as Guest Speaker the topic ‘Is Kenya a Failed
State?’ May response was the same thing I would have told the Et officer
concerned: “If you asked me if Rwanda or Mauritius (or Singapore by extension –
despite being ‘tiny’) are failed states, I would know what to answer because
neither/none of them is. But if you asked me if Kenya (or Ethiopia by extension)
are/is, I am not sure what I would answer because they are both pretty much on
the verge of failed states, but not yet.” Indeed, the current on-goings and
confusion on the national stage have strengthened even the more my resolve to so
believe. The far and short of it: a country’s greatness is not necessarily in
its geographic size – or even population. It is more in its wealth, knowledge,
power to innovate, and LEADERSHIP (as Nd. Rogers says very well).
Courtesy of Nd. Jared Oluoch in the US, I am almost completing reading the Book
by Father of Modern-Day Singapore, Dr Lee Kuan Yew (Former Prime Minister):
Singapore - From Third World to First (one may add ‘in 30 years’). In an article
recently by Visioner Donald Kipkorir, he talked about Singapore, Rwanda and
Turkey as models, and argued how Turkey’s Leadership turned the country around
in a span of 10 years! Nd Seroney yesterday informed us of how President
Mutharika turned Malawi’s Agricultural/Food sector around in just one year
(where he once worked; he currently advises 17 Ministries of Health in the
Pacific, yet Kenyan Health Minister can’t have time just for tea with him)! Some
of you may recall that just in one year of Malawi’s Govt’s policy change to
subsidize implements to farmers, the country moved from huge food
insecurity/deficit to surplus. We were informed that last year when we faced
food shortage, Malawi ‘donated’ some food/corn to Kenya! What shame, if true!
The one thread of argument – and which appears true in most the success cases
cited is some degree of benevolence/selflessness and dictatorship aka
‘benevolent dictatorship’. Dictators even Kenya can have in plenty; what’s a far
shot is the latter attribute: benevolence and selflessness.
Even just from a few sample sub-titles of Lee Kuan Yew’s book, it is a
compelling must-read:-
i) Getting the basics right
ii) Building an army from scratch
iii) Surviving without a hinterland
iv) Winning over the [trade] unions
v) A fair, not welfare, state
vi) Straddling the middle ground
vii) Nurturing and attracting talent – [one of the parts I like most]
viii) Many tongues, one language
ix) Keeping the government clean
x) Greening Singapore
xi) Managing the media
xii) Conductor of an Orchestra
xiii) ASEAN – Unpromising start, promising future
xiv) Following Britain into Europe
xv) The Soviet Union – An Empire implodes
xvi) America – The Anticommunist Anchorman
xvii) Taiwan – The Other China
xviii) China – The Dragon with a long tail
xix) China beyond Beijing
xx) China: To be rich is glorious
His candidness – even when he talks about living world power presidents he
encountered is unrivalled. The following words of sample world leaders who
commented on the book and author say it all:-
“In office, I read and analyzed every speech of [Lee’s]. He had a way of
penetrating fog of propaganda and expressing with unique clarity the issues of
our times and the way to tackle them. He was never wrong.”Margaret Thatcher
“There are two equalizers in life: the Internet and education. Lee Kuan Yew is a
world leader who understands this and is using the power of the Internet to
position Singapore for survival and success in the Internet economy.”John
Chambers, President & CEO, Cisco Systems
“This is a personal history of a man who, almost single-handedly built a great
nation from a small island… this is the first textbook in the world on how to
build a nation.” Kuchi Miyazawa, Finance Minister, Japan [Perhaps someone should
right a rebuttal on Kenya on ‘how not to build a nation’. In the earlier years –
about 10 ago, UK was used by some as an example of ‘how not to build
e-government’. I guess it has since changed.]
“Lee Kuan Yew’s vision, astute political judgment, and strategy turned Singapore
from a trading post into the successful thriving nation that it is today,
respected by others. For those interested in politics and economic development,
his memoirs should be required reading.” Tun Daim Zainuddin, Malaysian Finance
Minister.
Having served GoR (Rwanda), and now Nd. Rogers confirms – Singapore’s leadership
is the script Rwanda reads from. In terms of Rwanda’s Vision (which is owned by
the people, like our new constitution), the Kenya’s Vision 2030 is owned by a
small clique/elite. I hope one day we can have a truly people’s vision.
Given the importance of Lee Kuan Yew’s book, I decided [courtesy of Dada Wams]
to give as a small present two copies to my President and Minister (not Kenya,
of course!). After several months/years of searching, a bookshop at JKIA’s duty
free now stocks the book copies. Incidentally, a good friend of mine at CCK
[Wakili John Omo] who has recently picked a copy from the airport holds that a
couple of years ago, while in Singapore itself he couldn’t get the book as it
was ‘out of print’. Several times while connecting flights at airports in
Jo’burg, Amsterdam, Dubai, Hong Kong, Bangkok – and last month in various
Chinese Capital Cities – Beijing, Shenzhen & Shanghai, we had great difficulty
finding the book in any of the bookstores!
Finally, as Nd. Rogers attests, apart from a vision, a clear implementation plan
is necessary. For those of us striving towards the ‘third way’, one thing we
need ahead of 2012 is a sound ‘manifesto and economic blueprint’, akin to what
NARC had in 2002. Any takers? Let’s talk via private mail.
Warm rgrds,
Shem
________________________________
From: Rogers Ngotwa <ngotwa at yahoo.com>
To: NVK-Mageuzi at yahoogroups.com
Sent: Mon, 13 December, 2010 11:37:05
Subject: Re: [NVK-Mageuzi] Honouring the man who linked Kenya to world.
Thanks Shem for the observations. Indeed as a Country, we Kenyans have along way
to go in terms of recognizing our own in terms of innovations and even hard
work. Nonetheless, I think we are still nurturing hope and probably if all of us
play our crucial role in electing our leaders, especially in 2012, the change
that we all yearn for may be realized sooner.
Just to confirm from Ndugu Shem that the leadership in Rwanda is indeed reading
the script from Singaporean Experience, with full time professionals from
Singapore fully engaged with local Rwandese Professionals in executing
Rwanda-Singapore MoU; which is essentially geard towards the transfer of skills
and assisting in realizing the County's Vision 2020. Also unlike our Vision
2030, Rwanda's Vision 2020 is very clear with a clear Roadmap and five-year
periodical Audits on the basis of NICI programmes.
So Visioners, there is still alot of work ahead of us. But one thing is clear,
the Country's Leadership is EVERYTHING!
Rogers ngotwa
________________________________
From: Shem Ochuodho <shemochuodho at yahoo.com>
To: NVK-Mageuzi at yahoogroups.com; PICTA Kenya-LIst <picta-kenya at yahoogroups.com>
Cc: NYCIV Group <nyciv at googlegroups.com>; ProgressiveMinds
<ProgressiveMinds at yahoogroups.com>; Madaraka Party
<madaraka-kenya at yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Mon, December 13, 2010 10:17:39 AM
Subject: Re: [NVK-Mageuzi] Honouring the man who linked Kenya to world.
Comrades,
Many thanks for the compliments. I am sincerely humbled.
One thing that continues to bother me though is that in the land of my
fore-fathers and mothers, excellence and merit are not recognized and/or
rewarded. Instead, 'mediocrity, political expedience, and ethnic bigotry' rein
high. I feel VERY saddened that even as tributes and accolades are being churned
all over the world for mPesa, nobody knows and even cares to ask about the young
Kenyan university student who invented the product; instead MJ & Safaricom are
feted on every high table for ripping off and continuing to rip-off Kenyans. Did
somebody say as if that's not enough, he has now been crowned Chair of KTB/KTDC?
Please.... I hope one day soon I'll convince Nd. Okiya to take Safaricom to
court not only for exploiting Kenyans through poor quality service (CCK
confirmed that recently in its own study) and over-pricing - just like the oil
companies are doing, contrary to provisions of the Bill of Rights in the new
Katiba.
For the time being, I'll keep my Award under the bushel until the young boy of
mPesa shows up and is appropriately recognized and feted. Even better, I'll
rejoice more when another Kenyan/African evolves a product superior to mPesa.
Identifying, nurturing and retaining talent is the magic that propelled
Singapore to greatness. Rwanda is reading from the same script as Eng. Rogers
will confirm. Southern Sudan too is taking cue.
Aluta continua, and best rgrds,
Shem
________________________________
From: Rogers Ngotwa <ngotwa at yahoo.com>
To: NVK-Mageuzi at yahoogroups.com
Sent: Mon, 13 December, 2010 9:59:51
Subject: Re: [NVK-Mageuzi] Honouring the man who linked Kenya to world.
Ndugu Shem;
Let me also join the growing number of Kenyan in congratulating you for your
role in bringing about Internet in Kenya. Given the conditions at that
particular time, you indeed deserve the recognition and hence the medal of
Honour.
Best wishes.
With regards
Rogers Ngotwa
________________________________
From: Evans MACHERA <evansmachera at yahoo.com>
To: NVK-Mageuzi at yahoogroups.com; YOUNG PROFESSIONALS
<youngprofessionals_ke at googlegroups.com>; KENYA ONLINE
<kenyaonline at yahoogroups.com>; Vugu Vugu <vuguvugumashinani at yahoogroups.com>
Cc: PICTA Kenya-LIst <picta-kenya at yahoogroups.com>; NYCIV Group
<nyciv at googlegroups.com>; ProgressiveMinds <ProgressiveMinds at yahoogroups.com>;
Madaraka Party <madaraka-kenya at yahoogroups.com>; KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions
<kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke>
Sent: Sun, December 12, 2010 5:14:47 PM
Subject: [NVK-Mageuzi] Honouring the man who linked Kenya to world.
Dr.Ochuodho.
I wish to register my congrats to Dr.Shem Ochuodho as he receives and
appreciates the Honour and his recognition.
As a read the Local Daily Newspaper that carried the story,my thought could not
help but went round and about Dr.Shem the Politician ( one time Mp for Rangwe)
and Dr.Shem Ochuodho the Professional.
My heart settled on the professional since in professionalism,one comes up with
an initiative that changes the whole world if not part of it as opposed to a
politician who is sometimes entangled in episodes that decolourise his good side
to the extent of soiling the career life picture already made or burrying it
wholly.
I take the liberty to question thus; Should Professionals seek elective posts
i.e Mp!
Thanks to you all.
Evans MACHERA.
--- On Sun, 12/12/10, PAUL GITONGA <gpmaina at gmail.com> wrote:
>From: PAUL GITONGA <gpmaina at gmail.com>
>Subject: Re: [NVK-Mageuzi] Honouring the man who linked Kenya to world (was
>Update on Arrangements for Kisumu Reunion – December 21-23rd, 2010)
>To: NVK-Mageuzi at yahoogroups.com
>Cc: "PICTA Kenya-LIst" <picta-kenya at yahoogroups.com>, "NYCIV Group"
><nyciv at googlegroups.com>, "ProgressiveMinds" <ProgressiveMinds at yahoogroups.com>,
>"Madaraka Party" <madaraka-kenya at yahoogroups.com>, "KICTAnet ICT Policy
>Discussions" <kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke>
>Date: Sunday, December 12, 2010, 6:55 AM
>
>
>Daktari,
>
>You are a legend.
>
>I cannot begin to fathom how life would be without the internet, and
>you being the person who was instrumental in bringing this concept to
>kenya, is just incredible.
>
>Keep up the good work, and keep contributing to the society.
>
>God bless you and congratulations!
>
>Paul
>On 12/12/10, Shem Ochuodho <shemochuodho at yahoo.com> wrote:
>> Madada Philo na Betty,
>>
>> Ahsanteni for the pongezi's. It was re-freshening to know the CTO
>> (Commonwealth
>> Telecom Organization www.cto.int) domiciled in London, with current CEO
>> being
>> Ghana's former Minister for Communication (Dr Ekwow Spio-Garbrah) could
>> remember
>> some of Africa's Unsung Heroes. I am working on a book with that name to
>> catalogue the evolution of Internet in Africa - perhaps we should look for
>> royalties from FaceBook, Google, mPesa, YouTube, SEACOM, etc! But the
>> efforts
>> could not have borne fruit without the inputs of several other people,
>> including
>> the techies who alongside Randy Bush burnt mid-night oil (Dr Martin Koyabe -
>> now
>> with British Telecoms, Paul Olendo now @UN, Alfred Orimbo, etc) - for
>> several
>> nights - to get it all work on Kenya's/indeed Africa's then real terrible
>> phone
>> lines.
>>
>> In the same vein, without Steve Goldstein of the US National Science
>> Foundation
>> (who provided the boxes and technology) and Peter Sutherland of UK's
>> Overseas
>> Development Agency (ODA now DfID) who took up the initial leased line phone
>> bills - used to cost US$ 16,000 (yes, 16k) per month for just a mere 64KBps
>> pipe
>> - it wouldn't have happened.
>>
>> When in 2000 CSK (Computer Society of Kenya) felt I deserved 'Father of
>> Internet
>> in Kenya' title, I dedicated the award to three people: Amb. Dr Benjamin
>> Kipkorir (then Kenya's Ambassador in Washington), Micah Cheserem (then
>> Governor,
>> Central Bank), Brig. (Rtd) Wilson Boinnett (then DG, NSIS aka Special
>> Branch).
>> Without these guys' intervention, the KANU regime of the time wouldn't have
>> allowed Internet to happen. Not that they didn't try to block it - the then
>> Head
>> of Public Service wrote a letter (I have a souvenir copy) to all PS's, Heads
>> of
>> Military, Special Branch, etc warning them not to connect to
>> ARCC/Internet/UNEP
>> without direct approval from his office. That partly explains why these
>> three
>> Kenyan Wazalendo's perhaps deserve these awards more than I.
>>
>> Last but not least, Jeddy and the kids who allowed me to use one of the
>> family
>> bedrooms for initial tests when sections of the University felt by staying
>> late
>> in the labs night, we had 'lots of idle time and needed to be given more
>> teaching load' had denied us space to do the experiments. But all the Glory
>> must
>> always go to God the Almighty, Allah - the One and Only!
>>
>> For those who missed the story (courtesy Visioner Augustine Oduor), you can
>> access it on:
>>http://www.standardmedia.co.ke/news/InsidePage.php?id=2000024440&cid=159&story=Honouring%20the%20man%20who%20linked%20Kenya%20to%20world.
>>.
>>
>>
>> Best rgrds,
>> Shem
>> 2010 CTO/GoSS African Internaut (Internet Pioneer) Award Recipient
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> ________________________________
>> From: Philo Ikonya <philonikonya at yahoo.com>
>> To: NVK-Mageuzi at yahoogroups.com
>> Sent: Sat, 11 December, 2010 18:51:39
>> Subject: Re: [NVK-Mageuzi] Update on Arrangements for Kisumu Reunion –
>> December
>> 21-23rd, 2010
>>
>>
>> Adhiambo,
>>
>> thanks very much for letting me know.. I did not know.. Congrats Shem. You
>> did
>> not say it even as I was telling you of my little works?\
>>
>> Philo
>>
>>
>>
>> Aung San Suu Kyi cannot be silenced because she speaks the truth and
>> because
>> her words reflect basic Burmese and universal concepts - Vaclav Havel
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> --- On Fri, 12/10/10, Betty Otieno <betty.otieno at gmail.com> wrote:
>>
>>
>>>From: Betty Otieno <betty.otieno at gmail.com>
>>>Subject: Re: [NVK-Mageuzi] Update on Arrangements for Kisumu Reunion –
>>> December
>>>21-23rd, 2010
>>>To: NVK-Mageuzi at yahoogroups.com
>>>Date: Friday, December 10, 2010, 11:01 PM
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>Congratulations Shem on the honor you received the other day, pioneer
>>> internet
>>>related Kenya.
>>>
>>>Adhiambo
>>>
>>>
>>
>>
>>
>
>
>------------------------------------
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