[kictanet] Konza Land Issue

Thu Aug 9 11:57:57 EAT 2012

Gilda, I agree. We seem to like (sometimes quite hysterically) pointing 
the accusatory finger towards those who have the courage to take risks  
on our behalf, seems to have become the central tenet of our politics 
and media focus.
Recall  similar discussions with the TEAMs initiative and if we had 
become detracted, we would not have moved.
We must not allow ourselves to become a source of unsolvable problems.

Best

Alice

On 09/08/2012 11:13, Gilda Odera wrote:
> Ndemo,
>
> We all know your passion for this industry. My experience in the 
> industry is that those who have acted selflessly to pursue the growth 
> and development of the industry have undergone great prosecution- me 
> included! But I believe in two things:
>
> 1. The truth
> 2. God vindicates
>
> After all is said and done, and when one is no longer in the position, 
> those who fight you realise that indeed you were passionate and 
> selfless- and they find that you leave a huge gap. They probably will 
> never tell you to your face ( I know that from my experience) but deep 
> down they know the truth. I know how hurtful it feels when you have 
> given your all but others come to slander and spoil. But that is not 
> your battle as long as you know you walked the clean path.
> Do your part, let God do His part.
> All the best.
>
> Regards,
>
> Gilda
> ----- Original Message ----- From: <bitange at jambo.co.ke>
> To: <godera at skyweb.co.ke>
> Cc: "KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions" <kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke>
> Sent: Thursday, August 09, 2012 8:43 AM
> Subject: Re: [kictanet] Konza Land Issue
>
>
>> Listers,
>> A number of you have independently asked me to clarify the Konza Land
>> issue that was in the papers yesterday.  Let me briefly explain the
>> problem.
>>
>> Prior to the purchase of Land we developed a conceptual framework on the
>> locationing of a tech city.  Here we largely relied on the work done by
>> Booz Allen.  Among other things research shows that a tech city must be
>> located at least 30 minutes from the airport and be in the outskirts 
>> of a
>> major city from where you can tap the human resource.
>>
>> With this we crafted a tender document that restricted the suitable land
>> within the parameters of the conceptual framework.  This was done openly
>> and we assumed it was indeed an open tender.  But it emerged that the
>> definition of open was to advertise land availability anywhere without
>> restrictions.  This grey area in the law is rediculous since land in 
>> Wajir
>> will have been of no use to us and as such we flouted the procurement 
>> law.
>>
>> After our competitive bid, we consulted with the Ministry of Lands to 
>> give
>> us the valuation of which the recommendation was Ksh. 200,000.  Since 
>> most
>> quotes were in the 300 range we focused on the most suitable piece and
>> offered to pay Ministry of Lands Valuation rate. In open tenders one is
>> not allowed to negotiate even when it is in the interest of the country.
>> Here it is said we manipulated the numbers.
>>
>> This clearly is a misunderstanding since we still have grey areas in the
>> Procurement Law.  Whereas KACC says we used direct or restricted 
>> tendering
>> to buying the land, our view was that the method was open since and one
>> that is in the interest of the country.
>>
>> We did indeed consult the AG's office if what we did was in order and we
>> were given the clear.  Much of this is done by various the 
>> departments but
>> I bear the ultimate responsibility.
>>
>> What is absurd is the fact that the Daily Nation decided to highlight 
>> this
>> issue while we were having the Konza conference here with international
>> investors.  This was the time we were telling investors that Kenya has
>> changed and corruption is being dealt with.  Well they did a great 
>> damage
>> to my reputation.  I read malice in the story since it is something that
>> has been around.  I would rather have taken a six month jail term than
>> mess up with a project that I have devoted my life to.  I have taken 
>> risky
>> decisions to have this project take off but it is now clear that we only
>> rejoice on successes.
>>
>> KACC has a right to question what we do and indeed in Teams they were on
>> our case all through until the project was complete.  The fact that they
>> question does not amount to corruption.  This is how we can change laws
>> and make them dynamic with changing times.  As much as I respect the
>> Media, in this case they hurt my character dearly yet what I did was 
>> right
>> and hoped we can change the law for future rational decisions.  Never in
>> my public life have I tried to do something that is not in the 
>> interest of
>> the country.
>>
>> Ndemo.
>>
>>
>>
>>
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> The Kenya ICT Action Network (KICTANet) is a multi-stakeholder 
> platform for people and institutions interested and involved in ICT 
> policy and regulation. The network aims to act as a catalyst for 
> reform in the ICT sector in support of the national aim of ICT enabled 
> growth and development.
>
> KICTANetiquette : Adhere to the same standards of acceptable behaviors 
> online that you follow in real life: respect people's times and 
> bandwidth, share knowledge, don't flame or abuse or personalize, 
> respect privacy, do not spam, do not market your wares or qualifications.
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