[kictanet] Konza Land Issue

Fri Aug 10 08:04:00 EAT 2012

Daktari,

Thank you for taking this bold step to shed pure light on the Konza Techno
city site. It is truly unfortunate that the media persist in casting
aspersions and (allowing themselves to be used for) mudslinging.

I recall, with clarity, how the print media (and especially Nation) were
used during the early stages of TEAMs to try and discredit and bring
disrepute to the project, yourself and others who were involved. It was
laughable at the time how the newspaper even went as far as making rabid
claims that I was fronting for powerful politicians via my company InHand
Ltd which had procedurally applied for, and received an allocation in the
project. I recall how many times the Anti-corruption commission carried out
investigations, and I also recall having to answer a barrage of questions
from the good folk at National Intelligence. All because of flimsy lies
pushed through the newspapers by unscrupulous journalists who clearly had
received the infamous "brown envelope" payoffs to publish dirt.

Needless to say - and as has been pointed out by Mugo. TEAMs survived the
negativity and today has totally transformed this country and region. While
I know that it is personally tiring, draining and very demoralizing to be a
victim of this kind of treatment. Let me add my voice to those who say
"Usichoke" - please stay strong, keep the vision, and hold the course. The
Konza City project is still at a critical stage that needs your drive and
support. Once it gains it's own momentum then you can take a well deserved
rest, until then let us all put our shoulders behind this project and push
it forward.

Best regards,

Brian

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On Thu, Aug 9, 2012 at 8:43 AM, <bitange at jambo.co.ke> wrote:

> 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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