[kictanet] Konza Land Issue

Sat Aug 11 17:31:08 EAT 2012

Dear Daktari Ndemo

I am really sorry this has happened to you. As I said to one of my
coworkers, if every permanent secretary were like Bitange Ndemo, Kenya
would be in good shape politically and economically.

I join my colleagues in extending my support and loyalty.

Sincerely, Warigia

On Sat, Aug 11, 2012 at 8:56 AM, John Kieti <jkieti at gmail.com> wrote:

> Bwana Ndemo, et al
>
> The many of us in support may not be individually as powerful as the few
> 'powerful' forces against you. That said, our combined support will be too
> strong to wish away for any 'evil' force.
>
> Just tell us when and how to engage ...
> On Aug 10, 2012 10:17 AM, "Ali Hussein" <ali at hussein.me.ke> wrote:
>
>> Daktari
>>
>> Let me add my voice of support on this.
>>
>> There's a saying that one of the most vulnerable moments in aviation is
>> when a plane is taking off and about to land. That's where I think Konza
>> Techno City is. We must all in any way we can continue to support this
>> model of progress in Africa.
>>
>> Daktari, having said that you didn't really think that it was going to be
>> easy right? The forces of darkness and quick bucks will not let it be
>> unless they have their pound of flesh. Unfortunately the same tools that
>> progressive forces use to move their agenda are the same tools available
>> for the forces of retrogression.
>>
>> This country has turned the corner for the better. The rule of law
>> actually has a chance to thrive. Hang in there..And as the good bible says
>> - The truth shall set you free!
>>
>> Ali Hussein
>>
>> +254 773/713 601113
>>
>> Sent from my iPhone®
>>
>> On Aug 10, 2012, at 8:04 AM, Brian Munyao Longwe <blongwe at gmail.com>
>> wrote:
>>
>> 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
>>
>>   [image: logo]
>> *Brian Munyao Longwe*
>>  | Mobile: 254715964281
>> http://mashilingi.blogspot.com
>>   <http://www.facebook.com/brianmunyao> Facebook<http://www.facebook.com/brianmunyao>
>> <http://www.twitter.com/blongwe> Twitter <http://www.twitter.com/blongwe>
>> <http://ke.linkedin.com/pub/brian-munyao-longwe/0/32/254> LinkedIn<http://ke.linkedin.com/pub/brian-munyao-longwe/0/32/254>
>> Contact me: [image: Skype] blongwe
>>  Want a signature like mine?
>> <http://r1.wisestamp.com/r/landing?promo=16&dest=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.wisestamp.com%2Femail-install%3Futm_source%3Dextension%26utm_medium%3Demail%26utm_campaign%3Dpromo_16> Click
>> here.<http://r1.wisestamp.com/r/landing?promo=16&dest=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.wisestamp.com%2Femail-install%3Futm_source%3Dextension%26utm_medium%3Demail%26utm_campaign%3Dpromo_16>
>>
>>
>>
>> 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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>>
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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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> 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.
>

-- 
Dr. Warigia Bowman
Assistant Professor
Clinton School of Public Service
University of Arkansas
1200 President Clinton Ave.
Little Rock, AR 72201
wbowman at clintonschool.uasys.edu
http://democratizingegypt.blogspot.com

Warigia Bowman
--------------------------------------------------
View my research on my SSRN Author page:
http://ssrn.com/author=1479660
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