[kictanet] Konza Land Issue

[S.M. Muraya]

Managed to attend the last hour of the 1st day of the Konza conference at
KICC.

Got a touch base with a Kenyan Architect / Urban Planner who did pretty
well at UoN + Harvard.

There is a lesson for Konza we can all learn from Harvard University.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Harvard_University

The *foundation* of everything good starts with a disciplined and ethical
minority before the mass (populist) media gives credit to those who opposed
the ethical minority.

We know you are not on the populist side :)


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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