[kictanet] What Matiangi can learn from Ndemo

Mon Oct 7 04:48:19 EAT 2013

When I was nominated to Cabinet, last April, several of my friends
including Dr. Ndemo, Tom Mshindi, Elijah, Muriuki, and later others I met
in policy discussions like Alex and Walu encouraged me to visit,
participate and engage as much as humanly possible with the ICT sector in
the blogosphere and join KICTANET. The advice given to me was that in all
these interactions, I would meet diverse views on various aspects of policy
in the ICT sector generally. I try to ‘check in’ from time to time and
keenly follow conversations on a number of policy issues.  I have learned a
lot from some of these exchanges. I have met very insightful and deep
thinkers; and interesting others too.

I must confess however that in the 5 months I have been in public space,
there are times one feels very frustrated and almost like one is being
asked to unlearn many things- even about the most basic moral issues like
telling simple truths.

I read Wanjiku’s post and didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. Why would
anybody tell such blatant lies about someone they hardly know? Many of my
colleagues at the Ministry told me not to bother to respond, but I think it
was too personal not to be commented on.

Everyone who was at Connected Kenya early in the year for instance can (if
they want to be sincere) recollect that I not only attended the cocktail
preceding the dinner in honour of my colleagues, Minister Pogisho and Dr.
Ndemo, but spoke at the event. I was introduced by Dr. Ndemo. I actually
not only attended and spoke at the dinner but invited 3 colleague
Ministers-from Tanzania, Uganda and South Africa- attending the OGP meeting
running side by side with Connected Kenya at the Serena.

In any case, it wasn’t clear to anyone then that Dr. Ndemo would leave the
Ministry -appointments of PSs had not been done. When it was, we held a
farewell lunch for him and had such a great time with over 600 colleagues
and industry players at the Panafric. In collaboration with colleagues at
the Ministry, including Ndemo’s successor, Mr. Tiampati, we have ensured to
include, invite and very sincerely acknowledge our preceding colleagues in
all activities, especially where we are launching products, reports etc.
that are a culmination of efforts they initiated at the Ministry- postal
payment gateway switch, the National Broadband Strategy etc.

At the main Connected Kenya event, I successfully persuaded Paul Kukubo and
other colleagues involved in the planning to allow me to have a generous
time on the podium with Minister Pogisho as this was the most public
opportunity for handover.

There sure is something fundamentally serious with people- adults -who tell
lies such are being told here. Where on earth does the allegation that I
excused myself to see the Mombasa Governor come from?

The meeting Wanjiku refers to held by African Development Bank at the
Intercontinental Hotel was not even on PPPs. I was invited to preside over
the launch of the report ‘silicon Kenya’- an ICT study commissioned by the
African Development Bank. I was there at 9am as advised but the meeting
started 1 hour late. I hurriedly made my remarks and had to leave when I
was done- at 1105hrs- because we were expected at a cabinet meeting
starting at 11am. I very humbly explained this to both the journalists
present and all who had questions. I had however promised Michelle Morgan
and Mark Okuttah that I would respond to their 2 brief questions which I
did. There was no discussion on LTE- Not anything I can remember was
meaningful enough to sufficiently demonstrate my shallowness and lack of
depth!

It is very frustrating to operate in the space of rumour mongering. I
sincerely think it is very demeaning for Dr. Ndemo and many of all of us
his friends and colleagues to engage in such a cheap discussion as being
proposed here about his and my relationship that’s over three decades old
and much deeper and more expansive than our interaction at the Ministry of
Information or generally in the ICT sector. It is very unfortunate- to say
the very least.

Hate is a very strong term to use, especially to describe a relationship
between two people one of whom you begin by confessing you do not know much
of. I will let all readers and serious decent people who interact with this
unfortunate discussion be the judges.

I try- even with the tyranny of demands on our time to return some of the
heavy traffic of e-mails, enquiries etc. that come to the Ministry. I will
certainly not lie that I will be able to do every interview, meet every
individual or group of people who want to meet or even turn up at every
single event I am required to. I try to meet as many people as I humanly
can and even try harder to show up for events when we have been invited and
advised in good time; but I also delegate in cases I cannot obviously deal
with due to various constraints.

I am so grateful to God for the wonderful people I found at the Ministry
and all the very hardworking and focused Kenyans that work with me in many
of our agencies. We try hard and will continue to. Of course we may not
satisfy everyone but we promise to do our very best.

When we are criticised, however- which we will always expect and take in
our stride- we hope people are at least factual- even about reporting
events- and more focused on the work we do rather than rumours and gossip.

To be insulted is painful. It is even much more painful to be mispresented
and for plain lies to be peddled about you. I pray that no Kenyan
perpetuates this about a fellow Kenyan, even one they simply just don’t
like.

Ultimately, the Almighty God knows my heart and my every thought. He knows
my thoughts and feelings about fellow men on earth including Dr. Ndemo and
I remain accountable to my creator.

On Fri, Oct 4, 2013 at 11:55 AM, Walubengo J <jwalu at yahoo.com> wrote:

> @Becky, @Jane,
>
> True that Ndemo was cool like that.
>
> But I guess everyone has their own style (remember when Kibaki took over
> and went quiet in Statehouse and everyone  -comparing him to Moi - was
> asking where is this old man; 10years later the guy showed up with Thika
> Superhighway +++
>
> One more thing, Matiangi is Cabinet Sec a.k.a Minister so it is abit
> unfair to compare him with Ndemo who was Permanent Sec (different roles).
> Perhaps if Becky did an article comparing Matiangi to Pogisho (former
> Minister) we might get a different picture?
>
> That said, I also do miss seeing the "Ndemo effect" at the Ministry...but
> maybe we should instead target to bringing out the PS Tiampati out of the
> woods..we could start by giving him a free, lifetime registration to
> KICTAnet :-)
>
> walu.
>
>
>   ------------------------------
>  *From:* Network of non- formal Educational institutions <
> nnfeischools at yahoo.com>
> *To:* jwalu at yahoo.com
> *Cc:* KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions <kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke>
> *Sent:* Friday, September 27, 2013 12:56 PM
> *Subject:* Re: [kictanet] What Matiangi can learn from Ndemo
>
> I agree with Wanjiku . Dr Ndema was that available and supportive to
> everybody.
>
> Jane
>
>
>   ------------------------------
>  *From:* Rebecca Wanjiku <rebeccawanjiku at yahoo.com>
> *To:* Jane Muriuki <nnfeischools at yahoo.com>
> *Cc:* KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions <kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke>
> *Sent:* Friday, September 27, 2013 12:25 PM
> *Subject:* [kictanet] What Matiangi can learn from Ndemo
>
> When it became obvious that Bitange Ndemo would not be taking over as the
> Cabinet Secretary in the Ministry of Information and Communication, the ICT
> community wondered who would wear the giant shoes left by Ndemo.
> To calm the nerves and prepare for his exit, Ndemo wrote to the ICT
> industry and you can read it here.<http://www.wanjiku.co.ke/2013/04/ndemo-sees-his-departure-as-imminent/>
> So much has been said about Ndemo, both positive and negative but the
> thing I am most happy about is his easy approach; want to see him, drop him
> an email, get an appointment at 6 am or earlier. Want to interview him,
> drop the questions on email, and for some reason I would have answers in 24
> hours, on email. No reminder, he will do it.
> Read more…..
> http://www.wanjiku.co.ke/2013/09/what-matiangi-can-learn-from-ndemo/
>
>
> Tel. 254 720 318 925
>
>
> wanjiku.co.ke
>
>
>
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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.
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