[kictanet] What Matiangi can learn from Ndemo

[James Mbugua]

Listers,

I think it is pointless to keep making comparisons between incumbents and
their predecessors. Dr. Ndemo has left, a new team has come in.

1. When Dr. Ndemo joined ICT ministry, he seemed even less qualified than
his predecessor Engineer James Rege and first made news when he came back
from South Africa to announce that Kenya would go it alone on the submarine
cable if Eassy did not get its act together.

2. Dr. Ndemo may have pushed hard for many initiatives, but there is a
technical team at the ministry that executed this at implementation level.
That team is still there, it has not gone. Surely, we are not saying that
Dr. Ndemo did everything there? If you guys recall, actually the most
strides were made when Ndemo operated as a dynamic duo with Mutahi Kagwe as
the minister. Things significantly slowed down after that.

3. Let us not have unrealistic expectations: You cannot expect a Cabinet
Secretary at the drop of the hat to have details of where we are with
consortia and that kind of thing. He's operating at a policy level. There
are laws that are pending to be passed, Data Protection etc, there are
anti-terrorism initiatives requiring ICT involvement, there are county
plans, there is Free laptops etc etc. To expect the CS to have the
intricacies of certain projects down to the T is a bit naive.

4. If Tiampati is not as busy as previous PSs then he should be availing
himself to talk specifics.

5. Eng. Kamau of Treasury is perhaps better placed to speak about PPPs as
he is the one running that show.

6. As one lister noted, there are many big issues we need to deal with not
least the Mobile Financial Services. I have indicated my discomfort with
M-Pesa having so much control of economic transactions in this country and
would 100% support a neutral, Central Bank backed mobile money platform
which is carrier neutral and also allows easy interface for payments.

8. There is also the issue of last mile connectivity which I believe
government with a Rural Electrification Authority kind of approach should
take up and foot the cost to prevent providers from charging so much to
recover their costs.

7. Just like Bangalore, Konza City can become the Silicon Valley of Kenya.

Regards

James




On Mon, Oct 7, 2013 at 2:22 PM, Ngigi Waithaka <ngigi at at.co.ke> wrote:

> Bernard,
>
> IMO a few *want* Konza, an even smaller majority *needs* Konza but
> generally the majority don't need it. As an example, if you wanted to
> promote Kenya as a Football destination, would you invest in 100, 80K
> capacity stadiums first or in youth academies in every village?
>
> You want Kenya to be a world-class leader in Athletics, do you first build
> the Kenya Grand Prix Stadium then convince our Kalenjin brothers to use it,
> or do you first review what talent you got, help them along in training &
> attending competitions  and ensure they get to Olympics, then when it picks
> up, you then build that big stadium that you always wanted?
>
> So we are ready to invest in building a 10 Billion USD City, and yet we
> can't even invest 0.01% of that budget in R&D in our universities and / or
> in local firms.
>
> We actually do have a term for such projects that are largely done to make
> but a few rich, while serving almost no current need for the local
> populace. White Elephants!
>
> I will probably write-up a more detailed blog with my views on this, then
> maybe we can have varying comments.
>
> Meanwhile, I could leave you with a simple question; is there any
> successful high tech industry globally that started with a city then
> technology later? And before anyone says Silicon Valley, it was the
> industry that created the 'valley' not the other way round!
>
> Regards
> Waithaka Ngigi
>
>
> On Mon, Oct 7, 2013 at 1:56 PM, Bernard Kioko [Bernsoft Group] <
> bkioko at bernsoft.com> wrote:
>
>> Mr. Waithaka,****
>>
>> ** **
>>
>> Interesting contribution. I am however interested in seeing your views as
>> to why we should kill Konza. I seem to hold them same opinion with Dr.
>> Ndemo that Konza is a great initiative for Kenya. Do I miss something? BTW
>> on that MPESA item, I don’t think Kenya is too late. If Dr. Matiangi can
>> provide the right platform for us and grant developers in Kenya the Central
>> Bank support that the creators of MPESA enjoyed (after some challenges) it
>> would be possible for another MPESA to emerge from Kenya. ****
>>
>> ** **
>>
>> ** **
>>
>> ** **
>>
>> *From:* kictanet [mailto:kictanet-bounces+bkioko=
>> bernsoft.com at lists.kictanet.or.ke] *On Behalf Of *Ngigi Waithaka
>> *Sent:* Monday, October 07, 2013 12:52 PM
>> *To:* bkioko at bernsoft.com
>>
>> *Cc:* KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions
>>  *Subject:* Re: [kictanet] What Matiangi can learn from Ndemo****
>>
>> ** **
>>
>> Dr Matiangi,****
>>
>> ** **
>>
>> My 2 cents on this issue.****
>>
>> ** **
>>
>> First, do not try to be like Dr Ndemo, as there is only but one Dr Ndemo,
>> just as there is only but one Dr Matiangi. Try, however, to create your own
>> path that emulates the good things, and the bad ones, improve on them or
>> scrap them.****
>>
>> ** **
>>
>> I will list some good & bad things that happened under Dr Ndemo's
>> leadership****
>>
>> Good****
>>
>> 1. Dr Ndemo was easily accessible. I think he would probably respond to
>> most relevant mails and would attend most functions that I went to.****
>>
>> 2. We had it good for the Telecom sector. This grew in leaps & bounds
>> during his tenure****
>>
>> 3. He managed to take get the government to take ICT seriously from a
>> previously non-existent Ministry.****
>>
>> ** **
>>
>> Bad****
>>
>> 1. Too much focus on Telecoms & BPOs to detriment of other sectors in
>> technology such as software****
>>
>> 2. Focus on Mobile development ought to change as this is mostly a
>> dead-end in this market****
>>
>> 3. Too much marketing talk, little on delivery! ICT Board should spend a
>> lot more money marketing Kenya's products & services not attending every
>> conference that's happening globally.****
>>
>> 4. The one that got away; failed to secure the IP for MPesa. We ought to
>> have had a piece of that and mint Billions, but someone forgot****
>>
>> 5. Did not centralize ICT in GoK****
>>
>> ** **
>>
>> What you should do:****
>>
>> 1. Kill Konza if you can! Grand dream we don't need right now. Money can
>> best be used elsewhere in the same sector. Invest it in Research & local
>> firms and the industry can build itself a Konza if need be in 30 years.**
>> **
>>
>> 2. Crack the whip on KICT Authority and ensure they walk the talk as
>> regards growth of Kenya ICT Sector. Set clear goals on what they ought to
>> have had done in 5 years.****
>>
>> 3. Shift our dream goal of trying to be like India, with their BPOs and
>> to aiming to be the Israel (Highend Technology) as our demographics simply
>> do not allow us to compete with India on cost.****
>>
>> 4. Take Kenya Software Industry seriously with less emphasis on
>> Incubation Labs but to delivering solutions that can be sold in the general
>> market.****
>>
>> 5. Don't try to be like Dr Ndemo****
>>
>> ** **
>>
>> A key achievement that at least you have achieved in your 5 months in
>> office is centralizing ICT in GoK, I want to believe there is more where
>> that came from.****
>>
>> ** **
>>
>> Finally, it is important if you would share with us what your 5 year
>> gameplan is ( I don't mean that Kenya ICT Masterplan), so we can judge you
>> fairly.****
>>
>> ** **
>>
>> Regards****
>>
>> Waithaka Ngigi****
>>
>> A1.iO****
>>
>> ** **
>>
>> On Mon, Oct 7, 2013 at 4:48 AM, Fred Matiangi <fredmatiangi at gmail.com>
>> wrote:****
>>
>> 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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>>
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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.****
>>
>>
>>
>> ****
>>
>> ** **
>>
>> -- ****
>>
>> *Regards,*****
>>
>> ** **
>>
>> *Wait**haka Ngigi*****
>>
>> Chief Executive Officer | Alliance Technologies | MCK Nairobi Synod
>> Building****
>>
>> T + 254 (0) 20 2333 471 |Office Mobile: +254 786 28 28 28 | M + 254 737
>> 811 000****
>>
>> www.at.co.ke****
>>
>> ** **
>>
>> ****
>>
>
>
>
> --
> *Regards,*
>
> *Wait**haka Ngigi*
> Chief Executive Officer | Alliance Technologies | MCK Nairobi Synod
> Building
> T + 254 (0) 20 2333 471 |Office Mobile: +254 786 28 28 28 | M + 254 737
> 811 000
> www.at.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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