[kictanet] What Matiangi can learn from Ndemo

Mon Oct 7 15:59:59 EAT 2013

One question to all those complaining about Dr. Matiangi - and more
specifically to Becky:

How much engagement did you have with Poghisio, Matiangi's predecessor?

Enough said...

Mblayo

On Mon, Oct 7, 2013 at 3:34 PM, James Mbugua <jgmbugua at gmail.com> wrote:

> 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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>>>
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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,
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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.****
>>>
>>> ** **
>>>
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> kictanet mailing list
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>>>
>>> Unsubscribe or change your options at
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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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>>
>> Unsubscribe or change your options at
>> https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/jgmbugua%40gmail.com
>>
>>
>> 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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