Wrangles over proposed board of directors for Konza Technopolis

By Felix Olick

Kenya: A row is brewing over the composition of the proposed board of directors of Konza Technopolis Development Authority (KOTDA) that shall supervise the management of the Konza technology city.

According to KOTDA draft Bill, only the Governor of Makueni or his designated alternate shall be a member of the board and not his counterparts from Machakos and Kajiado.

Already, Kajiado Deputy Governor Paul Ntiati has raised objections to their exclusion from the board saying that the project requires adequate participation of all the neighbouring counties.

“The proposed city should be beneficial to all the neighbouring counties. We are strongly recommending for our inclusion into the board before the Bill is tabled in Parliament and enacted into law,” Mr Ntiati said Tuesday.

But speaking during stakeholders’ engagement on the draft Bill in Nairobi, Information Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiangi said that they have received a number of crucial comments that would be deliberated upon.

“I am aware that a number of crucial comments, having a bearing on policy, have been received from some of our key stakeholders. These will soon be deliberated upon at a higher level, outside this forum,” he noted.

According to the draft Bill, the board of directors shall consist of the chairperson appointed by the President, Principle Secretary from the ministry responsible for information, technology and communication and his counterpart from National Treasury.