Dr. Fred Matiang’I, Cabinet Secretary has announced the appointment of Eng. John Tanui to the position of Chief Executive Office of the Konza Technopolis Development Authority, on the unanimous recommendation of the Board of Directors.
Eng. Tanui brings with him a wealth of experience in project management, including PPP and Turnkey projects. He is well acquainted with business management in a global environment, a key asset for Konza’s future progress. He comes imbued with the qualities that are needed for the development of a smart city: youth, passion, ICT professional, experience, and an ability to understand the business and build relationships across the age and digital divide.
The Technopolis is among other things expected to host various amenities including research centres, a university complex, offices, commercial and residential houses and parks. It is also expected to host foreign and local business process outsourcing companies, a science park, a convention centre, hotels, shopping malls, international schools and health facilities.
Eng Tanui joins the Konza Team from Huawei Technology, where he served as Deputy Country CEO/Vice President, – Delivery and Service. He rose through the ranks in the organization, to managing a staff complement of over 120-strong, working on a 24-hour basis.
Dr. Matiang’i, in his welcome remarks said that “Eng. Tanui is a goal-driven performer, able to marinating excellent relationships with both customers and industry personalities while focusing on timely business solutions”. The Cabinet Secretary, on behalf of himself and all Ministry staff, expressed his commitment to give Eng. Tanui all the requisite support to ensure that the project goes forward with speed.
John Ngumi, the Board Chair, also welcomed aboard the new Director of Infrastructure Development. Mr. Patrick Adolwa, a seasoned Town Planner, with an illustrious career under his belt will oversee the development of the Konza Techno City.
Before joining KoTDA, Mr. Adolwa chaired the Inter-Ministerial Technical Committee, which brought together participating Ministries involved in the development of the basic infrastructure for the site.
Apart from being the Team Leader for the Lamu Port, South Sudan and Ethiopia (LAPSSET) Corridor Land Use Plan and Urbanization Strategy, he was also the Team Lead in the preparation of the Strategy for the Implementation of the National Urban Development Policy for Kenya.
Having consulted for UN-Habitat, and served as a Director of City Planning for the City Council of Nairobi, KTC will undoubtedly benefit from his local and international experience and leadership of large multidisciplinary teams.
Arch. Annah Musyimi is already serving as the Project Manager, and will be working together with Mr. Adolwa to oversee the infrastructural and contractual aspects of the implementation of KTC. She is also adept at evaluation of technical and financial proposals, in line with the Public Procurement and Disposal Act 2005.
Arch. Musyimi holds a Masters degree in Urban Design, with eight years’ experience in contract administration, both locally and internationally. Her expertise will be useful therefore in overseeing the technical deliverables of KoTDA’s Consortium of Consultants – the Master Delivery Partner 2 (MDP2).
Mr. Ngumi, on behalf of the Board of KoTDA, committed to support the new staff as they take their positions, and urged them to work zealously towards the implementation of the project.
He added that at the macro level, by the end of Phase 1 of the project in 2018, Konza Techno City will contribute about Ksh3b (about 2% of GDP), and will be instrumental in providing jobs direct and indirect jobs for the youth and general citizenry. As such, there was a need for a keen, focused staff complement.
Konza development puts the private sector at the center of its execution with the government providing land, legal backing and approving architectural plans. The government is also expected to build primary infrastructure leading to and within the Technopolis.
