Ben,

I believe the floatation of shares to the public in its current form is a brilliant idea at this time. The government has no business being in business–in fact the government should have sold more than 70% by requiring the British partner to also shed some of its shares (to remain with may be 10%) so that the government holdings (may be 15%) still remains the majority. However, the current strategy could also be meant to awaken the population’s appetite at 5 shillings a share then once demand peaks at may be 20 shillings a share they split the shares and sell more shares (at higher prices thereby raising more money) later. At 5 shillings a share–I believe ODM has started to deliver on one of the promises of including the poor in capital (and ownership) of Kenya.

My suggestion is that we the enlightened mobilize our people in the villages/slums by encouraging them to contribute even 20 shillings (4 shares) each to come up with the minimum 10,000 shillings to buy the shares–I doubt it can get cheaper than that–it takes money to make money but the poor can be helped through cooperative efforts. You can even offer to help some of the dirt poor who live on $1 (12 shares) a day to ‘fast’ for 1 day then you match that for them by denying yourself a soda to enable them own 20+ shares in safaricom–I believe that might be more productive to the poor (and may be even to yourself) than ‘waiting to see.’

Lets not stand by only to criticise however enticing that looks — ‘roll up your sleeves’ and join the politicians in building Kenya. One has to start somewhere and the politicians have started with what they have–we should join them and do what we can with what we have.

To ‘see’ whether this could be real, you may have to buy the shares and verify whether they actually grow your wealth from the 5 shillings a share to 5+ a share and at this time when shares are tumbling like dominoes even in strong economies like the US my freind, that would be a nice thing for anyone — I know foreigners who are ‘salivating’ at the safaricom shares and wish they could have such a chance as the Kenyans have.

Thanks for listening to my opinion.

Lucy

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Ben wrote:

Raila has already made the first blunder by okeying the govt sale of telcome. Although I welcome the power sharing deal and the positions created, I am watching this carefully with a skeptical eye. I would never be too excited ever again with Kenyan politics the way I did when Kibaki won five years ago. I would like to see to belief from now on.

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George Nyongesa wrote:

Dear All,
Today our parliamentarians begin the discussions on the Constitution Amendment Bill and the National Accord and reconciliation Agreement Bill signed between PNU and ODM by President Kibaki and Prime designate Raila without public scrutiny, Bunge La Mwananchi asks to what extent does the pact capture the aspirations of all Kenyans?

The history of Kenyans politics is full of examples of broken promises made by politicians; Bunge La Mwananchi asks how can the politicians be made to honor the pact? How can the process of rebuilding Kenya in post polls crisis be taken beyond the political class? What happens if somewhere on the road the political class decides to disgrace the pact or part of it? What is the role of ordinary Kenyans in making the pact is implemented to the letter and the spirit?

Considering the intense lobbying and remarks that threatens to derail new hope, there is no doubt that our Members of Parliament are only concerned with the power-sharing; Bunge La Mwananchi asks, what are the priority issues you want the Kibaki-Raila grand coalition to address in the first six months, one year, or two years? (Do you have opinion? Post your comments or response through discussion forum at www.bulamwa.co.ke or write an article to grnyongesa@yahoo.com to be published on Bunge La Mwananchi website).

PS: Please forward this email to other Honourable Members of Bunge La Mwananchi worldwide.

George Nyongesa
Bunge La Mwananchi Leader
+254 720 451 235

Sent by Lucy.