Matiang’i picks ex-Huawei boss to head Konza city

orporate News

Konza Technopolis Development Authority new chief executive John Tanui. PHOTO | SALATON NJAU 

By OKUTTAH MARK, mokuttah@ke.nationmedia.com

In Summary

• Mr John Tanui takes over from Catherine Adeya, who held the position in an acting capacity. Ms Adeya did not apply for the position when it was advertised.
• Mr Tanui will be expected to steer the development of the multi-billion-shilling ICT park that is to be financed through a private-public partnership model.

John Tanui, a former deputy CEO of Chinese IT giant Huawei Kenya’s operations, has been appointed the first chief executive officer of the government-backed technology city, Konza.

Mr Tanui, a holder of Masters of Business Administration from University of Nairobi and Bachelor of Electrical and Communication Engineering from Moi University takes over from Catherine Adeya, who held the position in an acting capacity.

Ms Adeya did not apply for the position when it was advertised.

The Ministry of Information and Communication Technologies Secretary Fred Matiang’i said on Thursday Mr Tanui was picked from a short list of three names forwarded to him by the Konza Technolpolis Development Authority (Kotda). 

Mr Tanui will be expected to steer the development of the multi-billion-shilling ICT park that is to be financed through a private-public partnership model.

“Mr Tanui brings a wealth of professional experience, having worked for many organisations as an engineer, project and product manager,” said Dr Matiang’i while announcing the appointment.

On completion of phase one of the Konza City by 2018, it is expected that it will contribute $1 billion (Sh90 billion) or approximately two per cent to the country’s gross domestic product (GDP).

Konza development puts the private sector at the centre of its execution with the government providing land, legal backing and approving architectural plans.

READ: Top companies line up for piece of Konza

The government is also expected to build primary infrastructure leading to and within the technopolis.

The technopolis is 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.

Construction of roads and an electricity network have already started at the site after Parliament allocated the project an additional Sh400 million, raising the total allocation to Sh900 million.

The 5,000-acre tech city is meant to be part of special economic zones that will replace the export processing zones and create more than 17,000 jobs.

The government is offering a raft of tax incentives for investors putting up capital at Konza Technopolis, including tax exemption from income for the first 10 years, dividends and any other payments made to non-residents during the period.