Edge Magazine April 2016

April 2016

Kshs. 300 / Ushs. 9000 Tshs. 6000 / RWF. 2200

INSIDE DR. JENIFFER RIRIA EMPOWERING WOMEN

Kenneth Kaniu Established nearly a decade ago, Britam Asset Managers (Kenya) banks on its professionalism and robust investment structures to excite investors’ experience

BRITAM ASSET MANAGERS: REWRITING THE RULES OF WEALTH CREATION

mHEALTH WALLET SECRET VINEYARDS BY BSG ARE YOU A VISIONARY LEADER

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Content

20. BRITAM ASSET MANAGERS REWRITING THE RULES OF WEALTH CREATION

EDGE FOCUS 14. TECHIE 29-year-old Ovin Awitty and George Kilibwa have developed an app that helps in tracking school-going children giving parents peace of mind.

16. YOUNG AND ENTERPRISING Brilliant Mathelumusa unravels how he was literally born in a cellar, his immense passion for winery, meeting his fiancé Suzan Njuguna, owning a wine brand and ultimately living their dream.

MANAGEMENT AND OPINION 18. EXECUTIVE TALK Woman of power: Dr. Jennifer Riria

18.

EXECUTIVE TALK

MAIN STORY

4. HEAD START 6. QUOTABLE QUOTES 7. MAIL 8. BRIEFS 12.PICTORIAL

20. BRITAM ASSET MANAGERS REWRITING THE RULES OF WEALTH CREATION

Established nearly a decade ago, Britam Asset Managers (Kenya) banks on its professionalism and robust investment structures to excite investors’ experience.

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Content

OPINION 26. MEDIA AND PUBLISHING We need new heroes as we rethink the goals of education

28. HIGHER LEARNING

YOUNG AND ENTERPRISING 16.

In a world where the yardstick continues to be a paper exam, not everyone will be an A student and not everyone, an F. There will always be exam failures and those who excel. What we should aspire to, is ensure none of these fail in life!

30. EMPLOYEE RELATIONS

A company is people. Employees want to know…am I being listened to or am I a cog in the wheel? People want to feel wanted:-Richard Branson

32. MARKETING Can online outsourcing solve the youth unemployment crisis?

34. HUMAN RESOURCE How do you improve your competitive business edge, improve customer, workplace relationships and keep your sanity and health in check?

36. PERSONAL BRANDING Women, soft skills and getting ahead

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40. HEALTH & INNOVATION

TRAVEL & LEISURE

38. CUSTOMER SERVICE Is the student at an institution of higher learning a customer?

40. LEADERSHIP A visionary leader plants a seed of the organization’s vision in the hearts of employees that must be powerful enough in order to encourage everybody to rise up to its call.

SKILLS DEVELOPMENT 38. Adams Tuva talks of a wellstructured system at the university that catapulted his entrepreneurial dreams to reality.

HEALTH AND INNOVATION 40. Carepay Promoting Healthcare Inclusion through mHealth Wallet

ARTS & INDUSTRY 44. Antony Mwangi: The Creative Mind Behind Your TV Shows

BOOK REVIEW 44. Americanah

BOOK REVIEW

TRAVEL & LEISURE 46. KENYA A Traveller’s Guide To the Kenya Art Gallery

SONG REVIEW

44.

Managing Editor Sylvester Okumu sylvester@edgemagazine.co.ke

Don’t Miss An Issue

Editorial Oroni Tendera ibrahim@edgemagzine.co.ke Jenny Nyawira jenny@edgemagzine.co.ke Contributors Derek Bbanga Perminus Wainaina CarolyneGathuru John Kageche Mbugua Ng’ang’a Peter Kamande

Business Development Manager Murrel Aluoch Marketing Executive Nelly Wambui Operations Washingtone Terry

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Head start

4

Head Start

We Need Robust Banking Regulation

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lthough the banking sector in Kenya is on the upswing, it is clear that robust regulation is required to monitor liquidity, solvency and proper functioning. Financial theorists are arguing that the Kenyans are over banked with close to 42 commercial banks and financial institutions under operations serving a population of about 40 million people. This contrasts most of our Sub-Saharan peers. Such a case would only call for a robust and clinical regulatory system. The recent fears of structural and systematic weaknesses in the sector underscores this after a third bank was put under receivership by the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK). Chase Bank was placed under receivership following liquidity difficulties. The bank found itself in a tight position after CBK redirected it to restate its fiscal results that later showed it had under-reported insider loans by nearly Kshs 8 billion. It also reported a surprise loss of Kshs 743 million. This was followed by social media panic massive withdrawals by fretful customers.

In 2015, Imperial Bank and Dubai Bank were placed under receivership due to what was termed as ‘perilous and unsound conditions to transact business.’ National Bank of Kenya senior managers were also recently suspended following a sudden rise in the lender’s bad loans.

The collapse of the banks has caused jitters in the market and ignited anxiety amongst depositors who had banked with them, with many fearing that they may lose their money. Billions of shillings belonging to depositors are now frozen at the troubled banks.

As a result, most Kenyans are considering shifting to tier one lenders, which are assumed to be more stable than the smaller banks, in a move to put their money in “safer” hands. The possibility of consolidating the sector through takeovers has also been raised.

It is worth noting that the placing of the three banks under receiver management is an indication of strengthening the banking sector. The calls to set up a support fund for struggling banks is also timely. Tighter supervision is expected to enhance the country’s corporate governance frameworks as well as the capacity to appraise banks’ overall risk.

Above all, this should be done with special consideration to depositors and tax payers money. jenny@edgemagazine.co.ke

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6

Quotable Quotes

Irungu Nyakera “Things don’t always work your way. Sometimes you think you have the best team and best track record. But somehow other guys, or the guys on the other side, are prepared better and have other ideas.”

At 33 years, Irungu Nyakera is the Principal Secretary for the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure, the youngest PS of a state department. He was born to a needy family in Murang’a County and attended Starehe Boy’s High School. Upon completing his secondary education, he got a scholarship to Deerfield Academy in Massachusetts, USA, from which he earned another scholarship to Stanford University in 2003. Before his appointment to the government in November 2015, Mr. Nyakera-who holds a Master’s in Finance and Decision Engineering, was the MD of Equity Investment Bank. He has held other managerial positions at NIC Capital and Citi Group.

Carole Mandi

“Not all magazines make business sense. But our business is lucrative otherwise we would have closed down. I think the growth space for magazines is still huge in the region.”

Carole Mandi is a magazine editor and established publisher. Her interest in magazines started at a young age. She began writing letters to the editor while in high school. At Moi University, she studied to become a literature and linguistics teacher. After graduation, she defied teaching to otherwise take job as an editorial assistant at a small women’s publication. She joined Nation Media Group in 1995 and quit in 2002. She was hired as editor by Media24 in 2004. She set up Carole Mandi Media Limited in 2010 which publishes TrueLove and Drum magazine as franchises, and Home & Living. Besides, she also hosted a weekly women’s talk show called Sebuleni on NTV. Collins Injera

“Body and mind are very powerful. It’s amazing how far you can push your body, how your mind can determine what you can achieve and what you can’t.”

Born 29 years ago, Collins Injera is a Kenyan rugby superstar who started playing while at Vihiga High School. He later played for Ulinzi RFC (team was later disbanded) and Mwamba RFC. He debuted for Kenya Sevens in 2006 in the Dubai Sevens and played in the 2009 Rugby World Cup Sevens where the team reached the semi-finals. He was the top scorer in the 2008-2009 IRB Sevens World Series with 42 tries. Injera recently became the all-time second highest try scorer in the IRB Sevens World Series with 221 tries behind Argentina’s Santiago Gomez who tops the coveted list with 230 tries. With the latter having retired, the chase is on for the Kenyan superstar to top the spot.

Esther Kinuthia

“We live in a world where people would compromise values for success. My blog focuses on how the youth can be successful while still maintaining their values.”

After a bad breakup in 2011, the 23 year old started calling herself ‘Miss Independent’ and it stuck to date! This, she says was all about becoming a successful woman as a revenge to the man that hurt her. As such, Esther set up a blog www.missindependent. co.ke that focuses on inspiring the youth to be successful. The blog has become popular with the youth in Kenya and beyond. In 2014, she was named by Business Daily Africa as one of the Top 40 under 40 Women in Kenya. Esther recently graduated from Strathmore University with majors in marketing and business administration. She is now an Associate Account Strategist at Google based in Ireland, with operations in Europe, Middle East and Africa.

Letters

Edge magazine professional I have read the magazine and I am impressed by its content. I must admit that Edge Magazine is very professional. In fact, after putting the magazine at our company’s reception, most of the customers are really appreciating it.

Perminus Wainaina Managing Partner & Head of Recruitment, Corporate Staffing Services Ltd

Keeping the customers money safe

Social media can make or kill your business

Apparently, panic over the collapse of any financial institution may seem a distant memory, but sensible savers need to ask themselves “Are my savings safe?” While innovation and good customer experience are some of the factors considered while choosing a specific financial institution, those parameters do not revolve around ‘keeping the customers’ money safe’.

In the recent time, the speedy growth of social media platforms has changed how businesses operate. Most companies are using such platforms to market their brands, while at the same time reducing their operational costs. However, it is worth noting that social media can kill your business within seconds. This is evidenced by the case of Chase bank whereby, rumors of its collapse spread like wildfire resulting in mass withdrawals. Therefore, the Media Council of Kenya and other relevant organizations should step up their role in regulating the use of social media in spreading malicious and untruthful information about companies.

Recently, the Central Bank of Kenya has put three banks under receivership, leaving the customers stranded. I therefore concur with Carolyne Gathuru that people should put all their eggs in one basket and watch it!

Esther Abwoli, Nairobi Via Email

William Mageto Journalist, Eldoret

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8

Briefs

USIU-AFRICA Partners With Cisco Systems Inc. To Launch Networking Academy

Vice Chancellor USIU-Africa Prof.Zeleza (L) Corporate Affairs Manager Cisco Systems, East and Central Southern Africa, Hital Muraj (C) Paul Kimamo(R) at the launch of Cisco Academy

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SIU-Africa and Cisco Systems Inc. recently launched the Cisco Networking Academy. The academy is a global education program offering professional certifications leading to Information and Communication Technology careers such as network security and administration, technical support, and healthcare IT; and higher education in engineering, computer science, and other related fields.

The academy will not only give the students an opportunity to enhance their understanding of the networking field , but will also be a platform for the students to experience and engage with rich content through the integration of technical skill training in their curriculum to achieve a holistic outlook.

“We offer quality certification programs in partnership with IBM, Microsoft, Linux, EC - Council, and our partnership with Cisco Systems is a great addition to our ever growing number of superior certifications that USIU-Africa offers. This certifications are an interlink of learning between the degree courses and practical skills that prepares the students for the dynamic ICT world,” said the Vice chancellor Prof. Paul Zeleza during the launch.

“The partnership reemphasizes our commitment to invest in offering of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) programs which will fundamentally improve Africa’s competitiveness in technology development, and in turn transform our society through new inventions, “he added.

According to Hital Muraj, the Cisco Corporate Affairs manager East, Central and Southern Africa, the Cisco Networking Academy has equipped more than 5.5 million students in 165 countries with networking skills so far. The partnership with USIU-Africa provides a vital longterm solution in the form of creating a highly-skilled and well-trained local work force. That is critical for accelerating and sustaining economic growth.

“Globally, the tremendous growth in information and communications technology makes it critically important that today’s employees are equipped for the future with the right skills to enable them respond to the changing needs of our society,” she concluded.

Reinsurer CICA-RE Opens Nairobi Office

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enya’s reinsurance sector is expected to become more competitive with the introduction of CICA-RE into the market.

The Togo based reinsurer hopes to replicate its success in Francophone African countries by using Nairobi as a launch pad to expand its commercial presence throughout the rest of the continent.

“Kenya is one of the largest economies in the Eastern and Southern Africa and also has one of the highest insurance penetration rates in the region. It is also East Africa’s financial hub and this is the ultimate driver for insurance growth,” said CICA-RE Managing Director Mr. Jean Baptiste N. Kouame.

The Nairobi office will act as a liaison under the guidelines of the Insurance Regulatory Authority and will be required to become a subsidiary company within the next three years with a capital injection of Kshs 1.5 billion.

Mr. Kouame believes that emerging sectors are key to the growth of his company’s business as underwriters take on more risk. He also highlighted Kenya’s strong middle class which will drive up insurance sales.

“We have expertise in different areas such as property underwriting, Marine Hull and cargo, Engineering, Liability covers and oil and gas,” said Mr. Kouame.

“Our expansion positions us to be the reinsurer of choice in Africa and beyond by creating specialist technical capabilities to handle the new emerging risks especially in the energy sector,” he added.

Insurance Regulatory Authority CEO Sammy Makove centre CICA-RE Managing Director Jean Baptiste N Kouame(right) and CICA-RE Nairobi Regional Head Stanley Kimbio.

In regards to oil and gas, Mr. Kouame believes that his company’s experience in Ghana and Nigeria will benefit the regional market due to oil deposits found in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and Mozambique.

CICA-RE which is based in Togo has a vast West African footprint that includes Cameroon, Cote d’ivoire, Benin, Senegal, Gabon, Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso, Central Africa Republic, Congo Brazzaville, and Chad.

The company has witnessed steady growth over the last three decades since its inception in 1981. Its turnover in 2014 was USD 60.5 Million up from USD 15 Million in 2008.

“We have been in operation for over 30 years and we would like to share this experience with the Kenyan market. We will bring in technical capacity through our training program thus help the industry write bigger business and help fulfill its potential,” said Mr. Kouame.

The company’s geographical scope of operation is Africa, Asia, Middle East and Latin America. It has paid claims running

into billions of shillings including the fire destruction at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport where CICA-RE paid in excess of Kshs 35 Million and last year’s Nepal earthquake.

About CICA-RE CICA-RE was founded in 1981 and started operations on 1st January 1984. It was founded with the aim of increasing underwriting capacity and premium retention in the region whilst contributing towards the development of the insurance and reinsurance markets.

Its shareholders are the 12 Francophone states from West and Central Africa who hold 65 per cent of the capital while 35 per cent equity is held by financial institutions including the West African Development Bank and 59 Insurance Companies.

CICA-RE is headquartered in Lome, Togo with two regional offices in Douala, Cameroon and Abidjan, Ivory Coast. The NairobiCICA-RE office is the fourth in Africa and the first outside CIMA zone.

The company is in the process of opening another office in Tunisia.

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10

KCB Targets Youthful Entrepreneurs 2JIAJIRI Programme

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CB Group launched an ambitious KShs.50 billion enterprise development programme geared towards birthing a new cadre of youthful entrepreneurs within the informal sector to ease the country’s unemployment crisis.

The programme dubbed “2JIAJIRI”, is expected to benefit at least 500,000 entrepreneurs in 5 years, thereby creating at least 2.5 million direct and indirect jobs.

The main objective, said KCB Group CEO Joshua Oigara is to provide the beneficiaries with the vocational and enterprise development skills necessary to drive employment and wealth creation in selected sectors such agricultural enterprise, automotive engineering, construction, beauty and domestic services.

“We have worked out a comprehensive youth empowerment programme informed by our belief that the youth hold the greatest sway in the pace and trajectory that the East African economy will take into the future,” said Mr. Oigara. “We want to dignify the informal sector and give it the skills-set needed to churn the next generation of businesses for the informal sector” he added. The Bank has set aside KShs.10 billion annually in the next five years towards driving this enterprise development programme over the funds which will be used largely to support small and medium businesses run by the youth.

While launching 2Jiajiri-which will be run through the KCB Foundation-, KCB

Group Chairman Ngeny Biwott said the programme fits well within Kenya government’s resolve to boost youth employment and potentially raising country’s economic prospects.

“We believe that through partnerships with organisations, we can redefine the youth unemployment challenges we are facing,” said Mr. Biwott “We are committing to changing the youth narrative in the country,” said the Chairman.

The programme targets both existing (70 per cent) and potential entrepreneurs (30 per cent). For existing entrepreneurs, 2Jiajiri seeks to up skill and formalize the technical and enterprise skills of the selected youthful entrepreneurs. Upcoming entrepreneurs will receive technical skills, financial support for startups and business advisory services. Cognizant of the fact that not all are entrepreneurs, some of them will be linked to work-experience programmes to give them hands-on training while exposing them to market opportunities.

Already, 2,000 youths have begun classes in 89 institutions spread across the country for the various 3-6 months courses. After their training, the graduates will be put under a 12 months incubation programme.

“Entrepreneurship and innovation are an integral part of our DNA. We operate under innovative platforms and with an incubation programme, we will promote ideas, offer mentorship, provide concepts and methods to create an optimal environment for free enterprise,” added Mr. Oigara.

KCB Group believes that this programme will be a game changer in the country where over one million young people enter into the labour market annually without any skills some having either dropped out of school or completed school and not enrolled in any college.

This is further compounded by the fact that almost 155,000 who join the labour market annually after completing training in Technical Vocational Education and Training Institutions or at the university to acquire skills that often do not meet the expectation of employers.

With statistics indicating that a total of over 1.3 million new employment places need to be created annually to meet the rising demand for jobs, this initiative will take advantage of the opportunities a large youth population offers while adequately tackling the skills gap challenge facing the country. Statistics show for example that the ideal rate of Engineers: Technicians: Artisans is supposed to be 1:13:60 but Kenya is currently at 1:3:13.

Kenya Orient Launches New Product That Extends Your Car’s Lifetime

“Orient Xtense’ covers the car’s mechanical breakdown or electrical failure and what’s even better, you do not need to switch from your current insurer”

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enya Orient Insurance Limited, a leading general insurance company in Kenya launched an insurance cover that prolongs a car’s lifetime by covering car parts beyond the expiry of the manufacturer’s warranty.

Dubbed the ‘Orient Xtense’, the cover is an extended motor warranty that protects your car against mechanical breakdown and electrical failure. In Kenya it is estimated that a normal garage services between 7- 20 cars daily on electrical breakdown and 5-10 cars on mechanical breakdown in Nairobi only. The minimum amount someone is likely to spend on a

minor electrical breakdown such engine wearing, sensors and computers averages between Ksh13, 000 - Ksh50,000 while a mechanical breakdown such as engine overhaul, suspension, braking systems can cost between Ksh 13,000- Ksh1, 000,000.

The is a first of its kind in the East African insurance market, this cover will curb against high repair cost incurred by car owners and what’s even better, you do not need to switch from your current insurer.

For one to qualify for the cover, the car should be less than 12 years, has travelled less than 200,000 kilometers, is used for personal use; and requires a comprehensive inspection by an authorized service provider.

“Ordinarily, motor vehicle covers would protect your car for damages during an accident, fire or in instances of theft.

However, with this cover, we have re-

written the rules. If your engine knocks, ‘Orient Xtense’ has you covered,” explained Kenya Orient Insurance MD, Muema Muindi at the launch. He added, “This is another great innovation that will give car owners a peace of mind with a guarantee of minimized future repair costs and significant savings. It is another first from Kenya Orient!”. “A vehicle is a very big investment, the longer it stays in great working condition the more value you get from your investment,” he adds ‘Orient X-tense’ has three plans; Platinum, Gold, Silver that covers components such as engine or gearbox failure. It also includes drive shafts, and turbo assembly, among others.

Kenya Orient is renowned for developing innovative insurance products such as Orient Mobile, Excess Free Motor Pack, Orient Home, among others

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12

Pictorial

The Vice Chancellor Prof Paul Zeleza share a moment with the former Vice Chancellor Prof Freida Brown at the inauguration ceremony.

Allstate Insurance recieves the Best Overall Resolution Insurance Nairobi Brokers Awards (L-R) Mr. Richard Muhia And Mrs. Kiathe Resolution Insurance Group CEO Peter Nduati.

From left: Resolution Insurance alternative channels manager Mbesa Kakenyi and head of marketing Eunie Khimulu Nyakundi.

The Vice Chancellor Prof Paul Zeleza gets dressed in the official University regalia by The Chair Board of trustees , Mr. Linus Gitahi as The Chancellor Dr. Manu Chandaria and Prof Brown looks on.

CIC Group CEO Tom Gitogo awarding one of the winners Pitty Nyokabi Maina of Britam for performing well. 280 people qualified for the AKI Agent awards with women dominating at 55 percent.

Kenya Orient MD Muema Muindi, Assistant Product champion Catherine Mugecha(L) and Customer Experience Manager Jaqueline Ndugu discuss the pamphlet on the new product during the launch of Orient Xtense.

Hatubagui mtu yeyote

Pata bima ya afya kwa matibabu yote ya familia.

A f y a Y e t u. B i m a Y e t u.

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14

The Techie

29-year-old Ovin Awitty and George Kilibwa have developed an app that helps in tracking schoolgoing children giving parents peace of mind Words Jenny Nyawira

Actuarial Science Graduates Bet On Technology To Guarantee Children’s Whereabouts

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arents with school going children can now have peace of mind, thanks to Ovin Awitty and George Kilibwa who have developed anapplication that tracks a child’s whereabouts.

The 29-year-old innovators are graduates of Actuarial Science and Information Technology from Maseno University.

Awitty, the Chief Executive Officer of Mwana Systems, says that parents get anxious when their children get late from school.

“Through the Mwana Systems app, parents/guardians are regularly informed of their children’s whereabouts. They are able to track the school bus at any time of the day, leaving them with less worry.”

The idea came about in June 2015 after Awitty and Kilibwa lost a huge sum of money in a business deal at Swiss Tech Services. “For the last three and half years, we have been developing ID cards for schools and in mid 2014, we got into crisis since we entered into a wrong contract,” reveals Awitty.

“We therefore decided to start from scratch by exploring new angles and develop an innovative product that solves challenges,” he adds.

After several brainstorming sessions, which brought in a series of business ideas, they settled on Mwanatrac. Mwana is a Swahili word for child.It was a great idea considering that they already had contacts of a few clients.

“We believe such a tracking system gives parents peace of mind throughout the day as they are constantly aware of their child’s whereabouts,” offers Awitty.

How the platform works A child is given a wearable wrist band and a digital gadget that is fixed on the school bag.

Similarly, the Monitor Assistant who accompanies the bus driver with the student gets the Mwana reader gadget. It is used for scanning the wrist band or digital bag tag when a child boards the bus.

The device then sends a text message to the parent

Kshs600 to Kshs1500 per student per term

For one to use the application, both the parent and the school administration must subscribe to the Mwana Systems for a basic or premium package that comes with a digital gadget named Mwana reader, digital back pack tag, and a digital wrist band.

Mwana-Trac is a first of its kind solution and is crafted in line with world class technology to ensure efficiency.

Under the Mwana-Trac package, there are two mobile applications: Mwana-Medic and Mwana-Guardian.

Mwana-Medic informs instantly alerts a parent in cases of medical emergencies or accidents.When children who are asthmatic, diabetic, epileptic among other conditions get an attack, it is difficult to administer first aid since no information of their condition has been disclosed. notifying them that their child has boarded the bus. The same process is repeated when the child alights at the school in the morning as well as in the evening.

“We offer parents a chance to track the bus themselves saving them the trouble of calling the school to find out if their child arrived or not and in the evening when they get back home after a busy day at work.”

In collaboration with the school administration, the application also offers a platform for signing in and out of students.

Awitty says that when students get to school, they are required to sign in and the information is registered in the database.

The school can access it using their portal.

Thissimplifies the administration process while registering the students.

Scanning the wrist band gives the child’s emergency contacts including the parent’s contact, family doctor’s contact as well as the child’s medical information.

Other aspects that are incorporated include the parent’s name, child’s name, age, allergies, blood group, chronic illness, insurance company as well as insurance number. This information helps in quick diagnosis and administering of first aid in order to save the child’s life. Basically, the mobile application can be installed on anySmart phone or Tablet.

“We are going a step notch further as we are in communication with the Kenya Medical Association. We are also planning to speak with the Kenya Red Cross and St. John Ambulance to have their personnel install the application,’ reveals Awitty.

We have priced the application so well whereby both public and private schools can afford

Mwana-Guardian is installed by the parents to monitor the school bus. In case of heavy downpour which results in traffic snarl-ups, or unexpected delays caused by vehicle breakdowns, children certainly get home late making their parents anxious.

However, with the Mwana-Guardian, parents can be able to monitor and locate the location of the bus by clicking on the application on their mobile phones and entering the bus registration number.

“We have priced the application so well whereby both public and private schools can afford,” says Awitty. The packages range from Kshs600 to Kshs1500 per student per term.

Exciting experience Awitty offers that the reception has been encouraging. In fact, recently, the company got a request from South Africa to extend the services there. Currently, the young entrepreneurs are conducting a one month pilot study with two schools and soon the app will be commercialized.

“Our aim is to conquer the Kenya market first before extending the service to other parts of Africa. Our vision is to conquer Africa.”

In spite of the development made so far, the duo admit that the going has not been easy. “Some people are asking whether the app has been used anywhere else in the world.” Nevertheless, they are optimistic that explaining the benefits of the app to parents will conquer any negativity.

Going forward, the company will be launching another product in June this year. “In business, you constantly need to be innovative,” avers Awitty.

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16

Young And Enterprising

Brilliant Mathelumusa unravels how he was literally born in a cellar, his immense passion for winery, meeting his fiancé Suzan Njuguna, owning a wine brand and ultimately living their dream

Taking The Wraps Off The Secret Vineyards By BSG

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ine is steadily becoming a lifestyle for many Kenyans. As much as there might be wine etiquettes, terminologies and myths that actually leave us scratching our heads, there is a growing number of wine enthusiasts in Kenya altogether. In the past, wines were a rarity to come by. However, this has changed over time. You can now find wine on shelves of supermarkets and even shops locally. As such, finding affordable wine of good quality and yet socially acceptable is probably the biggest pain for most wine enthusiasts. In view of answering this problem, Brilliant Mathelumusa and Suzan Njuguna teamed up to form BSG Secret Vineyard in 2013. In November 2015, the company introduced three brands into the market.

“Kenyans do not have a wine culture but they are curious to adopt it. Good wine is not necessarily expensive or old. However, we discovered that it was hard to get one locally. This informed our decision to fill this gap,” Suzan opens up.

She adds that to be a leader in the wine industry, one has to produce high quality wine and provide consumers with the best value for money. “We believe in treating our customers with respect and dignity. With equal measure, our wines are made with passion, expertise, dignity and love to ensure that consumers will always enjoy the experience of buying, drinking and savouring our wines.”

Brands of wine In November 2015, the firm launched its three brands of wine to the Kenyan market at the South African High Commissioner’s residence.

BSG Secret Vineyard Merlot is a 2014 vintage which has an aroma of black cherries and a touch of cloves.

When taken, on the palate, expect a deep and focused core of fruit held by a firm yet silky structure.

Rosé (Sauvignon Blanc & Cabernet Franc Blend) with a subtle salmon colour gives out a fresh fruity aroma on the nose. It tastes like a blend of strawberry, kiwi fruit and gooseberry flavours. The acidity of the Sauvignon blanc grape harmonizes well with the natural sweetness of the wine.

The Sauvignon blanc is a crispy 2015 vintage. It has a juicy aroma, with kiwi fruit and gooseberry flavours.

Its acidity adds to a livery lingering finish.

Coming to Kenya Brilliant first came to Kenya as an expatriate and instantly realized the huge potential of the wine industry in Kenya. Born and raised in South Africa, one of the world’s leading wine producing countries, his interest in wine started at an early age.

He is the co-founder and managing director of BSG Secret Vineyards as well as a certified Sommelier-in the UK and SA. “l was born in a wine cellar; my Dad was and still is an avid wine collector of vintages from all over the world with good appellations in his wine cellar,” he reveals.

firm, he is proud that his dream has finally come true.

He says his fiancée and business partner, Suzan Njuguna, shares his entrepreneurial dreams. She is a co-founder and director of operations at the winery. She says: “I have always had passion for (drinking) wine but it was not until I met my fiancé that I gained interest in the process of grapegrowing, wine-making and wine tasting. I had learnt about wine from a very warped platform but meeting the sommelier led me to appreciate wine more because of the knowledge I continuously gain.”

Thrilling experience Suzan says the journey has been fulfilling: “Visiting vineyards, learning about grape varieties, wine making techniques and so much more. It has been both thrilling and mesmerizing.”

He says he has had a somewhat unorthodox career path. He originally trained as an accountant and worked in bars, restaurants and hotels. “As time went by, I wanted to get away from my computer, and started pursuing my passion full time in the vineyards of Cape Town - Stellenbosch at Zorgvliet Vineyards training as a winemaker, and that made me want to pursue it even further through professional training courses. I took up an accelerated training at a Professional Institute; Cape Wine Academy in South Africa, in 2005 ( Cape Sommelier & Diploma) and then l moved to England for the International Sommelier Course with Court of Master Sommelier ( Certified Sommelier).”

He has further worked in the UK, Dubai and East Africa. To him, wine is a confluence of the natural environment, farming, science, art, travel, and poetry. “It speaks to my soul and reflects who I am as a person.”

He had always dreamt of owning a wine brand, and with the incorporation of the

Suzan holds a graduate degrees in Human Resources and associate degree in IT & Management. She has masters in Project Planning and Management from the University of Nairobi, and her experience spans in operations, finance and administration in corporates, NGOs and Inter-governmental/not-for-profit organizations.

Being a certified Sommelier and hailing from a wine producing country, Brilliant believes that he has what it takes to excellence in his line of business. To maintain this, he also benchmarks with the best across the world.

The wines are produced in StellenboschCape Town. Interestingly, the firm does not own a vineyard. “We buy grapes from different vineyards and blend it. For instance, our Merlot is a blend of grapes from three vineyards,” he reveals.

He also ensures they get the best grapes from vineyards. Working with different vineyards promotes continuity of production. With this, he says, there are no chances of failure: “When one vineyard fails to produce, we are serviced by others.

It also ensures quality.”

Since the launch last year, the firm has produced over 65,000 litres of wine. This year, it has the capacity to produce over 300, 000 litres.

Brilliant has invested in robust networks to ensure that the brand is available at

the right place. “Our wine is specifically produced for the hospitality industry. However, plans are underway to make sure it’s available at selected places.”

Wine and art “Being an exclusive brand, it is important to create awareness. We do not want to put our wines on the shelves where no one knows about it,” he says.

Suzan also expresses her fears a lot of people cannot tell a good wine. To educate people about and drive awareness about the brand, they have partnered with artists. As such, the firm holds wine tasting sessions every last Saturday of the month where artists showcase their works. “We also do other gigs and events for individuals, corporates like food and wine pairing sessions and master classes for wine enthusiasts.”

For Brilliant, supporting the industry through training is vital. He trains service staff in restaurants. “We believe in product knowledge. Through that, people will have confidence in selling our brands and advising customers.”

Online engagement through social platforms has also been key to creating awareness about the brand.

Challenge The biggest challenge, Suzan says, is the need to educate people about wine and how to appreciate good wine. “We are trying to penetrate the market, and as a new brand, people are always skeptical.

However, Kenyans have appreciated our wine and the demand is growing.”

She however remains unfazed by such.

The fact that their customers feel valued is perfect for them. Business leaders like Bob Collymore and Chris Kirubi have endorsed the brand and mentored them.

The brands are available in Kenya, South Africa and UK. Plans are underway to export to China and ultimately go global.

For the Sommelier who is passionate about what he does, he is bold to build an empire and hopes the experience gets better with age literally.

Website:www.bsgsecretvineyard.co.uk Facebook: The Secret Vineyards by BSG Twitter: SecretVineyardW

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Executive Talk

Dr. Jennifer Riria is the group CEO of the only microfinance institution in Kenya that specifically targets women, Kenya Women Holding, renowned researcher, distinguished gender specialist and microfinance banker.

Her exemplary leadership and entrepreneurial skills have earned her more than forty awards both nationally and internationally, among them: Moran of Burning Spear(2006), Ernst and Young Global Entrepreneur (2014) and nominee of The Oslo Business Peace award(May, 2016). Her stint at the helm of the firm has seen her transform the microfinance industry in Kenya empowering hundreds of thousands of women financially, most of whom were previously secluded.

Today, they are empowered to live their lives in their own potential and aspirations. She continues to inspire and transform. Our editor, Oroni Tendera, recently met her at her office to get the inside story into her stellar career and entrepreneurship journey.

Dr. Jennifer Riria: The Inside Story Of An Inspiring Entrepreneur Who Has Empowered Millions Of Women In Kenya

M

y colleague and I are seated here at the reception of Kenya Women Holding office,chatting about our interview subject, Dr. Jennifer Riria. Wondering if it is possible to remain neutral, as journalistic ethics demand, when interviewing a strong

in her majestic walking gait.

She embraces my female colleague and grants me a firm handshake before introducing herself as Dr. Jennifer Riria.

Her voice is crispy and precise.

‘Welcome,’ the executive says to us rather than at us with vigour and life as she leads us to her office: a modest space brimming with accolades of various shapes and sizes.

We sit facing her. Without awaiting any further ado, she kick-starts the conversation.

Her top most concern are the youth. She expresses her worry about young people’s inability to stand up and face challenges in the present world and their desire to get rich quickly without straining or breaking a sweat.“Young people come out of school complaining that there are no jobs. According to them, an ideal job is a whitecollar job.’’ She attributes this rather disturbing trend to drug and substance abuse among the youth and lack of proper role models to guide them. “We lack leaders who subscribe to ideal values in our society.

Unfortunately, they are the kind of people whom our youth emulate,’’ she says with a slight tremor in her voice.

personality of her stature.

Speculating about her philosophical paradigms and source of inspiration. Amidst our chattering, a lady dressed in colorful African Kitenge materializes. She exudes an air of confidence extraordinaire

2016

She is currently a nominee of the 2016 Oslo Business Award Honouree set to be received in May 2016.

Humble beginnings She further admits that her journey to the helm of Kenya Women Holding has not been as smooth as many youth would wish to perceive. It is a journey that started when she was a young girl, growing up in the little known village of Kionyo at the slopes of Mt. Kenya, watching women going about their daily hustles and bustles painstakingly. A journey that was energized by her strong belief that the key to

socio-economic development is education. Every day, she walked to and from school−4 kms from her home−in quest to quench her thirst for knowledge.

Her perseverance bore fruits.

She excelled in her primary education exams and got admitted to Precious Blood Kilungi for her O level studies then Kipsigis girls for A levels. From Kipsigis girls, she proceeded to Dar-es-salaam University where she pursued a bachelors degree in Education.

After graduating with her first degree, she worked as a tutor at Kabete technical institute for 6 months and later taught at State House girls for a year before enrolling for a post graduate degree in Education Administration at Leeds University in the UK. Upon completion of her diploma, she enrolled for a Masters in Education within the same University.

She flew back to Kenya after graduating and got admitted into a PHD programme at the University of Nairobi, specializing in Women, Education and Development as well as working as a part time lecturer at Kenyatta University.

She was awarded her doctorate certificate in 1986.

In 1989,Dr Jennifer took a sabbatical leave from teaching and joined UNICEF where she worked as a consultant on Women Education for Child Survival.

First managerial job Two years later, she agreed to take up a managerial job at the then defunct Kenya

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Executive Talk

Women Finance Trust(KWFT), a financial institution that was established in 1982 by a group of professional women. It was not an easy task. “There were serious problems with management at the KWFT: both financial and human resource management. In fact, the company had accumulated millions of debt and had ceased to operate,’’ reveals Dr Jennifer.

Spear by the Government of Kenya for her contribution to national development on top of many other awards.

Inspiring Others Asked how she manages her time considering her demanding responsibilities, the executive alludes to her staff whom she refers to as her ‘second family.’ “I have a special staff and everyone seem to know their duties and responsibilities. I inspire and empower others to perform.”

With little resources at hand, she assumed her new responsibilities. “I started off with one table and no chair. I used to board matatus to meet our clients in various parts of the country. Back then, I multi-tasked as the CEO, accountant, loan clerk and office cleaner. We had no offices outside Nairobi, and for that reason, I used to sit under trees to award women loans of Ksh 2000,’’ reveals the CEO.

In 2010 Kenya Women was split into two organizations, the Kenya Women Microfinance Bank and the Kenya Women Holding. Until then, Dr. Jennifer headed both the financial and non-financial arms of the institution. The split was a transformation in which the Kenya Women Microfinance Bank came under Central Bank regulation. Currently, the Kenya Women Holding, the holding company, retains 25 per cent of shares ownership down from 100 per cent in 2010, and remains the only bank in Africa whose members own shares of the bank.

Feathered cap “One of the biggest achievements in my life is opening up banking halls for women,’’ shares the CEO. On top of that, in a bid to achieve financial inclusion and reach out to women in marginalized areas, Kenya Women has introduced mobile phone loans. However, Dr. Jennifer admits women from such areas do not fully own phones, making it impossible for them to attain financial independence, a situation that she is striving to change through education.

“We are trying to teach women that their phones and their secret pin numbers belong to them. That means they ought not to share them with anyone.”

KWFT, under the stewardship of Dr. Jennifer has also been applauded for changing the societal attitude towards empowering women financially. “During my early days at KWFT, people would laugh at the idea that women could become movers and shakers of the economy.

Husbands complained that their wives would become big-headed. We are glad to be part of the wave of change that has transformed people’s thoughts and attitudes.”

In recognition of her leadership skills, Dr. Jennifer Riria has received several awards both locally and internationally.

She is currently a nominee of the 2016 Oslo Business Award Honouree set to be received in May 2016. She also recently received the Intellecap Inspiration award for being a true inspiration in the development sector. In 2015, she was awarded The Lifetime Achievement Award in Financial services and regional winner of Africa’s most Influential women in Business and Government. In 2006, she was awarded Moran of the Burning

She emphasizes on the need to inspire others and giving them the capacity to develop. In the same vein, Dr. Jennifer avers that the Educate the Next 235 Girlsher brainchild initiative is still ongoing.

She curated the program to inspire and support bright and needy girls in their education: “I started the program with two girls from Mai-mahiu using funds from my own pocket. The two girls completed their secondary education. One attained a grade B- while the other got a C+. The aim is to inspire them to greatness.”

Currently the program supports more than 200 girls in their education and is being funded by contributions from Kenya Women staff, profit from the bank and humans of good will.

However, Dr. Riria remains unfazed by these accomplishments and wants to improve more lives as long as it would take.

We wish her a productive journey.

In Her Own Words I am a mother, grandmother and an innovative leader.

I strive in to inspire greatness.

My lowest moment is when I lost my daughter in 2007.

I work throughout the week an take weekends off when I am not travelling.

I enjoy reading inspirational stories and books

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Main Story

BRITAM ASSET MANAGERS: REWRITING THE RULES OF WEALTH CREATION Established nearly a decade ago, Britam Asset Managers (Kenya) banks on its professionalism and robust investment structures to excite investors’ experience.

Words Sylvester Okumu

Kenneth Kaniu, chief executive officer, Britam Asset Managers.

S

avings and investments have become an integral part to individual and collective prosperity. As a rule of thumb, individuals and institutions which save more become wealthier, since foregoing consumption today allows one to invest in the future. Well, people and institutions tend to save and invest if they can trust the institutions that manages their money and investments at large. However, you need a more robust and credible investment partner to guide you towards achieving your investments and economic prosperity. In the same breathe, Britam Asset Managers-Kenya Limited has established itself as the most ideal asset and wealth management solutions provider, helping investors actualize their aspirations.

Britam Asset Managers operates as a subsidiary of the Britam in a fast growing and dynamic industry. It was established in 2004 to offer asset management and investment advisory services to individuals and institutions. Over the years, it has grown in leaps and bounds in addressing the need for innovative investment products and services. It now has assets of over Kshs100 billion under management and is licensed as a Fund Manager by the Capital Markets Authority (CMA) and the Retirement Benefits Authority (RBA).

Britam is a leading diversified financial services group listed on the Nairobi Securities Exchange. The group has interests across the Eastern and Southern Africa region, with offices

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Main Story

the recent accolades bagged by the firm underscore their commitment toasset management and investment advisory.

BAM was voted as the Unit Trust manager of the year for three years in a row by the Think Business Awards. It has also been consistently feted as the Fund Manager of the year with best performing alternative asset classes over the years by the same award. “We also pride ourselves to be the fastest growing asset managers in institutional assets. Last year, we grew our asset management by over 50 per cent,” he shares.

in Kenya (HQ), Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, South Sudan, Mozambique and Malawi. The company offers a wide range of financial products and services in insurance, asset management, banking and property.

The product range includes: life, health and general insurance, pensions, unit trusts, investment planning, wealth management, off-shore investments, retirement planning, discretionary portfolio management, property development and private equity.

Wealth of experience Kenneth Kaniu, the chief executive officer of Britam Asset Managers, says he was overly impressed by the quality and confidence of the team upon joining the firm six months ago. “They have good depth of skills and wealth of talent with a strong desire to contribute to the mission of the firm”.

Prior to joining the firm, he had a stellar career experience spanning over 13 years in finance, investment and asset management. Kenneth is the immediate former chief financial officer at Stanlib East Africa where he spent ten years. He earlier had asset managerial stints in Germany before coming back to Africa. He explains:“I

have been in asset management for the better part of my career and it has been an exciting experience. It is a key industry that has a lot of potential to impact the lives of many people from savings and investments to property development and wealth creation.”

Asked what accounts for the firm’s remarkable performance in its line of business, the CEO alludes to the competence and professionalism of the team. He also refers to the first-rate infrastructure at Britam, the group’s managerial structure, tools and platforms thataid the firm in the realization of its goals and objectives.

“It is no doubt that we are the market leader in retail and institutional asset management. We also have robust and impressive alternative asset classes such as equity and property. We have strengthened our efforts in this line of business in the recent past,” explains the executive. Above all, he says, the firm is uniquely positioned to excel.

According to Mr. Kaniu, that explains why the firm has been fronting the market since its inception. He says a glimpse of

Exceptional products According to the executive, BAM-Kenya is the most ideal provider of asset management and wealth management solutions. The company has a wide range of investment products and services for both individual and institutional investors who seek attractive yields. On the retail side, the firm is primarily known for provision of exceptional Unit Trusts products.

A Unit Trust is also known as a mutual fund or a collective investment fund. It is professionally managed by the investment managers where investors’ contributions are pooled together to purchase securities such as equities (shares), bonds, cash and bank deposits among others. In Kenya, Unit Trusts are regulated by the CMA. The company has a number of Unit Trusts, namely:money market fund, bond plus fund, balanced fund and equity fund.

Money market fund invests in short terms deposits such as treasury bills (T-bills), treasury bonds, commercial papers and bank deposits of less than a year maturity profile. Unlike others which are long term, this is a low risk investment that gives an investor high interest returns which is earned daily.

The company also creates and manages wealth for individual investors. “We focus on extraordinary personalized services.

We critically evaluate personal, market and aspirations risks while constructing an optimal portfolio based on the selected individual companies.”

The said solutions include cash management and active strategies. He says cash management is a low risk investment product similar to a bank fixed deposits but gives high interest rates. The interest rate is guaranteed by the company and is higher than normal interests given by banks locally. It is available for both retail and institutional investors.

On the other hand, active strategies fund targets both individuals and institutional investors seeking to maximize medium to long-term capital growth through exposure to equities. The fund actively invests and trades in Nairobi Securities Exchange listed stocks and bonds so as to outperform the broad market indices and offer absolute returns. The product has an ideal investment horizon of 12 months and ensures downside risks are mitigated.

Exciting experience The oomph with which the company is excited by the prospects of alternative investments like private equity and property is amazing. Mr. Kaniu underscores the importance of property as a good asset class. He offers that it tends to stabilize the returns in an investment portfolio over

time. It has two diversities of returns which reduces risks and absolute return on the investment itself is very strong.

This ranges between 15 to 20 per cent every year. “It is a piece of investment cake that we have wanted to execute over time.

Initially, we used to outsource our property development capability to a third party but began decisions to keep it in-house. We have established a subsidiary to that effect, strong and fully equipped with a visionary pipeline and development concept.”

The company targets commercial retail and office as well as residential development investors with this asset class. These include pension funds, corporates and individuals among others.

Mr. Kaniu commends that the fact the firm is able to give strong returns to investors is perfect for them. The primary role it has played in developing the sector in which it operates in is also commendable. “Our premier investment as asset managers is Lang’ata House. It gives high returns on investment every year. It has spurred a lot of interest and attention from the market and it is something that we would want to continue replicating.”

Asset Management Businesses

Stock Market Products ◆ Unit Trust Funds ◆ Discretionary ◆ Portfolio Management ◆ Pensions

Customized Solutions ◆ Cash Management Solution ◆ Active Strategies ◆ Diaspora Products

Public Markets Business

Real Estate/ Property ◆ Development Funds ◆ Income Funds ◆ Mezzanine Fund

Private Equity ◆ Private Equity Funds

Alternative Markets Business

Offshore & Regional ◆ Pan - African Funds

Challenges Despite the immense potential that this sector can play in shaping the future of the Kenyan economy, Mr. Kaniu points outlack of information and unavailability of quality properties as some of the teething problems. “We do not have a proper and reliable land registry. It is difficult to know land ownership and trading history. The availability of a good property on the other hand is also a nightmare. Owners do not want to sell quality properties that are available, and if they do, it is at exorbitant prices. The development process altogether is somewhat risky and takes a lot of time and resources.”

Optimism In his view, such drawbacks scared away investors in the past. However, this has started to change. “New structures such as REITS has increased appetite for investors, and more demand,” offers the executive.

He further adds that a lot of ethics and professionalism has been adopted by the players. It is commendable for the credibility and overall perception of the sector. “Players have introduced solid and robust investment processes. As such, there is need to de-focus from egocentric property investments to value oriented.”

The fact that the firm has managed assets according to its benchmarks and brought value to investors sits well with him.

He is also cognisant of the role played by regulators to strengthen the sector. “The sector is well-organized and we have seen increased numbers of property managers participating in property investments.

Asset managers are now focusing on yield enhancement as opposed to gathering assets. We are also seeing increased diversified strategies to corporate bonds, private equity, property and retail market which is key for the growth of the industry,” he shares.

And with the benefit of Mr. Kaniu’s hindsight to establish a market and innovation leader in asset and wealth management, we only hope that the future can be welcoming.

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26

Media And Publishing

We Need New Heroes As We Rethink The Goals Of Education Words Mbugua Ng'ang'a

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or the better part of this year, the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development will be leading various players in the education sector in reviewing the school curriculum as part of a wider strategy to orient our education goals with the Constitution as well as with emerging trends and knowledge globally.

This important obligation gives us the opportunity to define new values for the nation and more importantly for ourselves.

Considering that corruption, the desire to get rich quickly with minimum effort and counterproductive individualism are some of the problems that confront Kenya today, we as a nation must use the review of our education system to find ways of re-orienting future generations from these self-inflicted afflictions that have permeated all aspects of our lives.

Some time back, Coca Cola conducted a study which showed that young people in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania want to grow rich but they also don’t want to work. This finding was replicated in another study conducted this year and published by the Daily Nation.

The second one highlighted another glaring aberration: young people do not mind

becoming rich through corruption, even if it will grant them one-way tickets to prisons.

This is a worrying trend. It means that the conscience of the youth has been blunted even before they are in their prime, posing a grave danger to the society.

But to pre-empt the inevitable social and moral decay that this attitude is ultimately likely to lead to, it is important to expose the youth to a new morality by exposing them to books that lead them to higher, public-spirited ideals such as honesty, caring for others, industry and conduct that benefits both the individual and his society.

This is one of the challenges I was seeking to address in my novella, The Man In Green Dungarees, which tells the story of

The guiding star in our discussion on the education we want for future generations should be whether it will enlighten them to become better than their parents and whether it has the capacity to liberate them from the rapacity that has gripped our society by helping them to internalise a new set of values. properly no history, only biography”. Taken to its logical conclusion, this argument infers that young people will not learn in a vacuum but from their predecessors.

If we want to nurture a society built on knowledge, we must of necessity celebrate those in the knowledge industries such as information technology, science and entrepreneurship. We must not continue living as though politicians are the most important players in the economy because this sends the signal that as long as one is elected to public office, then, as a matter of necessity, one will automatically become wealthy. This is the attitude that has bred the corruption that we are now mired in.

To change this mindset, we need new heroes and heroines, and not just that, we must celebrate them and hold them up as men and women worth emulating. a young man trying to overcome addiction to alcohol as he struggles to build a small business. Eventually, he is crowned with success after overcoming great odds.

One way to shape young minds to embrace edifying ideals is by getting them to read books that promote social good and model the common goals we share as a nation, including the need to love our country and all its people, good governance, good neighbourliness and being responsible private and corporate citizens who play their part in national development and the advancement of humanity.

Let us think for a moment. Are there leaders in various fields that we would like our children to emulate? Are there entrepreneurs, professionals, politicians and public figures who are regarded as role models for the youth? Have we written books about them that young people can read so that they can be inspired? Have we invited them to give talks to young people, to share the stories about their lives and struggles so that young people can learn that there is no such thing as overnight millionaires?

The American author, Ralph Waldo Emerson, once observed that “there is

The guiding star in our discussion on the education we want for future generations should be whether it will enlighten them to become better than their parents and whether it has the capacity to liberate them from the rapacity that has gripped our society by helping them to internalise a new set of values. In the long haul, we must also invest in books that celebrate individuals who epitomize these values bearing in mind the wise words that Emerson bequeathed us, for children learn best by example.

Ng’ang’a Mbugua is an author of 13 books, including the award-winning novel, Different Colours. He is also a newspaper editor. Email: mbugua@ bigbooks.co.ke

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Higher Learning

In a world where the yardstick continues to be a paper exam, not everyone will be an A student and not everyone, an F. There will always be exam failures and those who excel. What we should aspire to, is ensure none of these fail in life!

Words John Kageche

Here’s How We Should Aim For An Education System That Makes The A Grade

I

t must be the hottest national topic right now: the 8-4-4 system of education is being overhauled.This is not the first or second time this has been mooted and it is hoped that this time it will take off. It is envisaged that the youth born out of the proposed 2-6-6-3 system will be sufficiently equipped to competently face the world.

The vision is to Nurture Every Learner’s Potential which ironically, though not explicitly stated, was the same ideal the criticized 8-4-4 system had.

For all its vilification, critics agree on two things about 8-4-4 (as it is commonly referred to): It is the only radical shift in education we have had since independence; and, two, it was a brilliant system only poorly executed. Properly implemented it would have nurtured every learner’s potential. It is hoped that stakeholders in the education system will learn from its failures, how not to implement.

8-4-4 failed to achieve what education is meant forempowerment; instead, it was tragically reduced to an education for examination with dire repercussions “The 8-4-4 system was wasting away an entire generation.”

So said past Chairman of KESSHA (Kenya Secondary School Heads Association), Mr. Cleophas Tirop. This he said, following a 2009 research by Steadman Group that revealed that, consistently, more than half of those who sit the University entry examination (KCSE) score D+ and below.

And in exam-drunk Kenya, anyone that does not make it to University is declared a failure. Failure. That’s a damaging term to label an impressionable teenage mind. Failure. How is one condemned a failure when they are barely 18-and literate?!

Literate failures And what happens to these ‘literate failures’ as I like to call them?

Well, according to a 2010 USAID report, “Kenyan youth face a complex reality: On one hand, they have a relatively high level of basic education, with a literacy rate at over 90 percent, and more than half of those who are out of school have completed some or all of secondary schooling. However, 75 percent of the out-ofschool youth do not have regular, full-time employment. As many as 40,000 of these youth are entering this labour force each year with tertiary education, and facing an employment market that has only created 150,000 new formal sector jobs in the past six years.

Youth are vulnerable for multiple and complex reasons... On one hand, there is an education system that is designed to be highly individualistic and competitive, in which “paper” examinations determine one’s life opportunities, and the majority “fail” before attaining qualifications that are needed for formal sector employment. On the other hand, the education system raises expectations, leading school leavers to disdain agricultural work, without providing the knowledge, skills, and disposition to seek livelihood through enterprise and self-employment. Yet youth who are not from a wealthy, connected family have little opportunity for wage employment in the formal sector.”

Youth at risk The USAID report continues, “Almost 2 million youth are out of school, and the great majority of these have no regular work or income, making them particularly vulnerable to recruitment, for pay, into political campaigns and criminal gangs.”

I believe that among these 2 million at-risk youth are accomplished painters, distinguished lawyers, celebrated journalists, visionary Presidents, iconic footballers, Chancellors of Universities, renowned radio personalities, world class chefs, famous stand-up comedians, stellar salespersons, Nobel laureates, eminent DJs, feted pianists, acclaimed TV hosts, prominent news casters, millionaire marathoners, outstanding doctors, notable software engineers, illustrious architects, famous nurses, well-known stockbrokers, ground breaking film producers, innovative interior designers, pioneering app developers,outstanding pilots, recognized professors, eminent bankers, transformative kindergarten teachers, revolutionary geeks and a myriad other possibilities and dreams which will simply die with their owners because they were made to believe that having failed a national exam they have done so in life.

After all as youthatrisk.org.uk observes,” Lacking self-esteem, aspiration and motivation, at risk youth see their futures as pre-destined to be ones of hopelessness, unemployment and even crime.”

Education for empowerment And that is the price we pay when we intimately embrace an education for examination as opposed to an education for empowerment.‘The challenges … young people regularly face are many, and require more than even the best numeracy and literacy skills.” (unicef.org). We must start approaching education as meant for empowerment, not employment; for life, not examination. This way, even as the student progresses through school she is being filled with the possibility of opportunities that exist for her, and not just the debilitating one: “go to school, pass your exams, get to university and get a job” The proposed latter part of higher education is said to identify and nurture talent in the quest to Nurture Every Learner’s Potential. This is a breath of fresh air as it will reverse that debilitating mantra. Structures must exist however that ensure the sustainability of the revised mantra.

For instance, during career fairs in schools, where they have a lawyer, architect, doctor and all such similar blue collar professions inspiring students to “grow up and be just like them”, going forward we hope to also have a successful farmer,

radio show host and businessman present.

As retired President Kibaki pointed out “experience from all over the world shows that educating the next generation and providing them with useful skills as well as opportunities is the only certain way for reducing poverty permanently. Kenya is no exception to this rule.” In this writer’s opinion skills here should be understood as emotional as well as intellectual (technical) and opportunity as an enabling environment (infrastructure, for instance) and not the much touted yet narrow sense of just direct creation of formal jobs. It is unrealistic to expect a government to consistently generate jobs commensurate to the secondary and tertiary graduates joining the labour market. It is realistic however to expect it to create an enabling environment for the entrepreneurial mind to thrive.

Changing landscape In the 70s and early 80s those at University had three or four plum jobs awaiting them on graduation. Kenya was rapidly growing.

The economy was expanding faster than graduates were being churned. Economic capital outpaced intellectual capital. Today, most jobs have a degree as minimum entry qualification yet attaining the degree is not guarantee to any job, let alone a plum one. Unemployed graduates come at a dime a dozen. Ironically, it is not unusual to have non-graduates who are successful entrepreneurs and have employed graduates!

As we revamp our education system towards making it sustainable, we must first start with the end in mind. What do we want to see as a result of our education system? Ask any parent, businessman or employer and you will repeatedly hear confidence, effective communication, values-driven, high self esteem, focused, self-driven, having an empowering attitude and on and on. Soft skills; behaviour.

Suffice it to say, employers hire based on knowledge and skills (certificates), yet promote and fire based on attitudes (assertiveness, chronic lateness, fraud etc).

There is nothing more frustrating than glowing academic papers in the hands of one with a pathetic attitude.

The mention of soft skills presents another challenge. How does one teach on emotional aspects of the brain. Ultimate empowerment. Academics work on the intellect and conventional teaching focuses on this. Yet progress in life is largely determined by the emotional.

Paradigm shift An education for empowerment will mean our teachers are sufficiently equipped to address the emotional part of the brain.

Most teaching tells, and the intellect rationalises or absorbs. To appeal to the emotion, teaching must show. And therein lays a world of difference. In showing, one creates life transformational “Aha” moments which numerous hours of telling would probably never achieve. For instance, Vasco da Gama landed in Malindi in 1498 (I think that’s what my history teacher said) and that some European discovered Mt Kilimanjaro (whatever ‘discovery’ means in this instance). What is more important is the lesson behind these historical feats-the concept of discovery, the courage to take risks, daring to break new ground, sustaining a compelling vision, passion, scaling new heights, persistence, self-introspection, teamwork and all the traits that come with feats that end up making history. That is what our students should learn as it will last them through life and is of much more value than a historical date that can be ‘googled’!

But it’s not just teachers, parents (especially parents) too, must have a paradigm shift in communicating with their youth too. If for sure I am not academically gifted, but technically so, that does not make me a failure, dad-just different. Groom me in that direction.

Like Mc Donald Mariga.How many of our parents and teachers are willing to encourage a student with the requisite potential who says, “When I grow up I want to have my own successful breakfast show on radio?”

The overhaul of the education systemis long overdue. As educationists work on it, it is important that they inculcate empowering behaviour traits in students that will transcend school and work and see them successfully though life.In a world where the yardstick continues to be a paper exam, not everyone will be an A student and not everyone, an F. There will always be exam failures and those who excel. What we should aspire to, is ensure none of these fail in life!

Kageche is a parent and has an interest in Education. He is Lead Facilitator, Lend Me Your Ears. www.lendmeyourears. co.ke. Email: lendmeyourears@ consultant.com

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Employee Relations

A company is people. Employees want to know…am I being listened to or am I a cog in the wheel? People want to feel wanted:Richard Branson Words Perminus Wainaina

Why Rewarding Employees Is Valuable To Your Company

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015 was a challenging year for business, stemming mostly from the poor performance of the economy that has affected a number of organizations .Some employees have been laid off and others have had to deal with the discomfort of taking up more roles. All this in the hope of cutting costs and making sure company objectives are met; even with the dwindling economy.

But even with the bad economy and challenging times, employees do have expectations from their employers. For every end month they will expect a salary, and for every target met they will want to receive something extra; a bonus maybe to treat themselves or a gift that makes them feel appreciated.

Benefits of rewarding your employees

A more engaged workforce If employees do not feel engaged, they do little towards meeting company objectives. Performance goes down and the organization suffers.

However, when you choose to reward your employees they will be a happy and satisfied lot.

More time will be spent doing their jobs and not complaining about how unappreciated they feel.

They might even forget the long hours they had to endure.

Increased productivity and profitability When you have a happy and motivated workforce, productivity is expected to multiply since

When you have a happy and motivated workforce, productivity is expected to multiply since every employee is performing their best. becomes easier as an employer to manage your employees. There is more time to offer constructive feedback and address issues on a more personal level, which every employee will appreciate.

This then lets you know what is working and what is not, which department needs more attention and which employees need more training in a field.

You are also able to recognize who your top talent is. All this provides a ground for better management and profitability in the long run.

every employee is performing their best.

There is also lesser people taking day offs to avoid work and even fewer people experiencing any form of stress. This then translates into positive results and you can expect to have a smooth run. There will be no need for employees to leave when they are happy, which is translation for retaining top talent and attracting new ones.

More effective feedback on company projects With an engaged workforce that is only focused on completing their daily tasks, it

Bottom line While rewarding your employees may set you back a couple of thousands in shillings,rewarding your employee for good performance is only going to bring positive results. Instead of basking in the tough economic times as reason not to reward employees, these difficult times should be reason to remind employees why they should stay with the company. You do not have to offer monetary rewards (i.e. bonuses, salary increment or the 13th pay);instead, you can opt for alternative non-monetary rewards such as gift or shopping vouchers and outdoor lunches or parties to boost teamwork.

In Richard Branson’s words, “A company is people. Employees want to know… am I being listened to or am I a cog in the wheel? People want to feel wanted.”

Perminus Wainaina is the Managing Partner & Head of Recruitment at Corporate Staffing Services Ltd. Email. pwainaina@corporatestaffing. co.ke

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Marketing

Words Peter Kamande

Can Online Outsourcing Solve The Youth Unemployment Crisis?

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ince the onset of the twenty first century, unemployment has remained one of the most debated subjects across the globe.

This is aggravated by factors such as occupational immobility, economic recession as witnessed in the United States in 2008, as well as increased number of students leaving colleges to the labor market. Currently in Kenya, unemployment rate is about 40 percent.

Accordingly, unemployed graduates are searching for alternative jobs in order to fulfill their dreams. Against this backdrop, online outsourcing, viewed as key to overcome geographical immobility affecting the labor market, has been embraced both in developed and developing economies.

Online outsourcing is defined as “the business process of contracting third-party providers (often overseas) to supply products or services which are delivered and paid for via the internet�. It has been proved that online outsourcing has opened opportunities for freelancers to access and compete in global job markets, provided that they have access to a computer and Internet connection.

There are various jobs which outsourcing companies avail to freelancers including web development, online marketing and freelance writing.

Online marketing Online marketing has gained pace in the recent past. This is based on the premise that, as compared to the traditional forms of marketing, online marketing through social media sites is much less costly and effective. Online marketers are responsible for advertising and promoting products and services offered by companies through the internet.

Web development and web content writing Companies across the world are outsourcing web developers who are responsible for search engine optimization (SEO) and creating programming codes.

It is also worth noting that, web content articles written by online writers, is key to driving traffic to particular websites.

Freelance writing This is one of the most notable forms of outsourcing known

basis. Generally, this figure is expected to increase drastically going forward and generate gross service revenue of approximately $15-20 billion by 2020.

Africa has a small representation as far as the number of online workers is concerned.

South Africa and Kenya are the market leaders in the continent. As indicated by CloudFactory, an online company whose main mission is to connect people in developing economies to digital-age work, online workers from Kenya are known in doing thorough job as far as audio transcription is concerned, while those in Nepal better suited to data entry tasks.

Sam Walter Gioko, aged 27 years and working for writershub.org notes that, freelance writing has offered him relief from job search. Having graduated in 2013 with a Bachelor of Arts (Economics) from Egerton University, he has been able to earn a salary of between ksh 20,000 and 30,000 per month from academic writing.

by majority of college and university graduates in Kenya. In academic writing, freelance writers mainly professionals in a particular field help students develop different types of academic papers such as thesis, dissertations, essays, and research articles. In most cases, students (both local and international) seeking such services have tight class and working schedule.

Impact on the global economy As aforementioned, online jobs are possible as along as a person can be able to access a computer and internet. This has been key in ensuring increased opportunities in nonconvectional financial empowerment. Due to the popularity of online jobs especially

in developing countries, the revenue generated from online outsourcing has been on the increase.

According to a report by the World Bank, it was estimated that the total gross revenue generated from global online outsourcing platforms in 2013 was $2 billion, led by companies such as Freelancer, Zhubajie/ Witmart, Upwork and oDesk among others. It is projected that, in 2016, online freelancing will be worth $ 4.8 billion (Ksh. 448 billion) with countries such as Pakistan and India leading the pack.

Globally, there are more than 47.8 million registered online workers, where at least 10% of this figure works on a full time

Similar sentiments were shared by Nancy Kagwiria Mugendi, who graduated with a Bachelor of Environmental Studies from Kenyatta University in 2011. According to her, lack of job in the formal sector made her to start working online. In addition to being a housewife, she is able to multitask between work and house duties, thus giving her work freedom as well as a constant flow of income.

It is worth noting that, with increased number of graduates joining the job market and with lower chances of getting a formal job, the number of individuals working as online freelancers is estimated to increase, not only in Kenya, but also across the world.

However, while online outsourcing can be a certain way to self-employment and financial security, it requires discipline as well as affordable connectivity.

Mr. Kamande is a professional research writer. Email: pitaah2010@gmail.com

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Human Resource

How do you improve your competitive business edge, improve customer, workplace relationships and keep your sanity and health in check?

Words Paul Muchira

Hone Your Competency Through Human Talent

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o remain competitive, we must take time to sharpen our competitive edge. As a busy business owner or executive, your days can turn into weeks and weeks turn into months before you even realize what is happening. So what is competitive edge? Where can business owners and executive find competitive edge? Unlike what most management course will tell you, it is not found in your balance sheet. Profit is only the evidence of a competitive edge. The edge itself is found in your relationships.

Your business is a ‘people’ business, and every enterprise is.

Certainly, you have skills, experience, expertise and product to provide, nonetheless the most important aspect that you need is the people.

better your skills, the more likely the relationship will be fruitful and rewarding. Sharpening your skills then makes ultimate sense. It will not only save you energy and time, but also pain and fear.

Excellent people skills build trusting relationships and solid links. These are pivotal to your bottom line, symbolically and literally. Whether you are relating with your workforce, your colleagues at work, folks you work for or live with, the

To work and live at ease, we need to cultivate and refine our ‘people skills’. This will serve as a buffer to your own sanity as well as contributing to our business success.

The wisdom of Bob Pritchard should always guide every

There is no enterprise that can attain any meaningful economic progress without people. They are the economy.

It is people you react to and prepare for. People have wants and needs. They create cooperation and competition, expectations and demand, deadlines and timelines, urgencies and emergencies. It is people who make or break a business. To sharpen your competitive edge, you must strive to hone your people skills.

It is common knowledge that our world has speeded up.

We have changed our perception of time and urgency.

We live in an era of instant communication with a desire for instant gratification. In this light, if we blink, we are afraid we might miss something. If we slow down, we are terrified we might be passed. If we stop, we are scared we will be too far out of pace to recoup our position. Our radar is on 24/7. It’s exhausting.

To sharpen your competitive edge, you should seek to harness the following skills.

Be Assertive, Not Aggressive Be clear and succinct. It is important to know what you want and why you want it. Know what is important for your business and why it is important. It is only after defining that will you be in a position to communicate respectfully and assertively. The success of your business will be in direct proportion to your clarity.

Assertiveness denotes being willing to ask for what you want and need. Assertiveness necessitates that you speak about business, your feelings, your thoughts, your wants and needs. It is a declaration of where you stand. It is not an opportunity to trample on other individuals. That is aggressiveness.

Assertive business owners or traders communicate in ways that enable them to maintain self-respect, pursue happiness and the satisfaction of their wants while protecting their personal space and rights.

All this is achieved without abusing the rights of other people. In his excellent book, People Skills, Robert Bolton states that assertive people express their thoughts, feelings, wants and idea at the expense of others. Robert further states that it is always difficult to feel safe and comfortable around aggressive people.

business. He stated that, “When you’re not learning — someone, somewhere else, is.

When you meet — guess who has the advantage?”

The questions that comes to everyone’s mind is, how do you improve your competitive business edge, improve customer, workplace relationships and keep your sanity and health simultaneously? The answer is creating succinct goals, established priorities, well –grounded people skills, thoughtful time management, efficient organization and basic integrity. Even though this may be simple to say, it is not always an easy to do.

Communicate Clearly Communication entails two distinct acts: the ability and willingness to listen, and the ability and willingness to pass your message succinctly. Listening is much more difficult than talking. It is so difficult to listen because we long to be understood, we are impatient, and instead of listening to the other person’s point of view, we are always busy formulating our response, defense and rebuttal in our minds.

Listening requires caring. One has to want to listen, be willing to ask question so that everything is understood as it is. When speaking always endeavour to choose your words meticulously to pass the message to the audience. Always remember, you can say a great deal without speaking. Body language is a powerful communication tool. Leave nothing to chance that is within your control to communicate succinctly.

Manage Conflict Productively Conflict is not just a four letter word!

In its simplest definition, conflict is an expression of opposing drives, demands, needs and wishes. The challenge is how conflict is managed.... or, if it managed at all. A majority of people have had poor experiences with conflict. It is not unusual for conflict to be equated with disrespect.

That is, of course, because of the awkward ways in which it has been handled. It is important to note that assertive people can manage conflict more productively than aggressive people. Such people can communicate their positions and support them with evidence excellent ideas and facts. Assertive people contribute to the conversation instead of fuelling the conflict to unmanageable level.

The first crucial step in managing conflict is clarifying the underlying issues. It is important to delineate whether it is a conflict of feelings/emotions and values/ needs. These are very different.

Conflicts of emotions/feelings are easier to manage and solve because we create our own feelings by what we choose to think and perceive, and this can be altered depending on the prevailing situation.

Conflict of needs is much more complex to solve. They normally take longer to explain, fathom and manage. It is essential to maintain a certain level of decorum when conflict is present. When fear surges, defensiveness and attack rise as well. Always take care to avoid piling hurt upon conflict. Learn the skills of assertion.

Clarify your thoughts and approach people with whom you have a conflict at a quiet time, not when you are in full flight and gun loaded.

By sharpening these three essential people skills, you will be more confident when you move into a new business relationship and much more comfortable strengthening and managing existing ones. Successful business persons and successful business entities focus on their plans, objectives and goals. Successful business relationships are the cornerstones to successful marketing. Strive to build yours on integrity, honesty, and skills. Only then will you be able to build a lasting relationship with customer, suppliers, and other stakeholders.

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Personal Branding

Women, Soft Skills And Getting Ahead Words Derek Bbanga

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heryl Sandberg the Chief Operating Officer of Facebook in her celebrated book Lean In: Women, Work and the Will to Lead, talks about how women are unintentionally holding themselves back in their careers. The difference in activities, dress and behaviour between men and women has dramatically changed since women became a crucial part of the workforce in Kenya. However, there are still some still distinct differences between the sexes and women should capitalize on those differences in the workplace. Women listen better, they are generally more understanding, try to see all points of view, and they tend to consider more carefully before making business decisions. Women are much more sympathetic as managers, not wanting to deliberately put anyone down, and the natural female style of more supportive administration is proving successful as well as popular.

Women and Assertiveness Assertiveness means standing up for, and stating your own opinions and beliefs without putting down anybody else’s.

Assertiveness means standing up for, and stating your own opinions and beliefs without putting down anybody else’s.

Assertiveness help women become more

confident about themselves and with others. Women have to be assertive in the work place especially when dealing with men. Unless you tell most men straight, they do not read between the lines.

However, an aggressive woman will not succeed at work, especially if the workforce is predominantly male. It is important for women not to be pushovers, however listening is a great soft skill and one of the most significant that women bring to work.

In the boardroom As a female manager for example, if you tell, rather than ask people to do something and rule the office with a heavy hand, life will not be easy for anyone. The iron fist in the velvet glove is a better approach. A man will automatically take the credit for work he (and sometimes his department) has done, but many women use the word ‘we’ when referring to tasks that they alone have completed. They somehow imagine that their boss or the rest of the department will realise that the credit should go to them alone-unfortunately too often they don’t. The choice of ‘I’ or ‘we’ can have a significant effect on sounding confident and creating a positive image.

Women tend to apologise more, but when

they say ‘I’m sorry’ it is often meant as a way of expressing concern rather than a statement of apology. It is important to point out that women who are constantly apologizing may end up seeming weaker and less confident than they actually are.

Men apologise far less on the whole, as they hate to admit fault unless they really have to.

Networking at work Men are more likely to socialise with their superiors at work, eating with them at lunchtime, for example. Getting themselves noticed. Whereas women ae often afraid of sending out the wrong signals or don’t like to appear pushy. Studies have shown that many women are much more reticent about calling up a business contact for example up to ask them out to lunch. Many think they may be projecting the wrong image (being too forward) especially younger women. Networking is an important part of success in any business, and so women should not be afraid to arrange business dates if it’s just to get to know someone better.

Body language With women wearing the trousers (both figuratively and literally), they are

increasingly aware of the importance of non-verbal communication in the workplace. Women who have a firm handshake make a more favourable impression and are more likely to be judged as confident and assertive. Observe women and men in a meeting and the women generally take up less space than men. Women tend to physically condense, keeping the knees together, crossing the legs, touching their face or body and keeping their belongings neatly in front of them. Men, on the other hand, habitually take up space by sprawling and opening their body while sitting and spreading out their belongings. Physically taking up room during a meeting makes for a more powerful and authoritative person. Eye contact is also used more often and for longer duration by women when they listen. While eye contact may signal listening, prolonged eye contact

can be construed as a sexual invitation.

Women also tend to avert their eyes more often when looked at. Women sometimes tilt their heads when speaking but too much head tilting can also be seen as a submissive gesture. It lacks authority.

Clothes make a strong visual statement about how a woman sees herself; it is here where females really have an edge in dressing for success over men. And did you know that professional women who wear make-up (appropriate for the office), get promoted faster and earn bigger salaries than those who don’t?

Vive la difference When it comes to women, they have to deal with double standards in the work place, social pressures as well as the additional burden of dress, grooming and body language but rather than throw in the towel, women should celebrate their

differences with men. With more women choosing, as well as having to work, their influence in the work place is growing so vive la difference!

Infinite Style event Are you a professional woman looking to perfect your personal style? No problem, the Infinite Style event on April 15th at the Intercontinental Hotel is here to help you with style advice, hair, beauty and make up presentations, developing a fitness routine, how to make your personal brand work for you and more! So come with your professional, stylish friends, hand out, network and maybe get a beauty make over! As Yves St. Laurent said, “Fashion Fades, Style is Eternal.�

Derek Bbanga Communications Consultant (www.publicimageafrica.com)

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Customer Service

Each institution needs to develop an individualized service charter that captures provision of timely and comprehensive information; in a bid to inform, update and respond to student needs.

Words Carolyne Gathuru

Is The Student At An Institution Of Higher Learning A Customer?

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n business, organizations are very clear about the definition of who their customers are and how to target them to bring in the revenues. The nature of customer service to be delivered to ensure the target market is endeared to the brand is clear, and the channels through which to receive customer feedback are well defined. In the education sector, this dynamic completely shifts. In early education both at primary and secondary level, the parent is the principal customer. They bring their children to school and expect service delivery from the school administration and the teaching fraternity. However, this is not as straightforward for the higher education sector. Universities, colleges and technical institutions have the student as the principal entity with whom they interact.

What follows then is the critical question – Is the student at an institution of higher learning a customer?

There are different schools of thought on this subject

that interestingly, are distinctly disparate. The first provides a strong pitch for the abolishment of the traditional mindset of handling students as inferior beings to their ‘masters’, who bear the responsibility of knowledge transfer, and are the main reason for enrolment in the institution. The other calls for maintenance of the ‘education’ aspect of institutions of higher learning, where taking a contrary stance and engaging a more customer friendly approach would dilute the very essence of an educational institution. In fact, in his paper on “Universities’ Customer Service Problem” Prof John Traphagan strongly advocates that - “A university whether private or public is not a business. Universities and colleges are institutions of learning and research that do not have customers; instead, they have multiple stakeholders, including students, faculty, administrators, parents and the public.”

Are students customers?

Whether viewed as a business or not, or whether students are to be referred to as customers or not, what is clear is that the student population and those whosupportthem

interfaces, to enable adequate decision making. Institutions, especially those offering similar programmes, are naturally in competition to enroll students for sustainability and even more so for public institutions that have now ventured into offering private programmes alongside the mainstream academic menus. The customer communication portals including all online properties,must be managed professionally to respond to the spoken and unspoken information needs, in order to adequately advise decision making on enrollment. The enquiry handling mechanism put in place needs to be timely and adequately resourced, to providecomprehensive engagement as a hook for prospective students.

financially to get through their postsecondary education, are becoming more and more discerning about their expectations for service delivery from institutions of higher learning. The stakeholders involved are increasingly making their selection – where they have a choice- of where to take their students, based on their perception of the institution and the feedback they receive from their networks and from the public.

As with any institution that provides a service, the key goal needs to be to provide an experience that not only meets, but exceeds customer expectations. The interactions must be seamless from the pre- registration phase to the actual student journey to the post student completion period. Information should be available on all the institution’s customer

Student services For the students already enrolled and in progress of the pursuit of their professional and academic certifications, provision of student services remains the biggest customer service interface. The different departments charged with the responsibility of ensuring the different cogs in the wheel of student service provision are oiled and turning, need to have the consciousness to be customer centric. Contact points need to be set up to interact with students, and a complaint handling system that is workable and responsive designed.

Students in institutions of higher learning have been collectively characterized as very volatile world over, with the potential to cause unrest over minor differences with theadministration. This being the case and this customer characteristic not being news – having been consistently observed throughout history – it is incumbent upon the strategic leadership of the institution to build in structures for student engagement, interaction and dispute resolution, as a matter of priority. Each institution needs to develop an individualized service charter that captures provision of timely and comprehensive information; in a bid to inform, update and respond to student needs.

The exit experience whilst winding up for finaldeparture from the institution needs

to leave students with fond memories. Alex Smith of the Higher Education Network (UK) observes that – “The inevitable rise of a consumer culture is changing the expectations of students about what their chosen university will and should be like.

But no matter how much universities spend on new prospectuses, open days or placement of recruitment officers all over the country, there is and will never be, any better marketing tool available for an institution than a graduate.” Developing an alumni network that is proud of their university or college, works well towards the furtherance of the graduating students’ opportunities in the work place through their shared connections, as well as the institution’s word of mouth ‘resources’. Having positive referrals from past students is directly resultant from the sum total of their experiences whilst learning. Good experiences beget loyalty and positive word of mouth, and less than satisfactory experiences beget active determent of prospective enrollments.

Delicate balance A delicate balance, however, needs to be sought to ensure that students, whilst being handled with customer centricity, do not immerse themselves in the mentality that “The Customer Is King” and thusperpetuate a culture of demand and subjugation. The roles and expectations of all parties, students inclusive, need to be well spelled out to guide harmonious operations. Institutions of higher learning remain with the responsibility to guide and nurture young people to create a firm foundation for their careers, and to provide the opportunity to experience their graduation dreams. This can only be achieved in an atmosphere of courtesy, dignity and respect between the institution staff and the students. Every institution of higher learning must therefore purposefully endeavor to nurture this culture for success.

Carolyne is an accomplished brand, marketing strategist, and the founder of LifeSkills Consulting. She is an ardent customer service practitioner with over 15 years experience. Email: cgathuru@ life-skills.co.ke

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Leadership

A visionary leader plants a seed of the organization’s vision in the hearts of employees that must be powerful enough in order to encourage everybody to rise up to its call Words Jenny Nyawira

Are You A Visionary Leader?

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eading any considerable organizational change needs visionary leadership. Visionary leaders are responsible for holding the vision of an organization and have the discipline, strength, and passion to hold that vision through the whole process and simultaneously leading others into the manifestation of that vision.

“Vision exists when people in an organization share a clear agreement on the values, beliefs, purposes, and goals that guide their behavior, simply referred to as internal compass,” David Conley.

A visionary leader plants a seed of the organization’s vision in the hearts of employees, which must be powerful in order to encourage everybody to rise up to its call. He aligns all people to share this higher purpose and work towards achieving the goals with creativity, joy, inspiration, and imagination.

Visionary leaders are the builders of a new dawn, working with imagination, insight, and boldness. They present a challenge that calls forth the best in people and binding them around a shared sense of purpose. They work with the power of intentionality and alignment with a higher purpose. They are social innovators and change agents, seeing the bigger picture and thinking strategically.

Martin Luther King, Jr. An example of a visionary leader is Martin Luther King, Jr. King had a divinely clear vision and expressed it

magnificently in his, “I Have a Dream” speech. While his goals may have included various steps along the way to passing civil rights legislation, his vision was so much bigger than his goals. It described exactly what it looked like when the real impact of his goals were felt.

The best visionary leaders move energy to a higher level by offering a clear vision of what is possible. They inspire people to be better than they already are and help them identify with what Lincoln called “the angels of their better nature.” This was the power of Martin Luther King’s speech.

Like King, they have the ability to sense the deeper spiritual needs of their followers and link their current demands to these deeper, often unspoken, needs for purpose and meaning.

Another visionary leader is Ray Anderson.

At Interface Carpets Company, he took courageous action in transforming it into the most environmentally sustainable corporation. Interface launched a massive effort to cut its use of energy, replace petroleum-based supplies with vegetablebased substitutes and reduce emissions by 24 per cent. Customers nowadays do not buy a wall-to-wall carpet--they rent one-and when it wears out, all its component parts are recycled, and the customer receives a new one.

Visionary leaders transform old mental paradigms and create strategies that are “outside the box” of conventional thought.

They embody a balance of rational and intuitive functions. Their thinking is broad and systemic, seeing the big picture, the entire system, and the pattern that connects. They then create innovative strategies for actualizing their vision, for instance, CNN founder Ted Turner transformed television news by boldly creating an around-the-clock international news network.

Elements of a visionary leader Leadership structure controls the decisionmaking process. Visionary leadership allows responsibility all the way down to

the bottom line. Standard leadership limits decision making to management.

Achievers – Everyone wants to be an achiever in and out of the workplace.

With workplace ambitions, leadership promotes or kills this desire.

Elementary problems - Leadership style controls the level of elementary problems, which controls workplace efficiency. Level of elementary problems is controlled, in part, by learning opportunities and leader’s personal priority.

Natural talent - Leadership style controls the ability to recognize natural talent. No one knows what their true capabilities are until they are given opportunity and responsibility.

Skill level – The ability and desire to share knowledge with coworkers influences the continuing education level of the workforce, thereby, increasing skill level and the value of their services.

Workplace education is dead for people who only follow orders.

Getting the job done – Projects only have value when the job is completed.

Competitive value depends on the efficiency of getting the job done, which is based on keeping elementary problems at a minimum. Efficiency is also a byproduct of employees’ attitude towards their job. Leadership, opportunity and responsibility influence attitude.

Why visionary leadership?

In organizations with visionary leaders, people perform tasks because they are happy. In the same manner, the whole organization possesses a certain degree of semi religious cohesiveness and a sense of solidarity because all people share a common cause.

Secondly, it brings out the best in people and makes them perform beyond their imagined limitations. Employees are happy not only because their leader is the best, but because they have become their best selves because of their leader.

Further, the mechanisms of control including rewards and punishments become internal rather than external.

Employees do things right because they understand them in their hearts and not because of some external monetary rewards, social commendations or promotions.

Besides, it easily transcends individual personality eccentricities and differences that characterize many office-related wrangling. The leader and the staff have a sense of communion. The members accept each other because they share the same dreams and work together in order to make the dreams come true.

Furthermore, visionary leadership empowers all members to be strong to face and overcome challenges despite the odds. The reason is that their vision is larger than themselves. They do not work for selfish purposes, but with a sense of mission and meaning that provides spiritual energy to everybody in the organization. Therefore, the morale of the group is always high as they are always ready to face setbacks.

Such leaders anticipate change and are proactive, rather than reactive to events. Their focus is on opportunities, not on problems. They emphasize win/ win--rather than adversarial win/ lose--approaches. This is the strategy of environmental economist Hazel Henderson, author of Building a Win/ Win World. Moreover, a visionary leader is effective in manifesting his vision because he creates specific, achievable goals, initiates action and enlists the participation of others. It is better to be 10 per cent effective doing something worthwhile than 100 per cent effective at something worthless.

Nonetheless, being visionary is not enough. Leaders must lead- focus on their thoughts and efforts at where they can make a difference. “If you cannot change something, find something else you can, and will change.”

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Skills Development

Adams Tuva talks of a well-structured system at the university that catapulted his entrepreneurial dreams to reality.

Words Jenny Nyawira

USIU-Africa Alumnus Shaping Kenya’s Digital Experience

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ome years ago, the higher education in Kenya was a morbid sector. As such, many people seeking to pursue quality education were forced to enroll in foreign universities, and often at exorbitant costs. Times have now changed. A good number of public and private universities have been established to boost the quality of education locally. Nonetheless, getting the right institution that will provide appropriate skills set for knowledge, growth, work experience as well as cultivate entrepreneurial abilities has proved to be a herculean task. Fortunately, USIU-Africa has changed this narrative in a major way.

Edge magazine caught up with Adams Tuva, the chief executive and founder of Africa Blue Webs as well as an alumnus of USIU-Africa to unravel what accounts for his success as an entrepreneur.

“I have never regretted my choice of college,” he opens up gleefully.

At a young age, Tuva new what he wanted in life-owning a successful business. Coupled with this imminent energy to succeed, he knew a robust educational scheme would catapult his dreams to reality. After completing high school education, he settled for USIU-Africa amongst other competing choices. A decision that would later shape his life in a foremost way.

The information systems technology graduate hails from coastal Kenya. He comments that upon his enrollment to the institution, he was amazed at the cultural orientation.

“English did not come out to me naturally as Swahili was my first language. This was challenging owing to the fact that the University has many international students from multicultural backgrounds. Students spoke international languages and interacted seamlessly.”

However, with time he adapted and fit in.

His leadership journey also started right there at the institution. “Things happened fast, luckily I was ready to take up any challenge. I was elected as a student leader by the Affairs Council (student body at the University) for the school of business at my second year of study,” he recalls. To him, the experience was defining. He met and networked with industry leaders.

Entrepreneurship journey Tuva ventured into the business immediately after graduating in 2009. He had secured a job while still a second year

and from the surrounding supportive environment. Also, for the drive for success was intrinsic.

Tuva says he always valued industrial training which gave him an early start.

He gained firsthand experience of the corporate world, learning as much as he can while still a student. He built networks, interpersonal and communications skills which he believes are as crucial as technical ones. Unfortunately, most people overlook which worries him.

Tuva passionately recalls his interests in information technology from when he was in high school. “I got a full scholarship to IAT immediately after O-levels before enrolling at USIU-Africa.”

It influenced his choice of business to venture in.

Setting up Africa Blue Webs He set up Africa Blue Webs in 2008, an ICT and digital solution company. Starting as a small venture, it has grown in leaps and bounds to be the leader in the region.

It now services over 300 businesses, mostly government parastatals and nongovernmental organisations. “We bring a unique blend of services and opportunities to the market. Whether you need to define your digital strategy, an interactive online presence or efficient management systems, we promise a better experience. We study current trends in the market and channel customer-centric solutions,” he affirms.

student which he kept until his graduation.

Surprisingly, he resigned from the job the same day he graduated.

“I have always had an undying passion for entrepreneurship since I was a toddler. Coincidentally, it became a reality when at my first year of studies the then vice chancellor at the institution, Prof. Freidah Brown emphasized on the university’s objectives on all round student development.” Her sentiments-USIU-Africa trains people to become business and industry leaders besides realizing their academic aspirations.

For him, to succeed as an entrepreneur, he somehow had to employ unorthodox means. First, he learned from other people

“We value our clients and channel personalized services to achieve breakthrough results,” he adds. The firm’s core business includes websites and software development, branding, 3D animation and domain registration.

To get a glimpse of what the firm does to ensure quality and exceptional service delivery, is its spirited ability to develop and nurture strategic partnerships.

For instance, it’s in partnership with Kiambu County government and ministry of ICT. The firm also partnered with Kenic to promote dot.ke domain. This is spearheaded through Buy Domain Kenya (www.buydomainkenya.co.ke).

Adams was selected as a brand ambassador for dot.ke domain 2016 here in Kenya for his business acumen and programming ability. Last year it was Larry Madowo, a prominent Kenyan journalist and IT enthusiast. He is responsible to promote

the brand and encourage businesses to buy local domains and targets a million users by the end of the year.

At present, the firm has five developers and about twelve staff in the sales department.

As the current CEO and business development director, Adams oversees the day to day operations of the business. He trains, inspires and leads his team.

Asked what his success mantra as a business leader is, he alludes to welldefined structures within the firm. “At Blue Webs, you are either a programmer or a sales person which underlines professionalism.”

Exciting experience “There is nothing as tough as starting a new business,” he reveals. Fortunately, for him, it has been an exciting journey.

He overcame various odds to build one of Kenya’s leading digital solution providers.

Africa Blue Webs also scores highly in corporate social responsibility. Through its initiative-Tech Give Back (www. techgiveback.or.ke) and other formidable partnerships, it trains and mentors young people on IT, how to start and sustain businesses.

USIU-Africa alumni association Tuva is a member of the USIU-Africa alumni association. He donated a fund raising management systems for the school, used by the alumni.

Besides, he is in partnership with the university and alumni leaders to develop a system called Alumni Konnect, a first of its kind in the market. It aims to automate the whole interaction process for alumni, help them get specialized services from members as well as connecting socially. He says, it is a milestone that will disrupt the interaction process among colleges and their alumni.

Through the association, he is in touch more often with former colleagues as well as the university. Recently for instance, he spoke as a guest during the university’s career fair. The talk guides and advise students how to start early and thrive in careers.

To this end, with ambitions to conquer Kenya’s digital world, he is forever grateful to the supportive environment at the university that nurtured his dreams to reality.

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Health & Innovation

Have you ever imagined a mobile phone platform where people save, insure and pay for healthcare services? Well, this is not fantasy, CarePay has already developed the ‘mHealth Wallet’, a mobile phone based wallet with which one can use all sorts of health financing and make it mobile. “mHealth wallet enables users to lock money for a particular purpose,” reveals Michiel Slootweg, the CEO of Carepay. Financiers of the ‘mHealth Wallet’ include donors, insurers, governments, relatives and people’s own savings.

Words Oroni Tendera

Carepay Promoting Healthcare Inclusion Through mHealth Wallet

W

hen Michiel Slootweg joined AAR in 2011 to work as the Chief operating officer, internet penetration in Kenya stood at 22%. The country was also recording the highest mobile phone moneytransfers in Africa at 8.5 million users. Hospital bills, however, were mainly footed through community based funding. MPesa was operational but unfortunately failed to restrict money for specific purposes. It is against this backdrop that mHealth wallet was developed. The first prototype was incubated between 2013 and 2014. Nevertheless, there was need to have an entity that manages the transaction between the payer, patient and healthcare provider.

200,000 Safaricom was requested to assume this responsibility but turned down the offer arguing that it was not within their mandate. Therefore, Carepay-a Conditional pay platform which manages all the transactions between healthcare providers, patients and payers -was developed to take up this role with the mission of ‘connecting everyone everywhere to better healthcare.’

Shortly after Carepay was established, small scale tests in slums were conducted to assess the efficiency of mHealth Wallet.

The results were encouraging and hence Carepay became a fully operational company in late 2015 with Mpesa Foundation and PharmAccess foundation getting on board as shareholders. So far, the company has conducted large scale tests on 10,000 Nairobi slum dwellers and 50 clinics.

The sole target market of the programme are clients at the lower end of the market in slums and rural areas, and to facilitate this initiative, the company has contracted 2000 healthcare providers in the country.

However, the programme has recently aroused large interest from high income groups such as insurance companies and hospitals.

According to Mr. Slootweg, this has been made possible since what they do breaks conflicts that exist between insurance companies and hospitals. “We do not have direct relationship with the patient. We work in the background through entities that have direct contact with them such as insurance companies, donors and Safaricom,’’says the executive. Besides that, insurance companies have always deemed outpatient insurance as heavily loss making and are ever in pursuit of alternatives for their clients. In this context, mHealth wallet becomes the best option.

“Our platform offers insurance companies

On top of that Carepay in collaboration with Amref and PharmAccess have signed up the biggest donation programme that reaches out to 200,000 slum dwellers. the tools for developing insurance products that have savings and insurance elements.”

So far, Carepay has signed up a top-up programme with a donor targeting 10,000 people on condition that they regularly deposit money in their mHealth wallet to qualify for the top up. The company has also signed a contract with another donor in a fully-funded scheme that targets the poor in Nairobi slums. On top of that Carepay in collaboration with Amref and PharmAccess have signed up the biggest donation programme that reaches out to 200,000 slum dwellers.

Despite the immense success of mHealth wallet, Mr. Slootweg admits the programme has not fallen short of challenges. For instance, mHealth wallet creates transparency and accountability of funds since all payments can be traced online. This has led to resistance of the programme by a section of corrupt health workers.

The CEO also avers that they have pioneered a change in mobile money transaction. It is upon this premise that it is proving difficult to convince people that whatever they are doing is effective and efficient. However, through educational campaigns and proper communication strategies, the Kenyan society is slowly embracing the programme.

Competitive edge “What we do (linking financial transaction through medical transaction) has never been done before. And that’s why we are here,’’ reveals the CEO. He further adds, “Where Mpesa is creating a virtual layer on top of the banking platform, we have actually created another layer whereby we link payments specifically to medical data and reporting.” For that reason, a payer can allocate and restrict funds for a specific purpose.

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Arts And Industry

Antony Mwangi: The Creative Mind Behind Your TV Shows

A

ntony Mwangi’s creative journey has been simple and fast-rising. It all started in campus−a simple class project that would later shove him into the creative world of Television Production.

After graduating from Maseno University, he tried his hands on motion graphics computer software, trying to learn every creative aspect. One opportunity led to another. Currently, he is one of the most sought creative motion graphics artistes in the region. He has edited celebrated TV shows, among them: Tanzania’s Bongo Star Search Season 8−the biggest reality Musical TV show in Tanzania. He is set to edit the next edition of Coke Studio Africa. Edge Magazine had a one-on-one interview with Antony.

The Q & A

Can you describe yourself?

I’m humble and laid back.

How has been your journey?

It has been a rough ride. Nothing has come easy as I had to go an extra mile to realise my dreams. I have immense passion to create visually attractive videos. This drive pushes me to try new amazing things. I am a self-taught artiste. In fact, I actually taught myself to use most visual graphics softwares.

What was your major breakthrough?

When I got my first job after graduating from college. It exposed me to the real world, outside books and classroom.

Although I was a rookie, I worked with the best and highly experienced directors in Kenya who did big projects that I used to admire on TV. The experience was invaluable, something which I had not envisioned.

Are you an early bird or a night owl?

A night owl. The earliest I can retire to bed is 1 am. I am used to late night edits, something which has positioned my brains to function perfectly when everything is settled and without distractions. Even when I have nothing to do, I’d rather watch movies till late at night.

Who is your dream mentor?

James Cameron. He is a perfect example of how brains can come up with something creative that the world has never seen on TV. He is a living proof of how creative we can be if we go an extra mile.

Any gadget that you cannot live without it?

My laptop-iMac. It helps me turn my creative ideas into reality.

Who is your single best influence?

My hardworking friends. When I see them starting from nothing to success I also feel I am no exception.

At what age did you decide on your profession?

At 18 years after my high school studies.

Coming from a humble background, my main priority was to pass exams and join university where I would choose what I wanted to do in life.

What is the single most vital trait for visual effects artists?

Creativity.

When did you venture into visual graphics and editing?

At my second year in campus.

What is the best way to describe your job?

Fun and exciting and the best job ever!

Practically, a day can hardly pass without one watching anything on TV, computer or a mobile phone. For instance, a music video is an end product of a camera shot, editing,

graphics and colour grading among other creative aspects.

What is the best TV show you have ever edited?

I have done a number of big TV shows in Kenya but nothing excited me like Bongo Star Search Season 8−the biggest reality musical TV show in Tanzania. Working with top creative talents from South Africa and Kenya was an amazing experience.

Tell us about the post-production industry in Kenya?

Kenya is still in its nascent stages. We are yet to match our South African peers. The creatives, directing, colour-grading and visual graphics is still a work in progress. A lot more has to be done.

Going forward, what can you expect from your experience?

Big things and good shows on your TV screens.

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Book Review BOOK REVIEW

BOOK: AMERICANAH AUTHOR: CHIMAMANDA NGOZI ADICHIE REVIEWER: ORONI TENDERA Americanah is the third novel by Nigerian born writer, Chimamanda Adichie Ngozi. It handles themes of neo-racism and immigration laughingly. The book mainly revolves around Ifemelu with emphasis on her life in Nigeria as an undergraduate student, her relationship with Obinze her high school lover, life in America as an immigrant and back in Nigeria as a returnee.

Frequent strikes at the University of Nsukkah not only interrupt Ifemelu’s studies but also separate her from Obinze who leaves Nigeria for London to work as a toilet cleaner. He uses a fake name to escape from authorities, after overstaying his visa, and later attempts to falsely attain British citizenship through a sham wedding with a Briton that fails terribly, leading to his deportation. Ifemelu on the other hand travels to the United States of America on partial scholarship to study at the University of Philadelphia. The real America smacks Ifemelu squarely on the face. Securing a job becomes almost impossible. So desperate does she become that she engages in sex with an elderly White man to get a few dollars. Ifemelu also struggles to hide her Nigerian acc;adent and accommodate negative stereotypes about Africa. Ifemelu and Obinze clearly represent a new breed of immigrants, though enjoying a middle class life back home; emigrate out of ‘the need to escape from the oppressive lethargy of choicelessness.’

Ifemelu, later in the novel, outgrows her shame in Nigerian accent and kinky African hair and finds comfort in HappilyKinkyNappy.com. She also opens a blog entitled ‘Raceneenth or Various Observations about American Blacks (Those Formerly Known as Negroes) by a Non American Black.’ Ifemelu is accused of not being ‘sufficiently furious because she was African, not African American.’ She also discovers that race is a social construct. Back in Nigeria, she never consciously identified herself as Black but more specifically as an Igbo.

After several years in America, Ifemelu makes a bold decision to return to Nigeria. Her hairdresser frowns at the idea of returning to a third world country. Ifemelu remains undeterred and flies back to her roots where she reconnects with her childhood friend, Obinze, a renowned property developer in Lagos.

Adichie’s novel is compulsively readable, tightly packed with three-dimensional characters and compact complex plot. A movie adaptation of Americanah, starring Oyelowo and Lupita Nyong’o, is in development.

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50

Travel & Leisure

Nairobi Art Gallery: The Heart Of Art

By Oroni Tendera

The Women’s Choir, a whimsical statue

by Expedition Mwebe, for instance, tells the story of three women singers who often performed in The Old Makuti Pavillion of African Heritage Libra house in the 90’s, namely: Joy Mboya, Susan Gachukia and Susan Matiba. Then there is a photograph of Elkana Ongesa’s 30 tonne soapstone sculpture ‘The Bird of Peace Emerging from the Stone of Despair’ that was unveiled during the opening of the Murumbi peace memorial in 2009. Before Murumbi died (a former Kenyan vice president and art connoisseur), he had requested Ongesa to carve a sculpture for his gravesite. The giant sculpture currently stands elegantly on the grave of Murumbi at the City Park. Next to the photograph is Elkana Ongesa’s restored sculpture entitled

I

am standing here at point zero, the centre of Nairobi where distances to all parts of Kenya are measured.

Right ahead of me, sits the Nairobi Art Gallery, carefully holding Murumbi’s African artefacts on her laps. Above me, a fluffy gigantic grey cloud threatens to break loose anytime from now. Lightning sparkles. Thunder roars. A bone freezing breeze blows furiously northward towards the historical Nyayo house tower. As if acting from a cue, traffic on Uhuru highway, adjacent to the art gallery, snarls and stalls. A giant raindrop lands on my cleanshaven head. Scared, I adjust my coat and spring on my toes. “Excuse me,” a sharp tenor voice cuts me short. It dawns on

me, I have not paid entry fees. I turn back and mumble tens of incomprehensible apologies to the puzzled cashier, standing outside his office. He does not utter a single word. I part with Ksh300, flash a fake 1000 watt smile at him and half walk half run to the reception.

Pioneer artistes My journey to the heart of art begins right here at the entrance. Two potted plants facing each other at the main door are dancing to the rhythm of the strong wind. Next to the plants, acollection of photographs and sample artwork of pioneer East African artists are on display.

Each work has an interesting story behind it.

‘Dream.’ It was created after Elkana had a dream about the end of apartheid in South Africa in the early 70’s. The sculpture was destroyed in 1976 by fire that burnt down the only African heritage in 1976.

Scrap metals for art John Odoch Ameny’s sculpture of mating cockerel and hen, created of molten iron, beside ‘Dream’, does not escape my eyesight. Odoch pioneered the art of transforming scrap metals to sculptures in East Africa.During his early sculptural years, he used soft wood to create unique figures

with convoluted bodies.He started using scrap metals for his artworks in the 1980s− mainly to address the emerging trend of technology and its impact in East Africa.

Array of artefacts There is an array of artefacts that appeal to all my sensibilities. I choose to whet my appetite for art with Magdalene Odundo’s pot, delicately displayed at the centre of the first room. The pot is reminiscent of the human form. Its structure follows the curve of the spine and hips.

Magdalene’s art of pottery

is a creative blend of early Greek Cycladic sculpture and traditional African pottery. Next to the pot is a carved wooden staff from the Kuba people of DRC Congo. It has decorations of melted aluminum pots on the border and is culturally used by Bakuba elders On my way to the second room, Iwalk past South Africa’s Charles Sekano’s painting of two scantilydressed lovebirds embracing each other, Duke Kombo’s reconciliation soapstone sculpture and a detailed portrait of John Katarinawe, Uganda’s versatile artist.

The second room is filled with the most spectacular, relaxed and nonchalant fabrics and clothes drawn from several parts of Africa. Ghanian Adinkira cloth printed with stamps made of calabash rinds, Ase Oke prestige cloth woven on narrow hand looms by Yoruba men of Nigeria,Fulani wedding blanket designed in checkered pattern, Kikoi hand woven cotton wraps traditionally worn by Swahili men of Kenya and Tanzania and the Bakuba fabric of DRC Congo woven from palm fibre among many others.I must admit that thesheer harmony created by afro fabrics in this room is immense beyond words. Each piece of clothe is a noble innovation, narration and inspiration.

“I would like to be a fashion designer in my next life,” Imumble under my breath as I swagger to the third room with renewed zest and zeal.

Murumbi’s home This (the third room) is a model of Murumbi’s former

home at Muthaiga. It is a typical modern living room filled with wood carvings, soapstone sculptures, paintings, portraits of the late Mr. and Mrs. Murumbi, art tomes, rare books (published before 1900) and ancient Persian vessels. All these items were left behind after the demise of Mrs. Sheila Murumba in 2000, ten years after the death of her husband.

The items are currently under the custody of the National Museums of Kenya and on extended loan with the Kenya National Archives.

My reminder alarm screams, breaking the silence herein. It is time for me to leave. I have been here for the past one hour, pretending to appreciate art while in the real sense I have merged with art. Thank you Nairobi Art Gallery, your art has turned me into a storyteller.

BONUS 1) Nairobi Art gallery was built in 1913 and originally served as the colonial government office for storing records of births, marriages and deaths.

2) It housed the Nairobi PC’s office up to 1983.

3) Became KANU’s office from 1983 to 1989.

4) Degazzeted in 1993.

5) Presented to the National Museums of Kenya in 1997.

6) Renovated and refurbished in 2005.

7) Held an art exhibition featuring East Africa’s pioneer artists in April 2015.

8) Hosted a 3-day workshop for budding artists in December 2015.

9) Entrance fees: Foreigners Ksh1000, East Africans 600, Kenyans 150.

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52

Song Review

It is acceptable to lose yourself at the

sound of the serenading guitar strings that introduce Formation, but it is an abomination to remain lost and loose without breaking a sweat or shedding tears when Beyonce’s crispy alto voice catwalks out of the speakers. Formation was released on February 6th, 2016 to a wide critical acclaim, breaking Beyonce’s loud silence since 2014. Her new song tackles the complex theme of culture from Beyonce’s perspective. The lyrics celebrates her African-American identity unapologetically. ‘My daddy Alabama, Mommy Lousiana/You mix that Negro with that Creole make a Texas Bamma/ I like my baby hair, with baby hair and afros/ I like my Negro nose.’ Critics argue that these lines were inspired by rumours flying in the media that Beyonce suffers from identity crisis. For that reason, she struggles to appear Caucasian by bleaching her skin and hair to appear blonde.

Song: Formation Genre: Pop Artiste: Beyonce Reviewer: Oroni Tendera

The accompanying music video for the song opens with Beyonce crouched atop a police car half-submerged in a flooded street. The camera lenses shift to a man reading a newspaper entitled The Truth, bearing the image of Martin Luther KingJr’s face on its front page. Moving on, a hooded child dances in front of anti-riot police officers who respond to his moves by raising their hands before the camera captures a graffiti that reads ‘stop shooting us.’ The video clip also features Beyonce’s daughter, Ivy Blue Carter, spotting a natural afro hairstyle.

Formation, has not fallen short of controversy. Upon its release, renowned filmmakers Chris Black and Abteen Bagheri accused Beyonce of illegally using footage from their 2013 documentary, The Beat, about hurricane Katrina. However, in a statement to the Entertainment Weekly, Beyonce claimed that the documentary footage was used with permission from the original creators and proper compensation was made.

The song is available for free download via Tidal HiFi.

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2016/02/01 12:06 PM

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