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JUNE 2019 STARTUPMAGAZINE.CO.KE
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FEATURE Kobo360: Revolutionizing the Global Logistics Supply Chain - Starting With Africa
OPINION
DIGITAL REVOLUTION IN TRANSPORTATION LOGISTICS
Among several fields of economy, the digital revolution of Internet of Things (IoT) Technology has had profound consequences on delivery logistics.
Technology is Driving the Gig Economy – the Rise of the Freelance Economy in 2019!
TRAVEL
Discover the Tranquil Mida Sandy Beach
June 2019
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June 2019
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June 2019
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Contents
14 Francisca Ochieng’: Shaping Kenya’s Healthcare Industry, one Organic product at a Time
16 Every year, thousands of Kenyans are pushed below the national poverty line due to direct medical bills.
30 Discover the Tranquil Mida Sandy Beach
28 Public and Private Agencies Should Invest in Cyber Security Ahead of Data Protection Law
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FRESH.INSPIRING.ANALYTICAL
June
2019
Contents 22 12
Kobo360: Revolutionizing the Global Logistics Supply Chain - Starting With Africa
Forex Trading How Trading Psychology Helps People to Earn Money Online 24
14
Woman of Power Francisca Ochieng’: Shaping Kenya’s Healthcare Industry, one Organic product at a Time
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Among several fields of economy, the digital revolution of Internet of Things (IoT) Technology has had profound consequences on delivery logistics.
Economy Technology is Driving the Gig Economy – the Rise of the Freelance Economy in 2019!
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Cyber Security Public and Private Agencies Should Invest in Cyber Security Ahead of Data Protection Law
Cover Story THE DIGITAL REVOLUTION IN TRANSPORTATION LOGISTICS
Leadership Loneliness in Leadership
Interview How to best manage your health-care cost
Cover Story
Coffee Break 30. 34. 35. 37. 38.
Travel and Leisure Book Review Pictorial Blog Review Song Review
June 2019
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INSIDE
>Innovation
A Sure Bet to Keep Africa Moving Forward
> Koto Housing
Build Your Dream House in Only 21 Days
> Interview; Andrey Yakunin Understanding the hospitality market in Russia
>Travel & Leisure What to Know about the Marine Parks at the Coastal Kenya
The Driving Force To a Successful Family Business Esther Muchemi, CEO and Founder, Samchi Group of Companies
January 2018 I startupmagazine.co.ke
Managing Editor Sylvester Habil Okumu sylvester@startupmagazine.co.ke Associate Editor Adisa Hudson Oroni Tendera Contributors Njeri Muchunu Colin Don Shouw Benard Njoroge Vlad Horyanskiy Mark Odhiambo Business Development Washingtone Terry Nickson Juma Marketing Executive Irene Okoth
Operations Simpson Ayodi Photographer Versatile Photographers Creative Designer Kreative Hub Media Published By
Contacts 4th Floor, Bihi Towers, P.O Box 3875-30200, Nairobi Kenya. Cell (+254) 724 113 683 (+254) 776 061 644 Email: info@startupmagazine.co.ke Website: www.startupmagazine.co.ke StartUp Magazine EA @StartupMag_EA
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The views expressed in this publication are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the position of the publisher. Readers are advised to seek professional advice before acting on any information contained in this publication. Important Information for Contributors to StartUp Magazine By submitting content before publication you confirm that: (a) You (and/or other named contributors) are the sole author(s) of the content submitted; (b) The content you submit is orginal and has not previously been published (unless you specifically advise us on the contrary); (c) You haven't previously licensed the use of the content you submit; (d) So far as you are aware, the content submitted will not infringe any third-party rights, be defamatory or in any way illegal.
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Editor’s Pen
FRESH.INSPIRING.ANALYTICAL
Transportation Logistics is the Backbone of Any Economy Transportation logistics has a profound effect in the economy of any country. An efficient logistics chain is one of the key tools to create competitive advantage in a growing economy. Every thriving economy relies on an efficient supply chain that nurtures global trade and embraces global competitiveness. A study by the East African Community examines the cost of transport and logistical barriers to regional trade, calculating that they cost the East African economies between 1.7 per cent and 2.8 per of gross domestic product every year. On the Kenyan logistics front, key concerns include non-tariff barriers, the state of infrastructure, insecurity and the rising cost of fuel. Hence, the high cost of goods is largely attributed to logistics.
Inefficient logistics concerns have directly impacted on the cost of doing business in Kenya and threatened its position as the regional business hub in East Africa. To remain competitive, the Kenyan government has expanded its infrastructure as well we regional partnerships that would ease trade among the EAC partners. In the end, innovative transport and logistics ideas should be considered to spur the region’s economic potential. This edition discusses innovative players in the logistics industries and how they are using available technology to change the status quo. Info@startupmagazine.co.ke
Happy Madaraka Day We at Siginon Celebrate our Heroes
June 2019
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StartUp Stories
Letters to the editor “I believe that a good name is better than wealth or riches and this has been my driver since the inception of my businesseS.”
Debbie Larry-Izamoje, founder Image Boosters, NIGERIA
Elaborate features My name is William Chesoni and I recently came across one of your articles on your website where you interviewed a prominent business person by the name of Eric Muli on their insights in the field of business, their story and his key take-away from his entrepreneurial experience. It was well written, informative, and I really learned a lot. William Chesoni Business Development Associate Nairobi
Debbie founded her company-Image Boosters-when she was 22 to help brands with digital marketing, improve their visibility and public relations. Over time she has worked with different brands and industries ranging from TwMagazine, NFF, Brila FM, Me Cure, Lekki Colesium and more. She also runs ‘The Entrepreneurs Best Friend’ a platform which provides resume writing services, Interview coaching, career workshops and podcasts to young people looking to carve a career path in their chosen industry. Driven by a need to contribute to her generation in a definite way, starting early was key to her. She is also an author of two books on business and an annual journal which sees sales of up to 2,000 copies across Africa yearly. She was recently recognized by Trek Arica for her contributions to the business community in Africa, nominated top 5 under the 25 under 25 SME awards in Media and Communications in Nigeria.
“One has to work hard, smart and, more importantly, work with people.”
Partner with us to fight cancer We are a non-profit cancer awareness organization based in Nairobi. We are doing an event in the month of June dubbed “Walk the Talk”, which is a 5km walk in an attempt to break the Guinness World Record for the largest human awareness ribbon whilecreating cancer awareness. The venue for the walk will be at the University of Nairobi at their graduation square on 30th June, pending confirmation. StartUp Magazine is widely read in Kenya, and in that regard we would like to request a partnership to promote the event. Cynthia Nyamweya cynthia.nyamweya@eddahs-hope.org
Felix Mbugua, CEO of Legibra, KENYA Felix Mbugua is the co-founder and CEO of Legibra; an IT firm headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya. An outright entrepreneur, Felix has built several other companies from scratch in diverse sectors of the economy. He holds a background in Information Technology from JKUAT that has seen him empower the next generation of software developers and consultants as a way of ensuring sustainability in the space. Besides IT, the entrepreneur also has substantial interests in the service, tourism, trading, supplies and manufacturing, finance and logistics sectors.
“There is always a risk of incumbents entering the market; however, competition in business does help to keep you sharp.”
Remarkable business features. I would like to commend you for the great job you are doing with the StartUp Magazine. I went through the articles and I found them remarkable. Keep up the good work and continue publishing stories that would motivate and change the lives of many people. I hope to read more about your features in future. Rachael Gakimu Via Email: gakiimu@gmail.com
HAVE YOUR SAY ONLINE Odunayo Eweniyi, founder PiggyBank, NIGERIA Piggybank.ng is an automated savings platform that gives Nigerian millennials the opportunity to save money periodically towards a target. The free platform allows users to put aside as little as USD1 a day to save up to a target, and restricts withdrawals until a convenient date set by the user. Piggybank.ng securely makes saving possible by combining simplicity, discipline, convenience and flexibility to enable users to grow their savings, manage their finances better and achieve financial freedom.
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The editor welcomes reader’s opinions but deserves the right to edit them for publication. Please email to info@startupmagazine.co.ke More comments are published online about news stories published on startupmagazine.co.ke
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News Africa’s best brands 2017/18
Thebe-Ikalafeng-and-Maki-Mopai-Dangote-Most-Admired-Africa-Brand
African brands fall by 18per cent with non-African brands dominating top 100 brands in Africa. Nike retains most admired brand in Africa Highlights – Most Admired Brands in Africa: •Nike retains the #1 spot as the most admired brand in Africa. •African brands fall by 18per cent to an all-time low of 14per cent share of the Top 100 most admired brands in Africa relative to non-African brands •Europe leads the table with 40/100 (-1), North America with all-USA brands 28/100 (+ 4) and Asia with 18/100 (-1) •Top 3 spontaneously recalled African brands are South Africa’s MTN (#8), Ethiopia’s Anbessa Shoe (#12) and Nigeria’s Dangote (#25) •Dangote retains rank as #1 most admired African brand recalled when consumers are prompted for African brands. •MTN is the highest listed brand on the JSE among the Top 100 most admired brands in Africa. •MTN (South Africa), Dangote (Nigeria) and Safaricom (Kenya) are the highest brands listed on the leading sub-Saharan bourses, the JSE, Nigeria Stock Exchange and Nairobi Securities Exchange. •FILA (+50), Auchan (+40),) and LC Waikiki (+31) made the most gains. •Peak Milk(-65) , Victoria’s Secret (-36) and Indomie (-33) lost the most ground. •USA’s Vans (#35) made most spectacular entry into the Top 100. •Technology brands (18per cent), consumer (non-cyclical) (16per cent), Auto Manufactures (11per cent), automobile (8per cent), Luxury (10per
cent) and Apparel (8per cent) categories are the top categories. Brand Africa announced the Top 100 brands in Africa in their 7th annual Brand Africa 100: Africa’s Best Brands. Nike, MTN, Dangote, Ecobank and BBC were recognised as the most admired brands on the continent. Since 2011, the Brand Africa 100 has been surveying and ranking the most admired brands spontaneously recalled by African consumers. In a relatively stable Top 100 list, the US sports and fitness mega brand, Nike, retains the overall #1 brand in Africa spontaneously recalled by consumers. South African telecoms brand MTN is the #1 African brand spontaneously recalled brand, while surging Ethiopian brand Anbessa Shoes, at #2, swopped positions with Nigerian conglomerate, Dangote, which is the #3 most admired brand of African of origin. However, when consumers are prompted to recall the most admired African brand, Dangote retains the #1 position. Overall, African brands faltered to an all-time low 14per cent share of the Top 100 most admired brands in Africa. Faced with a relentless focus on the African opportunity and investment by non-African brands, Africa’s share of the most admired brands has been rapidly declining over the past 3 years from a high of 25per cent in 2013/4 to lows of 16per cent in 2015/6, 16per cent in 2016/7 and 17per cent in 2017/8.
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Appointments DTB picks Linus Gitahi for Board Chairperson Role
Regional banking finance solutions provider DTB has announced the appointment of Mr. Linus Gitahi as its Chairperson. He is tasked to provide corporate governance leadership for DTB which is banking on technological transformation programmes to transform its subsidiaries into premier digital banking and payments solution providers for an increasingly discerning and technology-driven customer base. With the appointment, Mr. Gitahi who has been serving as a Director on the DTB Board has taken over the mantle from outgoing Chairperson Mr. Abdul Samji who has served for the last nine years. While accepting his appointment, Mr. Gitahi confirmed that with a current asset base of Kshs 378 billion, DTB Group’s growth will be heavily leveraged on the firm’s digital transformation strategy. The strategy, he said, will seek to embed DTB subsidiaries into the lifestyles of its customers by developing simple yet efficient digital financial solutions.
DTB Chair Mr. Linus Gitahi (left) skims through the firm’s 2018 Full Year Integrated Report and Financial results with an unidentified DTB Shareholder
“To achieve this, we will build on and leverage digital solutions, as well as embrace data-driven analytics, to effectively respond to evolving customer needs and aspirations,” he said. While crediting outgoing Chairman Samji and the
Management team led by Group CEO Nasim Devji for a job well done, Gitahi noted that DTB remains a strong institution and will continue playing a key role in the promotion of socio-economic development under his leadership. Mr. Gitahi was first appointed to the DTB Board in April 2017 and also serves as the Chairman of Tropikal Brands (Africa) Limited, Chairman of Oxygène Marketing Communications Limited and is a Trustee of the Management University of Africa. In addition, he is an independent Board director of Simba Corp, Outspan Hospital and Medical College as well as Allianz Insurance (K) Limited. Currently pursuing his Doctorate studies at the United States International University-Africa, Mr. Gitahi holds a B. Com (Hons) in Accounting from the University of Nairobi, a Diploma in Management from the Kenya Institute of Management and an MBA from the United States International University. He is also a Fellow of the Kenya Institute of Management. He previously served as the Chief Executive Officer of the Nation Media Group and prior to that was the Group Chief Executive Officer for West Africa for GlaxoSmithKline after having held diverse management positions with them.
KRA Executive Appointments The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) Board has appointed twosenior executives as part of the ongoing organizationaltransformation programme. The Board appointed Mr. Paul Muema Matuku and Dr. FredMugambi Mwirigi to serve as Commissioner of Legal Services &Board Coordination and Head of Kenya School of RevenueAdministration (KESRA), respectively. The appointment of the two experienced executives is part of theAuthority's commitment to tap into competitively sourced andexperienced human talent to advance KRA's transformationagenda. The transformation agenda seeks to enable KRA staff to leverageon the greater opportunities presented by investments intechnology. This will enhance revenue mobilisation and efficientcustomer service informed by better data utilisation anchored onintelligence. Commissioner for Legal Services & Board C o o r d i n a -
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tion,Mr. Paul Muema Matuku Mr. Matuku joined KRA in 1996 and has served in variedpositions in the Legal Services & Board Coordination departmentrising to his previous position of Deputy Commissioner in charge oflitigation services. As head of litigation, Mr. Matuku hasspearheaded KRA's defence in key legal suits and contributedtowards substantially enhancing the department's success rate in countering tax litigation. Mr. Matuku holds Bachelor of Laws (LL. B) degree from theUniversity of Nairobi and Post Graduate Diploma in Law from theKenya School of Law. He is a member of the Law Society of Kenyaand also of the Institute of Certified Public Secretaries of Kenya. Head of Kenya School of Revenue Administration, D r Mugambi has been the Deputy Commissioner in charge ofAcademic and Students Affairs at KESRA since April 2016. He holdsa PhD in Entrepreneurship, a Bachelor of Business Adminis-
tration(First Class Honours) degree and a Diploma in Small EnterpriseManagement from Galilee International Management College, Israel. He was the founding director of JKUAT's Mombasa Campus,where he served for seven years. Overall, he taught at JKUAT for11 years and rose to the level of senior lecturer. Prior to joining JKUAT, Dr. Mugambi taught at the KenyaMethodist University and also worked for Kenindia AssuranceCompany. Dr. Mugambi sits in various boards and committees. He served asthe chairman of a task force appointed by the Education CabinetSecretary to select the board of the Technical and VocationalEducation and Training Authority (TVETA), under the Ministryof Education. Dr. Mugambi was also in charge of the committee thatprepared the JKUAT bid to supply digital devices for free primaryand JKUAT won. Dr. Mugambi has been involved in consultancy and training tasksfor many national and international organizations across sixcountries. He has supervised 12 PhD students and over 35 Mastersto graduation. Dr. Mugambi has published 3 books and over 30research papers. His main book is 'Leadership beyond theBoardroom'.
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News PR Practitioners set for professional certifications to weed out quacks
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FOREX How Trading Psychology Helps People to Earn Money Online
The PRSK Council 2019 Public Relations (PR) practitioners in Kenya, will soon enjoy professional certifications based on a revised curriculum and industry examinations, the incoming Public Relations Society of Kenya (PRSK) President Dr. Wilfred Marube has assured. The new certifications, Dr Marube said are part of wide ranging reforms that will be rolled out as part of the overall effort to guarantee professional Public Relations practice in Kenya. Speaking at the conclusion of the PRSK General Elections held at the Nairobi Serena Hotel on Wednesday evening, Dr Marube confirmed that plans to weed out unqualified practitioners would be sustained by the new PRSK Council. Such plans include lobbying engagements for the proposed draft Institute of Public Relations and Communication Management Bill geared at facilitating the legislative formation of a professional body (Institute of Public Relations and Communication Management) to regulate and promote standards of competence and practice among PR practitioners. Public Relations practitioners in Kenya, Dr Marube noted are currently managing operating budgets estimated at more than Kshs 8.7 billion, necessitating the need to enhance the professional profile of the specialised communications discipline, to accelerate its economic and social impact. The PRSK, Dr Marube said will also be accelerating the formation of sector based practice chapters to cater for the professional development needs of PR practitioners in the Public Communication, Private practice and academia fields. “At PRSK, we have a new Strategic Plan which highlights the need to guarantee quality practice. The
PG. 14 new PRSK Council has been mandated by the membership to ensure that we sustain the transformation, which we commit to undertake,” Dr Marube said. Following the elections, Dr. Marube who also serves as the Communications Director at the Office of the Auditor General (OAG) has taken over the mantle from outgoing PRSK President Ms Jane Gitau. He will be assisted by Vice President Mbugua Njoroge, Treasurer Arik Karani and Secretary Lilian Nganda. Other PRSK officials include Assistant Treasurer Michelle Anekeya, Assistant Secretary Vivienne Atieno, Council Members Tim Kamuzu Banda, Dr Haron Mwangi and Alfred Ng’ang’a.
WOMAN OF POWER Francisca Ochieng’: Shaping Kenya’s Healthcare Industry, one Organic product at a Time
As a profession, PR has continued to grow since its establishment in the early 20th Century. The profession is increasingly becoming accepted as an integral part of organizational operations in many parts of the world including Kenya. In Kenya, PRSK, with more than 3000 members, was established in 1971 and serves as the umbrella professional body guiding PR practice in Kenya. The Society broadly seeks to advance excellence in Public Relations and Communication Management in Kenya and to ensure that the practice continues to thrive within the ethical framework defined by the profession. Within the East African Region, PRSK is a member of the East African Public Relations Association (EAPRA). PRSK is also a member of the Africa Public Relations Association (APRA), the continental body for all PR national associations in Africa. At the global level, PRSK is a founder member of the Global Alliance for Public Relations and Communications Management (GA) among other global bodies such as the International Public Relations Association (IPRA).
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HEALTHCARE How to best manage your healthcare costs
June 2019
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FOREX
How Trading Psychology Helps People to Earn Money Online By Vlad Horyanskiy
People who are prone to rejecting losses, obviously prefer not to lose rather than win. For most people, losing $100 is not the same thing as not earning the same amount. However, from a rational point of view, this is the same thing – in both cases, there is a negative result of $100. According to JustForex studies, the psychological shock of losing is about two times more powerful than the gain. Startupmagazine.co.ke
June 2019
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f or trading, the loss aversion hinders the mechanical following of the system, since the costs wasted in following the system are taken much more seriously than the possible gains from using the system. When people follow the rules, they perceive the pain of loss much sharper than if they suffer the same damage from lost opportunity or due to ignoring the laws of the system. Thus, a loss of $100 is perceived as painful as a missed opportunity to earn $200. So what does a trader need and how to cope with psychological barriers? 1. The trader must continuously improve his skills. Work in the market is associated with a constant process of self-improvement. The following actions determine the professional growth of a trader: •You need to learn constantly. It is necessary to study new methods of technical and fundamental analysis and try to identify the most popular nowadays theories and methods of analysis. •You should look for new ways of market research. Market research, the identification of new laws, the creation of own rules and their testing are essential elements of professional growth. First of all, new ideas should be tested on the data of previous periods. •You should study the history of the market. First, you should remember that everything repeats. Second, the study of the “history” of price movements convincingly demonstrates that anything can happen on the market.
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•You need to register all events occurring in the market. Records are the primary material for your research. It is necessary to record: your trading plans and their marketability, market reaction to events and economic indicators, your psychological state during trading, etc. So, only those who are not standing still are improved. A real researcher should be interested in everything. 2. A trader should be able to wait for the forecasted values: •When waiting for the value of the prices corresponding to your entry point into the market, you must wait for these values. Although it is possible to allow some minor deviations from these prices. •When the market reaches the level at which you were going to “cut off” losses, this must be done decisively and quickly. •While waiting for your goal to make a profit, the situation is more complicated: you should not be greedy, but you should be able to be content with a “bird in the hands”: on the other hand, if your forecast is fulfilled, then you should not take any abrupt action ahead of time. Allow profits to grow. 3. You must be able to make decisions. Often fear does not allow to open this or that position. However, if you trust your trading strategy and are confident in it, then do not be afraid to make this or that decision. From the other hand, many traders often see that the deal goes against them, but they hope that the price is about to be adjusted soon, and they will get a profit. However, the price goes further and further against them. They can’t force themselves to close the deal. Do not fool yourself and close the unfortunate position! Even if
you lose some amount, you can always close the deal and then open a better one. It’s crucial to practice trading a lot. For those who are a beginner, forex broker offers Demo trading. It’s a kind of simulation where you trade virtual money in a real environment. Demo accounts are free of charge, for instance, at JustForex you just have to enter your e-mail to open it. 4. Do not act without a plan. Having a detailed trading plan allows you to avoid spontaneity and emotionalism in decision-making. In drawing up a plan, it is easier to evaluate the market than when observing price movements objectively. 5. Be able to cope with emotions. Very often you will be overwhelmed with emotions. It will seem to you that you need to make a deal right now; otherwise, you will lose an excellent opportunity! What to do in this case? You need to learn how to stop if your trading strategy says so, even when it seems that you will hit the jackpot. If you can’t wait, then open a deal on a small deposit or a cent or micro account. Then you won’t lose too much. And the most important thing is not to give up and keep training. And then everything will work out! June 2019
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WOMAN OF POWER
Francisca Ochieng’: Shaping Kenya’s Healthcare Industry, one Organic product at a Time By Sylvester Okumu
t
here is a huge nutritional gap in natural products and supplements in Kenya and no one is daring to bridge the gap. As a manufacturer of natural products, Francisca Ochieng’, the proprietor and owner of Fava Herb-an ecommerce platform that sells natural products, says that many stakeholders don’t value natStartupmagazine.co.ke
June 2019
ural products. This is despite them (natural products) playing a critical role in our health.
potentially reduces the insurer burden of insuring people against visceral diseases like cancer and diabetes.”
This inspired her to create a platform where she sells natural products.
Her love for nature inspired the whole concept of the interior décor at her front store in Nairobi, she says. “I wanted an open plan with an unevenness of nature where I would sell my organic items.”
Unlike Kenya, other developed economies like America and England rewards natural product enthusiasts. “Insurance companies reward clients for maintaining healthy lifestyles like working out in the gym, using natural products among others. By adopting a healthy lifestyle, it
Francisca sells a wide range of natural products. “We have a variety of wellness, beauty
15 and food products.” Personal care products available at her shop include beauty, skin and self care products. “We also have a wide range of cleaning products and great natural detergents which can be used as an alternative to conventional detergents.” Food items include breakfast, dinner and spices. With coffee stocks from Ethiopia, DRC, Uganda and Kenya, the shop offers endless variety for the coffee enthusiasts. “The DRC Coffee comes from the Virunga ridges and it is certified organic, while the Ethiopian one comes from the birth place of coffee. Most are hand roasted, pure and refreshing.” Asked whether her products can be shipped globally without any restrictions, she readily acknowledges that they can. “Our spices are traditionally grown with organic components and have passed European tests for organic certifications.” She has sold as far as US, UK and Asia (Malaysia, Singapore) and got raving feedbacks for her products outstanding quality. Products like Dhania and Moringa powder can be used as medicinal snacks, she says. She also stock superior tea and cocoa, which are available in bulk as well. “In order to ensure that we get quality products from farmers, we have a very thorough quality assurance mechanism to verify the products and make sure they’re compliant with regulators. We work directly with producers. This ensures we lock out middle men who compromise the quality and price of such products,” says the youthful entrepreneur. Appreciation of organic products Despite championing the use of natural and organic products in the region, the entrepreneur acknowledges that the challenge is far from over. The industry has its pressing issues that need to be
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addressed. For instance, there is a misconception about natural products. Most people think that they are perishable, or expire after a short period. This is not true, she says. “We have natural products that can stay on the shelves for ages.” The increase in lifestyle related diseases has forced people to be more health conscious. “People I met or who come to my shop are starting to appreciate the value of organic products in their health.” “We now have a range of loyal customers for the short time we have been here,” says Francisca. Above all, structural reforms that need to be adopted from a policy level for the industry to thrive, she advises. “It is ironical that the use of natural products doesn’t fall under the ministry of health in Kenya, but under the ministry of sport, gender and culture. The government considers that organic products are mostly used in different cultures in traditional ways, making it a cultural subject,” explains the entrepreneur. It would be great if the ministry of health understands the health benefits of organic product and create awareness about its uses and benefits across the country, she opines. Healthy brand Fava Herb has a website and ecommerce platform. You can visit the site and make an order. “We do same day delivery within Nairobi. We also ship worldwide and our prices are competitive.” Surprisingly many people order via the firm’s Instagram page. Thus far, Francisca has incorporated different payment models such as cash, mobile money, cheque, bank transfers and bitcoins. The entrepreneur aims to champion the use of natural products and play important roles in shaping the health discourse in the region. June 2019
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INTERVIEW
By Mark Odhiambo Medical bills are one of the most significant financial burdens facing Kenyans in this modern era. This is partly due to the nature of the health care system in Kenya. Every year, thousands of Kenyans are pushed below the national poverty line due to direct medical bills. This has led to a more significant concern that most Kenyans are only an illness away from poverty. Only a small percentage of Kenyans have medical insurance, the massive awareness and consumer education by NHIF notwithstanding. To get a clear understanding of how best one can manage their health care costs, StartUp Magazine interviewed Christine Mwelu, a medical manager at Kenindia Assurance who shared her opinions as follows; 1.Understanding that the medical insurance card is not a credit card Some if not most medical insurance card holders misuse their cards by viewing it as more of a credit card. There are simple ailments that in one way or another, only need over the counter drugs, or home therapy, but one would Startupmagazine.co.ke
June 2019
shun that idea as ineffective and go to the hospital and end up paying a higher fee than what you could have paid over the counter. Such dependencies are contributing factors inflating insurance premiums. 2.Seeking the second opinion In the event that one is diagnosed with a particular ailment, it is imperative to get a second opinion from different doctors before eventually beginning your treatment program. This allows one to affirm the first doctor’s opinion and reduces instances of misdiagnosis. 3.Make good use of the NHIF enhanced benefit In the recent past the basic NHIF benefits were enhanced to cater for surgical cases, CT Scans, MRI, dialysis and chemotherapy treatment. The attending doctor fills a form and shares to NHIF offices for approval. These packages are greatly reducing costs since it is cost shared with your Insurance Company and curbs early depletion of limit. 4.Good choice of a health facility Most of Kenyan medical facilities are in business and are out to make good money from your insurance cover. They escalate costs to be settled via Insurance
compared to cash payers. The costs vary from one facility to another depending on hospital tiers but the attending Doctors are the same who rotate from one medical facility to another. Do not choose a facility due to the name; choose what you can afford even without insurance. 5.Consider using generic drugs Most people perceive these drugs as inferior to the original brand named versions. They are created to be the same as already existing brand of medicine form of dosage, safety, strength, administration route, quality, performance characteristics and intention of use. They work just the same as existing brands but with cheaper price tags. Use of generic drugs is something we should consider as a country in a bid to lower healthcare costs and costs of medication. 6.Lifestyle change Some of the chronic diseases in the modern day are as a result of poor lifestyle habits. Leading a healthy lifestyle can prevent one from regular health facility visits that come as a result of. Many people are always oblivious of how staying physically active or even watching their diet could do to their health.
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June 2019
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COVER STORY
THE DIGITAL REVOLUTION IN TRANSPORTATION LOGISTICS By IntelZone
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June 2019
FRESH.INSPIRING.ANALYTICAL
Among several fields of economy, the digital revolution of Internet of Things (IoT) Technology has had profound consequences on delivery logistics. The article discusses various
ways of monitoring and tracking of goods in logistics industry using available IoT technology. June 2019
Startupmagazine.co.ke
COVER STORY
t hird Party Logistics The integration of mobile analytics, computing together with cloud services are all propelled by the Internet of Things. This reality has modified the manner in which corporate entities are carrying out their operations locally and globally. Among the prominent methodologies embraced in fulfilling deliveries in the present day corporate world is third-party logistics (3PL). The approach entails companies, which offer services that are outsourced in moving merchandise from place to place. 3PL includes such services as warehousing, transport or a complete framework, which sustains a whole supply chain. Nonetheless, assessing the ongoing trends in technology, the IoT is undergoing tremendous Startupmagazine.co.ke
June 2019
dynamism and consequently modifying how third-party logistics operate. IoT has influenced the supply chain in significant ways such that its management has transformed inventory logistics as well as the manufacturing sector among others. IoT Supply Chain Management Among the greatest trends that are composed to overturn the management of supply chain is tracking of goods. This tendency has created a way for corporate entities to make a complete overhaul in the operations of supply chain and logistics by issuing them the necessary apparatuses for frugal management of money, time and for proper decision making. In 2015, delivery corporations such as tech giant Cisco and DHL estimated that IoT innovations like goods tracking solutions had the capacity to make an impact of approximately $1.8 trillion in the logistics and the supply chain sector (Costigan & Lindstrom, 2016). While
this transformation is ongoing, another survey conducted by Capgemini in conjunction with GT Nexus established that at least 73 per cent of manufacturing and retail corporations have at present embraced a project of digital transformation in their logistics and supply chain operations. Tracking of goods in logistics industry is not strange though in the corporate sector. Previously, the shipping and freight companies adopted a barcode scanning system in tracking and managing their inventory. However, the latest developments have rendered the same scanners obsolete, because of the limitation of collecting data on a wide range of items, neglecting the condition and location of exact items. The current tracking solutions aided by IoT generate an essential and usable data, particularly if it is paired with several other IoT technologies.
21 IoT Warehouse and Inventory Management Several new innovative versions are already modifying the manner in which logistics companies operate. For instance, the active and passive radio frequency identification (RFID) tags that engender information on goods attached to them. The significant distinction between them is that whereas passive tags contain an antenna and a microchip of RFID specifically for data storage, active RFID tags contain their individual battery power and in some instances include extra sensors. The trackers connected to internet use Low Power Wide Area Networks (LPWANs) or long-range networks in letting corporate organizations track specific goods all through their delivery voyages. Similarly, the availability of satellite trackers aids in providing location data on goods virtually everywhere in the world, including sections, which lack cellular coverage. Since Bluetooth tags and beacons are great at providing tracking data in smaller and more restricted zones, corporations have largely embraced them in retail stores to screen consumer traffic as well as offering marketing messages to the same customers. Lastly, the tags of near-field communication (NFC), affiliated to RFID standards, permit employees a versatile use of their mobile devices as readers for the NFC tags, thereby, providing a merit RFID readers and tags. IoT Fleet Management Correspondingly, corporate entities together with government departments, which handle massive scales of automobiles, utilize connected fleet management solutions in making the process more effective. Just like warehouse and inventory management, the solutions use GPS and several other innovations of tracking to collect data on the operations and locations of their vehicles in
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real time. According to the Business Insider’s (BI) and Intelligence premium research service, connected fleet management solutions are estimated to reach 190 million commercial service vehicles in North America by 2020 (Costigan & Lindstrom, 2016). The statistics translate to 90 per cent of the total automobile market, which represents a tenfold growth from 2010. Three ways in which logistics companies are deploying IoT solutions include: movement and delivery of physical goods comprising fleets of mainly semi-trailer trucks transporting goods to accomplish business of clients’ orders. The fleets are flexible enough to handle short-term and long-term deliveries. According to Costigan & Lindstrom (2016), another way is consumer transportation whereby businesses together with governments use vehicles in transporting people from one terminus to another. The final way is field-service vehicles that encompass automobiles that are operated mainly by trades to transport workers as they perform their tasks. The Internet of Things (IoT) is most likely to cause incredible transformations in the logistics and delivery industry. The alterations will greatly alleviate strain for retailers, delivery corporations, and even among consumers. As scientists
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Tracking of goods in logistics industry is not strange though in the corporate sector. Previously, the shipping and freight companies adopted a barcode scanning system in tracking and managing their inventory. However, the latest developments have rendered the same scanners obsolete, because of the limitation of collecting data on a wide range of items, neglecting the condition and location of exact items.
continue making significant technological innovations, other areas of logistics are likely to expand by benefiting from IoT. Unrelenting efforts by BI Intelligence reveal many future projections regarding the impact that IoT is going to unleash on the industry and other fields. Nevertheless, the issue of hackers is also posing a serious threat to the adoption and use of IoT by companies since they handle huge amounts of data for goods, clients as well as employees. June 2019
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COVER STORY
Kobo360: Revolutionizing the Global Logistics Supply Chain - Starting With Africa help cargo owners, truck owners, truck drivers and cargo recipients achieve an efficient supply chain framework. Through its all-in-one logistics platform, it is reducing logistics frictions in the supply chain via a combination of Internet of things, mobile technology and data analytics. Essentially, the startup is using tech to boost speed and efficiency in African logistics. Kobo360 won the ‘Disrupter of the Year’ at the Africa CEO Forum Awards 2019 in Rwanda. StartUp Magazine East Africa interviewed Kagure Wamunyu, the CEO for Kobo360 in East Africa to understand its business model and how it is transforming the logistics industry in the region. The following are the excerpts.
Kagure Wamunyu, CEO, KOBO360 IN EAST AFRICA By Sylvester Okumu
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hen Kobo360 started operations, the logistics sector in Africa was largely informal with unclear pricing and interference from expensive middleman. In some African countries, it could take days, if not weeks to move goods across the country, thus causing businesses to lose money. The firm now has a mission to build the Global Logistics Operating System [G-LOS] in order to boost speed and efficiency in African logistics. It does this by connecting end-to-end haulage operations to Startupmagazine.co.ke
June 2019
How can your solutions be accessed? On Android. In less than six hours, we are able to match a user’s request with a selection of quality trucks of all categories, anytime with service delivery guaranteed. We recently launched a new version of our app, Kobo App, which has a first-of-its kind bidding tool allowing drivers and customers to assess the price of a trip before selection. Additionally, we are tackling the lack of transparency in African logistics by providing real-time visibility on cargo and trucks as well as enhance reporting and analytics. What areas of interest do you target with your logistics solutions? We’re focused on road-based freight transportation. Powered by technology, we want to ensure a stable, reliable and accessible logistics supply chain system on the African continent. Moving goods and products from Point A to B without any hiccups is not guaranteed when using traditional transportation. Why do you think you are best suited to serve the regional market?
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Kobo360's leadership team has over 20 years of combined experience in the logistics and supply chain, gained across multiple sectors and disciplines; we all have a passion for transport. At Kobo360, we are focussed on delivering high-quality service for our customers in a fast paced industry and are a diverse team with large ambitions. Kenya is where East Africa’s largest port, Port of Mombasa, resides. We have a homegrown team, led by me, running our operations in Nairobi. We have an understanding of the logistics industry in this region. Kobo360 has a proven ability to deliver; we have served over 1,500 businesses, moved over 297m KG of goods and aggregated a fleet of over 10,800 trucks since going live in December 2017. Have you faced any unique challenges in your course of operation? If so, how have you mitigated them? When Kobo360 started operations, it was at a time when the logistics sector was informal. We set out to completely change the haulage sector’s operations, starting with Nigeria, Africa’s largest economy. Our first major challenge was introducing Kobo360 - then a new concept - to the market. We spent many months in beta, using a lot of that time with our partners, ensuring they understood how Kobo360 could play a big part of their business and the supply chain. We also had to spend time refining our platform and making it user friendly for truck drivers, in order to attract them and get them to buy into Kobo360. From your experience, what would you say are the key ingredients of running a successful startup logistics firm? Execution. Having a great idea is the first step, however converting that great idea
into reality is key. Kobo360 started in Nigeria and have made substantial inroads, covering 80 per cent of the country and collaborating with hundreds of freight companies operating out of Apapa Port. Following from our success in Nigeria, we have strategically expanded into Togo, Ghana and Kenya, and aim to be in another five key markets by the end of 2019. We are bullish about bringing order, transparency and accountability to the global logistics supply chain - starting with Africa. What have been your key milestones since starting up? A key milestone for us was raising USD 6 million seed funding led by the International Finance Corporation [IFC]. With the funding, we’ve been able to scale our operations rapidly. We were also recognised as the ‘Disrupter of the Year’ at the Africa CEO Forum Awards and I believe our ability to deliver speed and efficiency for businesses looking to move goods across the continent played a key part. What would you say has been the greatest impact by your logistics solutions in the region? Kobo360 has impacted the lives of many of the drivers who are a part of the Kobo360 network. The standard of living of many African drivers is considered to be poor, which is why we recognise that it’s our social responsibility to act in the best interest of our drivers, as they are one of the most important elements in the haulage business. We provide our
drivers with training and group programs on insurance, discounted petrol and vehicle financing [KoboWin]. Furthermore, drivers who are using the Kobo360 platform earn on average USD 5,000 per month - so we are committed to improving the economics and life situation of our drivers, which has a knock-on effect on the wider economy. What are your plans in the foreseeable future? As mentioned earlier, we aim to have a presence in nine African countries by the end of 2019 and ultimately develop a Global Logistics Operating System [G-LOS]. With the free trade agreement coming into effect, we envision a unified network which will reduce costs and inefficiencies as well as provide smooth operations in the supply chain. Wamunyu at a glance •Kagure Wamunyu is current the CEO for Kobo360 in East Africa. In her role she is charged with the launch and growth of Kobo360 in Eastern and Southern Africa. •Kagure has a passion in transport, which she believes will be an important factor in the economic development of Africa. •Previously, Kagure served as the Senior Director of Strategy for Bridge International Academies in East Africa, where she focused on policy and PPPs. Before Bridge, she worked as the country manager for Uber in Kenya where she joined as the first hire in Nairobi at launch and grew Uber to a major transportation option in Nairobi. •Kagure Wamunyu is currently pursuing a part-time PhD at University of Oxford. She holds a Masters in City Planning with a focus on transportation from UC Berkeley, a BSC in Civil Engineering with a focus on Transport Engineering from North Carolina State and a BA in Mathematics from Meredith College. June 2019 Startupmagazine.co.ke
LEADERSHIP
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NJERI MUCHUNU
Njeri Muchunu is a Leadership Curator and Advocate of the High Court of Kenya. She has extensive experience in the legal profession spanning over 17 years. She has worked in private legal practice, as an executive in the Corporate sector as well as the Public sector.
Startupmagazine.co.ke
June 2019
Loneliness in Leadership
I have been out of the country for about a month and recently returned. As I went about the business that took me there, I decided to take a hard look at the society I was in and the way people live. I took a personal assessment of the degree of happiness, connection, warmth and loneliness that I was experienced compared to how it is here in Kenya. I came to see clearly that despite our struggles, corruption, pain, hunger, we still remain more connected as human beings than in the West. The degree of loneliness in the West is so high that you can actually feel it in the air. You can sense the individualism, lack of connection and emptiness that people experience as they go about life. What’s sad is that this is fast creeping in to our society – my Kenya. Loneliness is a big issue especially in leadership. Lonely. What a sad word. What a pathetic word. What a wussy word. It summons in my mind a trope of despair, of darkness, of loserdom. It calls to mind self-pitying lament. Pathetic! Dealing with loneliness is not a skill they teach you in a Harvard Business School case study course. It does not come up in elite business leadership seminars. It is not a quality of winners. It is a word not even whispered by Masters of the Universe.
The higher up you go, the more pervasive loneliness becomes. In a recent study, half of the CEOs who responded reported feelings of loneliness. For new CEOs, the percentage rose to 70 percent. The responsibility of a role that involves making the toughest decisions alone—without supporters, mentors, or friends—creates a sense of loneliness few ever experience. I have only one desire today – to share with you a few thoughts, with a hope and prayer that I can bring some small measure of inspiration and lift to you. I think you need that; I think we all do. I suppose you have watched President Uhuru as he speaks to the nation and is listened to by the world. I watch him with great interest. I observed him realizing the importance of what he is saying. As I look at him, I think of the terrible loneliness of leadership. True, he has advisors. He has at his beck and call any number of men with whom he can consult; but when all the chips are down, he has to face the world alone, as it were. His advisors do not face the cannon fire of public opinion. That comes to the leader. As I sensed the loneliness of leadership while watching him, there came to my mind some great words from William Shakespeare: “Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown” . Leaders, while often surrounded by people, are at unique risk
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for loneliness. There are fewer people that can appreciate the unique challenges that leading brings. Those that can understand this unique burden are often too consumed with their own leadership journey to offer substantial perspective. Leaders have fewer people to turn to when things get tough. Who in the organization, after all, has had to sign off on the types of decisions that you must make each day? It can certainly be difficult to confide in and bare your soul to direct reports. And those who sit above you in the corporate or organizational food chain (such as the chairman of the board) are also not the ones to whom you want to display weakness or vulnerability. The price of leadership is loneliness. The price of adherence to conscience is loneliness. The price of adherence to principle is loneliness. I think it is inescapable. The Savior of the world was a Man who walked in loneliness. I do not know of any statement more underlined with the pathos of loneliness than His statement: “The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head“ . There is no lonelier picture in history than of the Savior upon the cross, alone, the Redeemer of mankind, the Savior of the world, bringing to pass the Atonement, the Son of God suffering for the sins of mankind. As a leader, you often cannot really talk honestly about your business even to your spouse or significant other. They truly cannot understand the unique frisson of terror that you wake to every day as you rise to try to methodically slay your individual dragons. And even if they could understand, is it really fair to burden them with your own existential anxiety? Each of us faces the prospect
ships that add balance to your life. Further, it is important that you seek support. One of the hallmarks of a successful leader is knowing when to get help. Look up or connect with a Leadership Coach or a counsellor, but find someone who can help you regain perspective, align priorities, and adapt healthy practices.
Loneliness does exist, but there are things you can do to cope and overcome. We are biologically, cognitively, and spiritually wired to love, to be loved, and to belong to communities. The more you do to bring yourself back into that state of being, the more of its benefits you will experience.
of possibly failing every day, but most of the time it would cause useless anxiety to share that with our familial intimates, any more than we would share it with our employees. They don’t want to hear about your problems. Loneliness does exist, but there are things you can do to cope and overcome. We are biologically, cognitively, and spiritually wired to love, to be loved, and to belong to communities. The more you do to bring yourself back into that state of being, the more of its benefits you will experience. I strongly advocate leader participation in peer learning / advisory groups; what I can a Mastermind Group. Not only will such settings provide you with meaningful learning opportunities to strengthen your skills and augment your toolkit, it also offers a safe haven for you as a leader to open up about problems to others who can relate to your struggles and provide concrete suggestions if not solutions. Oftentimes, the mastermind group also develops into social relation-
I would like to conclude by saying to you today, you leader, this is your lot. You will feel the loneliness of your faith. It is not easy, for instance, to be virtuous when all about you there are those who scoff at virtue. It is not easy to be honest when all about you there are those who are interested only in making “a fast buck.” It is not always easy to be temperate when all about you there are those who scoff at sobriety. It is not easy to be industrious when all about you there are those who do not believe in the value of work. It is not easy to be a man of integrity when all about you there are those who will forsake principle for expediency. I would like to say to you, leader, there is loneliness—but a man of your kind has to live with his conscience. A man has to live with his principles. A man has to live with his convictions. A man has to live with his testimony. Unless he does so, he is miserable—dreadfully miserable. And while there may be thorns, while there may be disappointment, while there may be trouble and travail, heartache and heartbreak and desperate loneliness, there will be peace and comfort and strength. June 2019
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Technology is Driving the Gig Economy – the Rise of the Freelance Economy in 2019!
ECONOMY
COLIN DON SCHOUW
Colin is a Cape Town based content producer/radio and TV producer and global business trend analyst.
If ever you’ve wondered when the right time to promote yourself as a freelancer would be… The time is, now!
g Gone are the days of looking at freelance consultants through a narrow scope; they shouldn’t be portrayed as Startupmagazine.co.ke
June 2019
outsiders to organizations any longer. Now more than ever, companies need flexible talent to “jump in” and take the reins on projects when a need for their skills arises.We often hear our family members and peers talking about the importance of ‘diversifying our investments’ as a means of secondary income, but diversifying your income
27 streams should be the primary objective, especially during this difficult economic climate in which we find ourselves. Along with that, we have seen a clear boom surrounding the Freelance industry in South Africa. Many of us allude to the idea that, because it’s a struggle to find permanent employment in this country, people are forced to venture into freelancing. But, what if you were told that more and more South Africans are choosing the freelance lifestyle on their own accord? Managing your own time, being your own boss and being in control of your own schedule, sounds like a very attractive way of life – and people are doing it! Online recruiters are starting to pick up on this trend and big tech companies like http://www.jobvine.co.za/freelance have even developed complete departments purely dedicated to freelancers and side-hustlers. Just like securing permanent employment is not easy, getting a freelance contract can be even harder. That is why it is important to seek out platforms on which you can promote yourself as a freelancer – and where you know employers and recruiters will visit, specifically to seek freelance talent. Freelancers are usually experts/skilled professionals in a niched area. You can find them in every area of expertise, from HR managers and lawyers, to creatives like graphic designers, photographers, PR and social media specialists, to copywriters and bloggers/influencers/brand ambassadors or journalists. Other freelancers are referred to as ‘side-hustlers’, a term which is self-explanatory; people who run side hustles, apart from their full-time job as a secondary income stream. Some of which you would never believe could, in fact,
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Freelancers are usually experts/skilled professionals in a niched area. You can find them in every area of expertise, from HR managers and lawyers, to creatives like graphic designers, photographers, PR and social media specialists, to copywriters and bloggers/influencers/brand ambassadors or journalists.
be lucrative such as, dog walkers, karate instructors, babysitters and piano tuners, to name a few. According to Forbes, by 2020, the majority of millennials will no longer be in an office job. Instead, they’ll choose the life of a freelancer, because this lifestyle allows them to have multiple income streams/secondary income, within a culture that they’ve created for themselves… to put that into perspective, that is next year! And even though millennials prefer to make a decent amount of money, best believe they will leave their full-time jobs if they’re unhappy with the company culture and start promoting themselves as freelancers. It is time that employers jump on this. So why are Africans turning to freelance jobs? I think it’s important to take a look at why Freelancing is becoming so popular. It is predicted that by 2020 freelancers are expected to make up 50 per cent of the full time work force. But why are more and more South Africans choosing to break away from the nine-to-five?
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increasing thick and fast. If you were thinking about making that break for freedom but were not convinced, signs from economic experts say now is the time to do it. Businesses now more than ever are looking to outsource work to remote independent workers rather than hiring in-house staff. But what has brought about this shift? In the last few years alone, the average earnings for freelancers have increased by 50 per cent. Not only are more people willing to hire freelancers, they are willing to pay them the right price for their work as well. People who employ freelancers are starting to realize that cheaper is not always better. I’m hearing that a ton lately. You could do it cheap or you could do it well. It seems that amongst these workers, Baby Boomers and Generation X are the largest age groups, a finding that may reflect trends in the media industry such as downsizing and lay- offs. Nearly 80 per cent of freelance media professionals are women. This puts South Africa in line with international trends that indicate female freelancers dominate the media industry. There is no doubt that freelancers are highly skilled with over 60 per cent of freelancers holding postgraduate degrees. My prediction is that with the weak job market and low youth employment in the country, we can expect to see an increase in freelance workers in 2019 and beyond. To sustain that growth, it advocates for fair standards and practices in the industry. This is why joining freelance online platforms where contracts are regulated is important. These platforms provide resources, tools, training and networking to strengthen freelance careers.
Firstly, opportunities for freelancers are June 2019
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28
CYBER SECURITY
BENARD NJOROGE
Public and Private Agencies Should Invest in Cyber Security Ahead of Data Protection Law Kenya will soon have a law that guides and regulates how people’s private data and information will be retrieved, managed, utilized and secured. However, few companies have the necessary cybersecurity infrastructure, corporate culture or data policies that will enable them keep this law without encountering major hurdles.
Mr. Njoroge is the managing director of Adrian Group Limited.
Once passed, the Data Protection Bill 2018 will provide a uniform piece of regulation whose requirements will be standardised across the entire Kenyan economy, ensuring personal data is subjected to the highest levels of security, privacy and protection, but without hindering innovation and economic growth. In line with rising personal privacy concerns, the bill proposes that “an agency shall not transfer personal data of a sub-
Startupmagazine.co.ke
June 2019
ject outside the territory of the Republic of Kenya unless the subject consents the transfer and it will be beneficial to the subject.� But even as the bill is yet to be passed into law, developments in the last five years show that we have a potential crisis in our hands if companies do not start preparing to incorporate these regulations in their data management systems and policies. The rise of local technology based services heavily reliant on private personal data clearly reveals this gap. For instance, many of the local mobile lending apps usually ask users to grant access to a lot of private information in order to qualify for a loan. This includes access to phone call records, phonebook, SMS and other geolocation information. A similar case could be made
29 for some of the taxi-hailing apps now popular with Kenyans. While some of these technology companies have gone to great lengths to ensure users give informed consent regarding their personal data in the companies’ possession, the channels of communication for this consent are rather obscure. This will radically change once the data protection laws are enacted, and both users and organizations should be ready for the shift. Many of the new mobile lending companies ask people for permission to access sensitive data, but don’t make any effort to explain to Kenyans how the accessed data will be used, and for how long it will be retained. This will have to change. The proposed data protection law clearly states that agencies have a duty to not only notify people of the fact that personal data is being collected; but also state the “purpose for which the personal data is being collected”. And if an organisation shares out their employees or clients' personal data without properly and clearly informed consent, heads of institutions, government or private agencies will be jailed for five years or fined Kshs 500,000 or both.
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put to the Kenyan Data Protection Bill at the comment stage: “We believe that a strong data protection law must protect the rights of individuals with meaningful consent at its core. It must have strong obligations placed on data controllers and processors reflecting the significant responsibilities associated with collecting, storing, using, analyzing, and processing user data; and provide for effective enforcement by an empowered, independent, and well-resourced Data Protection Authority.”
PG. 30
TRAVEL Discover the tranquil sandy Mida beach at coastal Kenya
By ensuring compliance from a data storage and processing standpoint, companies can avoid the risk of legal action from the individuals whose data is being handled. This is all the more important when it is remembered that under the new Regulation companies found to be breaking the law could be fined up to 5% of their revenue. However, most important is that governments and private organisations respect and protect the privacy of the people whose data is essential to the success of their business. Cybersecurity goes beyond preventing criminal elements from stealing organizational data, it must also include protecting the privacy of employees and client data in your possession.
Furthermore, “a data controller or data processor shall retain personal data only as long as may be reasonably necessary to satisfy the purpose for which it is processed.” These provisions are very similar to, and one may argue that they borrow heavily from, the recently enacted European Union data protection law, the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
Even as Kenyans familiarise themselves with this revolutionary law and its implications for cyber-security and data privacy, organizations need to be at the head of this learning curve. It will prove to be less costly to adopt these regulations into your company culture and systems instead of waiting until a lawsuit forces one to not only invest in better data management systems, but also pay hefty fines.
Even Mozilla, the not-for-profit behind the Firefox browser, made a forceful in-
Mr. Benard W. Njoroge is the managing director of Adrian Group Limited.
PG. 34
BOOK REVIEW In The $100 Startup, Chris Guillebeau shows you how to lead a life of adventure, meaning and purpose — and earn a good living.
PG. 38
SONG REVIEW Wiley, Stefflon Don, Sean Paul, and Idris Elba Join Forces
June 2019
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At the back
Travel & Leisure
Discover the Tranquil Sandy Beach Thinking of an affordable but idyllic local to just recharge after a hectic season at work? Well, Adisa Hudson, an editor at a local publishing firm, explores an exquisite but affordable destination that will see you packing your bags and cruising to beautiful Watamu, in the larger Kilifi County.
By Adisa Hudson
Startupmagazine.co.ke
June 2019
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If you love the rustic setup of the Kenyan coast and appreciate a clean private beach in the middle of a simple but beautiful village, then keep reading! I have a hectic two-day assignment in Malindi. After a whopping 10 hours on a Mash Cool bus from Nairobi, we arrive at Malindi, the Mijikenda Stage. Two days after arrival, it is the weekend and a getaway seems a pleasant idea. I want a restful setup surrounded by Mother Nature to help me get away from the hustle and bustle of the capital city. From Malindi town, it is a 40-minute drive to Gede junction, where the vehicle branches off to Watamu. I love adventure and because Mida Eco
camp is not far from Gede stage, I decide to hop into a motorcycle with my back pack and camera. It takes about 7 minutes to get to the entrance of Mida Eco Lodge Camp. The beautiful white sands cover the compound, and I remove my boots and splash my toes on the sand, just as we did when we were children. It’s a lovely evening and I can’t wait to get down to the beach. I have a list of to do things that evening in the hushed and remote village camp. Away from the city traffic, crowds and endless hooting; Mida Eco Camp is an oasis of stillness, with birds chirping, white sand, soothing ocean waves, and a village hidden from civilization. The camp is characterized by high co-
conut palms, mango and cashew-nut trees, entrenched in high grasses reaching as far as the forest and mangrove coast. Mida is bordered by the Arabuko-Sokoke Forest, the largest East African forest by the coast, and a beautiful rich mangrove coast. The people here are the Agiriama. Their life is peaceful, characterized by their closely-knit families. Theirs is a relaxed lifestyle with no pressure, life is lived in the moment and I love that about the people. I quickly check in and drop my bag in one of the huts. I choose a Swahili hut; simple, spacious and clean. A young man who mans the camp gives me a tour of the place. His name
June 2019
Startupmagazine.co.ke
is Benson, simple but intelligent, and very friendly to the guests. We bump into a young boy dashing through the sparse vegetation of trees. He is enjoying madafu, a Swahili name for a drink obtained from freshly-cut raw coconut. Locals cut open the raw coconuts and sip the refreshing coconut water using a straw. The beach is now clear and tranquil. It looks deserted and I enjoy the feel of the cool sand and the rise and fall of small water waves in the pleasant breeze. If you are the shy type and prefer swimming in privacy like myself, then this is the place. Because my visit here is during the off-peak month
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June 2019
of January, I can count the number of guests I bump into at the vicinity and mostly the dining area. Later, Benson’s crew passes by on a local canoe and whisks us off on a lovely sundown ocean cruise on. I enjoy the ride for over an hour to a small island within the locality, the Mida Creek. The enchanting island is full of the melodious chirping of indigenous birds.
board sees me vibrating with fear and I can’t tell how long it takes to wind up the board walk. It has been a wonderful evening!
A one-hour canoe ride costs Ksh 800. After the canoe ride, the last adventure is the board walk in the Mangrove Forest.
There are two other traditional huts available for accommodation besides the Swahili hut:
I am so nervous, I don’t want even to look down. Every little squeak of the
Accommodation My stay at Mida Eco Camp is surprisingly affordable. Staying in a Swahili hut, I part with Ksh 1300 per night, inclusive of breakfast.
The Zanzibar Hut which is the most popular one, because it offers amazing views from the first floor seating area over forest and coast.
The Giriama Hut which is built with the precision Giriama traditions; the bed is located on a platform, that in old days would have been used to store maize. Similarly, the furniture for the seating area has been made by town elders in the ‘old ways’. To note, the Swahili Hut is the smallest, but offers comfort with its four-poster Swahili bed for a simple person. Activities There are a number of activities one can enjoy during a stay at the Mida Eco Camp and canoe ride is one of them.
per person but the rate is flexible for groups.
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An entrance to Mida
There are also numerous excursions to choose from: •Boardwalk and Bird Hide •The getaway Island off the Creek •Village tour •Gede Ruins Visit •Creek Fishing The camp is about 8 kilometers from Watamu and 40 kilometers from Malindi. It is a beautiful place, especially for campers looking for a natural environment. It is simply home away from home!
The canoe ride costs about Ksh 800
The writer at the beach
June 2019
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34
Coffee Break
Book Review
The Hard Thing About Hard Things Building a business when there are no easy answers Reviewer: Oroni Tendera
Startupmagazine.co.ke
June 2019
Ben Horowitz, cofounder of Andreessen Horowitz and one of Silicon Valley’s most respected and experienced entrepreneurs, offers essential advice on building and running a startup—practical wisdom for managing the toughest problems business school doesn’t cover, based on his popular ben’s blog.
and supervising technology companies. A lifelong rap fanatic, he amplifies business lessons with lyrics from his favorite songs, telling it straight about everything from firing friends to poaching competitors, cultivating and sustaining a CEO mentality to knowing the right time to cash in.
While many people talk about how great it is to start a business, very few are honest about how difficult it is to run one. Ben Horowitz analyzes the problems that confront leaders every day, sharing the insights he’s gained developing, managing, selling, buying, investing in,
Filled with his trademark humor and straight talk, The Hard Thing About Hard Things is invaluable for veteran entrepreneurs as well as those aspiring to their own new ventures, drawing from Horowitz’s personal and often humbling experiences.
FRESH.INSPIRING.ANALYTICAL
SAP at Ghana Innovation Day 2019.
L-R -Dr. Eustace Mwarania, Chairman of Trapos Limited, AAK President, Mugure Njendu, Jennifer Cirindi of Link-Age Partnerships and Rose Kananu, MD of Howard Aidevo Consulting during the Architectural Association of Kenya (AAK) seminar
June 2019
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June 2019
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Coffee Break
Blog Review Blog name: “SmallBizLady” Founder: Melinda Emerson
Reviewer: Adisa Hudson
Link https://succeedasyourownboss.com About the Blog Melinda F. Emerson, known as SmallBizLady, is one of America’s leading Small Business Expert. She has been a thriving
entrepreneur for nearly 15 years and is an internationally known keynote speaker. Melinda’s small business advice is widely read reaching more than 3 million entrepreneurs each week on the internet. A pioneer in social media marketing, she is the creator and host of #Smallbizchat, the longest running live chat on Twitter for small business owners.
Stima Sacco is proud to serve the people of Embu. Join a fast growing deposit-taking sacco, committed to providing you with the faciities you need to secure your financial freedom. Our new Embu branch is located at Pearl Centre next to Outspan Hospital, off the Embu-Meru Road. Call us on 0703 024 024 or email info@stima-sacco.com for more information.
June 2019
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At the back
Song Review
Boasty
‘Boasty’ is a spicy, tropical-tinged club burner...
bars from the grime pioneer himself.
Wiley, Stefflon Don, Sean Paul, and Idris Elba
There are all-star team ups, and then there are all-star team ups.
Stefflon Don is on mercurial form, while Sean Paul’s guest spot links to the track’s Caribbean nature.
Review by Oroni Tendera
Any track featuring Wiley is worth paying attention to, but when Eskiboy rings up Stefflon Don, Sean Paul, and Idris Elba then you know something special is happening. New single ‘Boasty’ was released early this year, and it opens with unmistakable
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June 2019
Actor, DJ, and all-round advocate for London culture Idris Elba also appears, adding some swagger to the release. Co-produced by Toddla T and Rotterdam’s Mucky, it’s a spicy club burner to light up these cold June days.
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