THEY RUN KENYA.

Kenya is one of the most resourceful countries in East Africa, slowly scaling the heights to an African economic powerhouse. (Ignore the fact that Unga is going for almost as much as a kilo of meat, and the shilling is being whooped by stronger currencies.) It's a great country for us that were born and raised here, and no matter how much I hate my greedy M.P, or how much I fear the local chief's askaris who are quick to handcuff me for not coughing out sufficient bribe, I must admit I'm proud to be Kenyan.
Recently, I was thinking of sectors that run this country, making big stacks from Kenyan hustling pockets coupled with there diverse yet streamlined interests. From the moment every Kenyan wakes up to go mint his quid, some businessman or woman interested in certain sectors just end up pocketing huge fractions of the cash made, and in one way or another, this sectors literally run Kenya.


1. Matatu.
It doesn't matter where you come from, whether the leafy suburbs of Kitisuru Estate or the sprawling slums that are Kibera, but matatus will always be a way of life for many Kenyans. A  huge percentage of Kenyans rely purely on them for commuting and general transport.
It's is more interesting that most of the people who own the large fleets that boastfully and demandingly flaunt all traffic rules, are with all due respect, fellows you would easily trash for poor academic intellect. Yet, those of us who have climbed aeroplanes in search of the so called further studies do still herald the large masses that pay and keep this industry alive.
The matatu sector has a life of its own. Most of those drivers and dare-devlish touts have their lives all centred around the matatu. They wake up in the morning, take breakfast in those cars, lunch, and only leave when they are off to sleep at home.
Nothing comes on a platter anyway, and one of the most hardworking Kenyans are those that are associated with this industry. Take the touts for example, watch them as they restlessly shout in the streets to draw customers into their pimped out and music blaring rides, and you will realise that it's never that easy.

2. Mobile Telephoning.
Just go near any shop and you will notice most of the litter is actually made up of scratch cards. Safaricom, Airtel, Orange and Essar, four companies that hold one of the most productive sectors in Kenya today. For a nation whose people love to talk and to have their say, the mobile telephone industry is a landmine.
Safaricom has in the past been the largest beneficiary, making huge profits as a result of their market dominance. The competition has increased, no wonder calling has become so cheap. Infact, I did a minor reseach and discovered that I send on average, 200 texts per day. Mobile phones are a growing technology, and our 'addiction' to these gadgets has actually made mobile telephoning a great business venture in our country today. The cash paid out by these companies too, for promotion and sales purposes has also shown how much they are willing to maximise from this industry.
Aside from the likes of Safaricom and Zain, mobile phone outlets and stalls have also become popular, and a great source of income. In our society today, mobile phones define one's social stature, and these stalls, outlets and even the parking boys and local hood-thugs ave benefitted alot from this.

3. Toilets.
This one is interesting, but believe you me, the toilet industry in Kenya must be making huge income. By toilet industry, I mean the toilets themselves and other related things such as tissue paper and cleaning detergents such as harpic. If you dont believe me let me give you an insight. Companies such as unique loo, will 'grace' any of you events by letting you hire toilets for your visitors. Other companies such as rentokill are als actively involved in the toilet industry as they focus on disposal of the pads and lately common, tampons that are used dy our female counterparts. I tell you, that is real money right there. The Unique Loo company for example boasts of serving the likes of the Prime Minister of Kenya and likewise the Vice President. (I know this is unethical but I'm so tempted to crack this one, does that mean that the president, since he is not in this list, carries a pottie in his limmo? *I jus hope those Nyayo Torture Chambers are fully unoperational otherwise I may just have signed my death warrant*)
The public toilets in the streets also must be raking alot, I need not be told. The few time I have been bound to use one, I have always found not less than a dosen of men and women streaming out of either exits. Therefore, I came to a conclusion that the toilet industry in Kenya is surely another shadow boost for our economy.

4. Food and Entertainment.
By entertainment, I mean to classify local pubs, including 'mama pima', the local weed man, to the classy joints and clubs in every corner of the streets and more importantly, lodgings. Kenyans are a party nation. They love sitting out and drowning brown bottles without necessarily being concerned about where the tomorrows fare (to pay the matatu) will come from. That is why companies such as Keroche industries and the E.A.B.L make mega-profits. On Fridays, weekends and during public holidays, the local party joints are normally filled to capacity.
As much as we like alcohol, we love food too. Food is essential for every growing society, and that is why competing hotels open rooms directly opposite each other, because they know a Kenyan's stomach is closely held to his/her pocket.
Worrying however is our trends of a drinking nation. Not only I'm I worried that we shall finish all the barley and wheat fields in South Africa, but I'm also concerned that such a drinking nation may forget about other areas including development. Or is it that we are drinking too much because we are working hard too?
About the lodgings I will really not expound on that, but Kenyans have also recently become an adultrous and promiscous lot, and this explains why lodgings are constantly having clients all round the clock. I am not describing this out of any personal obsevance but from the talk in town; that even after regulating drinking via the infamous Mututho Laws, lodging and lodging services have actually filled ths void.

5. Real Estate.
High population is the sole reason for this. Property exchange and sales companies have also found this growing industry worth their investment. Landlords have easily turned to be the richest men in the villages, with properties in affluent surburbs of Kenya drawing much cash.
Structures come up as fast as they get booked, and the good thing with buildings they do not require so much in maintainance. They have in the past shown how greedy the owners are, at times not complying to the right development procedures, thus causing them to collapse and cause fatal injuries and at times also death.
However, whichever the case, everyone requires a place to rest at the end of the day, and the first thing one does after getting their salary is budget for their rent. Therefore, real estate will remain to be a core element in the Kenyan society. Likewise, the businesses als need to be housed to ensure competition from other businesses. Real estate is the most accurate answer to this


So as we can all see from this, all u need to consider before approaching any venture is that you need to ensure you venture targets all generations, all genders and more importantly people from all social walks especailly considering bringing the rich and the poor together. Once you come up with a prospective business venture that matches any of those above, then you can start rehearsing your laugh to the bank...