Local companies must up their game to thrive

After recent uproar, the government has chosen Chinese contractors to repair the city roads at the expense of local companies.  This should serve as a wake up call for our home made contractors that all is not well. They should change tack if they don’t want to be bypassed. Many companies work diligently- indeed Kenyans are known the world over for their entrepreneurial, hardworking spirit. But we can and must do more.

First, local businesses should stop whining and complaining. It’s true we have had a long electioneering period, power supply may be expensive and unstable, imports might be flowing freely, corruption, drought, county rates and taxes etc. ensures that that is always something we can blame for sub optimal performance .But with globalisation, cheaper imports be it tires, electronics or sugar will not lack. Whereas last year we had drought, right now we are crying about floods havoc. Before rate caps reduced access to credit we were bemoaning the exorbitant loan rates. And though we politic much, our democracy is much more advanced compared to our peers in Africa. We dare not belittle or brush aside the many impediments to a successful profitable business in Kenya. But we also should not underestimate the resolve of many business leaders to honestly succeed against all odds. Let’s concentrate on our core business and the opportunities.

Companies must also embrace quality. Nairobians can rest assured that the Chinese will do a quality job and within the given timeline. It was not always so. There was a time in the past when Chinese products were regarded as fake and copy cats. Not anymore. SGR, Thika Road and other projects have dismissed that notion. On the other hand, though generally we do a good job, we have a reputation of building   houses which collapse during construction, or put kerosene in petrol and as NYS scandals show, to supply air. And residents have been known to lament against long delays and cost overruns. Indeed there was a time when the former Roads Minister John Michuki complained that a road to the president backyard was taking a whole century to complete. This ought to change.

Finally, we should be aim to be provide quality services and goods at reasonable prices. With the government dedicating half of its tax revenues to repaying loans, it’s really price sensitive.  The county governments are also squeezed spending most of their cash on salaries etc. If we are to share in the national cake, our prices must be affordable. The roads annuity programme was shelved because among other things, the contractors quoted outrageously high prices. Consumers are also price conscious due to the high cost of living.

Form sustainable partnerships that will ensure that we deliver quality, on time and affordably. Let’s marry the abundant young labour force with the challenges our country is facing. Opportunites abound whether in garbage collection or developing the counties. The rains have destroyed infrastructure that will need repairs and rebuilding. As the economy recovers and grows, let’s rise to the occasion.

READ: LEE NJIRU FIGHTS TO KEEP HIS JOB

Whether company wise or as individuals, we can’t afford to slacken. If the Cuban doctors do a good job we will not be shocked with foreigners being called upon to manage IEBC – elections, secretariat, servers and all.

Latest

Navigating Forex Markets: The Top 10 Forex Brokers of 2023

Selecting the right broker from the top 10 forex brokers of 2023 can significantly impact your trading success.

Whipped and Stripped! A Survivor’s Tale of Harrowing Brutality in a Mental Hospital

The lack of a long-term vision and inadequate resourcing of mental hospital infrastructures continues to take a toll on Kenya’s mentally ill patients.

Dubai Agency Picks Top Influencer Marketers to Lead Kenyan Operation

This strategic move is in line with indaHash vision to cement its presence in Africa, following its impactful footprint in South Africa since 2017 and successful collaborations with clients like the South African Tourism Board.

SportPesa to reward Customers in Cash-Filled Festive Promotion

Running from December 4th to 25th, the SportPesa campaign promises daily excitement with six lucky winners expected to walk away with Ksh5,000 daily.

Follow Us

Newsletter

Don't miss

Tusker Oktobafest Rolls East African Cultures into One

From regional events across Kenya to inaugural gatherings in Uganda and Tanzania, and the Tusker Oktobafest grand finale in Nairobi, the festival harmonized traditions, celebrated diversity, and highlighted the rich cultural tapestry of the East African culture

Lupita’s Little Brother Junior Nyong’o Charting His Own Path in Acting

Junior Nyongó, who is also a musician and a DJ and now a graduate of UC San Diego with an MFA in Acting, is crafting his own solid path in the world of acting with roles in major theatre productions.

Safaricom To Power Tusker OktobaFest Beer Festival

Safaricom’s involvement in OktobaFest as a technology and payments partner will focus on fostering seamless in-festival connectivity, empowering the youth and Gen Z community through Safaricom Hook, and powering digital payments through M-PESA.

Music Producers Launch Organization To Streamline Recording Industry

Recording Industry of Kenya (RIKE) was launched on 9th October 2023. Registered in 2022 as a not-for-profit organization, RIKE aims to promote the collective interests of producers of sound recordings in the country.

Nairobi’s Hero Bar Listed Among World’s 50 Best Bars

World Best Bars: Hero Bar in Nairobi continues to climb the list, moving up six places to No.62 and Johannesburg’s Sin + Tax comes in at No.94. Dubai new entry Ergo is at No.69 and Melbourne’s Byrdi has re-entered the list at No.61.

Kenyan DJs Face Off In Smirnoff Battle Of The Beats Season 3

The Smirnoff Battle of the Beats Season 3, a DJ competition, is poised to unleash an unprecedented musical frenzy countrywide.

The Highs And Lows Of Betty Kyallo, Sisters Show As Season 2 Ends

Kyallo Kulture has always been, above all, about sisterhood, and in Season 2 we have witnessed the charm of it - the ups that gave us wholesome moments as the sisters led by Betty Kyallo spent time together.

DStv Beats CNN, BBC To Become Most Admired Media Outlet In Africa

DStv, MultiChoice Group’s leading broadcast service, has been named...

MultiChoice Revises Subscription Fees For DStv, GOtv

MultiChoice has announced price adjustments on some of their...

Octopizzo: How I Make My Money

"I've been doing this for 12, 13 years. It reaches a point where you no longer need to prove that you can make a hit record," he stated.

Navigating Forex Markets: The Top 10 Forex Brokers of 2023

Selecting the right broker from the top 10 forex brokers of 2023 can significantly impact your trading success.

Whipped and Stripped! A Survivor’s Tale of Harrowing Brutality in a Mental Hospital

The lack of a long-term vision and inadequate resourcing of mental hospital infrastructures continues to take a toll on Kenya’s mentally ill patients.

Dubai Agency Picks Top Influencer Marketers to Lead Kenyan Operation

This strategic move is in line with indaHash vision to cement its presence in Africa, following its impactful footprint in South Africa since 2017 and successful collaborations with clients like the South African Tourism Board.

3 COMMENTS

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here