[jamboree]

Now a lot has been said about Kikuyu's enterpreneurial abilities. However I believe that this is not a trait that others cannot learn. For that reason it is important to study why other communities have not been as successful in this venture as their Kikuyu brethren. Indeed a spot check in major towns in Kenya reveal that shops are not mostly run by locals but by Asians or Kikuyus. This is in sharp contrast to such areas as Thika, Murang'a, Nyeri, Karatina, Nanyuki and others where the locals (Kikuyus) compete with Asians for a slice of the economic pie to the chagrin of many who claim that Kikuyus exclude them.

My hypothesis is that some communities tend to look down upon the informal sector. Take the example of the hawking business- both legal and illegal. The only people you find haggling for space in the streets or markets to sell stuff are mostly Kikuyus. Other communities would rather aspire to become so called professionals and earn little than do certain jobs. Interestingly, Kikuyus are also to be found in the white collar jobs proving the Swahili adage that “kazi ni kazi” i.e. any work is good enough. Thats why when the economy was growing at 6% some people were asking where the jobs were and yet others had seized the opportunity to do small businesses here and there.


So even as we agree that Kikuyus will need to re-evaluate their non commital nature (almost shy predisposition) to other people's plight a lesson or two about hustling(as they call it in the west) can come in handy.

NB: If you cant respond maturely please dont. This post is not meant to showcase any stereotypes but to bring out some publicly held notions about our nationhood.

[pastoralist]

As you rightly put it, it is a myth! I will tell first that I am a big time businessman in Kenya and I am no Kikuyu blood at all. I am amazed by how many people have been bought into this myth of Kikuyus being rich in Kenya. What is a business? Many people have reduced there business definations to only day trading and Merchants. Consider this; who is richer a Kikuyu owning a retail shop or a Maasai owning 300 head of cattle, hundreds of sheep and goat and being a member of a huge group ranch? I started my business a retail shopper many years ago and that is what a majority of Kikuyus do. Forget the less than 1% of Njenga Karumes, Kibakis, Githunguris etc. It is a myth! A cow goes for atleast Ksh 15,000. Most retail shops are completely stocked with less than Ksh 70,000. A street hawker is only worth about Ksh. 10,000 at the high end. Ask yourself why are there no Maasais leaving in Slums? Do you ever hear any Maasai kids not able to pay school fees? Think. Stop being fooled by a few rich Kikuyus who were baby sat by Kenyatta to thinking Kikuyus are rich. Kikuyus are on average are as poor as any other Kenyan community. Sorry but that is the truth!

[Ni_Diambo]

Guys, these are my observations, having lived among kyuks and several other Kenyan communities. They are sincere and honest observations. Of course they don’t apply to every single kyuk, but to the community in general.

1. A kyuk goes with singularity of purpose after one thing - $$$ and more $. Everything else is secondary.
2. In everything, a kyuk will look for an opportunity for a financial return.
3. For most kyuks (not all), the end justifies the means. The route that will lead to $$$ is the one he will take.
4. If I cannot get the deal, another kyuk should get it (Banianis and Italians do the same).
5. Compared with other Kenyans, a kyuk works hard, and smart. You can live in denial, but this is true. Maximum effort where there’s maximum returns - legitimate or dishonest. Most other Kenyans, of course work hard as well (but not always smart). A kyuk is generally more focused, determined and daring.
6. Finally, most kyuks are ambitious, and never contented, unlike most other Kenyans. This propels them even further towards more $$$$.

[Benzema]

This is my explanation why Kikuyus are in business and other industries. For the record, I am a Kikuyu who was brought in Masailand.

Part of it has to do with colonial experiences. Because Kikuyus lost land (traditional we were farmers), they had to look for something else to do. They moved to different areas. Business has been one option. Otherwise Kikuyus have been as successful in other venturers including (with all due respect) criminal activities, non-socially sanctioned activities like prostitution (our sisters handilly dominate this industry in Nairobi and are found in all other places), and farming.

Regarding hawking, most Kikuyu young men became hawkers in different parts of the country after the collapse of dairy, coffee, and tea industries in the 80s. Also, due to population explosion, the farming area can no longer provide means of the livelihoods they used to provide.

On the Asian questions, I think people in foreign land always find a niche to make money. Just this week I was talking to a Hindi friend and he told me in India, only the Gujeratis are known for business. Yet in Kenya its all Indians. In the US, the Somalis are dominating business in Minneapolis, a city that has the biggest Somali population in the US. In Ghana, the Lebanese control the businesses, in DC Ethiopians control Taxis. In Eastleigh, Somalis control the business, Ethipians own matatus. When I was permanently in Kenya, most matatu routes (14, 33, 11) were becoming dominated by the Kisiis while 58 and 23 are dominated by Kikuyus.

People of the same background seems to be attracting each other in one industry. I also think what people end up being good with is influenced by different environment factors. Mostly socio-economic. Its not a genetic trait and that is why you are calling it a myth.

I guess there are studies out there based on economic activities or population behavior.

While we are it, the myth I would like to see tested in that Luos are the most educated people in Kenya. I would like to see raw number for instance comparing them with Kikuyus.

At some point, different communities find their niche.

[Dremun]

You have to observe historical context of the Kikuyu experience. Their lands were grabbed and occupied by the colonists -- which in essence deprived them of their main economic activity -- agriculture. Forced labor in the white farms did not help in encouraging agriculture as a means of earning a living---without land pastoralism is out of the picture too. Most landless societies will often engage in the exchange of goods and services for survival -period. Commerce was not an activity they opted for --- it was the only activity that would ensure surivival!!!! So to attribute this business savy to a some of inborn innate ability is simply ridiculous and frankly ignorant.

[junelinternational]

As you rightly put it, it is a myth! I will tell first that I am a big time businessman in Kenya and I am no Kikuyu blood at all. I am amazed by how many people have been bought into this myth of Kikuyus being rich in Kenya. What is a business? Many people have reduced there business definations to only day trading and Merchants. Consider this; who is richer a Kikuyu owning a retail shop or a Maasai owning 300 head of cattle, hundreds of sheep and goat and being a member of a huge group ranch? I started my business a retail shopper many years ago and that is what a majority of Kikuyus do. Forget the less than 1% of Njenga Karumes, Kibakis, Githunguris etc. It is a myth! A cow goes for atleast Ksh 15,000. Most retail shops are completely stocked with less than Ksh 70,000. A street hawker is only worth about Ksh. 10,000 at the high end. Ask yourself why are there no Maasais leaving in Slums? Do you ever hear any Maasai kids not able to pay school fees? Think. Stop being fooled by a few rich Kikuyus who were baby sat by Kenyatta to thinking Kikuyus are rich. Kikuyus are on average are as poor as any other Kenyan community. Sorry but that is the truth!

What are you talking about? How many masais have even 300 cattle to thier name? And am not saying non have, dont forget many kikuyus also have 300 plus cattle in thier OWN farms, not to mention the small scale farmers who have one or two for thier own dairy consumption. I can assure you any Kikuyu who has even 1 cattle has his own land, cattle can die due to diseases or drought, land will always be there, now MR BIG TIME BUSINESSMAN tell us who is more financially secure?

On your other point that '' do you ever hear of masai kids not able to pay fees?'' Now that is laughable, go ask all those masai watchmen all over Kenya living on KSH2000-3000 per month and they will tell you.

[jamboree]

Originally Posted by pastoralist

As you rightly put it, it is a myth! I will tell first that I am a big time businessman in Kenya and I am no Kikuyu blood at all. I am amazed by how many people have been bought into this myth of Kikuyus being rich in Kenya. What is a business? Many people have reduced there business definations to only day trading and Merchants. Consider this; who is richer a Kikuyu owning a retail shop or a Maasai owning 300 head of cattle, hundreds of sheep and goat and being a member of a huge group ranch? I started my business a retail shopper many years ago and that is what a majority of Kikuyus do. Forget the less than 1% of Njenga Karumes, Kibakis, Githunguris etc. It is a myth! A cow goes for atleast Ksh 15,000. Most retail shops are completely stocked with less than Ksh 70,000. A street hawker is only worth about Ksh. 10,000 at the high end. Ask yourself why are there no Maasais leaving in Slums? Do you ever hear any Maasai kids not able to pay school fees? Think. Stop being fooled by a few rich Kikuyus who were baby sat by Kenyatta to thinking Kikuyus are rich. Kikuyus are on average are as poor as any other Kenyan community. Sorry but that is the truth!

I am not implying that Kikuyu's wealth is a myth. Generally they could be above the national per capita. What am talking about here is their often talked about enterpreneurial skills. Its not even an issue of turnover but the reason why a Kikuyu can be attracted to assuming risk to start a business while a Maasai is content, say, rearing cattle and a Luo aims at strolling the hallways of academia.

While on that perhaps you might want to enlighten us why despite their relative success they would generally not refer themselves as "big time" businessmen as you just did.

[Luoliability]

Originally Posted by Ni_Diambo

Guys, these are my observations, having lived among kyuks and several other Kenyan communities. They are sincere and honest observations. Of course they don’t apply to every single kyuk, but to the community in general.

1. A kyuk goes with singularity of purpose after one thing - $$$ and more $. Everything else is secondary.
2. In everything, a kyuk will look for an opportunity for a financial return.
3. For most kyuks (not all), the end justifies the means. The route that will lead to $$$ is the one he will take.
4. If I cannot get the deal, another kyuk should get it (Banianis and Italians do the same).
5. Compared with other Kenyans, a kyuk works hard, and smart. You can live in denial, but this is true. Maximum effort where there’s maximum returns - legitimate or dishonest. Most other Kenyans, of course work hard as well (but not always smart). A kyuk is generally more focused, determined and daring.
6. Finally, most kyuks are ambitious, and never contented, unlike most other Kenyans. This propels them even further towards more $$$$.

A kyuk is generally more focused, determined and daring.
The last part of your point number 5 is called risk taking. I undertstand that in places like US and UK they form the largest African group next to Nigerians. It is a risk to go abroad. many have gone there and come back as soon as the jet-lag was over. The Nigerians are the most enterprising people from Africa. Instead of attacking them why not get accustomed with their way of living. Don't we learn positively from each other?

[Ni_Diambo]

Originally Posted by Luoliability

A kyuk is generally more focused, determined and daring.
The last part of your point number 5 is called risk taking. I undertstand that in places like US and UK they form the largest African group next to Nigerians. It is a risk to go abroad. many have gone there and come back as soon as the jet-lag was over. The Nigerians are the most enterprising people from Africa. Instead of attacking them why not get accustomed with their way of living. Don't we learn positively from each other?

As you can see, there are quite a few negative traits. These are what we tend to focus on, ignoring the positives. Many kyuks make it worse by assuming a superior and arrogant attitude. A touch of humility would go a long way in repairing relations with other Kenyans.

[Luoliability]

Originally Posted by Ni_Diambo

As you can see, there are quite a few negative traits. These are what we tend to focus on, ignoring the positives. Many kyuks make it worse by assuming a superior and arrogant attitude. A touch of humility would go a long way in repairing relations with other Kenyans.

I did not intend to be negative. If it came out that way I sincerely apologize. I tried to be in line with the request of the threader. I have many kyuks who are my great friends and we have many businesses together and I know them for being risk takers. Every group has risk takers but we find more of them in certain quarters than in others world over. Don't you think so?