Babbling at the Gates of Wealth

A True Story

by Thuita J. Maina

on Dec 20, 2019

Picture related to the title of the story — *Image from Quozio.*

When I was leaving Starehe Institute in April 2007, I developed a burning desire to get rich. So I thought of a business I could start, and even engaged an accounting student called Evans Ogari in a conversation on how businesses are started.

Soon, I hatched an idea: starting a company that would operate a chain of cyber cafes in Kenya. To make my company a cut above the rest, I envisioned it offering refreshments and computer lessons. And I called it Mtandao Super-cyber.

I emailed the idea to several tycoons. None replied, but Mr. Manu Chandaria forwarded my email to one Mr. Kevit Detsei who invited me to his office in Nairobi. The day before, I fizzed with confidence that my idea would succeed.

But alas! Come D-Day, I became dull and confused. Mr. Detsei grew impatient as I babbled about how computers were revolutionizing the world like the printing press did in the 15th century.

He cut me short and called one of his employees, Rocky Mbithi — a classmate at Starehe Boys' Centre. I hadn't known Mr. Detsei employed him till then. I was impressed with the way he had established himself in the company.

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Also check out "When Ideas Made Me Lose Focus".

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I Went, I Saw, I Got Questioned

A True Story

by Thuita J. Maina

on Dec 18, 2019

Last Saturday, I went with my parents to the wedding reception of a close relative. As I alighted from the taxi that took us to the Nairobi hotel where the reception was held, the driver asked me to leave my bag in the taxi but I refused.

I just strode into a tent, feasted on a meal and then started walking around, greeting anyone I knew and initiating conversations with people I didn't know. And I did so to rekindle old friendships and make new ones.

When I sat next to a white woman ready to initiate a conversation, a guard came and whispered to me, "I want to talk to you." He then led me out of the tent as fear ran its icy hand down my spine. Had I done something wrong? I wondered.

As soon as we were out of the tent, the guard told me people were suspicious of me because of the bag I was carrying. He then asked me to take it to the car but I went to the taxi driver and gave it to him.

When I went back to the guard and told him the taxi driver had my bag, he asked me to sit down and relax in one place. I did as he instructed me, but feeling disturbed by what he had put me through.

The emcee made my day worse when he came and asked me if I had an invitation card to the wedding. I told him it was my parents who had the card while pointing at where they were. He then left me alone.

Even though the guard and the emcee were nice to me, they totally deflated me. I even lost appetite for the wedding cake, and I was so silent on our way back home that the taxi driver told my parents I was asleep.

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Also check out "From Scars to Wisdom".
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