While on the subject of last year – wow! What a year!

The once solid looking, sober banks were after all vulnerable like any other business. I remember RBS snatched ABN AMRO from Barclays and then the problems in the sub-prime market came and RBS hero (Sir Fred Goodwin) turned into a villain. Suddenly these geniuses we realised are after all human. And the causality list is long from Wall Street to London’s City. I always remember walking past their offices in London thinking this was an institution that would be there forever. Actually there massive doors and suit wearing security at the doors I mean in my mind was just too impressive.



While we are thinking of the past year whatever happened to Eliot Spitzer? I don’t think I can remember the conclusion of that saga. Does one serve time after getting caught up say in a prostitution ring? Pardon my French it should be an escort service – prostitution seems so low for someone like him.

In Pursuit of Happiness

I guess ultimately anything that brings happiness is worth pursuing.

Is it any coincidence that on my flight from London to Nairobi I came across an article in the Wall Street Journal (a free copy of course!) on a research on whether wealth and well-being go hand in hand.
In the same research it was found that people are generally happier when they used money for someone else to benefit than just spend it on themselves. Ultimately happy make more effective leaders, bringing positive emotions to the workplace if they are to succeed as managers.

Relative wealth matters more than absolute wealth. So it is possible to reach a point where more wealth does not necessarily make us happier? But it is obvious I think more wealthy among us seem happier – everything held constant. I’ve suddenly got this large appetite to be happy!

Change!

Speaking of former school mates it's good to see those that I have seen - actually those that I have bumped into in town. One was kind enough to com and pick me up one Sunday afternoon to show me around town. If you think Kenyans are starving think again - I saw guys who were well fed (obese?) and driving some good cars. By the way it was a lady who came to pick me up - reversed roles!?

It’s that time once again to count the cost of life in this fast ending year. Certainly I think as you grow older days become shorter and years just fly by in the blink of an eye. Remember when growing time stood, still those were the days – actually all we knew was 30 seemed so far.

Regrets? None so far I believe what I’ve been through it was for a reason – it made me who I am at the moment. The mistakes I made have taught me a lesson; hopefully I will not make the same mistakes again. Certainly I’ve learnt a lot – for one I am not just looking for a job to pay the bills. It’s both scary and reassuring that whatever I had prayed for I actually got it. The scary part is being unnecessarily ‘humble’ and asking/aiming low, you get what you want and soon loose interest. When I was coming back home I thought to myself that I will not be too choosy and grab whatever came my way.

The best part I guess is dreams do come true at least for me – I did not have like the highest paying job but I managed to put some aside, so far this has helped me. Mum is moving to her new house soon I’m glad I am here to see her make the big switch. It does not really matter that I’m homeless at the moment; well at least it feels like that.

Let’s live it once again! It has been a year of change and the greatest contribution will always be the ones you leave behind. So in one word how can I describe the year? CHANGE! They have been many from my personal life to Obamamania. The biggest manifestation has to be the way people are tired and are more in your face kind of confrontation with the political establishment. On the other hand it was the year of unparalleled uncertainty

When you reach the point you feel you cannot take it any longer my advice – it’s time to change! And the change goes on – I cannot say with certainty where I will be come the new year.

Didn’t see it coming…

So the government wants to regulate M-Pesa. Very predictable move I don’t think we are used to seeing something running so smoothly. I mean anything that cuts costs, time and is very very convenience scares us.

Banks are notorious, just like the parliament they seem to have for the most part lost touch with reality. You seek out opportunities in the market and exploit them. They had become so comfortable with the profits they were making and thought it was the end of the world. Even failed to anticipate the emergence of new players in the market – it explain the entrance of banks from West Africa.
Not that I am suggesting banks are behind Safaricom’s but it cannot be further from the truth that they must be jealous of the success so far of the M-Pesa product. But everything about banking services can be depressing in fact it cannot be completely untrue that they thrive on our desperation and misery. To some managers the long queues in the banking halls seem to be a source of pride – ‘we have a huge market share see how we are busy?’ It is not enough to produce huge profits every year end and sit back and relax.

Kengen had its AGM recently and highlighted the tough environment the large listed companies are to face at year end from hosting the AGM to dividend payment – there is talk now of using cheaper services like, you guessed it right M-Pesa. Otherwise cannot wait for Safaricom’s AGM

After queuing up for some hours I managed to apply for a CDS account at the CBK. It was a merry-go-round – a manager at ‘my’ bank branch was reluctant saying my account was still very new and they only do it for customers who have been with them for more than 6 months. Imagine if I was after a soft loan! Finally I got what I wanted - just goes to show what I am into. I just think banks are slow to learn, instead of competing aggressively they are very comfortable. She even has no clue why I'm opening a CDS account - why should I let money lie in the account just to to gather dust?

You can tell I still don’t see myself taking my cash to the NSE – good luck to the new CEO and his plans – I still have a long way to go to even consider buying shares.


In the meantime I am running around town doing errands for my mum as she is moving houses. I was in town the other day all looking rugged (again I seriously need a ride!) coming from doing some heavy manual work. When you are looking all good is when the unexpected happens – I’m surprised she recognized me. She was all looking fine and smelling good - but it's all good!

Internet Connection

I had my phone unlocked the other day and got myself a Safaricom line reasoning that the phone would be my modem. So far it looks promising although the charges are something close to 10 bob a minute, if what I'm seeing is true. (I'd better make it for pressing issues only)

First it has to be noted that the Samsung Ericsson W910i I am using was originally locked to the network I used in the UK, I had it unlocked but when tried to get internet access from Safaricom it wasn’t just working. Someone from the customer services explained it was due to the fact that the phone was originally from another network.

Someone dismissed that theory and had me hooked up to the internet through some 3rd party via Safaricom – that’s why I am monitoring the charges, they don’t seem to add up but the convenience is awesome and fast too.

But definately gone are the days when the internet was on the whole day... it's good to be back.

Back to square one:

It is not a secret that politics brings out the worst in human nature – that makes it religion and politics as the worst thing that ever happened to human nature. For that reason I have always avoided politicians like a bad a habit – to cleanse oneself and maintain some level of sanity just keep off!

The problem is politics is part of life and one cannot dissociate himself from it – trust me I’ve tried to ignore anything done by the honourable men and women. Not just in Kenya, although we have a rare breed here.

Someone once said that if you are not moving on in life then you are backtracking – so I cannot say that Kenya is stuck in the same position. The world over things are moving on yet we are still dealing with the same issues.

The only reason the opposition are complaining is they are jealous of the ruling party’s opportunity to be corrupt.

The Obama election was historic feat during the last few days of the election I had this bad feeling that maybe it would turn ugly, you know people voting on other matters other than issues at hand. Formidable just how he played it cool to the White House; McCain had little to offer with the desire for change. I arrived in Kenya after the elections and everyone up to now are still singing Obama praises. But it has been a hard act to follow the politicians would rather engage in rhetoric borrowing ‘Obama phrases’. I was in Djibouti for a few days and once using my little French language skills I introduce myself and say I’m from Kenya, everybody thinks now we are part of the US.

So as I rejoice I hope Obama is not a politician they have continually disappointed me.

Talking of dealing with the same decisions – I need a ride and I keep mulling over getting one waiting for ‘the perfect time’. Previously I had a good excuse the public transport system was perfect hapa, it is a different song when it comes to public transport. I’m not even going to mention the traffic (OK it is horrendous most of the time) and it is like being in a war zone fighting other motorists.