MICHAEL JOSEPH; THE MERCHANT OF NAIROBI

THE MERCHANT OF NAIROBI

I know that most of you Kenyans are not strangers to Michael Joseph OBS, the Safaricom mogul, and in case you were wondering whether he is a son of the soil, then just know that he is much a Kenyan, as you and I, and this is the reason why he is being featured and honoured as an inspiration to many a people, in this segment of black history month. I believe that Michael is a visionary, born with a midas touch, to be an inventor, as well as an innovator, roles that come so naturally to him. For those young ones who have no idea about this individual, he is the brainchild behind Safaricom Limited and all its products and services that you all love to enjoy. Michael founded this company decades ago that has revolutionized our communication services.

Michael Joseph is a jack of all trades, known to wear many hats, and is the proverbial merchant of Venice, trading in our beautiful capital of Nairobi. This is the type of visionary whose entrepreneurial ideas lay rock solid foundations for future generations. Michael is that alchemist, who blends business skills, technology, human resource, with both passion and talent, to produce quality goods and services, which serve humanity for decades. This is an extraordinary individual, gifted in creating business projects, and one who is not afraid to channel prolific ideas that suit the populace. Ladies and gentlemen, Michael has managed to tap into a highly fierce territory of mass communication, and carved a niche in a field where competition is stiff, and largely prevailed, because he sort to serve people with his gift, more than earn himself a few coins. In a word, Michael Joseph is a certified borne businessman.

Additionally, Michael holds several titles; having previously served as CEO of Safaricom Limited, and was the Director of Vodafone mobile money, he is the current chairperson of Kenya Airways, the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, the M-Pesa Foundation, as well as the M-Pesa Foundation Academy. Do you now see why Michael Joseph is the merchant of Nairobi? For those of you with noble business ideas and start-ups, I kindly request you to seek the services of this economic guru, as he is able to accurately guide your inventions to a profitable end.

Nonetheless, be ready to receive constructive criticism, which might leave you tongue-tied, and feeling somewhat incompetent, as your brilliant ideas are slowly torn apart and shredded to into pieces. But do not worry yourself to death. It is not that you are dumb or incapable of piping innovative ideas, it is just that when you are dealing with an economic genius of Michael’s calibre, one who has an expanse of entrepreneurial capabilities, you just have to swallow your pride and take the reproof with a dose of humility. Even if you have two business degrees and you are the chairperson of the Nairobi Merchants Association, I would again like to sincerely request that you take not the nit-picking to heart, and rather run with the recommendations given to you. Speaking of which, Michael, I also do have this popping jua kali idea that needs your golden touch. Therefore, if have the time, and you are feeling sufficiently philanthropic, kindly give me a quick buzz, and let me know if it is possible for me to have a one on one with you off camera, for I need wise counsel, with this special business idea.

Anyway, I always tell Kenyans that aside from the gospel, nothing sells better in this nation than Safaricom products and services, all thanks to Michael’s ingenuity of revolutionising the customer service that caters to all. In short, Michael ensured that you and I are able to access money, airtime, and make numerous purchases, all at the comfort of our homes. Is that not a wonderful thing? What of the M-Pesa service that we Kenyans have been so accustomed to, such that we cannot live without? This is Michael’s potent idea of sending and receiving money anywhere in the world. All our institutions, both local and international, have embraced this money service, including our sacred spaces, which is our churches.

Nowadays, Christians have no excuse as to why they cannot give their tithes and offerings promptly. Moreover, even you are broke or cash strapped, the Fuliza service was invented by Safaricom Limited just for you, allowing you to borrow money from them, in order to pull yourself out of a tight corner, during those dry days, just as long as you pay them back, with interest of course. Besides, know that people will look at you sideways, when you claim to have no money or change, knowing very well that we are living in a cashless society. However, thanks to Michael’s ingenuity of buying and selling through the M-Pesa service, he also added till numbers to the mix, for easy access of goods and services. How convenient!

Furthermore, Kenyans know just how heavily invested and how deep Safaricom has tapped into technology, in that they operate in high efficiency, such that there is little no room for hiccups. That is why their services are prompt, and why they also sell you data, whether in Wi-Fi or in bundle form. Therefore, most of you need no scamper around the cyber cafés, in order to access the internet service. Why, Safaricom has got you covered. Is that not splendid? Thus Michael Joseph and his Safaricom team have dedicated both their time and resources to ensure that their customers are never lacking in their vast products and services, proving to us that they are the better option.

Michael is on record saying that he is not wealthy, as some of us deem him to be. According to him, he barely owns anything, other than his God-given gifts and talents. Well, maybe that is true but, we all know that you have it like that, God has been super generous with you, and that you Michael Joseph, are deserving of it too. Therefore, it is easy to conclude that Michael tapped into his higher calling a long ago, brought the vision down to earth, understood the blue print of the call, and made the print financially viable, and beneficial to all.

Here is to you Michael Joseph; teach us to slay, show us the way, as we desire for the day, that we may come and play, in your light and say, how glorious is the ray, how powerful is the pay, and how peaceful is the lay!..