Chinese brands resonate with ambitious Kenyan workers

The cold evening breeze sweeping Nairobi streets in a Monday evening did not discourage upwardly mobile Kenyans from queuing patiently to have a glimpse of Huawei Ascend P series.

Vicky Njoroge had a hectic moment as she juggled, attending to throngs of inquisitive customers alongside placing well designed price tags on new Huawei smart phones.

Ever the multi-tasker, Njoroge managed to serve demanding clients and attend to other pressing matters at the Huawei outlet located on a busy street in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi. The Chinese cellphones are selling well in the country with the biggest economy in East Africa.

The young sales assistant defied evening burnout to attend to new customers who wanted to sample latest Huawei smart phones to hit the Kenyan market.

She recently graduated from a mid-level college with a higher diploma in sales and marketing. Thanks to influential contacts, networking skills and drive, the 25-year-old Kenyan female has landed into a glamorous career which is the envy of her contemporaries.

Njoroge revealed that a mutual friend alerted her on a job opening at a Huawei outlet located in a busy mall in Nairobi's upmarket district.

"My knowledge of Huawei was limited and like many Kenyans, I just knew it was a Chinese brand," said Njoroge.

But after working for Huawei, she starts to know more about the Chinese brand. "From the look of things, let me state that the future is bright and as more Kenyans embrace Chinese goods, we are assured of a job security and steady income. China's entry into the Kenyan economy has brought good tidings," she intoned.

Njoroge is among thousands of young Kenyans who have secured steady employment with Chinese companies and the bonanza will accelerate as the east African nation courts the Asian giant to trade, develop new infrastructure and industries.

Chinese firms have established a footprint in the Kenyan capital and its adjacent districts. According to the statistics released by Chinese embassy in Nairobi in March, in 2012 China's investment to Kenya covered real estate development, vehicle assembly, light industry, building materials, food and tourism.

"Chinese companies are emerging as big players in Kenya's employment scene. Close to 5,000 Kenyans are employed by Chinese companies mostly in infrastructure projects," said Julius Muia from National Economic and Social Council (NESC) Secretary, a think tank of private and public sector leaders.

"This sector normally has a huge multiplier effect to the economy," he said.

At the Golden Dragon Enterprises, a Chinese retail shop dealing with high end curtains, Tom Nzioka was in deep conversation with a potential client as she surveyed different curtains on offer.

The average price for the stylish curtains was 20 dollars and Kenyans looking forward to spruce up their homes were prepared to part with the last coin and purchase this fabric.

"It is hard to count the number of curtains sold every day but what I can assure you is that the business has been brisk this year and we attribute this development to a good rapport with clients who in turn spread the positive message to their friends," Nzioka said at the Golden Dragon Premises in Nairobi's Biashara Street.

The newly married Kenyan male in his late 20's has worked at the Golden Dragon Enterprises for one year and admitted that his fortunes have improved unlike previously when he used to toil for peanuts at a local factory.

"Chinese companies have created new openings for Kenyans and this is not restricted to road construction. Just walk across this street and you will be surprised by the high number of Chinese shops that have set base here," said Nzioka as he pointed to a new outlet dealing with baby toys manufactured in China.

In Biashara Street alone, Chinese brands including Dong Fang and Gouyi Company limited, dealers in curtain fabric and sofa sets respectively, dozens of young Kenyans have found a respite from the drudgery of unemployment.

"I have been working here for the last two years since I finished college. All I can say is that Dong Fang has offered a better deal in terms of perks and terms of service," said Monica Nyambura, a sales girl.