It is generally acknowledged that to seriously go into business, one needs a healthy mix of two ingredients. These are a) one time customers i.e. customers who probably only show up one time, buy the goods/services on offer and then are never seen again, and b) a constant flow of loyal customers who keep returning because of several factors.
However, in Kenya, over the past recent years, a new culture is emerging. This is the culture of “kuhama” or in English, it is that of portability. Loyalty is being slowly phased out. Customers don’t feel a strong enough reason to be loyal to one seller or supplier of the good or service they are in need of. This is either a worrisome trend or a wonderful one depending on which side one looks at it from. It means that either one is losing or one is gaining depending on how one responds to this challenge.
The “Nikuhama” culture has been most openly demonstrated in the telecommunications industry especially in the mobile phone sector. This has been touted as the fastest growing sector of our economy with revenue levels that are among the very best in Africa. As at the time of writing this article, there are four service providers in this sector. Though in their own advertisements and marketing they individually claim to command a specific number of clients, the evidence is that most of these clients are not strictly loyal to a particular provider but rather are owners of multiple SIM cards of the different providers that exist in the market.
Banks have also not been left behind, because many clients own different bank accounts with different banking institutions. Kiosks, cyber cafes, shops, supermarkets, hospitals, schools and even churches among many more, are struggling with this new phenomenon. The loyal customers are being replaced with one time customers who try out ones products for the sole reason of just trying it out. If a seemingly better offer emerges in another place, or even close to the one they have just tried out, they shift their attention to that new entity.
The challenge then, is for the suppliers or sellers or providers of the goods and services which are needed by Kenyans, to come up with creative and innovative ideas of embracing this culture and changing the way they operate, or come up with new ways of ensuring that they are able to retain their very own customers. Whichever of these one opts for, the fact is that change is here. It will no longer be a case of business as usual.
Monday, 27 June 2011
Thursday, 23 June 2011
DOES THE SUPERSPORT DECISION HAVE A PRECEDENT?
Last week Supersport TV decided to revoke its rights to air Kenya Premier League matches involving Gor Mahia FC. Their decision was based on the action by the supporters of the club during their Top 8 match with Ulinzi FC earlier last month when the said supporters, or a part of them, went on the rampage. These supporters had blamed their action on the match officials in charge of the same match who appearing to have been overwhelmed on that occasion, denied Gor Mahia FC both a goal and failed to award a penalty after an Ulinzi player had blatantly handled the ball inside the eighteen yard box. After the match was abandoned, Supersport alleged that one of their cameramen or officials had been injured on the head after being stoned on the head. The said official was later said to have received four stitches on the head. Supersport, thereby held Gor Mahia FC responsible for this outcome and slapped an indefinite ban on airing “live” matches involving the club.
All the above notwithstanding, we are left to wonder whether a sports channel or a TV station has the right to take such a drastic action. It is well known that when it comes to matters involving the discipline of players or clubs, then the local or national federation is the one mandated to mete out punishments it deems fit depending on the seriousness or level of indiscipline so displayed by the “guilty” club. In this case, both the FKL/KFF together with KPL through IDAC, have the mandate and authority to choose the best punishment for K’ogalo.
Secondly, is there irrefutable evidence to show that it was a Gor Mahia fan who threw the stone that injured their official? Or was it a case of taking the easy way out? What I mean is that, since K’ogalo fans were the ones perceived to have caused the mayhem, then why not lay the blame for the official’s injury squarely at the doorsteps of the same team?
The world over, issues of hooliganism are yet to be completely wiped out. There are hooligans who cause mayhem just for the fun of it. That is, they will go on the rampage whether there is a genuine reason to or not. Do the broadcasting stations punish teams for the actions of their fans? Has it been done anywhere else in the world? If yes, where and when did it happen? Aren’t there laws governing football issues in this country? Is the action taken by Supersport part of these rules?
For the case of Gor Mahia FC fans, without appearing to be supporting or encouraging some of their actions, they seemed to have genuine grievances. The problem is that in Kenya, when officials in charge of a match make some terrible mistakes which then end up costing a team either points or trophies, there seems to lack any avenue for recourse. Once the match is over, the aggrieved team is left with nothing to do other than to accept the results without any option of appeal and to add insult to injury, the same officials will be seen in charge of other matches in the duration of the season. A credible league or tournament requires credible officials to oversee its matches. It also requires credible rules and regulations which clearly state what can or cannot be done by all the parties concerned.
The authorities in charge of football in this country need to come out and state their position in relation to Supersport’s decision. There is the valid argument to be made on the need to stamp out hooliganism from our stadiums so that it is conducive for families, especially for the elderly, children and women, so that they are able to attend matches without fearing for their safety. However, it is equally important to dissect the underlying issues and deal with them conclusively; otherwise we will only be treating the symptoms instead of the disease.
K’ogalo fans in their Facebook page, have made it clearly known what their stand is in this matter. But perhaps it would be great to remind us all, that we are all stakeholders where football is concerned in this country. Each of us has a voice and we must be heard. If there is no avenue to air our grievances or complaints, then the actions by both K’ogalo fans and Supersport, will become our modus operandi.
All the above notwithstanding, we are left to wonder whether a sports channel or a TV station has the right to take such a drastic action. It is well known that when it comes to matters involving the discipline of players or clubs, then the local or national federation is the one mandated to mete out punishments it deems fit depending on the seriousness or level of indiscipline so displayed by the “guilty” club. In this case, both the FKL/KFF together with KPL through IDAC, have the mandate and authority to choose the best punishment for K’ogalo.
Secondly, is there irrefutable evidence to show that it was a Gor Mahia fan who threw the stone that injured their official? Or was it a case of taking the easy way out? What I mean is that, since K’ogalo fans were the ones perceived to have caused the mayhem, then why not lay the blame for the official’s injury squarely at the doorsteps of the same team?
The world over, issues of hooliganism are yet to be completely wiped out. There are hooligans who cause mayhem just for the fun of it. That is, they will go on the rampage whether there is a genuine reason to or not. Do the broadcasting stations punish teams for the actions of their fans? Has it been done anywhere else in the world? If yes, where and when did it happen? Aren’t there laws governing football issues in this country? Is the action taken by Supersport part of these rules?
For the case of Gor Mahia FC fans, without appearing to be supporting or encouraging some of their actions, they seemed to have genuine grievances. The problem is that in Kenya, when officials in charge of a match make some terrible mistakes which then end up costing a team either points or trophies, there seems to lack any avenue for recourse. Once the match is over, the aggrieved team is left with nothing to do other than to accept the results without any option of appeal and to add insult to injury, the same officials will be seen in charge of other matches in the duration of the season. A credible league or tournament requires credible officials to oversee its matches. It also requires credible rules and regulations which clearly state what can or cannot be done by all the parties concerned.
The authorities in charge of football in this country need to come out and state their position in relation to Supersport’s decision. There is the valid argument to be made on the need to stamp out hooliganism from our stadiums so that it is conducive for families, especially for the elderly, children and women, so that they are able to attend matches without fearing for their safety. However, it is equally important to dissect the underlying issues and deal with them conclusively; otherwise we will only be treating the symptoms instead of the disease.
K’ogalo fans in their Facebook page, have made it clearly known what their stand is in this matter. But perhaps it would be great to remind us all, that we are all stakeholders where football is concerned in this country. Each of us has a voice and we must be heard. If there is no avenue to air our grievances or complaints, then the actions by both K’ogalo fans and Supersport, will become our modus operandi.
Wednesday, 22 June 2011
DOESN’T THE CHURCH HAVE A VOICE?
Kenyans have come a very long way in the democratization process. Long gone are the days when we used to look around first before criticizing the authorities especially the political ones. Freedom of speech only existed in theory but practically it was like one signing there very own death certificate. Among the institutions that played a crucial role to see all these become things of the past, is the church. That is a historical truth and fact that will never be changed. Church leaders even paid the price for their outspokenness, through death. We have come indeed a long way. Back then, the Church’s voice was the same as that of the populace.
However, in the recent past, a very interesting precedent is emerging in the nation. This is where every decision the Church undertakes, is heavily criticized and condemned by political leaders, professionals as well as several civil societies. It is as if the Church is being told silently to keep quiet.
If indeed, freedom of speech is guaranteed in the constitution, then isn’t the Church also entitled to enjoy the same? The Church leadership in this nation, aren’t they also Kenyans just as much as the rest of us? Don’t they also have concerns which they need addressed? One would be tempted to think that there are forces out to ensure that the Church is completely silenced.
During the recent vetting process for the chief justice and his deputy, the Church spoke out loudly and clearly asking the nation to challenge the nominees on their philosophies, beliefs and moral stand on different issues. Sadly, they were told to shut up. But to their credit they didn’t shut up but continued speaking to the bitter end.
Inspite of their flaws and many shortcomings let us remember that for the Church leaders, for the most part at least, theirs is a God-ordained ministry and calling. It is their duty to point out those issues which they believe are a threat to the moral fibre of our nation. If they keep quiet who will point these out? A society without morals is society that is on the way to decadence and possibly extinction.
The Church has been vilified, rightly so in most cases, for their stance or lack of it during the 2005 referendum and thereafter in the 2007 general elections. Unless Kenyans have forgotten, it was only the Church that owned up and apologized to Kenyans for their partisanship during those two instances. All the other institutions in this nation have remained mum and none has apologized not even the media, the police, the judiciary, the security forces, parliament nor the politicians for the roles they all played in dividing this nation and taking this nation to the brink of war. But even after apologizing, they are still constantly reminded of the role they played. Were they the only ones who erred? Why haven’t the other institutions owned up?
The role of the Church is without doubt very critical in our nation. We need a vibrant and engaged Church in our nation. There are issues that require input and wisdom of the Church to be solved in our nation. Let the Church continue fulfilling its God-ordained mandate without fear or favour. Biblically, the Church was always in conflict with the national leaders and citizenry when her leaders spoke without fear on the many ills and sins in the land. The Kenyan Church of the 21 century cannot afford to seek to please either the politicians, civic societies or the citizenry.
Its better for the Church to be criticized and vilified for taking the correct stance than for her to be praised for taking the wrong stance. It is better to be right in the eyes of God, than to be right in the eyes of man.
However, in the recent past, a very interesting precedent is emerging in the nation. This is where every decision the Church undertakes, is heavily criticized and condemned by political leaders, professionals as well as several civil societies. It is as if the Church is being told silently to keep quiet.
If indeed, freedom of speech is guaranteed in the constitution, then isn’t the Church also entitled to enjoy the same? The Church leadership in this nation, aren’t they also Kenyans just as much as the rest of us? Don’t they also have concerns which they need addressed? One would be tempted to think that there are forces out to ensure that the Church is completely silenced.
During the recent vetting process for the chief justice and his deputy, the Church spoke out loudly and clearly asking the nation to challenge the nominees on their philosophies, beliefs and moral stand on different issues. Sadly, they were told to shut up. But to their credit they didn’t shut up but continued speaking to the bitter end.
Inspite of their flaws and many shortcomings let us remember that for the Church leaders, for the most part at least, theirs is a God-ordained ministry and calling. It is their duty to point out those issues which they believe are a threat to the moral fibre of our nation. If they keep quiet who will point these out? A society without morals is society that is on the way to decadence and possibly extinction.
The Church has been vilified, rightly so in most cases, for their stance or lack of it during the 2005 referendum and thereafter in the 2007 general elections. Unless Kenyans have forgotten, it was only the Church that owned up and apologized to Kenyans for their partisanship during those two instances. All the other institutions in this nation have remained mum and none has apologized not even the media, the police, the judiciary, the security forces, parliament nor the politicians for the roles they all played in dividing this nation and taking this nation to the brink of war. But even after apologizing, they are still constantly reminded of the role they played. Were they the only ones who erred? Why haven’t the other institutions owned up?
The role of the Church is without doubt very critical in our nation. We need a vibrant and engaged Church in our nation. There are issues that require input and wisdom of the Church to be solved in our nation. Let the Church continue fulfilling its God-ordained mandate without fear or favour. Biblically, the Church was always in conflict with the national leaders and citizenry when her leaders spoke without fear on the many ills and sins in the land. The Kenyan Church of the 21 century cannot afford to seek to please either the politicians, civic societies or the citizenry.
Its better for the Church to be criticized and vilified for taking the correct stance than for her to be praised for taking the wrong stance. It is better to be right in the eyes of God, than to be right in the eyes of man.
CAN AFRICA REALLY HANDLE HER OWN PROBLEMS?
Over the decades Africa has been one of the continents, if the only one, that has had more than her fair share of misfortunes. Issues ranging from corruption, disease, illiteracy and poor governance have plagued this continent for a much longer time than most people can care to remember. However, the one constant factor throughout all this period, had been the lack of good leadership. By good leadership, I mean leaders who have chosen to rise above petty national, ethnic, political or even religious differences to champion the cause of the citizens.
In the recent past, there has arisen a new phrase that has been peddled around in the guise of independence and maturity of the leadership. This phrase says, “African problems require African solutions”. Some of the citizens of Africa, have been wise enough to see behind the shallowness of this statement. Nothing has been done to show the world that indeed we even have the solutions to our problems. The biggest institution that has played a major part in its inability to provide leadership, has been the African Union. Its fair to say that it is but just a club of presidents who meet annually to take tea and chat away in Addis Ababa while pretending to be discussing serious issues facing Africans.
From Sierra Leone and Liberia in 1990s, to Rwanda and Burundi in 1994, to Kenya in 2007-2008, to Ivory Coast, Tunisia, Egypt and Libya in 2011, African Union (read, African leaders) have failed to provide guidance, leadership and direction. They cite various excuses for non-involvement including that they cannot interfere in other nations’ affairs. When Libyans were crying out that Col Muammar Gaddafi was slaughtering them, did their fellow Africans come to their aid? No. The international community did. If anything, what the Africans have shown, is that they are only good at condemning and criticizing the international community for at least trying to do something, while they (Africans) only sit back and watch from a distance.
Africans have neither the capacity nor the will to help out one another and until we prove otherwise, it would be best for the international community to continue “interfering” in the affairs of African nations. In the meantime, we could start by calling for the disbandment of the African Union. It is a lame and inept institution that serves no useful purpose at all in the continent. It is a time wasting club that benefits no one at all.
The African people have a right to demand more from the leaders of the continent. Leadership is required if the continent is to emerge from the shackles of poverty, disease, corruption, illiteracy and poor governance that has plagued it for so long. Political reforms by itself, is not enough. There is need for economic and social reforms for Africans to say that we indeed are mature enough to offer solutions to the problems bedeviling our continent.
The only country whose leadership has been bold enough to condemn the acts of other tyrants dressed in the cloaks of leadership so far, has been Botswana. Perhaps it is time more African leaders borrow a leaf from Botswana and start doing the same.
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