The Standard Group Plc is a multi-media organization with investments in media
platforms spanning newspaper print
operations, television, radio broadcasting, digital and online services. The
Standard Group is recognized as a
leading multi-media house in Kenya with a key influence in matters of national and
international interest.
Joseph Gichunge and his wife Leah Imaita found themselves ‘mbochless’ back in 2013 when their first-born was just four-months old.
“We got so frustrated and took to the internet to hunt for a new house help,” Gichunge says.
Luckily, they found and trained a house help and the idea to streamline the industry was born. Gichunge who worked in a marketing firm quit his job to focus on his newly acquired passion- which is training house helps. His wife, an engineer, also quit her job and they started Jazza Centre, a house help agency.
“We train both day bugs and live-in house helps on a range of skills, including communication, dress code, phone etiquette, personal hygiene and time keeping,” says Gichunge. House helps are also trained on saving their money.
Other skills offered at the centre include housekeeping, laundry and cookery.
Clients pay directly to the company and in case the house help falls sick, they offer replacement. They also do impromptu check-ups on their employees and check in with their clients. Before hiring, Jazza Centre do a thorough background check of both the employees and clients.
“We interview the clients and try to understand what they are looking for, their previous experiences, their timing, household chores and details of their children; among other things,” Gichunge explained.
“The house helps are formally employed and enjoy one day off and 21 days paid leave. We put them and their families on compulsory medical cover based on the new NHIF structure,” he added.
For a client to hire a house help from Jazza Centre, they are charged based on the profile of the employee and their expectations. Generally, the charges range between Sh10,500 and Sh14,700.
“We have a target to train about 300 to 400 house helps every three months once the larger centre is ready,” Gichunge said, adding that they have already acquired land along the Eastern Bypass and are looking to partner with other companies.
