Duale urges Kenyans to support fellow local businesses

National Assembly Majority Leader Aden Duale, (on his left), flanked by Chairman Kilimanjaro Group of Companies Yassin Jama and guests during the official grand opening of Kilimanjaro Jamia in Nairobi on Wednesday, June 12, 2019. [Jonah Onyango/Standard]

Majority Leader of the National Assembly Aden Duale has asked Kenyans to support local fellow businesses in the spirit of ‘Buy Kenya, Build Kenya’ initiative.

Speaking today during the opening of the new Kilimanjaro Jamia Hotel in Nairobi, Duale said ‘it’s time we have one of our own’ brand of eateries just like Kilimanjaro that we can be proud of.

“We support our own local businesses and be proud of our own brands like Kilimanjaro and not just international brands. Doing this will be promoting the buying and building Kenya initiative. I applaud the Kilimanjaro Group of Companies chairman Mzee Yassin Jama for this far he has come,” said Duale.

Duale said as Parliament, they will make sure that they protect local companies, financial institutions, restaurants among others to create employment for many young jobless Kenyans.  

He also challenged young people not to expect profits and expansions soon but start small and grow big with time.

“Mzee and his family are an example to Small and Medium Enterprises(SMES) that you can start from kiosk to grow into a shop, mini market to supermarket,” said Duale.

“I urge young people seated here to move up in steps in business because even Rome was not built in one day. Therefore, work hard to reach where you want since the road is not soft but rough both in politics and business,” he added.

According to Jama, the restaurant is the fourth one after the ones in Eastleigh, Moi Avenue Nairobi, Upper Hill and there are plans to open more in different major towns like Mombasa, Garissa and Nakuru in the near future.

“My aim is not to get huge profits but genuine return on investments. Our prices are pocket friendly for everyone from Sh150 to Sh1,500 where both the high-end and low-end of the community can afford,” said Jama.