Buy Kenya build Kenya.
Even as Harambee stars took on Comoros yesterday at Kasarani in an Afcon qualifier match that ended 1:1, Kenyans followed it on screen full of expectations and national pride.
One such Kenyan is Hon Godek John Onyancha.
“Iam a proud Kenyan who fully support everything local. My support is not limited to harambee stars only but all sports discipline that Kenyans take part in. I feel good whenever I see Hellen Obiri, Eliud Kipchoge, Malkia strikers, Kenya 7s and the entire rugby team fly our Kenyan flag high. It is not even easy for me to have a personal local soccer team to rally behind. Although it has not escaped me that Afc leopards and Gor Mahia are the two most supported local clubs. Whenever I have time you will always find me watching Kakamega Homeboyz vs Nairobi city stars or Shabana fc vs Vihiga united fc just to feel good about our local stars. For me Kenya and its products come first, yes Kenya Kwanza!” says Mr Onyacha.
Proud Buy Kenya Build Kenya crusader.
Spending an evening with Mr Onyancha, our conversation is constantly interrupted by compliments to Kenyans passing by who have chosen to step out in local attire.
“You see that beautiful lady in Kitenge dress? Dont you see she is elegant? Imagine that attire is made here in Kenya. Its awesome!” he says as a lady passes by in kitenge dress.
Mr Onyancha is very unapologetic when it comes to promoting locally made products. His favorite quote hangs on a wall in his shop and he points at it as a constant reminder that independence means being proud as you develop your own country.
“Political independence has no meaning if it is not accompanied by rapid economic and social growth” Patrice Lumumba.
“We cannot pretend to be independent and proud of our nation yet we shun our own Kenyan products. Instead of stepping out in designer made suits imported from France and Turkey, why not go for a Kitenge designer made in Kenya by Kenyans for Kenyans?” wonders Mr Onyancha.
Covid 19 a blessing in disguise.
During the six months that covid has ravaged our country, Mr Onyancha looks at it from a positive angle.
“During this covid 19 times, we have all seen H.E Uhuru Kenyatta step out in well knit Kitenge shirts, his Health CS Hon Kagwe too followed suit earning himself the nick name “mtu wa corona”. It always blessed my soul to see the two leaders dorn locally made shirts which means a Kenyan somewhere earned money and our economy grew out of it. There is no way we can develop as a nation when we rely on imports at the expense of our local talents” adds Onyancha.
Promoting local talents in the juakali industry.
Mr Onyancha’s love for buy Kenya build Kenya does not only end in complimenting and buying locally made products, he has gone further to look for young Kenyans innovating and involved in local productions.
“I have taken a personal initiative to help those trying to develop this nation by engaging in local production by assisting them financially and at times helping them market their products. When I passby a juakali artisan who has made a nice product, I always take a picture and help in marketing it for free.During these covid 19times, I have always bought locally made masks and distributed them to my people in Dagoretti North. Iam also a local tourist who instead of flying out to Maldives or Zanzibar, every year I purpose to visit several parts of Kenya to sample the beauty of our country.We can only develop this nation not by constantly crying for help from the government but by making deliberate efforts to buy Kenya and build Kenya” concludes Mr Onyancha.
~Hon John Godek Onyancha is a city businessman and politician with eyes for Dagoretti North constituency 2022
