One 0n One with Simon Lepaso , Kajiado Soko Chairman
Simon Lepaso is an IT specialist but deals with all computer accessories ranging from software to hard ware. He has a shop run in Nairobi and another one in Kitengela. Basically, he is a person who believes in progress and always against stagnation. That is why he thought of the idea of coming up with a WhatsApp group as a way of bringing the business community together and that has made him Kajiado
Soko Chairman. Here is a One on One interview with the entrepreneur.
What inspired you to come up with the WhatsApp group and why Kajiado Soko?
The WhatsApp group is a shell and a container for bringing people together. However, I came to realize that the
group is limited to just about 230 people and that is why I personally wrote to the WhatsApp administrators in the US to at least increase the limit of the group to about 5,000 people so that we may be able to accommodate more people.
In essence, Kajiado Soko brings up the localized version of brands like Jumia and Kilimal and whenever something is posted to the group, members who are online and in need of the item posted can easily walk to the shop and buy the goods in person. This is tailored to the Local residents of Kitengela Town. That is the idea that informed the formation of the group. This gives platform to anyone and can post anything about business from property, hospitals, hotels and other things that make Kajiado Soko a better place.
Where do you see Kajiado Soko in the Next 5 years?
The sky is the limit for us as members and the idea is to transform the group to a more tangible aspect and maybe in the future work with consultants to make it a Sacco.
You recently had a breakfast meeting that brought the members of Kajiado Soko together and they were able to meet physically. What did you pick from the 1st Kajiado Soko breakfast meeting?
People are willing to unite and once someone realizes there is a good intention they reciprocate well. In fact, a second meeting is in place and it has already been paid for by one of our members. I would like also to thank those who took their time to make the meeting a success because we had members who contributed more than they needed to contribute in terms of cash and kind in order to ensure that the meeting was success.
I believe we have the best team and our membership keeps growing, because currently we have about 250 members and I get about 10 requests to join the group on a weekly basis. One positive thing I gathered is that the members and the business community in Kitengela is willing to encourage healthy competition within themselves regardless of the products being sold. For instant, if the bakers we have were competing to see who would bake the best cake and the best cake was awarded, that will be cool.
Basically, people should be able to think beyond personal interest and allow the other group to flourish.
What are some of the Challenges you have faced as an administrator of the group?
The WhatsApp limit is definitely a problem, as I get more requests to join the group on a daily basis but we have reached the limit. Another thing is just setting up the rules for each of the members to follow and adhere to in order to rid the group of verbiage.
Parting Shot
The biggest companies like Microsoft started in a garage but now there products are sold everywhere in the world let not capital or rent be your limitation when you want to succeed in business
