Kenya has made some consequential steps in terms of infrastructural development courtesy to the deals the state has signed with the China government.
We can now boast of the Chinese-built Mombasa to Nairobi Standard Gauge Railway at a cost of $3.8 billion and many intertwined fly-over roads in major cities.
Apart from coming to Kenya with their foreign expertise, it seems now the Chinese nationals have infiltrating job sectors which were an absolute reserve for Kenyans.
They have also blended so deep with society and operate just like ordinary Kenyans.
A lot of debate has transpired over Chinese doing manual jobs like driving, sweeping, electrical wiring, hawking, duties Kenyans can do at low pay. However, we may be accused of not being so proactive to identify business and employment opportunities to initiate them.
Here are some areas that the Chinese have perfected and could soon overtake Kenyans at doing them:
1. Selling Roasted Maize
Several Chinese the moment they landed in Kenya, realised that roasted maize business that most youths frown upon, could actually generate them enough profit. Several have been spotted at different venues offering this service.
They could be competing with Luos who appear by the roadside putting on suites while selling the ‘imported fresh Mexican’s grilled corn on cob garnished with processed pepper and smeared evenly with natural Lemonade’s juice’–mahindi choma.
2. Hawking cloths at Gikomba market
You will probably hear someone say, ‘there are good Chinese clothes at Gikomba market.’ They have also joined the selling force to provide the best offers when it comes to clothing.
3. Sweeping
Chinese in overalls have been spotted sweeping at the SGR terminus during its construction.
Kenyans went wild on social media wondering how such simple tasks will require a foreigner to do them.
4. Electrical wiring
They have also perfected in doing electrical wiring at homes and soon may win government tenders.
5. Philanthropy
If you thought that philanthropy was a reserve for Gov Mike Sonko, Singer Akothee and some other few Kenyans only, then you are in for a rude shock!
Chinese well-wishers donated food to victims of drought crisis that had adversely affected Turkana and Baringo areas.
The Chinese company offered free alcoholic beer as part of food aid to hungry residents.
The residents were nevertheless excited with the gift, even those who were teetotalers drowning the liquid in the bottle cans that they had never seen before.
Also, a Chinese contractor donated houses worth KSh 4 million to a Primary School in Narok.
These people are really into Community Social Responsibility.
5. Intermarriage with Kenyans
Some have married Kenyans, others have Chinese children who speak fluent Swahili as well as they do Mandarin.
In December 2018, Hong Kong pastors married a couple in a small Christian wedding ceremony in the shadow of Mount Kenya in front of 200 guests.
6. Having an underground church in Kenya
Kenya is not a place you’d expect to find an underground church. Christianity is the lifeblood of the nation’s politics and societal fabric and is celebrated in huge, rambunctious services attended by thousands of dancing and singing worshipers.
The Chinese are alleged to have a church called ‘Bread of Life Church‘ which is headquartered in Taiwan but has 500 ministries, including Kenya and West Africa.
The underground church meets in a small basement room of a huge Kenyan church in Nairobi. No photography is allowed. No names of attendees can be revealed. Shockingly, no Chinese person here wants to be outed as a Christian.
Some Chinese are ardent followers of the self-proclaimed Mighty Prophet of the Lord Dr David Owuor. They travel the world to attend Dr Owuor’s International crusades.
Which area has you also seen the Chinese dominate in Kenya?