As the sun shone, beaming on the Nairobi skyscrapers in the early Monday morning, I strolled towards the food truck at National Archives in the CBD and ordered a hibiscus juice takeaway.
The smell of roast coffee beans complemented the sight of the girl at the counter taking orders. I noticed some people just hanging by, not necessarily purchasing any drink or snack, but just enjoying her company. She was quite a storyteller.
“Coffee?” the lady asked. “No, hibiscus juice,” I reiterated as I adjusted my brown three-piece Sir Henry’s suit. The shoe shiner across the food joint had done some justice to my brown leather English Oxford shoes.
“First day at work?” the lady added with a captivating smile. “I know and smell how new you are…” she added as we burst into laughter.
“Yes, accounting,” I added as we bade goodbye. I left her mumbling how her joint should be my home and how… I never caught the rest as I ran to cross Moi Avenue street before the lights turned red.
These Nairobi PSV drivers usually stare at the traffic lights with some kind of undescribed animosity as if pedestrians walking via the zebra crossing would cost them some losses. The Nairobi county askaris were pulling one driver out of his car. Across the road some individuals, I don’t want to call them idle, sat on some bricks near Archives. I hear they usually wait for fares to drop before they proceed to their different journeys.
I crossed over towards Kimathi Street and landed at Kenyatta Avenue, took an elevator and presented myself at the reception of a Tax and Accounting firm, my briefcase clutched in my right hand.
The receptionist kept smiling, stealing glances at me. I bet in her head she thought I was one of the heavily loaded clients who would give her a fat tip. The office was neatly arranged, smelt good and the flowers were watered.
However, I noticed the Monday blues slowly creeping within most staff who showed elements of tiredness and a sense that work is unpleasant but unavoidable. Some kept passing through the reception to have a glimpse of the new addition. I could feel they were discussing some of my aspects behind closed doors.
“Jonathan, welcome and the acting Managing Director is waiting to see you,” the reception, with a tag, labelled Diana, stated. I had been hired as the Finance Consultant for a period of one year, with 2 months probation.
After a brief consultation with the acting MD, I was introduced to my colleagues who were dying to squeeze every information from me, feed me with the history of the firm, show me some shortcuts and of course, impress me.
The talks ranged from my suit to my previous work, whether I was married or dating, how much I would be earning and the salary ranges in the office. No one seemed to work that Monday, and I was keen to note.
A few weeks later, I was fully integrated and had learned the ropes. How to make some extra cash, the talks behind our boss’ back. Haa! I really enjoyed those ones. I wouldn’t lie. However, one particular colleague caught my attention towards the end of my probation and I decided to strike a friendship with him.
Jared was loved and adored by his peers.
“He is generous and kind. He helped me offset some school fees for my boy. The Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) budget was draining my savings,” Judy told me. “In fact, it was not a loan. He just offered me some Ksh20,000 saying he made the cash over the weekend.”
“He sometimes covers for us when we need to run errands outside the office. It’s hard for him to say no at most. I think he is just compassionate,” Paul added.
Jared had won the employee of the year, four times consecutively yet he had never sought a promotion. This was intriguing.
Knowing him personally unearthed more qualities of how involved he was not only at work but even in society. Jared had taken a homeless girl and the mother from the street enrolled her at school and was assisting in paying her fees - not the whole package but some amount and personal emoluments per month.
Every month he visited an old grandmother at a home-based care facility. The duo was not related. “I met her while donating some food at the institution. We spoke a lot and she reminded me of my late mother. I promised to visit and catch up every month. She even introduced me to her family,” Jared told me.
The list was endless, from paying bails for the helpless at the police stations to paying for pro bono cases, supporting a number of children’s homes and even offering lifts to his estate residents who commuted to and from CBD.
“But why do you do all these? What do you get in return?” I asked him one day when we volunteered in cleaning some hospitals in Eastlands.
“I get the love, the hugs, the emotions, smiles and that is what I teach my children every day. The importance of doing good deeds without strings attached. The importance of touching people’s hearts with the little you can.
“The world has changed. People are self minded and critical virtues are being eroded. Why would you sit in a bus when a pregnant or old man is standing? Why would you order fries, eat and dump the remainder while you could have purchased that you would have finished and donate the balance (money) somewhere else,” he spoke as I regarded him with admiration.
The question I wanted to ask was how did he raise the amount he donated every day or month, but he smiled and quickly said, “I know the next question even before you ask. How do I do it right?” … and we both broke into laughter.
He nearly spilt the water on me as we cleaned the hospital floor, with the group of youth he had assembled.
“I save some money per month. My wife also tops up. But above all, I make quite an income from betting with Betika. I analysed and actually found out that some of us bet without enjoying some affordable offers set to benefit us the bettors.
“Betika has the No Minimum Bet offer. You can also enjoy the Free Withdrawal offer where you can withdraw your winnings without charges.
“The best one is that for markets such as both teams to score (Goal/No Goal) you can get your winnings even before the game ends. For example, if you said the teams will both score (GG) and the teams score within the first 10 minutes you get your win. The same applies for all 1st half bets and overs (Over 1.5, Over 2.5) and more markets. You can be paid immediately.”
Jared stated that he had found the best way to bet and make a return, and of course, the best website.
He was the first person I shared with insights into my undercover role. My name is Jonathan, yes, but I was to take over as the Managing Director once the acting MD was reposted.
This was a covert operation I had chosen and was only discussed between the CEO and me. I was to learn how the company worked and the necessary changes to effect, but the best way was to work at the same level with my colleagues.
“I learnt a lot about most of you. Secrets that I won’t use against anyone, but mostly the virtues all of you behold are great. I believe we can all raise the bar and our rating. No one gave me a reason for retrenchment but all of you deserve motivation. I was mostly impressed by you,” I unveiled myself.
The surprise on everyone’s face during the announcement that I would be taking as MD was amazing. I loved seeing the wide gaped mouths, feeling the blood rush…
“Why did you go undercover? Jared asked.
“Just like you who chases after satisfaction, emotions and seeing people happy, I went undercover to get a clearer sense of what our people are doing with their time, to know them first-hand and let them know that I am pretty accessible, that I’m interested in their work, and that I actually do care.
“Most of you are now my friends and we know each other. We can work without the tension that ensues in most hierarchies,” I explained as everyone agreed.
The DJ played some sweet jazz and the welcoming party began. “Let us roll. Cheers to success!” I said as I listened to the clinking of glasses.