American journalist, screenwriter and author of "The Godfather" Mario Puzo once said friendship and money is similar to oil and water.
In the case of one George Wilson Ngugi, a former Royal Media Services (RMS) employee, his experience with his friends is a memory that will he will live to remember.
Speaking to Kenyans.co.ke, Ngugi narrated that he considered the colleagues to be his family as they had built a close relationship over time that extended beyond official duties.
"In 2014, I was running a media firm called Wingu Communications Limited located at Waumini House, Westlands. We got into a partnership with colleagues with whom I was close friends with."
"Because of our close bond, we decided to share the office space as they ran a suppliers company. Their main work involved supplying materials to various government bodies," he stated.
At one time, his friends were short of capital after acquiring a lucrative deal to supply materials to an electricity generating firm. As a good compatriot, Ngugi felt compelled to assist them upon request.
"We were good friends, like family in fact. So, as a good friend and compatriot, I loaned them the cash," he stated.
Days went by before Ngugi picked up on peculiar behaviours shown by his friends who had gone off the radar.
"Unfortunately they left the office without my knowledge and abruptly cut communication. After days passed by and they hadn't shown up at the office, is when I realised that I had been conned," he narrated.
A wave of emotion crept in the businessman, vowing not to trust any other person about matters dealing with money. He encouraged people to always do their due diligence when it comes to money matters.
"This taught me the value of trust when it comes to business. Always treat everyone with caution when it comes to money. Lend only what you are willing to lose and avoid buying dead stock, especially machinery," he advised.
However, a few months later, Ngugi dropped his guard after another family member sought a loan from him.
"Yes, a few months after that, I was also conned Ksh1.5 million by a family member. You wonder the guts they had to con a member of their own family since you know their background. How could I have done due diligence on them?" he posed.
Ngugi previously worked at Royal Media Services as a business manager from 2008-2013, managing business executives at the Commercial department.
After leaving RMS, he worked at Media Max as the head of sales for two years. Apart from operating Wingu Communications ltd, Ngugi is also the Managing Director at County Guards, a firm that provides security solutions for individuals, homes, institutions. Ngugi also seeks to run for parliamentary seat at Tharaka Nithi Constituency in the upcoming elections.
