How Kenyan Couple Borrowed Idea From US, Built Multi-Million Empire

A rest area (The Stop over) located along the Naivasha-Nakuru Highway.
A rest area (The Stop over) located along the Naivasha-Nakuru Highway.
YouTube
Charles Kanyigi

It is the dream of every Kenyan who leaves the country in search of greener pastures to invest back home. For most of them, the dreams come to fruition as they purchase lands and construct their retirement homes. For others, the luck stars align so well that they are able to pool funds and invest in long term ventures.

One couple, that had lived in the United States for 10 years, came back home in 2019 with the idea of building a multi-million empire.

Charles Kanyingi and his wife had high ranking and well paying jobs in the US, practically referred to as the land of opportunities. However, their dream was not to live in America as employees but to invest back home.

The couple, Charles Kanyigi and his wife during an interview on the African Traveler on You Tube.
The couple, Charles Kanyigi and his wife during an interview on the African Traveler on You Tube.
YouTube
African traveler

During their stay in the Joe Biden country, they capitalised on savings with a plan to set up a major stop over and mini-shopping outlet along one of Kenya's main highways.

The couple, who loved traveling, had been to different states in the US and that is how they came up with an the idea of a highway stopover that would include convenient rest rooms.

"One thing that stood out for me and what I had not seen in Kenya was the convenience of coming in and out, sufficient parking and the tidiness of the rest rooms," Kanyigi started his narration.

Though they knew the investment would be a risky one, they made a decision to pack their bags and come back home with the aim of starting their business.

"We needed to do something challenging and change the country in our own little ways. It's not all about doing business and making profits but also changing the community.

"We knew this was a big risk because it is in the middle of nowhere. There are no major town, we knew what we wanted and we did not want to listen to negative voices," Kanyigi narrated.

Two years down the line, the couple has built a unique stop over along the Nairobi - Nakuru Highway.

The stopover has a restaurant, bar, garden, kids zone, roof top bar, nyama choma zone, coffee shop and a mini-mart.

Some high ranking individuals like Deputy President William Ruto and ODM leader Raila Odinga have already visited the facility.

Kanyigi advises Africans to invest in their countries, to realise the gaps and bridge them.

"We had so many anxieties. We asked ourselves if it would work out, if Kenyans would embrace our idea but they have," he added.

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