The rise of China Square Mall along Thika Road elicited debate on the disruption of the Kenyan business environment by foreigners who emerge as successful compared to locals.
Koki Nakaya, a Japanese national who came into the country as a fresh graduate, operates three restaurants in Nairobi's upmarket areas under ChiQ Restaurants.
The firm operates three restaurants including Sushi and Ramen at The Hub Karen and two others in Sarit Centre and in Kitusuru
Nakaya explained why most foreign graduates prefer Kenya as a business destination and the intrigues behind setting up a business in the country.
"In developed countries, businesses are monopolised by big multinationals which have the financial muscle, thus making it difficult to run a business let alone make profits," he told Lynn Ngugi network
The Japanese national revealed that most graduates get to know about Kenya by chance, as they escape stringent employment conditions back home.
"In Japan, once you are late even by a minute, you are sent back home. If you are late three times a month you get fired, and you have to complete your deliverables fully," he explained.
Nakaya quit his job and resorted to self-employment, but outside the country. He moved to Canada where he purposed to learn the English Language for his dream.
While in Canada, he landed an opportunity to travel to Rwanda as an intern waiter for a Japanese restaurant. This gave him an idea of what business to start.
"I had a contract for six months and during this period I studied how to run a business in the country. I was impressed by the work ethic and I learnt about Kenya" he stated.
After the internship, he went back home and sourced capital before travelling to Kenya. After conducting a three-months-research, he settled on starting a restaurant.
He revealed that he spent Ksh3 million to get the requisite licenses and a location to set up shop.
"This catered for business licenses, work permits, food, hygiene and health licenses, as well as rent since the owner asked me to pay three months deposit," Nakaya explained.
The investor explained that he also spent money to advertise, but noted that selling a good experience and offering quality service made his customers second-time clients who then made referrals.
He also explained why different employers have different needs in their staff and explained his preference to hire specific Kenyans.
"We hire only ladies, especially single mothers because most of the struggle to find jobs to feed their children we want to empower them," he stated.
