Tell us about yourself and what you do at Safaricom
My name is David Njenga, Team Leader within the Channel, Sales and Distribution Division at Safaricom PLC – based in Naivasha.
Did your passions lead you to this role or how did you find out your present role existed?
I’ve always been passionate about the telecommunication industry and when I saw an advert for recruitment within Safaricom, I decided to try and I was lucky to get in. I can credit my current role to venturing out of my comfort zone and being open to new challenges and at the same time diversifying my skills portfolio.
Have you had any unusual moves along your career?
I started as a Retail Center Agent, then changed to an Inventory and Financials Analyst and then recently, a Team Leader at the Channel, Sales and Distribution Division.
The primary task of this role is to ensure that all customers entering the shop receive exceptional service as well as ensuring that the shop meets all targets set and in a timely manner.
Tell us about a life-changing experience from the career changes you have made.
The biggest change was last year when I applied for a different role that had me relocate from Nairobi to Naivasha County. I had to leave my family home and relocate to a new branch. The new role was very welcome but it meant starting life somewhere else.
Initially, it was difficult but by God’s grace we have been able to manage. I now visit my wife and daughter on the weekends and leave Nairobi on Monday morning.
What do you do when you’re not working? Any hobbies?
I am a football lover and I believe I am the biggest Real Madrid fan. I also mentor young boys within the society on different life matters. I am a fervent dairy farmer and I have managed to monetize my hobby by working to make it a successful side hustle.
What is the best thing someone ever did for you?
I got married in December 2012. As a wedding gift, my father gifted me a six-month-old Holstein heifer and a piece of land. At that time, I lived in a rented house and had nothing to my name. Here I was, newlywed and with a cow in tow. I had to think fast to salvage the situation so I requested my father to keep the cow for me as I figured my life out.
After two years, the heifer had now matured, calved and was being milked. My father kept pressuring me to collect the cows from his farm and in 2015, I managed to build a house for my family and a shed for the cows. It is then that I collected them and became a dairy farmer.
Initially, I thought I’d just milk the cow for home purposes but the milk was in surplus. I started selling the excess to my colleagues and neighbours. The proceeds were impressive and so I invested back by purchasing the other three cows at a cost of around KES300,000. I also had to expand the cow shed to accommodate the growing herd.
Within a span of around 5 years, the herd has increased to 14 cows and I have been getting good returns from milk sales seeing that I sell an average of 150 liters of milk every day.
The heifer has been a gift that keeps on giving.
You also tried out another business before.
I ventured into the car hire business based on a friend’s advice. The projected returns were very alluring and I figured why not. I took out a loan, bought a car, got all the permits and even registered a business name. The first month was a breeze but three months down the line I lost the car and the money. My takeaway from it was to always separate business and friendships or relationships. Second, always do your due diligence.
What are the most valuable lessons you’ve learned in life and through your career?
I have three important ones that I carry with me always:
Work hard, nothing comes easy.
Life is unpredictable, always have a fallback plan
It is wise to seek a second opinion.
Tell us something many don’t know about you
During the COVID-19 pandemic, I planted and sold broccoli and cauliflower from the boot of my car.
I was one of those people.
