Sights of Nairobi On Way to Our Work Location

Usually, the photography of public buildings in Nairobi is not allowed.  There are signs "Photography Not Permitted" posted outside of each embassy and government buildings.  We are careful not to photograph any building without permission. The following pictures posted here are taken on our way to work to show the sights, advertising, and contrast between different areas around Nairobi.

I think Kenyans are polite, soft spoken, and beautiful people. Kenya country is named after Mount Kenya, a significant landmark and second among Africa’s highest mountain peaks. I will not get a chance to go to Mount Kenya while on my CSC assignment.  Well, I will have to come back for another visit to Kenya!!  The capital Nairobi is the largest city and a regional commercial hub. The economy of Kenya is the largest by GDP in East and Central Africa. Kenya people must really like to grow fruits and vegetables.  When driving around I have noticed that people grow vegetables on any piece of land available, even outside on some sidewalks along sides of streets. It’s not surprising that agriculture is a major employer in Kenya and the country traditionally exports tea and coffee, and more recently fresh flowers to Europe. Kenya became independent on December 12, 1963 but it is still home for lot of Europeans. 

Nairobi is a growing city not only in a growing country but in a growing Continent.  Nairobi's population doubles every ten years because people move to Nairobi from rural areas.  I see lots of constructions and improvements going on everywhere.  Nairobi's first Super Highway under construction.  It is interesting to see that how many people from China is working even in roads construction.  There are lots of opportunities everywhere, lots of possibilities in Africa!  I think of Smart Planet - smart city, smart water, smart electricity, smart food, and list goes on!! This is a prime emergent market with unbelievable business opportunities. 
Other Side of the Coin!
Nairobi has the largest slum of not only of Kenya but of the Africa continent. Some of the pictures taken by the team while driving to work or Kenya Power National Command Center:

  #ibmcsc Kenya. 

CSC Work Kick Off Meetings

The kickoff meeting was on Monday, June 4, 2012 held a Tribe hotel which is at a walking distance from Village Villa.  Tribe hotel is a beautiful meeting place with spectacular building and surroundings. 

First Day - Walking to Our Meeting

There were representatives from several stakeholders including USAID, Center for Disease Control (CDC), Kenya Ministry of Health, Futures Group, EAPP (Eastern Africa Power Pool), and Kenya Electricity Transmission Company (KETRACO). Our CSC assignment projects are for these organizations.  The Kenya-5 team is divided into three sub teams.  Two teams are working on projects relating to EAPP, USAID, and KETRACO, and third team is working on cervical cancer project for Futures Group and CDC. 

The meeting started with a brief welcome note from IBM Kenya Maureen Muthua, and providing an overview of business opportunities, competitions, existing projects, and future marketing plans in Kenya and neighboring African countries.  This was followed by brief talks from representatives of CDC, EAPP, and USAID.

Welcome Note by Maureen Muthua, IBM Kenya

After lunch each sub team had a breakout work session with their respective organizations.  It was an intense, busy, and productive day with a good start of the project. Our first day ended at around 6:00 PM. The real work has began.  Our teams got to gather again right after quick dinner to plan for the next morning meetings. On Tuesday, 6/5/2012 we started out morning with meetings with IBM Kenya colleagues at IBM Kenya building. We discussed our projects and plans for the next four weeks. The afternoon was spent at the KETRACO building and our to be office for the next four weeks.  We spent afernoon talking to several stakeholders from EAPP and KETRACO to collect requirements and gain a better understanding of the required tasks.  
 

Meeting with IBM Kenya

Our work place at KETRACO  

#ibmcsc kenya5

Driving to See Nairobi – A real Adventure!!

Sunday turned out to be real adventurous day.  It was the day scheduled for driving around Nairobi for sightseeing and go to the Giraffe Park.  The team was traveling in two mini vans.  I was with four other members, Gavin Cepelak, and Lucy in one van and other 6 members in the second van. Our van was just passing through the city center when he heard a loud noise as if the vehicle has gone over a speed bump.  It was not a speed bump but the left rear wheel of the van fell out and van hit the hard surface of the street.  Fortunately, there was not much traffic on Sunday morning and no one got hurt.  We were ok, no injuries.  We waited for driver to fix the wheel and then for replacement van and driver to arrive. 

The Left Rear Wheel Came Off

Some people will pose for any photo opportunity!!

Let me see what's wrong!

And finally we arrived at Giraffe Park which is only 20 minutes away from city center. It's actually a tourist trap - it has only 5 giraffe including 2 adults and 3 babies.  Visitors, especially children are allowed to feed them tree branches and food pallets and have fun.

 

Elisa feeding giraffe

#ibmcsc kenya5

Jambo Kenya! Arrival in Nairobi on 06/1/2012 ...

I arrived in Nairobi on Friday night (Saturday Morning) at around 12:30 AM (June 1, 2012). I was the last one to arrive.  Everyone else has arrived earlier in the day.  On Saturday morning, we got the chance to meet the Kenya 5 team members for the first time in person.  For the past three months we have been working as virtual team - talking on phone, emails, Sametimes, and conference call.  It was really nice to meet with everyone in person.  The team members come from six different countries (US, Brazil, China, India, Mexico, and UK).  We are all staying in the same guest house, small rooms but clean and quite. 

Security Briefing by IBM Security Administrator, Lucky Kambale

There have been some terrorist attacks in Nairobi because of problems in the neighboring country Somalia.  We see  Kenyan armed forces around when go out even in the neighborhood we are staying which happened to be a safer area.

 After a quick breakfast, we had a briefing from IBM Security Administrator, Lucky Kambale.

There are some Do’s and Don’ts we have to pay attention to while in Kenya. 

1.          DO inform IBM security if we are planning to go anywhere in the evening.

2.          DON’T forget to tell your colleagues you are going out if you decide to go for a walk.

3.          DON’T go alone inform others or people at the hotel know where you are going and expected time to return.

4.          DO not talk on your Cell phone when walking on the street because it’s easy for someone to snatch the phone.

5.          DON’T travel in local buses and avoid it.  It’s better to take taxi even though it is more expensive. While traveling in taxi, make sure to lock the door from inside and keep the windows close or open no more than an inch or so.

6.          DO keep an eye on your purse and/or wallet at all times – pick pocketing can happen anywhere.

7.          DO be aware of your surroundings – especially at ATMs or currency exchanges.

8.          DO keep your hotel room locked/latched and your valuables stored away. If there is not a safe in your room there will be one at the hotel’s front desk.

9.          DO have your mobile phone with you at all times in case you need to be reached in an emergency.

10.      DO have a photocopy of your passport and other important documents. These should be kept separate from your actual passport.

11.      DON’T go out alone at night to areas you are unfamiliar with – pairs is always best.

12.      DON’T ever bring anyone back to your hotel or tell anyone your room number.

13.      DON’T accept beverages or food from strangers in bars and always make sure your drinks are attended to if you need to step away from the table.

14.      DON’T leave your hotel without carrying with you a few smaller bills of local currency, in case you need to catch a taxi for emergencies.

I have been selected as designated contact for our the CSC team to gather information from the rest of the team members on any weekend or business trips out of Nairobi and email Lucky and Lucy with the following information:

• Who is going?
• Where and what hotel?
• Dates?
• How?
• With who and contact information?

The dinner was with CDS/NGO partners, Gavin Cepelak and Lucy Muguiyi Njuguna at the restaurant CARNIVORE, a heaven for carnivorous.  The team had fun eating all different kind of meats.  It was nice evening with team everyone chatting and having fun.  Also, interesting to observe an IBM Global Team in reality with such diversity which is our team’s as well IBM’s strength.  The pictures of menu at Carnivore restaurants and team dinners are included below:

Menu at Carnivore

Team Dinner with Gavin Cepelak and Lucy Muguiyi Njuguna

#ibmcsc kenya5