By: John S. Morlu II, CPA
Welcome back.
Let’s get straight to it: Kenya isn’t just building tech — it is tech. And nothing proves that better than M-Pesa, the country’s unofficial religion.
Thou Shalt Send Money via Phone
Forget banks. In Kenya, your phone is your bank.
M-Pesa started as a simple mobile money transfer service by Safaricom. Today, it runs the entire economy.
- Buy coffee? M-Pesa.
- Pay rent? M-Pesa.
- Tip your barber, donate to a funeral, split a goat with your cousin in Eldoret? M-Pesa.
- Tithe at church? Yep — you guessed it.
It’s not even fintech anymore. It’s lifestyle.
Cash is the backup. M-Pesa is the real currency.
And the gospel is spreading. I met a boda boda rider who called his smartphone his “savings account, loan officer, and side chick.” I didn’t ask questions. I just nodded.
The Gospel Goat: Yes, You Can Pay for Livestock Digitally
Let’s talk about the goat economy.
In Kenya, goats are currency with legs. You can gift them, trade them, even pay school fees with them — and now, you can pay for them digitally.
I saw a sign on the side of a road in Kiambu that said:
“Goat for Sale — M-Pesa accepted. Delivery included.”
I’m not making that up.
You send 5,000 shillings. They send the goat.
It’s Amazon meets animal farm, but with better customer service.
In The Gambia, cows block roads. In Ghana, it’s goats. In Liberia, it’s everything that can walk.
But in Kenya? Animals are assets. They walk the streets, chill near cyber cafés, and occasionally wander into high-level investment pitches.
And nobody blinks. Because here, paradox is the norm.
Data Is Cheap, But Not Free
If you’re planning to build an app in Kenya, remember: people will love it… if they can afford the data.
Wi-Fi is still a luxury in many homes. So if your product eats data like a Netflix documentary on HD, prepare to get dragged.
A guy told me: “I like your platform, but does it have ‘lite mode’? My bundles are on a budget.”
Respect the bundle. It’s sacred.
Also — bundles expire like avocados. One minute it’s there, the next it’s “You have 0.01MB remaining.”
The Office Is Optional. Hustle Is Not.
I met a young woman in Kilimani building an AI app while running a makeup business on Instagram and writing a children’s book — all from her phone.
She’s 22.
Meanwhile, my laptop crashed and I needed two coffees just to open Google Docs.
The bar here is different.
Kenyans don’t wait for perfect conditions. They move. Fast. Resourceful.
Often barefoot metaphorically — and sometimes literally.
They hustle with style, sarcasm, and a little gospel music in the background.
And when the power goes out, the grind doesn’t stop — it shifts to WhatsApp.
Fun Facts & Local Wisdom
- Kenyans drink tea more than water. No matter the weather.
- “Pole pole” means “slowly slowly,” and it’s the most polite way of saying “you’re doing too much.”
- Nairobi’s elevators always smell like perfume and quiet ambition.
- Most restaurants have Wi-Fi, prayer rooms, and a place to charge three phones — because you never know.
- Nyama Choma is grilled goat, not a band name.
- Everyone has a hustle, and most have an NGO cousin — or a side hustle that is an NGO.
- Sunday brunch is sacred. Come hungry or don’t come at all.
- Business cards are cool. But your M-Pesa till number is cooler.
- If someone says “I’m on the way,” they are still home. Possibly in pajamas.
Why It Matters
This isn’t just culture — it’s strategy.
Kenya teaches a lesson most MBA programs don’t:
When infrastructure is limited, improvisation becomes an art form.
The best Kenyan entrepreneurs aren’t copying Silicon Valley — they’re building workarounds.
Tools that work offline. Products that assume power outages. Business models built for hustle.
In other words, they’re preparing for the real world — not just the VC fantasy world.
Final Word: This Is Africa. But Not the One You Knew.
This is my part of my 88th country — and one I’ve grown to admire and operate in. I run a business here. I visit, work, and observe.
And I’m telling you: If you still see Africa as aid, you’ve already lost the plot.
Kenya is not a test case. It’s a blueprint.
It’s not perfect, but it’s electric.
So whether you’re sending money, sending goats, or sending hope — send it with intent.
Because in Kenya, intent moves faster than traffic.
And here, that’s saying something.
Up next in Chapter Three: The food, the faith, and the fashion industry you didn’t see coming.
About the Author
John is an entrepreneur, strategist, and founder of JS Morlu, LLC, a Virginia based CPA firm with multiple software ventures including www.FinovatePro.com, www.Recksoft.com and www.Fixaars.com . With operations spanning multiple countries, John is on a mission to build global infrastructure that empowers small businesses, entrepreneurs, and professionals to thrive in an increasingly competitive world. He believes in hard truths, smart execution, and the relentless pursuit of excellence. When he’s not writing or building, he’s challenging someone to a productivity contest—or inventing software that automates it.
