Every great mentor knows when it’s time to pass the baton—or, in this case, the keys to one of his shops. With an approving nod, uncle Joram let my brother and I take charge of his minimart, trusting that the lessons learned under his watchful eye would now guide our own path. I was only 27 years old at that time.
From Humble Beginnings – David Kimani’s Vision
Every Great Journey Starts
With a Single Store
Discover the Journey
From Humble Beginning’s Through David Kimani’s Eyes...
The Early Days of Grit and Grind
Back in the day, our cashier had the ultimate high-tech gadget—a trusty calculator. While computers were a luxury, we mastered the fine art of mental math, handwritten receipts, and the occasional ‘let me double-check that’ moment. My role at that time was ensuring that we were always well stocked. That is to say before company vehicles and supplier credit, there was me, a handwritten shopping list, and a matatu on standby. Every morning, I’d rise with the sun, march into Nakuru town, and tick off my list like a pro—old-school inventory management at its finest. Once fully stocked, I’d hire an entire matatu and load it up like we were moving house. Back at the branch, the seven employees including myself would roll up our sleeves, price everything manually, and arrange the shelves one product at a time. No fancy supply chain, no 30-day credit terms—just grit, hustle, and a whole lot of teamwork.
No Shortcuts, Just Hard Work
Life back then was no walk in the park. I knew that if we wanted real success, we had to put in the work, push past the challenges, and commit ourselves fully to the business. We didn’t even have fixed hours of work. I remember we would open at 6 AM and close only when the last customer left. Consequently, there were no leave days or breaks—unless it was absolutely necessary.
I grew up watching our father work hard as a farmer, and the lifestyle didn’t necessarily offer us the most comfortable life. I wanted something better, not just for me but for those around me. I understood that life doesn’t change by luck—it changes by effort. Giving up was never an option. From the moment my brother and I started on the shop, I made a promise to myself: there was no looking back.
The Spark of Expansion
We opened our second branch in 1994. It was that moment’s achievement that served as the proof we needed before we could set off our rocketed ambitions into unprecedented skies. Once the second branch picked up pace, we took up the growth opportunity knocking on our doors and in 2001, we set off to the big city, Nairobi.
A Leap into the Big City
Our expansion to Nairobi? That was a total gamechanger! We met healthy competition which was a key ingredient for our growth. Comparison against our competitors during that period assured us that we were heading in the right direction. A gist so powerful was cultivated that I could see us transforming into a national brand. As a matter of fact I still remember the moment I told my stakeholders, ‘One day, I will lead this country.’
The challenges we faced changed as we continued to venture further and further into becoming a household name. Transportation difficulties suddenly didn’t feel as daunting as limited cashflow, which was a real pain for us in that moment. The organization could only afford the most basic commodities as stock. Our greatest blessing was the unwavering support we received from our customers. We had no name, no reputation—just a dream. But they believed in us. And with time, even international brands started to take notice, recognizing the potential we carried.
A Legacy Still Unfolding
To this day, that same support fuels us, pushing us from one town to the next. This expansion journey has been nothing short of a learning curve, and if there’s one thing I’ve learned 110 branches in, it’s this: Integrity, discipline, good management, and teamwork aren’t just nice to have—they’re non-negotiable.
Looking back 35 years later, I can confidently say that taking up my uncle’s offer was the best decision of my life. And it wasn’t just for me. That decision will shape generations to come. Today, we stand as Kenya’s largest retailer. But we’re not stopping there—this story is still being written.
