Photo Of Leading Digital Start-ups In Kenya Elicits Reactions, None Is Kenyan

Kenyans have taken to social media to critic a photo being shared online showing the leading digital start-ups in Kenya, which entirely features foreigners.

The photo shows Jumia CEO Sam Chappatte, Jumia MD Shreenal Ruparelia, Mkopa CEO Jesse Moore, Bitpesa CEO Elizabeth Rossiello, Mshule CEO Claire Mongeau and KOKO Networks CEO Greg Murray as the best techpreneurs in the country.

Others include Audrey Cheng (Moringa School), Johnni Kjelsgaard of growth Africa, Melissa McCoy of ConnectMed and David Auerbach from Sanergy.

According to people who reacted to the ‘joint’ photo, the foreigners are exploiting Kenyan programmers and taking the credit.

You forgot the IT industry majority owned by indians who use kenyans IT graduates so badly with low pay while fellow clueless indians earn big.

— serser (@mustermann_ser) August 27, 2018

Others felt that it is time for Kenyan IT gurus to take up the mantle and pioneer digital startups that could benefit them, instead of letting the foreigners reap what should go to Kenyans.

Blogger Robert Alai says that the techpreneurs have been exploiting Kenyans and the country while taking the benefits to their home countries.

Kenyan Startup scene. What I started complaining about in 2010. Every idle white person using Nairobi selfishly and will never benefit this economy in any way. All the tech cons in one picture. pic.twitter.com/qDfISZm9BA

— Robert Alai (@RobertAlai) August 27, 2018

Facebook User, Derrick Gakuu says,”The story of startups in Kenya vs Kenyan startups,
Then again the funding some of these ‘startups’ have, is lucrative enough to shadow any local uprising. We need to revisit policy, the education system, investing preferences and most importantly we as the founders need to move towards opportunity entrepreneurship in preference for survival entrepreneurship.”

Read: Police Complain Of Tribal Based Promotions By IG Boinnet

Gakuu proposes that the government should revisit policies concerning cost of doing business, the tediousness with business registration, tax policy ,policy around tech and innovation.

Others felt that most Kenyans are lazy chaps who want ‘easy’ money that comes from salaries instead of working on their own startups to create wealth.

Actually, Google Play store costs $25, Visual Studio €19 and iOS costs $99. I know of like ten Kenyan youth aged 24-30 who develop softwares at home, some have almost made it in life already. IP rights don’t need documentation and licenses in App stores. #Tujiangalie

— Ryan Bii (@BiiRyan) August 27, 2018

Do you have a story you want told? Do you know of a sensitive story you would like us to get our hands on? Email your news TIPS to news@kahawatungu.com