-Joan Muthui is a pharmacist who enrolled at the Lenana Institute of Beekeeping in 2024 and learnt that beeswax, the by-product that remains after extraction of honey could be used to make skincare products.

-With the help of her former lecturer, she immersed herself into deep research. Initially, her products got a thumbs down after she received feedback that it was too harsh and irritating.

*****

Joan Muthui is the brains behind Beesplash Limited, a company specialising in manufacturing organic skincare products from beeswax. From an initial disappointment to receiving daily orders, and having her products recommended by dermatologists, Joan’s journey is truly inspirational.

Here is the story as told by WoK.

Working as a pharmacist

Joan is a pharmacist and for many years, she had witnessed patients suffering from various skin ailments having to buy medications again and again. This was in the long-term expensive given the conditions took long periods to resolve.

“Anything relating to the skin is not a one-day thing. You take a drug for diarrhea and it stops (but for the) skin it is a journey – it can take a year, two years, three years. You see people becoming frustrated with unending issues,” she says.

In 2024, she enrolled for a short course at the Lenana Institute of Beekeeping and learnt that beeswax could be used to manufacture organic skincare products.

Later that year, she met her previous lecturer who was by then producing his own organic soap. The reconnection reignited Joan’s long held aspiration to take on the same path.

Receiving help from the lecturer 

Working like clockwork, they researched and  formulated lip balms, soap and moisturiser using four core ingredients: bees wax, shea butter, honey and essential oils.

She used the Mount Kenya University Thika campus laboratory for a sterile and controlled production. She then tested the initial products on her sisters and pharmacy colleagues.

She received negative feedback that the product was too harsh and irritating. With unbridled determination, she reached out to the lecturer and they worked on improving their formulation. They got it right the second time.

Licencing and commercialisation

Prior to commercialisation, she needed approvals from the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) and the Pharmacy and Poisons Board. It was a long wait but luckily she wasn’t extorted. Finally, she was able to secure the licences.

Rotary fair and having her products prescribed 

In January 2025, Joan went for a rotary fair and paid for a stand. By the end of the day, her moisturisers had earned her a cool Ksh 9600.

“What? You mean it’s working?” She recalls thinking. “I have never looked back,” she says.

One day while working in the pharmacy, she received a pregnant woman who couldn’t afford the moisturiser she needed. Joan took the opportunity to offer her product as an alternative. She asked the woman to return if it did not work.

It was good news that the patient returned confirming that the body butter had stopped the itchiness that had troubled her. She then approached various gynecologists recommending the moisturiser as something that could work for expectant mothers with skin irritation. This saw at least two dermatologists prescribe the product.

“Seeing my product on a prescription from a dermatologist made me feel so good. That is when I knew this was real,” she says.

Making more sales

Though she currently doesn’t have any export structures, she has seen her products land in South Africa, United Kingdom and United States through international rotary delegates.

Currently she manages to make at least three to five units sales a day to 30-50 units on a good day.

-Lillian Ngala is the HR Director for DTB Bank, besides running an organisation that helps widows, orphans, youths and disabled people live a dignified life.

-Her commitment to this cause is deeply personal and inspired by her own experience her mother struggling with the family’s needs following the death of her father.

Here is her story as told by WoK:

Widowed mom struggling

While in high school, Lillian Ngala’s father passed away leaving the widowed mother facing significant financial and social challenges. The mother had to relocate the family to Homa Bay where they lived in a grass-thatched house which leaked whenever it rained.

To make a living, the mom worked as a tailor and would sew uniforms for a missionary school which in turn waived the required school fees.

“The family never lacked food, but dignity was a daily struggle,” she told Daily Nation.

Helping Widows

Following her illustrious career in the corporate sector where she has steadily risen to become the HR Director at DTB Bank, Lillian extends her impact beyond the boardroom through various philanthropic initiatives.

She runs the Lillian Ngala Foundation, an NGO meant to restore dignity and empower vulnerable people in the community.

She has been able to support over 100 widows from Homa Bay get decent housing. The initiatives also extends to helping them acquire capital for various small scale ventures and training them on managing the business.

Ngala says that this has in turn helped the women build on their confidence and live decent lives.

“Poverty makes widows hide, they don’t want to be seen, but the moment you give them a decent house, they come out. They walk into the market with their heads high. The transition is everything,” she says.

Her foundation also helps with school fees bursaries for orphaned and vulnerable children. It also empowers youths noting that this is beneficial for the wider community. For persons with disabilities, she helps with removing various barriers.

Decorated corporate career

Ngala has a decorated corporate career and has been in the human resource management field for over 20 years. She joined DTB Bank in 2012 where she has risen to become the HR Director. She overseas various functions including strategy and talent initiatives.

She holds an MBA in Strategic Management from Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology. She is certified as a professional trainer by the Institute of Human Resource Management.

She sits in various board including the Kenya Institute of Bankers, African Human Resource Congress and the Kenyan Network Information Centre (KeNIC).

She spearheads the Lillian Ngala Network that is committed to empowering the next generation of leaders.

Awards

• Shujaa Award 2025
• Top 50 HR leaders in Africa 2022
• Top 20 women making a difference in Kenya, 2021
• Top 50 influential women in Kenya 2025

-Earl Karanja has been behind multimillion dollar deals across the globe.

-Before venturing into this field, he worked as an automotive blogger for a German magazine where he was paid handsomely and decided to incept his own venture.

*********

For more than a decade, Earl Karanja has been at his elements connecting clients across the globe to supercar suppliers in Europe. Even though it has been a treacherous path, he put in an unwavering determination and has earned multimillion in commissions.

From a humble blogger to making big moves across the globe, Karanja’s story is one of patience, resilience and learning tough lessons.

The Nakuru High School alumnus also says the industry is full of conmen and his client once lost a whooping €200000 to a scammer.

In this article, we tell of his story.

Strict parents and money lessons

Earl Karanja’s parents were teachers who were strict with education and instilled the importance of being frugal at an early age. They insisted on not wasting money and planning for it. His mother would knock at his door as early as 3 a.m to wake him up for studies.

While in high school, Karanja had already figured out that he wanted to be in the advertising industry. This is the reason he started his blog while in form three at Nakuru High School. After completing his studies, he went in for mechanical engineering but he didn’t like it. He tried telecommunication engineering too but it wasn’t particularly appealing.

He then decided to pursue International Relations, ‘just to have the papers.’

“I chose the easiest thing there is – International Relations. I could cram the whole exam the morning to the paper,” he says.

However, he opines that it is the kind of course that one needs to be well connected in order to reap from available opportunities.

“It is the kind of course which, unless you’ve really good connections, you’re going nowhere,” he says.

Studying advertisement

After completing his studies, he took a short course at Zetech University. It involved advertising, marketing and public relations. As this was something he felt it could shape his destiny, he threw himself into the task with unwavering determination.

Pushing his blog

Karanja didn’t mind a flow of sweat on his brow and  worked tirelessly to keep his website alive. He did this between 2009 and 2014 and he landed a life-changing opportunity.

A German auto magazine, GT Spirit contacted him and offered him a chance to write on their blog. He would spend almost 10 hours daily researching and posting car reviews. The magazine paid him between 300 and 700 Euros (Ksh 44k – 107k).

“It helped me get into the space of cars properly,” he says.

However, he decided to get out of the comfort zone and started car brokerage in 2015.

Making Ksh 405k from a single deal

Karanja’s masterstroke was incorporating his company in Europe. He approached a law firm that did everything for him, and it was surprisingly so easy.

“I found it so easy. I went online, found a company that does that and within a couple of days, they gave me all the necessary details I needed for any company,” he says.

When starting, it took him years before he could close a deal. He recalls helping a client, only for the deal to be closed without him earning a cent. He then figured out instilling a robust structure that would involve signing contracts which finally worked.

His first commission came from the sale of a Porsche 911 GT3 RS to an Argentine who was shipping it from Germany. He made a cool 2500 CHF (Ksh 405k). Since his first deal, it has been a boom for Karanja who then cemented his presence on Instagram with supercar reviews and advertisement.

Being conned

Karanja narrates that the industry is full of conmen. At one time, his client lost €200000 (Ksh 30 million) after they paid the said amount to a scammer. According to Karanja, the conman had branded himself as a legit supplier and even had friends who recommended him.

“We did our due diligence (but) he had masked himself properly. People who knew him said he was good, but it turns out he was just a proper con,” he says.

Karanja had vouched for the money to be deposited through an escrow but his client thought otherwise. A direct deposit to the ‘supplier’ led to the multimillion scam.

Extortion at the Kenyan port during clearance

Earl Karanja also revealed why the Kenyan market is not his favourite. According to him, getting a car to Kenya is quite easy, but the extortion before being cleared is a headache.

In case he has a Kenyan client, he normally doesn’t do the clearing. So if you want a luxurious Ferrari, he’ll get it for you but you will have to deal with clearing at the port.

Speaking to Financially Incorrect, he said the level of corruption at port, even after paying taxes and all the required levies is ‘insane or a nightmare.’

“Ask people who have tried to do this on their own – you’ve paid the taxes, you’ve done everything to just get that car out. The level of corruption involved, the number of people you have to pay – It’s a nightmare,” he said.

-Festo Muriuki rose like a phoenix from the ashes in pursuit of better opportunities.

-He once worked as a Huduma Centre attendant in Lamu before a massive salary cut forced him to look for further opportunities.

****

Festo Muriuki Njoroge currently wears a uniform of honour as a United States Navy Sailor. He is a man who credits his success to being prayerful, resilient, disciplined and committed.

He studied education at Laikipia University before dumping the chalkboard for the gun.

Here is his story as told by WoK:

Humble Beginnings

Njoroge comes from Murang’a County and attended school at Mariira Primary school before joining Kianyaga High School in Kirinyaga. He scored a B+ and was placed at Egerton University for a Bachelor of Arts (History).  However, this programme wasn’t particularly appealing to him.

This made him do an inter-faculty transfer to study education at Laikipia University.

“I wasn’t interested in pursuing the said course and I did an inter-faculty transfer and secured admission to pursue Bachelor of Education (Arts-Kiswahili/History) degree at Laikipia Campus (currently, Laikipia University),” he tells WoK.

He then completed his undergraduate in 2013 after undertaking teaching practice at Mûthua-inî Girls Sec School in Tetu, Nyeri.

Working as a teacher and joining Kenya Police

After graduation he secured a teaching position as a B.O.M teacher at Kamukabi Sec Sch in kigumo and then moved to Kigumo Bendera High school, still as a B.O.M teacher.

While still at Kigumo Bendera in July 2014, he decided to participate in a police recruitment exercise. He was able to secure a docket number to join Kiganjo Police Training College as a graduate/cadet. A day after the recruitment exercise, he participated in a TSC interview and became position one in that exercise. He now had two options, but he decided to join the law enforcement career.

Cancellation of recruitment

Sadly, after a few weeks, there was public outcry regarding the then concluded recruitment exercise. There were allegations of rampant corruption during the exercise, prompting then Chairperson of the National Police Service Commission, Johnstone Kavuludi to nullify the entire process. The heartbreaking move meant Njoroge had lost a lucrative deal, but all was not lost.

In April 2015 after the terrorist attack at Garissa University, former President Uhuru Kenyatta ordered for a repeat of the recruitment exercise. The determined Njoroge took another shot.

“I decided to try my luck again, and luckily, I managed to secured the chance again. I reported to the National Police Training College on 26th April 2015 and graduated on 12th Feb 2016. I was absorbed into the Directorate of Criminal Investigations,” he says.

Long journey to Lamu

He underwent a DCI induction course at the DCI Training School in South C and thereafter was posted to DCI Lamu, Mpeketoni Police Station in April 2016.

He recalls the exhausting, long journey to Lamu, that was full of tension, and the roads were in dire condition. Nevertheless, the most important thing is that he arrived and began a new role.

“The journey to Lamu was very long, exhausting and full of fear. Mpeketoni had experienced attacks in May 2015 and tension was very high in that area. The road from Minjila junction to Witu and past the Boni Forest was so scaring. Additionally, it was in bad shape,full of potholes and it all looked like there was imminent attacks. You could feel it in the air,” he says.

He arrived safely and began a new phase of life. In September 2016, he was attached to Lamu Huduma Centre where his main duty was to assist citizens in applying for the certificate of good conduct. He worked there upto May 2021 when he was transferred to Migori Huduma Centre. Three months later, he moved to Murang’a Huduma Centre.

Salary slash

All was well until Njoroge faced an abrupt salary cut. Initially, the salaries of graduates was the same as that of an inspector of police despite not going for the inspectorate course. The dent to his paycheck was not only heart-wrenching but it also made him plan on resigning.

“I worked for 13 months earning less than ksh 10k until I couldn’t take it anymore. On 21st December 2022, I submitted my resignation letter and it was approved in mid January, 2023,” he told this publication.

Working as a teacher

In January 2023, TSC announced vacancies for permanent and pensionable terms and internship for JSS teachers. Njoroge applied and he was yet again fortune’s favourite.

“I secured a PnP position at Mathare 4A Primary school in Kasarani Sub-County as a JSS Teacher.”

He worked until January 2024 when he felt stagnant and resorted to look for improved prospects in Dubai.

“I needed a new challenge. I decided to resign and went abroad for greener pastures,” he says.

While working in Dubai, he decided to check on his DV Lottery results and was shocked and elated to find out that he was successful, and was due for further processes.

“On 4th May 2024, I was resting in a hotel in Dubai when I decided to check on my DV Lottery Results – I had applied for DV Lottery on 31st Oct 2023 and I got a shock of the year. I had been selected for further processing. I was very excited that I found myself celebrating wildly in that hotel,” he says.

He traveled back to Kenya in June 2024 and had expected to get his second notification letter (2NL) by the end of the year. However, that was not to be and the long wait weighed heavily on his mind.

But one day while seated in a kibanda, taking a meal of githeri, he received an email notification and that was it!

“I got stressed. There were no 2NLs until July 2025. I had almost given up. I was in at a kibanda in Makongeni, Thika when I received an email notification. It was my 2NL.”

“The long wait was now over. I didn’t even finish my githeri. My celebration attracted the attention of other clients. I called my family, parents and siblings and broke the news to them,” he reveals.

Njoroge then booked his medicals at IOM Gigiri and completed everything by early August, 2025. It was a seamless process for him as he passed the medicals.

His interview was scheduled for 22nd September 2025. He kept waiting and praying that he could be successful.

“I prayed that God may grant me that opportunity to go to the United States of America. I reminded my family, parents and siblings to pray for me too,” he says.

Two days prior to the interview, he ensured everything was set – money, passport and other documents.

The final day came, and he woke up at 3 am and called an Uber. He arrived at the gate of the embassy some minutes past 4 am.

The gates were opened at around 6 am and after the normal security checks, he was ushered in. He was the 3rd person to be interviewed and after a few questions, he emerged successful.

“I heard the best statement ever – Festo, I am going to approve your visa…enjoy your stay in the United States of America ” he recalls.

His prayers had been answered. Njoroge was elated and shed tears of joy. Immediately after exiting the gate, he called his family to break the good news.

“I called my parents and siblings and broke the good news to them. They were all patiently waiting for my call,” he says.

The excitement left his legs feeling weak and was trembling. He then boarded a matatu and headed to CBD where he took another matatu back home.

A few days later, he got an email telling him to go and collect the passport. The visa had been stamped. He then did some shopping as he awaited booking of a flight to Seattle,Washington where his host lived.

“My host booked for me Emirates Airlines and I left Kenya on 9th Oct and arrived in Seattle/SeaTac international airport on 10th Oct 2025,” he says.

He was picked up and after 2 days, he was taken to apply for the Washington State ID. The host also organised for a caregiving course for him.

“After a week, he applied for me a 2-week caregiving course and I started working as a caregiver immediately after the course. He also guided me on opening bank account and registering for driving classes,” he disclosed.

Joining the military

After receiving his Green card in November 2025, he  decided to join the United States military. He  contacted a kenyan U.S Navy Recruiter, Moses Ngotho, who guided him on the whole process.

“I completed the process on 30th January 2026 and shipped for the United States Navy Bootcamp on 25th February 2026. I graduated on 21st May 2026 and I am now a United States Navy Sailor,” he says.

Njoroge is grateful to God, Family and Friends for their prayers,moral and financial support throughout this journey.

“Be prayerful, resilient, committed and disciplined. You will go far. Never give up.”

Starting out by supplying diesel door-to-door to businesses dealing with Kinshasa’s erratic power grid, Duncan has scaled the business into a massive operation. Jambo Energy now employs over 70 people and manages fuel storage capacity of 1.4 million litres across the impressive portfolio of customers.

And the future is promising; he is actively expanding his fleet of trucks and river barges to dominate the Congo River transport corridor.

In this exclusive sit-down with WoK, Duncan opens up about his journey from a corporate employee to a sole proprietor, how he navigates the challenges of the Congolese market, and why he believes the youth should focus on mastering their craft rather than chasing quick money.

Hello Duncan, thank you for granting us this opportunity. To begin with, kindly introduce yourself and what you do.

My name is Duncan Mitunda Mogire.  I am currently the CEO and founder of Jambo Energy SARL, based in Kinshasa but we have another office in Lubumbashi. We specialize in wholesaling of petroleum products in the DRC.

Are you able to shed some light about your background? 

I was born in the year 1985 in Kisii. I went to Primary School in Nairobi and later Joined Kisii School for secondary education where I served as the school captain. I am a graduate from the University of Nairobi and Frankfurt School of Management. For my undergraduate I studied Bachelor of Commerce and for my Executive MBA I studied Finance and Management.

Many Kenyans may be afraid of venturing into DRC. When was your first time travelling there and how did you get to know of the opportunity? Was it easy settling down?

DRC is a big market and the Kenyan business community should not be afraid to explore the available opportunities. DRC is now in the EAC. What many people don’t know is that DRC has 3 different time zones and as such we can classify DRC to be in different regions of Africa within the same country; Eastern Africa, Southern Africa and Western Africa. Most of the war and instability is in the conflict mineral areas of DRC i.e North Kivu and South Kivu.

Though I have worked in the oil industry since 2009, I first came to DRC in 2015 through Dalbit Group. Initially,  I experienced cultural shocks and language barrier but with time you get used to the broken Swahili plus Lingala is easy to learn being a Bantu language. In Dalbit Group, I was appointed to head the sales and marketing department at their Lubumbashi branch located in the Southern part. I was tasked primarily to open up fuel sales to the mining companies around the Copper Belt region in Lubumbashi. I quit in 2023 to start Jambo Energy in Kinshasa.

Talking about Jambo Energy, how did you start off?

I started Jambo Energy in 2023 in Kinshasa after quitting employment. We started off by distributing fuel using mobile bowsers to supermarkets and residential houses and offices. Kinshasa has an erratic electricity supply hence all buildings and establishments run on diesel generators.We saw the gap and took advantage and we provided our customers with diesel in a very organised and  professional way.

I am sure a lot of Kenyans would want to know about how you got the capital and how much was it if you don’t mind sharing?

I will say that necessity is the mother of invention. I started small with my own savings and over time developed good relationships with our suppliers and the banks. It is difficult to scale up your business without support from either your supplier or the bank.

Do you have other partners?

I am the sole proprietor. I don’t like partnerships because they might slow your growth especially when you are starting from the bottom.

What were the requirements you had to have before inception of your business considering you are from Kenya?

Business registration process in DRC is quite straight forward and it takes less than 5 days if you have all the documents. The main document being the establishment visa.

Do you then mean starting a business in DRC is quite easier than in Kenya? On this, do you think Kenya has something to learn from DRC?

Starting a business in DRC is pretty simpler compared to Kenya due to less bureaucracies – the documentation required and the time to have the company opened.I think Kenya being an economic power house should streamline this process.

A lot of businesses face tough hurdles in the first couple of months or years. What challenges did you face and how did you manage?

Of course all businesses face challenges initially especially on working capital. I personally faced working capital challenges but over time I addressed that by developing good relationship with banks and suppliers. Another challenge is competition – once we succeeded in the venture of door to door delivery to businesses and households, we attracted more competition in the segment leading to reduced opportunities due to scrambling and price wars. Eventually we had to scale up and move to another way of doing the business.

What are your achievements and how many people have you employed?

We employ more than 70 people. At the moment we have scaled up our operations and we have over 20 active customers spread across all segments of the economy. Our value driver is the unique way in which we solve the client needs by installing tanks and pumps at their sites. This has enabled us sign exclusive supply contracts with all our customers. In total we are having approximately 1,450,000 litres in terms of storage across all our customers.

We also have our logistics arm that transports bulk fuel between the port of Matadi and Kinshasa. We are recognised as a major player in the logistics of bulk fuel owing to the impressive fleet we operate.We emphasize on professionalism hence we are a force to reckon with.

We have another arm of our business that does logistics of fuel through the river channel of Congo River. We transport bulk fuel using barges to our customers along the channel.

We also do fabrication of storage tanks which we distribute to our customers sites for storage of products. In some sites like the biggest agricultural enterprise in the whole DRC which deals with palm oil planting and production, we offer both tank farm management and consignment stocking.

Earlier on you talked about being a school captain, do you think the leadership experience you had has helped you in management? And how would you describe your style of management?

My stint in leadership in both high school and university have been crucial especially when you need to stay firm, disciplined and focused amid chaos.

My management styles is anchored on result-oriented management. For a team to achieve specific results for the company, they have to be aware forehand and should at least have the required skills to achieve a given task in whichever department. I give opportunities to all employees to showcase their skills freely provided they are focused on the company goals and targets.

How is your typical day like?

I start my day at 6 am in the office to review all the reports from different departments. I have different face to face meetings on different days of the week.

Most of the day is spent outside the office meeting clients in the field and visiting our yard and garage. I am not an office kind of person.

What is one thing you’re grateful for?

I am always grateful for the opportunity granted to me by my previous employers because without them I would not have known this part of DRC let alone learning how the global fuel market operates. The experience has enabled me navigate smoothly in my entrepreneurship journey.

What is your word of encouragement to young people who would wish to become entrepreneurs? What are the important attributes that they should have?

Entrepreneurship is not an easy journey if you lack resilience, discipline and focus. Young people should venture into businesses that they really have in-depth understanding about. Many youths get into business with an aim of making quick money or they venture into businesses that are perceived to make quick money but I say – master your art and money will flow.

What is the future of Jambo?

In the short term, we plan to consolidate our wins within DRC by nurturing a formidable team that will enable us move to the next level of the business which is bulk importation of fuel through the main supply corridors i.e Matadi port, Beira Port and Dar Es Salaam. We further plan to beef up our fleet with more trucks for long hauling of bulk product. In a few years we should dominate the logistics space. As per the river channel logistic by barges, we will in mid 2027 acquire a barge of a capacity of 1,000,000 Litres and this will stamp our authority as the King of River Congo for transport of bulk fuel. Southern DRC remains a strategic market for us as we seek to take up more volume from the mining companies in the copper belt region.

But as the saying goes, when one door closes in Kericho, a much bigger one opens in Virginia.

The day a “supportive cousin” became a sailor

What’s wild is that Mercy wasn’t even there for herself. She recently sat down with Alex Mwakideu, and the story of how she ended up in a military line is pure “accident.”

“I was just accompanying my cousin,” she told a stunned Mwakideu. “I was like, ‘I can run, my grades are in check, I’m healthy, let me just try and see where they drop me off.’”

She was a beast on the track (800m and 4x400m), but KDF pulled her from the line because of her height. That rejection was the best thing that ever happened to her. Within months, her running didn’t just take her to the next town—it took her to the US on a scholarship worth Ksh 25 million a year.

The “Sandbox” and Memory Loss

Once she was in America studying nursing, she saw a path to citizenship through the Navy. But this wasn’t a desk job. Mercy ended up as a Hospital Corpsman serving with the US Marines. She wasn’t just in a clinic; she was in the “sandbox”—Afghanistan—for seven months.

She told Mwakideu that the intensity of war actually messes with your head. “I lost some memory… you forget the world for a moment. It’s like you’re in this room for 7 months… nothing new, no grass. Rocket attacks are normal.”

When Mwakideu asked if she was scared of dying, her answer was stone-cold: “I fear nothing, honestly. I don’t fear death… I only fear God.”

Manda Bay

The most legendary part of Mercy’s story happened in 2017. The US Navy sent her back home to train the KDF and the Kenya Navy in Manda Bay.

Think about that irony for a second. The girl who was “too short” to be a recruit was now a highly trained US specialist teaching Kenyan pilots and elite units how to stay alive in combat. She was back on home soil, speaking Swahili with “her people,” but wearing a different flag.

The Next Target: LA 2028

Mercy is now medically retired. Years of carrying 40kg of gear in 40°C heat took a toll—she’s had knee surgeries and battles chronic sciatica. But she isn’t done yet. She’s now an elite athlete in sports shooting (10m Air Rifle) with her eyes set on the 2028 Olympics.

She needs KES 10 million for gear (including a KES 250,000 suit!) and training. If you want to help this Londiani warrior hit the target in LA, you can support her through:

• Paybill: 303030

• Account: Q76D#

• IG: @youngbosskenya

As she told the young girls watching her story: “You should be your number one cheerleader. Once you’re at the top, everyone will come around.”

In the high-stakes world of Nairobi’s luxury car scene, one name stands out: Patrick Riang’a, popularly known as Patrick Car Soko. Recently awarded the “Best Car Salesman of the Year 2025,” his journey isn’t just about sleek high end cars; it’s a lesson in resilience. 

In a viral interview on the Dr. King’ori Show-that has garnered over 50k views and counting, Patrick dropped the “raw” truth about quitting a top media job at Nation Media Group (NMG) without a plan and moving to a KSh 6,000 house to survive.

Here is his story as told by WoK. 

The “Stupid” Resignation: Quitting NMG Without a Plan

Patrick was a staple at NMG, handling news and football commentary at the now defunct QFM and Nation FM. However, on April 28, 2015, he walked away from the corporate world with zero safety net.

“I can tell you confidently, I quit without a plan. I said I’m done, and I didn’t know what I was going to do next… I quit before the salary was out. It was with immediate effect,” the car salesman shared. 

Looking back, he admits the move was reckless but necessary:

“I resigned stupidly. I think it was a stupid idea to resign when I look back… but anyway, it worked for me, ” he added.

The KSh 6,000 Tasia House

Most people who quit high-profile jobs try to “fake it” to maintain their social status. Patrick did the opposite. He was living in Highrise, paying KSh 35,000 in rent, but with a pregnant wife and no income, he chose the downgrade.

“……….Me, I moved from 35,000 to a 6,000 [rent] house in Tasia… If you cannot be able to manage a downgrade, for sure you will fail forever.”

Patrick argues that this humility is what prevents the “Nairobi depression” many former stars face:

“If you cannot accept that there are ups and downs in life, the likelihood of you going into depression is very high.”

Life as a Nairobi Watchman

Before the Land Cruiser J300s and Defenders, Patrick’s first job in the city was guarding gates.

“In 2011, I was a watchman in Nairobi… 2012, I was in media without proper education at that time. I joined school while already in media.”

The Breakthrough: Commissions Over Salaries

Patrick’s aggressive marketing on Facebook groups caught the attention of Ocean Cross Motors, where he was mentored by the legendary Alf Kairo. He quickly realized that one good car deal could outearn a whole year in the newsroom.

“When I joined Ocean… the commission which was far above my pay group at Nation Media Group, I was like, ‘I’ve worked for media for 3 years, what was I doing there?'”

Advice for Car Buyers

Now a manager at Car Soko (located near Village Market), Patrick deals with the “big boys” who buy high end cars. He shared some brutal truths for Kenyans looking to buy their first car:

“If I’m buying a car for people to say Patrick is doing good out here, I’ll go for a Prado… beyond 20 million, people don’t care which kind of model it is.”

He went on to add,

“Buying a car is easy, but maintaining is another issue… these German machines, they’re not easy to maintain sometime. A Volvo XC90 headlight is around 200,000.”

Patrick stated that business people prefer to buy cars on credit, “Most of these business people I’ve met, they don’t want to buy cash. They have the money, but they do bank financing. They pay like 2 million deposit and 8 million financed.”

The “Greatest” Secret: Trust

In an industry often associated with “conmen,” Patrick says his “celebrity” face is his greatest asset because people buy from those they recognize.

“People nowadays don’t just buy a car… they buy trust. They see this familiar face… they’re like, ‘This guy, we know him.’ We have established a system of trust, and trust is everything.”

​But times have shifted. Today, the most progressive urban designs in East Africa are being driven by a powerhouse group of women. These aren’t just designers; they are presidents of professional bodies, founders of multi-million shilling firms, and academic titans.

​Here are the top female architects who have built, and are building, the Kenyan nation.

​Dorothy Hughes: The Original Pioneer

​You cannot talk about Kenyan architecture without starting with Eugenie Dorothy Hughes. Long before the industry was formalized for women in Africa, Dorothy was breaking ground.

​She was the first East African female architect and a founder member of the Architectural Association of Kenya (AAK).

​Her most iconic work is the Cathedral of the Holy Family in Nairobi (1960). At a time when colonial architecture was rigid, she introduced a modernist style with non-figurative stained glass that remains a landmark today.

​Dorothy proved that a woman could lead a massive, complex public project in a pre-independence era, setting the blueprint for every woman on this list.

​Prof. Susan Njeri Kibue: The Academic Matriarch

​If Dorothy Hughes built the cathedral, Professor Susan Njeri Kibue is building the minds that will design our future cities. She is one of the most respected figures in architectural education in Africa.

​A professor and former Chairperson of the Department of Architecture at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT).

​She holds a PhD in Architecture from the University of Sheffield and specializes in sustainable housing and urban settlement.

​Beyond the classroom, she is a lead consultant and a vocal advocate for “socially responsive architecture.” She ensures that modern Kenyan buildings aren’t just beautiful, but are functional for the people who live in them.

​Emma Miloyo: The Glass-Ceiling Breaker

​In 2017, Emma Miloyo made history as the first female President of the Architectural Association of Kenya (AAK). She is arguably the most recognizable face of modern Kenyan architecture.

​She is she co-founder of Design Source Limited.

​The Library at the University of Embu and various high-end hospitality hubs.

​Her Vision: Emma is a fierce advocate for inclusive cities. She famously noted: ​”If you see children walking alone in the streets, then it means the planners have thought about the most vulnerable people in that society.”

​”If you see children walking alone in the streets, then it means the planners have thought about the most vulnerable people in that society.”

​Florence Nyole: The Policy Leader

Following Emma’s lead, Florence Nyole has solidified her place as a leader in the built environment. As the current President of the AAK, she is the primary voice of the industry at the government and policy level.

​Her firm is known as Leads EcoSpace Architects Ltd.

​Her work on the Mara Girls Leadership School won international acclaim for blending sustainability with local Maasai cultural aesthetics.

​”Architecture is not just about buildings; it’s about driving positive societal change.”

​Cecilia Wahinya: The Corporate Titan

While some architects focus on boutique designs, Cecilia Wahinya operates in the world of corporate giants. As a Director at Triad Architects—the firm behind the Britam Tower and the UAP Old Mutual Tower—she handles projects of immense scale.

​Cecilia is a certified EDGE Expert, making her a leader in “Green Building.” In an era of climate change, she is the one ensuring that Nairobi’s skyscrapers are energy-efficient and reduce their carbon footprint.

• Hanington Juma was the assistant civil engineer at Gogni Rajope Construction Co Ltd and threw himself to death at Kisumu’s KRA offices.
• It is alleged that KRA was pursuing him for Ksh 300 million, a sum that has been dismissed by one of KRA staff.

In the morning hours of 30th October, 2025, the unimaginable happened at Kisumu’s KRA offices. Engineer Hanington Juma, a revered contractor who did his work with unmatched precision jumped to his death.

He is reported to have driven his white Toyota Land Cruiser V8 into Kisumu’s Lake Basin Mall, parked it and handed the keys to the guard. He then gave instructions that his son, Tobias would pick the keys.

Then he climbed the stairs to the second floor of the mall where KRA offices are domiciled. But it appears Juma was battling intense frustrations and had decided to take his life.

He then jumped to his death.

A relative said: “He was strong, but this time, he was overwhelmed. He felt trapped, that the system had turned against him.”

Big money projects

The firm was established in 1977 as Gogni Rajope Construction before it changed its name to Gogni Rapoje Construction Co. Ltd in 1993 when it became a limited liability firm.

Its specialty are: mining, road construction, dam and water reticulation systems, box culverts construction, gravelling and lime and cement treatment.

As the assistant civil engineer, Juma was tasked with supervising earthworks, negotiating with government engineers and managing complex civil works.

One of the projects done by Gogni Rajope are Got Nanga – Bar Ober Road in Siaya County. This road was done for Ksh 1 billion and stretches 12 kilometres.

Juma also oversaw the construction of Rongo – Homa Bay Road that stretches 37 kilometres. Another project was River Nyando flood management through construction of dykes.

Ksh 300 million tax bill

Hanington Juma was the assistant civil engineer at Gogni Rajope Construction Co Ltd. This company has been behind big money projects and has offices both in Kisumu and Nairobi.

While social media has been awash with allegations that Juma’s emotional distress emanated from being slapped with a Ksh 300 million tax bill, a KRA staff has disputed this amount.

“A KRA officer, who is not authorised to speak said the alleged tax arrears circulating online are inaccurate and misleading,” reports nation.

This then leaves more questions especially with why Juma decided to end his life at KRA offices. The Institute of Engineers of Kenya (IEK) has issued a statement asking for government and various clients to pay contractors whom they owe. The body’s secretary general Jackton Mwembe called on KRA to solve tax disputes amicably.

“It is regrettable that we lose a life that is promising and a resource to the nation through such an occurrence, no Kenyan should die because they owe their government money in form of taxes or otherwise. The best act is to have an amicable engagement and a favourable payment plan,”Mwembe said.

“Many Kenyans have fallen victim to non-payment by public institutions, which has led to ailments and even death. Procurement of services should not be initiated unless funds have been allocated,” Mwembe added.

Molecular and Biochemical Properties of Liraglutide

Liraglutide shares nearly 97 % sequence identity with endogenous GLP‑1 but is modified through acylation to bind reversibly with albumin, thus resisting enzymatic degradation and prolonging half‑life in circulation. Research suggests this molecular design enables sustained receptor activation in experimental settings, making it suitable for prolonged investigations of GLP‑1 receptor activity. Its activation of GLP-1 receptors may support cellular signaling cascades, such as cAMP/PKA and PI3K/Akt, which research indicates are central to neuroprotection, synaptic plasticity, and modulation of inflammatory mediators.

Research Models in Neuroprotection and Cognitive Function

A growing body of research suggests that Liraglutide may support neuroprotective signaling in models of cognitive impairment. One investigation into diabetes-induced cognitive dysfunction suggests that Liraglutide may preserve synaptic ultrastructure within hippocampal circuits and modulate oxidative stress pathways by activating the PI3K/Akt pathway and reducing markers of apoptosis in neuronal cells. In models of cerebral ischemia, research indicates that Liraglutide may reduce infarct volume and neurological deficits by suppressing oxidative stress and reducing apoptotic markers, such as Bax, while supporting Bcl‑2 expression. Further analysis suggests that these supports are concentration‑dependent and tied to timing of reperfusion interventions in the model system. Investigations focused on Alzheimer‑like pathology have theorized that Liraglutide may reduce Aβ plaque deposition by 40–50 % and preserve synapse integrity and synaptic plasticity in models of amyloid accumulation. Similar lines of inquiry suggest that modulation of tau hyperphosphorylation and preservation of insulin signaling pathways in hippocampal neurons may underlie its neuroprotective potential.

Anti‑Inflammatory and Oxidative Stress Research

Research suggests that Liraglutide may modulate inflammatory and oxidative pathways across various experimental systems. Research indicates that in cerebral ischemia models, the peptide may downregulate reactive oxygen species and might support endogenous antioxidant enzymes, such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), while lowering malondialdehyde and other markers of lipid peroxidation. Neuroinflammatory cytokines, including IL-6, TNF-α, and interferon-γ, may be attenuated in models of toxin-induced cognitive impairment, with improvements in neurotransmitter markers such as dopamine and noradrenaline in hippocampal regions.

Neurogenesis, Synaptic Plasticity, and Cellular Signalling

Liraglutide research models have been relevant to investigations into its potential to promote neurogenesis. Investigations purport expansion of neural progenitor populations and differentiation into mature neuronal phenotypes within hippocampal subfields under support for Liraglutide, correlating with improved cognitive performance in experimental tasks. At the molecular level, Liraglutide seems to activate the cAMP/PKA signalling and PI3K/Akt axes, which support neuronal survival, synaptic retention, and long-term potentiation. These pathways may also suppress apoptotic cascades and oxidative damage, contributing to the preservation of neuron integrity in research models of ischemic or neurodegenerative insults.

Metabolic‑Cognitive Interactions in Research

Contexts Some research suggests that activation of GLP-1 receptors by Liraglutide may yield integrated metabolic-cognitive modulation. For instance, in lipodystrophy model systems, Liraglutide has been theorized to improve insulin sensitivity and hepatic function independently of adipose tissue, implying potential mechanistic cross-talk between metabolic regulation and central neural signalling pathways. This integration may render Liraglutide a helpful tool in research exploring how metabolic state may support cognitive or neurovascular status.

Emerging Implications in Research Models: Parkinson’s Disease and Beyond

Emerging investigations suggest that Liraglutide may interact with protein aggregation disorders and dopaminergic circuits. Research suggests a potential reduction in neuronal impairment, microglial inflammation, and apoptotic markers in toxin-induced models of neurodegeneration, such as those mimicking Parkinson’s disease conditions. These findings suggest Liraglutide may modulate neuroinflammation and neuronal survival pathways in diverse brain regions beyond the hippocampus.

Methodological Relevance in Mechanistic Research

Liraglutide presents multiple potential relevance as a tool compound in preclinical investigations:

1). Signal Pathway Dissection: Its activation of known intracellular cascades—cAMP/PKA, PI3K/Akt, CREB/TrkB signalling—makes it suitable for probing receptor‑mediated modulation of neural survival and plasticity.

2). Inflammation and Oxidative Stress Models: Studies suggest that it may serve as a reference compound to investigate the interactions between GLP-1 receptor activation and inflammatory cytokine expression, as well as the induction of antioxidant enzymes in murine models.

3). Synaptic and Cognitive Proxy Measures: Given its reported supports on synaptic markers and neural progenitor activity, the peptide may be relevant to studies in conjunction with imaging or histological techniques to map neurogenic or synaptic changes.

4).Comparative Analogue Testing: In research comparing Liraglutide with other GLP‑1 analogues or receptor agonists, it is believed to serve as a benchmark to dissect potency, receptor selectivity, and downstream transcriptional responses.

Hypothetical Examples of Research Usage

To illustrate potential scenarios:

1). Inflammation-Neuroplasticity Interface: In a model of toxin-induced neural inflammation, Liraglutide may be relevant to assess whether a reduction in IL-6 and TNF-α is correlated with increased synaptophysin expression and preserved dendritic spine density.

2). Insulin Resistance and Neurogenesis: In models of impaired insulin signalling, Liraglutide appears to be relevant to investigations into whether activation of neuronal insulin receptors leads to increased BrdU incorporation in hippocampal neurogenic zones in mammalian models.

3).Hypoxia-Reperfusion Modulation: In ischemic-reperfusion systems, Liraglutide may be tested at varying concentrations and reperfusion delays to explore the thresholds of neuroprotection and biochemical markers of apoptosis and antioxidant defense.

4).Proteinopathy Modulation: In research models of amyloid or tau aggregation, Liraglutide may hypothetically reduce plaque burden and preserve synaptic connectivity via cAMP/PKA and neurotrophic modulation.

Limitations and Critical Considerations for Research Implications

It has been theorized that the timing, concentration, and tissue penetration of Liraglutide may critically support the magnitude of observed support for research models. For example, neuroprotection may decline if the onset of reperfusion exceeds certain thresholds, and concentration dependency appears significant in ischemia models. Differences in species, receptor expression patterns, and blood‑brain barrier permeability may further support translational interpretation.

Summary

In summary, Liraglutide emerges as a multifaceted peptide for experimental research, with the potential to elucidate mechanisms of neuroprotection, synaptic plasticity, inflammation regulation, and the interplay between metabolism and cognition. While much of its familiar interaction with research models stems from research models, it may also contribute to an understanding of GLP-1 receptor pathways in neural tissue.

Hypotheses derived from findings suggest that this peptide may facilitate the mapping of complex signaling networks, with implications for modeling neurodegenerative diseases, ischemia/reperfusion biology, inflammatory regulation, and neurogenesis studies. By focusing on speculative phrasing and preclinical contexts, researchers might deploy Liraglutide as a probe to dissect receptor-mediated pathways, always acknowledging model limitations and the need for broader validation. Researchers interested in peptides for sale with credit card may find them online.

References

[i] Yuan, Z., Bai, L., Deng, T., & Wang, J. (2021). Liraglutide ameliorates Alzheimer’s disease–like pathology by enhancing autophagy via the AMPK/mTOR signaling pathway in APP/PS1 transgenic mice. Molecular Neurobiology, 58(1), 292–302. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12035-020-02128-1

[ii] Cai, H. Y., Wang, X. Q., Wang, Y., & Liu, X. Q. (2021). Neuroprotective effects of liraglutide against cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury through the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway. Neural Regeneration Research, 16(11), 2164–2170. https://doi.org/10.4103/1673-5374.308072

[iii] Batista, A. F. M., Forny-Germano, L., Clarke, J. R., Lyra E Silva, N. M., Brito-Moreira, J., Boehnke, S. E., … & De Felice, F. G. (2018). The diabetes drug liraglutide prevents degenerative processes in a mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease. The Journal of Pathology, 245(1), 85–100. https://doi.org/10.1002/path.5058

[iv] McClean, P. L., & Hölscher, C. (2014). Liraglutide can reverse memory impairment, synaptic loss, and reduce plaque load in aged APP/PS1 mice, a model of Alzheimer’s disease. Neuropharmacology, 76(Pt A), 57-67.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuropharm.2013.08.005

[v] Salcedo, I., Tweedie, D., Li, Y., Greig, N. H., & Wang, Y. (2012). Neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory effects of GLP-1 receptor agonists. Journal of Neuroinflammation, 9(1), 130. https://doi.org/10.1186/1742-2094-9-130https://doi.org/10.1186/1742-2094-9-130