Advanced technological changes in mobile telephony in the last ten years have resulted in vicious economic and industrial turf wars, pitting Nokia-branded phones and accessories against up-starts that hitherto were un-heard of even in Kenya’s highly competitive market economy.
New-comer Itel Kenya, however, a mobile Chinese company founded in 2007 and whose headquarters is in Hong Kong, now appears set to make economic ‘hay’ in far-flung rustic, outlying posts including, Voi, where a discerning public strive for affordable, user-friendly products with similar specifications to those previously marketed by the more established rival companies.
According to Itel’s Marketing and Sales Officer Dickens Koyi who was previously based in Mombasa, the Chinese Company was initially established in Nairobi at RNG Plaza, Ronald Ngala Street from where it subsequently forked out several branches in the provinces.
The Company has set up shop in Voi Town only in June this year, where they have been operating through various business outlets dealing in Itel products.
For instance, Paul Mwai of Baseline Communications, a mobile shop established in Voi’s Njiiri Plaza since 2007, confirms that he has been stocking Itel’s mobile products, including Smart phones S 31, S 11 and, S 12. He has made several business trips to Guangzhou, China, from his local Voi base in the last five years.
Itel Company’s branded merchandise includes smart android phones, tablets, feature phones and other phone accessories like travel chargers, spare batteries, selfie sticks, USB Cables, Itel Company. After scouring the regional market, the Company has already trained its sights on the border town of Taveta, where they intend to establish its presence in the near future.
The Company has just secured a 2-year deal to paint Voi City’s iconic Dawida Building with its Logo, whose brand colors are similar to Airtel’s irresistible red. The building, whose highly conspicuous Itel-branded face-lift is visible miles away, houses the Coast Bus Service, among other prominent tenants including Pharmacies, Real-Estate Agents and Lawyers.
In the past, Voi residents have witnessed loud campaigns by companies promoting mobile products from Itel’s competitors from Mombasa, including the sponsors of ‘Techno’ smart phones.
The Chinese presence in Taita Taveta dates back beyond ten years, from the days when the China Road and Bridge Construction Company built the Mombasa-Nairobi Highway. They have since then constructed the Voi Taveta Highway, not forgetting the Standard Gauge Railway which was officially launched by President Kenyatta in late May this year.
Interestingly, some of the youth employed in the Chinese construction companies have invested heavily in the purchase of notable Chinese products, like Haojin, Sky go, Flyboy motor bikes which are used to earn their daily livelihood
Duncan Mwanyumba,
Voi City, Tuesday, December 19, 2017
Duncan Mwanyumba is a practicing Advocate of the High Court of Kenya currently based in Voi City, a Cultural enthusiast and the serving President of the Rotary Club of Voi.
