NASA Boycott Will Ruin One Million Jobs, Safaricom Dealers Warn
Safaricom dealers have warned that more than one million Kenyans could lose their jobs as a result of opposition National Super Alliance (NASA) call for boycott of the company's products and services.
Speaking during a media briefing in Nairobi on Monday, Safaricom Dealers Association chair Esther Muchemi said the boycott calls could impact as many as one million jobs and urged NASA to reconsider its position.
“This call is likely to affect all business. Since and during the campaign period we have even at the individual dealer level, experienced a decline. We can almost with certainty say that the politics as they go they are effecting the common mwanachi including us,” Ms Muchemi said at a briefing on Monday.
On Friday, Nasa asked supporters to boycott Safaricom, Bidco and Brookside products as the coalition identifies more firms supporting the Jubilee government.
The dealers further said business operations especially in the Nyanza region are beginning to feel the effects of the boycott, even before effects of the prolonged electioneering period end.
Jared Ouko, a board member of the dealers association and the owner of Simba Telecom said its Kenyans who will feel the effects of the boycott, since a majority of investors in the telco are ordinary citizens.
“We are the ones who invested in ensuring that Kenya was connected to the rest of the world. Before Safaricom you had to pay Sh2,000 for a line. Before Safaricom you could not send money across the country for less than Sh1,000. But most importantly because of this business there are more than 1 million Kenyans who have jobs," Ouko said.
Ms Muchemi, who operates Samchi Telecom called on politicians leave businesses out of politics for the benefit of the country's economy. “Let’s focus because we are not politicians but business people. Bad politics is going to affect business so let’s all sober up,” she stressed.
Comments
The BOYCOTT will CREATE 2…
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The BOYCOTT will CREATE 2 Million Jobs at AirTel and CelTel.
Guest, I have to agree with…
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In reply to The BOYCOTT will CREATE 2… by Guest1 (not verified)
Guest, I have to agree with you here.The two companies you mentioned will simply expand to absorb those leaving competitor.It may not be in 2 months, by it will eventually happen.
Having said this, I have to say that it is unfortunate that its the common mwananchi who will bear the brunt of this effect. Raila,and his principals will continues to enjoy the
5-star" life style Kenya has afforded them.I would like to hear a solution from Raila on how he will accommodate the job loosers(at least those supporting NASA)...Will it be," go find another job in acompany that supports NASA", really, tell that to Ogango who as spent 30 years a manager,and would loose his retirement benefits if he is fired,or laid off...
Nasa's "boycott' model…
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In reply to Guest, I have to agree with… by Maxiley (not verified)
Nasa's "boycott' model mirrors Gandhi's. Boycott movements were practically started by him. Over the years, Gandhi was able to influence millions of people, during an era of no digital presence, not even telephone. Many of his movements were also called Civil Disobedience that directly disobeyed the government mandate in a non-violent way and many rubbished him but boycotting became effective.
The word is, the 41 tribes our of 43 are desperately looking for inclusivity in a country that has historically been dominated by 2 tribes. Raila may not be their ideal candidate but compared to others, they somewhat feel that Raila is fighting for changes for the good of other 41 tribes. Kenyan's who stayed home on 26th are desperately looking for leadership on issues of real consequence, and they are aligning their little money with their ideals. Let's see how far it will go.... sad it has come to this.
Gandi, as racist as he was,…
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In reply to Nasa's "boycott' model… by WHY? (not verified)
Gandi, as racist as he was, at least he preached what he believed in.He talked the talk,and walked the walk. Compare the way he amassed wealth with that of raila,and tell me who is more aligned with the poor masses.Gandi suffered with them.Again my question is simple,what is Rao's plan for those who will loose their jobs? I have not had him tell them that that is the price they will have to suffer to have abetter future.Iam sure like you and me, they want to live for now as well.Pay bills.
@ Max, why do you think The…
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In reply to Guest, I have to agree with… by Maxiley (not verified)
@ Max, why do you think The CEO of Safaricom, Robert Collymore took a, " prolonged Sick leave"?
Fire all the NASA people…
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Fire all the NASA people working for these companies. That will teach them a lesson.
If Safaricom fires NASAns …
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In reply to Fire all the NASA people… by sokora (not verified)
If Safaricom fires NASAns (just like that), the NASAns will join Airtel and CelTel. No Buggy.
He needs screening for early…
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He needs screening for early/late onset of Alzheimer's disease. He's evidently exhibiting the following symptoms....mental decline, difficulty thinking and understanding, confusion,delusion, disorientation, forgetfulness, making things up, mental confusion, inability to create new memories
Behavioral: aggression, agitation, irritability, meaningless repetition of own words, personality changes, lack of restraint.
Hogwash and Immature…
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In reply to He needs screening for early… by Vanessa (not verified)
Hogwash and Immature Imagination. Raila is a PRUDENT man who Beat Kibaki in 2007, Uhuru in 2013, and now Uhunye in 2017. Now Go Figure.
Safaricom has been invading…
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Safaricom has been invading the privacy of Kenyans.Listening to people conversation and giving caller history to strange characters.
Boy,that is some shocking revelations!
They need to fix that ASAP.
That's wrong to do that to Kenyans.
Safaricom has NO Clue on How…
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In reply to Safaricom has been invading… by Doreen (not verified)
Safaricom has NO Clue on How to Do Business (except for the Cheap Initiation FEE). But it's WATERLOO is here and it's Going Down; then EQUITY Bank will follow Hands Down.
I see alot of hypocrisy on…
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I see alot of hypocrisy on NASA. Why not tell their supporters to abadon jobs if they are hired by these companies The idea of sabotaging the economy due to this petty politics is too simplistic.
Spectre will employ them or…
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Spectre will employ them or maybe imaginary NRM companies that they will be launching soon. It is not the big folks who will suffer when these companies go down, they have their bonuses and savings tacked away. I hope Raila will solve the unemployment problem and other trickling effects of this Upuzi. He is so stupid stupid stupid! @Guest1 do not come and comment on my comment, enda huko and reply to all other and leave this alone . I know it itches you to reply
How will you know which…
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How will you know which employees are pro NASA unless you intend to fire based on tribe. Some of the comments are beyond unbelievable. Safaricom should have remained neutral now let it pay the price. It has also been accused of operating as a Monopoly and it is time it understood what fair competition is all about. Face the music and let the chips fall where they may .When you mess with your customers you have to be prepared to pay the ultimate price. Nothing personal just business
Some of "us" here think a…
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In reply to How will you know which… by Anonymous (not verified)
Some of "us" here think a few hundreds and I'm being generous, will topple a giant like Safaricom. So I hear Safaricom refused to fund some people 's party, is that the bitterness? Safaricom as we speak has 70% of Kenya's Market Share, so a few deranged emotional people think they can topple that .Eh I'm sure Safaricom as we speak is strategizing on responding ( business tactics NOT politics). Heh these companies are not run by emotional press seeking revengeful children. I want to see the effect, probably the MPESA mama in Nyanza( I doubt other counties will be heeding to this) whose only place was to get enough KSH to buy Bidco :-). Oh the delusions of Grandeur.
As an private business…
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As an private business employer, the fear of employing a NASA supporter is real. They apparently are a time bomb 💣 as business saboteurs. Strikes, leaking trade secrets, boycotts and tax non-compliance
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