Brian and JoyPatience were featured in 2023 in an article by people daily. A kenyan newspaper in Kenya, under the techniology about their work on Mokosoko.com
Digital shift births e-trade explosion by By Harriet James
With the high internet penetration in Kenya, and more people embracing the technological evolution, online businesses are becoming the thing.
Online platform Statista, which specializes in market and consumer data, indicates that Kenya’s adoption of e-commerce continues to grow with user penetration rising. It is anticipated that by 2025, new users are expected to hit 14.4 percent, with the average growth rate of 16.4 percent a year. Just recently, the African Union and Technology ICT sector and e-commerce activities in the country. The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) estimates that the adoption of Kenya’s e-commerce has had a period of tremendous growth and which is an enabling factor in this market.
In 2021, Kenya’s e-commerce increased by 30 percent, with the country’s e-commerce market contributing to the global growth rate of 18 percent, placing Kenya at 5th position.
**The strides**
With all these positive prospects, various e-commerce start-ups have emerged. Two years ago, for instance, Nyawira Munene and Brian Kamande started their own e-commerce platform, Mokosoko, a business that offers home décor items that sell by solely handmade items.
“What motivated us to come up with the e-store is because we saw a need in a place where people can buy locally instead of importing things that are readily available in our market,” Nyawira starts.
She adds: “We saw that most vendors lacked access to markets and most buyers lacked the knowledge that some of these unique handmade items existed locally. Also, we noted that factors affecting most of the unique crafts sold locally stem from the notion that only the high-class can afford certain items by making them affordable to even the middle and low class, and in a digital space.”
MokoSoko was launched in March 2021 with Brian taking up the IT bit of the business, while Nyawira, a public policy and administration degree holder, leading its management.
**How it works**
It starts with the client signing up to the platform and selecting a product of their choice. They can then proceed to shop for handmade and locally made items varying from clothing and accessories to beauty and fashion items, home furniture to jewelry and art,” says Nyawira.
The platform operates just like any other e-commerce center, but there are various challenges facing its development with the most common being cybercrime, a lack of governance, and a lack of consumer protection.
In addition, the offline courier services that are still making it difficult to manage the traffic on the platforms.
Additionally, there’s also stiff competition, thanks to e-commerce explosion in the country. “It has its ups and downs, but so far so good. We keep improving from the feedback we get from our clients, but the most challenging thing has been onboarding vendors,” she observes.
**More roadblocks**
Another challenging bit in the business has been signing up vendors. Nyawira explains that they had to understand and show them how to sign up and put up applications for sale, which is not always an easy process. But once you leave, you find that they just stop working on it. “So, what we do is make frequent checks on them, but the more we are growing the harder it becomes to follow up and remind them.
When it comes to the issue of hacking, we have set up security programmes that alert us in case of any breaches.
“We have had a few breaches to the system yet we also know that the internet gets better with time. Hacking is a daily and continuous job, just like baby steps,” says Nyawira in conclusion.
Brian nyoike kamande response to article:-
NB: This is not a feel-good post.
A heartfelt shoutout to my co-founder, Joypatience Munene. We’ve been through it all, both the highs and the lows, but I am grateful to have you on my team. You’re an integral part of our A-team.
Being recognized for your work is a proud moment, it means that you must be doing something right, but if you’re like me, the daily grind can quickly erase any feelings of accomplishment. The reality of running a business often involves managing finances, battling technical difficulties, managing close relationships, and constantly pushing forward despite the challenges.
“They say I was born with a fighting spirit, for I reportedly slapped the doctor for not crying at my arrival.” 😂
Despite putting in the effort to continuously improve and grow your skill, imposter syndrome can still creep in and threaten our confidence. It can hit you like a ton of bricks, much like a school bus unexpectedly stopping in front of you.
Being an entrepreneur is a rollercoaster of emotions, and it’s important to remember that these struggles are just a part of the process. It’s normal to have moments of self-doubt, but it’s important to keep pushing forward and believing in oneself. After all, starting and running a successful business is no easy feat and requires immense bravery and resilience.
“Embrace the fear and take the leap, for it is in facing our fears that we often find our greatest triumphs.”
Who is Brian Nyoike kamande
Brand Builder, Illustrator, Web developer & Tech Blogger
I help business owners, CEOs, and individuals enhance their brands and improve customer experience. This is accomplished by developing imaginative ideas, content creation, and building websites and apps for their brand experience.
Has developed more than 50+ web applications for different companies including international companies that focus on social, enviromental change according to UN SDG goals.
He is currently working on Ai powered solutions for small business around africa. An idea he’s working on underr the ALX Africa iincubation programme called ALX ventures
Brian kamande work experiences
Founder & Creative DirectorFounder & Creative Director
Blockybits · Full-timeBlockybits · Full-time
Nov 2018 – Present · 5 yrs 11 mosNov 2018 to Present · 5 yrs 11 mos
NairobiNairobi
Design & test user experience for apps and
websites.
• Debugging code and making sure it works.
• Designing & deploying posters as advertisement
materials.
• Developing data driven online marketing
strategues for biasharas.
• Managing social media pages for clients.
Founder & Creative DirectorFounder & Creative Director
MokoSoko · Full-timeMokoSoko · Full-time
Mar 2021 – Present · 3 yrs 7 mosMar 2021 to Present · 3 yrs 7 mos
– Vision: Crafting strategic direction to empower artisans and fundis in local and global markets.
– Creative Oversight: Leading design and marketing for innovative e-commerce solutions.
– Partnership Builder: Establishing key partnerships to expand our reach.
– Team Leader: Inspiring a collaborative and innovative work environment.
– Brand Strategist: Building a brand that resonates with sustainability and responsibility.
About BlockyBits
Lets Get Your Business Online
We assist brands to build an online presence to engage consumers. Websites, Logos, Apps. We make it easier for you to focus on business growth. #LetsGetYouBiasharaOnline.
Our mission is to assist Growing Brands build an online presence to engage Existing & Potential consumers. Making it easier for them to focus on their business growth.
Who is Joypatience Nyawira Munene
Co-Founder & CPO Hela Boda Ltd | Jasiri Fellow | EIT MEST Africa | Business Strategy Consultant | Product Manager
Current Product manager at helaboda –
About Joypatience Nyawira Munene
A friendly, visionary, and dynamic Individual with a strong business development background and a deep commitment to driving revenue growth and fostering sustainable communities. With a unique blend of skills that bridge the gap between sales strategies and societal needs, Joy leverages technology to solve real-life problems. Equipped with a Bachelor’s degree in Public Policy and Administration and currently pursuing a postgraduate certification in Software Entrepreneurship, she excels in forging strategic partnerships, driving revenue growth, and creating job opportunities for diverse teams. Recognized with prestigious awards for her sales achievements and impact pitching, Joy’s exceptional leadership skills, strategic mindset, and dedication to social impact make her a sought-after collaborator. Her ultimate goal is to lead high-performing sales teams, optimize processes through data-driven insights, and achieve exceptional results while making a positive difference globally.
Joy Patience Munene Work Experience
SoftWare Entrepreneur MEST Africa · Full-time
Sep 2022 – Sep 2023 · 1 yr 1 mo
Ghana · On-site
- ⦁ Skilled at working independently and collaboratively in a team environment.
- ⦁ Built and sold Software solutions tailor made for Africa and scalable globally.
- ⦁ Self-motivated, with a strong sense of personal responsibility.
- ⦁ Proven ability to learn quickly and adapt to new situations.
⦁ Worked well in a team setting, providing support and guidance.
⦁ Worked effectively in fast-paced environments.
⦁ Adaptable and proficient in learning new concepts quickly and efficiently. - ⦁ Skilled at working independently and collaboratively in a team environment. ⦁ Built and sold Software solutions tailor made for Africa and scalable globally. ⦁ Self-motivated, with a strong sense of personal responsibility. ⦁ Proven ability to learn quickly and adapt to new situations. ⦁ Worked well in a team setting, providing support and guidance. ⦁ Worked effectively in fast-paced environments. ⦁ Adaptable and proficient in learning new concepts quickly and efficiently.
- Skills: Project Communications · Product Management · Business Development · Business-to-Business (B2B) · Strategic Communications · Team Leadership · Communication · Software as a Service (SaaS) · HTML · Customer Onboarding
About Hela Boda Ltd
Empowering Riders, Transforming Lives! Tailor-made Financial Services For Bodaboda Riders
A financial management platform that enables bodaboda riders to save daily, earn decent returns on their savings, access insurance solutions and loans through their unions.
Digitized management system
Automated operation system
Track Loans
Have an easy way of tracking how many loans have been disbursed, pending payment and already paid.
Track Savings
Know how much each member of your union has contributed to the unions savings.
service banner
Return on Savings
Empower union members by enabling them earn a return on their savings.
Insurance
Have access to comprehensive insurance solutions.
Communication
Send alerts and important messages to your union members just by a click of a button.
163
Signup on the waitlist
2M+
Registered Boda boda Riders in Kenya
Less 1%
Boda Boda riders are insured in Kenya
About Mokosoko
Create, Build & Sell…
MokoSoko offers Crafters, Makers, Creators & Designers a platform for them to turn their art into a living. All products available in the store must be made entirely by hand, hand-altered or hand-assembled. The platform empowers sellers to do what they love and helps buyers find what they love.
+254 712916107
+254 773 340 106
hello@mokosoko.com
Our Mission
Our mission and goal is to assist creative entrepreneurs (artisans/fundis) assess and penetrate new and existing local and international markets. We help our community of sellers turn their ideas into successful businesses.We do so by providing them with resources and a shared, community driven ecommerce platform to sell their handmade items.
As a company, we strive to lead with our guiding principles and to help spread ideas of sustainability and responsibility whose impact can reach far beyond our own business.
