Professional biography
My name is Evans Kamau and I am 32 years of age. I am a Kenyan by birth, from Nairobi, but have been living in Stockholm, Sweden, for the last decade. I am a computer engineer by profession. Next to this, I have attended different business administration courses, such as accounting, sales, risk assessment, pricing and marketing. For the last 5 years, I have been running a taxi business in Stockholm – Taxitime storstockholm AB. It has 5 cars and 15 employees. In 2011, the company had a turnover of 7,8 million SEK (approx. 950,000 EUR).
I have also been importing fruits, vegetables and flowers from Kenya to Sweden, currently facing challenges in freight logistics, which have made it difficult to guarantee timely delivery to my clients. With a family background of business in coffee growing, animal production, hotel and restaurant industry, I have a diverse experience in the functionality of the Kenyan market.
It has come to the point in my current company, where I can run it remotely with the help of a manager to oversee the operations. This is why I have decided to start a new business that I am going to present today.
Brief presentation of the business plan: Business concept
Nairo-Bio Limited is a company intended to introduce a new concept of renewable energies in the Kenyan market. The basic idea is to convert used cooking oils widely used in the restaurant industry to biodiesel. Other oil sources have also been identified like animal fat from the animal slaughter houses, croton seed oil, jathropha seeds, castor oil seeds, sunflower oil. These different sources have been researched and found in Kenya in large quantities. Kenya as a non-petroleum producing country heavily relies on this product import. Biodiesel would provide a great alternative fuel source that would both be environmentally friendly and economically viable.
Market
There is a high demand for alternative fuels in Kenya, the transport industry is yearning to find cheaper and more efficient fuels to run in their vehicles.
The research, I carried out in December 2011, revealed large need for alternate fuels as the normal diesel prices were becoming uneconomical to run any transport business. The running costs in most companies were quoted as at least 30-50% of total company costs.
The only other similar concept of bio-diesel was in the place called Nanyuki, 2.5 hour drive from Nairobi on a very small scale production, about 100 litres per day, providing bio-diesel to the local personal transport vans better known as ‘matatus’.
I have gone to different places to see the possibilities, contacted the Kenyan government to get the policies and rules. All bio-diesel producing equipment would be duty free and the environmental section has put in place different measures to encourage this line of industry.
I am happy to announce that this far, I have very good feedback. Kenya has a lot of fried food eateries, especially around Nairobi. I found that most of the used oils are poured out down the drain, which is not only bad for the environment but a waste of a perfectly good alternative fuel. There was also a lot of animal fats at the slaughter houses. I have also taken into consideration the many other possibilities of raw material in bio-diesel terms known as feedstock, such as jathropha seeds, castor oil seeds, croton seeds, sunflower oil etc. These sources are in plenty in Kenya and have been found to have very high quality oil feedstock for bio-diesel production.
Production
I have been to the Alfa laval Ageratec bio-diesel processor plant in Norrköping Sweden and went through their different types of processors. I found that the 1000 or 3000 litres a day machines would be a perfect starting point for my new business. Due to the very high acquisition prices for the equipment, I have been looking at second hand equipment, which has a market value of about 300,000 SEK (approx. 36,000 EUR) for a 1000 litres / 24 hour production unit. This would be the single most expensive part of the whole set up. Transport to Kenya would not pose a problem with the shipping companies. I have also looked into installation. Alpha laval has a local office in Kenya and would assist with the installation and after sale service of the equipment. Visiting an already working unit has also been very enlightening. I intend to go back again and spend a few days at Tolefors gård, a bio-diesel producing plant in Nörrköping. I had the privilege of hosting the plant owners in Nairobi and got invaluable consultation time with them with regard to my planned set up.
With a proposed unit that would run on 1000 ltr / 24 hours, we have planned to start production at 500 ltrs a day for the first quarter running 20 days a working month, eventually going up to 600, 700, 800 ltrs a day for 2, 3, 4 quarter of the first year. By the start of the second year, the production would be up for 100%, thus producing and average of 1000 litres a day.
Used cooking oil acquisition has been estimated at a low price of 1.5 SEK (approx. 0.18 EUR) a litre since most of it is poured down the drain, even after considering the other sources like animal fats that are also disposed off. Most of the cost of buying them would be at a symbolic level. The restaurants and slaughter houses contacted, actually took it as a better way of disposal.
The company will have all different operational departments, to cater from sales, purchases, production and maintenance. As mentioned earlier, Alfa laval has a local office in Kenya and that will go a great way in the maintenance front.
Marketing and communication
A local advertising agency will be helping in the branding and advertisement strategy of this company, since this is a fairly new concept in the Kenyan market. With great demand it should not be a problem promoting the product.
I have already been in touch with a few transport firms that are ready to run on bio-diesel. The pricing and delivery logistics are underway. A few private fuel stops in the proposed production area are also willing to work with us on the distribution level, where private clients can fuel just like in normal diesel fuelling. Since most of these companies have their parking depots we would deliver the bio-diesel straight to them. We are coming up with a contract that would cover quantities and quality assurance with pricing concepts. Since no modification is required for running on bio-diesel, clients would be able to fuel and continue running any diesel vehicle as usually.
A piece of land has already been acquired in Nairobi where the proposed facility would be built on, but this would only happen after the second year. The first year, the company will rent a warehouse facility. The equipment does not take much space, rent costs would not be in excess. Sales price has been estimated at 6.4 SEK (approx. 0.77 EUR) / litre exclusive 16% Vat in Kenya. Current normal diesel prices in Kenya are 8.0 SEK (approx. 0.97 EUR) / litre exclusive VAT.
Competitive advantage
With the current world oil prices unstable, I see a lot of potential in making bio-diesel in Nairobi and its environs. It is a better alternative fuel economically, and, considering its advantage in better engine lubrication, I have shared these views with a couple of transport companies which welcomed the initiative.
In Kenya, people are becoming more environmentally friendly and see the danger coming from global warming. I see this as a direct opportunity to offer an alternative, more eco-friendly option.
Bio-diesel refers to a vegetable oil- or animal fat-based diesel fuel consisting of long-chain alkyl (methyl, propyl or ethyl) esters. This product is a very successful, world renowned environmentally friendly option that was discovered to help provide an alternative fuel that is both green and economically friendly. Bio-diesel has been used in different countries around the world and has proven a good option.
About the Author
cNext to this, I have attended different business administration courses, such as accounting, sales, risk assessment, pricing and marketing. For the last 5 years, I have been running a taxi business in Stockholm – Taxitime storstockholm AB. It has 5 cars and 15 employees. In 2011, the company had a turnover of 7,8 million SEK (approx. 950,000 EUR). Where is Swedish eko brott myndigheterna and check this genius kenya who claims to be an ivestor came the other day ,has never worked in sweden and he claims his taxi business is the main flagship of this mans empire.
WordPress.com / Gravatar.com credentials can be used.
Soligo Twati, wacha wivu.Typical “pull your brother down” shenzi mentality. The guy has worked in Sweden and that is a fact, and even if he came the other day so what? Spend your time and energy on uplifting yourself and country, no one will ever block your progress but the envy you display here will certainly do so.
nn CROOKS BEHIND CHARTERHOUSE COME TO LIFE “WIKILEAK”
« Thread Started on Feb 28, 2011, 8:15pm »
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C O N F I D E N T I A L NAIROBI 003217
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
TREASURY PASS TO FINCEN
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/25/2026
TAGS: KCOR KCRM PREF ECON EFIN KE TZ UG
SUBJECT: CHARTERHOUSE WHISTLEBLOWER DETAILS MONEY
LAUNDERING AND TAX EVASION AND REQUESTS REFUGE IN U.S.
REF: A. A. NAIROBI 2870
¶B. B. NAIROBI 2482
¶C. C. NAIROBI 1688
¶D. D. NAIROBI 1614
Classified By: Charge John F. Hoover for reasons 1.4 (B) and (D)
¶1. (C) Summary: Kenyan auditor Peter Odhiambo exposed
billions of shillings of tax evasion and money laundering at
his former employer, Charterhouse Bank, by a group of major
companies partly owned by notorious businessman John Mwau and
MP William Kabogo. On July 20, Odhiambo briefed Emboffs on
the details of the scam, and explained he had experienced
death threats and a frightening attempt by some policemen to
serve him with a bogus warrant. Because the people
implicated in the scandal are dangerous and appear to have
bought influence and protection from the GOK, Odhiambo
requested refuge in the U.S. Refugee Officer is prepared to
write an Embassy referral for Odhiambo to DHS for processing
his application for refugee status, and DHS is willing to
interview him. End summary.
Money Laundering and Tax Evasion at Charterhouse Bank
——————————————— ——–
¶2. (C) Peter Odhiambo met with PolOff and EconOff on July
20 to describe his role in exposing massive money laundering
and tax evasion by the Nakumatt Group of companies. (See
reftels for more details.) Odhiambo moved from Barclays Bank
to Charterhouse in May 2003 as the internal auditor. Within
two months, he noticed suspicious transactions in accounts
lacking the customer identification information required by
the Central Bank of Kenya,s (CBK) &Know Your Customer8
regulations. Some accounts also appeared to violate CBK
prudential limits on loans and liquidity. Charterhouse
concealed the violations by manipulating the figures just
before the end of the month submissions were compiled, or
before visits from external or CBK auditors, and then
reverted the figures immediately afterwards. The General
Manager told Odhiambo not to write down anything about the
suspicious accounts in any report the CBK auditors might see.
¶3. (C) Odhiambo examined the suspicious accounts and found
many personal savings accounts with (annual?) turnovers in
excess of Ksh2 billion ($27 million). The transactions
records showed funds were being diverted from Nakumatt
Supermarket and related firms into various personal savings
accounts, presumably to avoid taxes by under-declaring
revenues to the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA). In May 2004,
Odhiambo collected the information on 85 accounts with annual
turnover of about Ksh20 billion ($270 million) and presented
it to the KRA, which promised strict confidentiality to
protect him. KRA however, took no action, and did not give
Odhiambo the 1% reward its newspaper ads promised to
informants who revealed tax fraud.
¶4. (C) Odhiambo identified the companies involved in tax
evasion and money laundering as the five companies in
Nakumatt Holdings: XXXXXXXXXXXX.
(A CBK report also implicated the John Harun Group, Triton
Petroleum, law firm Kariuki Muigua & Co., Pepe Ltd, XXXXXXXXXXXX,
and businessmen William Gitau). Odhiambo stated that,
although six South Asian Kenyans were listed as the owners of Nakumatt Holdings, some of them were proxy holders of shares actually
owned by John Haroun Mwau and MP William Kabogo,
both of whom have been linked to smuggling XXXXXXXXXXXX.
Odhiambo noticed a deposit of Ksh10 million/day into Nakumatt,s
or Tusker Mattresses, accounts, and he suspected the funds were
smuggling proceeds from Harun Mwau,s container depot
company, Pepe. Odhiambo believes the perpetrators evaded
about Ksh43 billion ($573 million) in taxes, but that KRA has
been purposefully understating the figure.
Whistleblowing is Hazardous in Kenya
————————————
¶5. (C) When KRA made no effort to pursue the fraud and money
laundering at Charterhouse, Odhiambo presented the
information in August to CBK Governor Mullei. Mullei formed
a task force with KRA and the Kenya Anti-Corruption
Commission (KACC) to investigate Odhiambo,s information.
Odhiambo left Charterhouse in August 2004. In November 2004,
colleagues still at Charterhouse warned him the bank was
aware of his disclosure of information. He began receiving
disquieting calls, but claims he was not offered any bribe
for silence. Odhiambo suspected someone at KACC revealed his
whistleblowing role to Charterhouse. In February 2005,
Mullei offered him a position at CBK advising the task force,
and his situation &quieted down.8 Odhiambo said the task
force confirmed Odhiambo,s information. (Note: Press
reports claimed the Charterhouse Bank Archives were destroyed
in a fire, so it is not clear whether the task force was able
to view the files Odhiambo copied. End note.) Press reports
said CBK fined Charterhouse for violations of the Banking Act
and on March 20, 2006 recommended to the Minister of Finance
that he cancel the bank,s license (ref A). A few days
later, Governor Mullei was charged in court with four counts
of abuse of office, apparently in retaliation for his effort
to indict Charterhouse.
¶6. (C) In an effort to defend himself, Mullei leaked
information on Charterhouse to the press, and Finance
Minister Kimunya was forced to close the bank temporarily to
prevent a run. On July 6, shadow Finance Minister Kerrow
tabled a bootlegged CBK report claiming the Nakumatt Group of
companies had evaded Ksh18 billion of taxes.
On July 7, two
men who identified themselves as police officers from the
Central Station confronted Odhiambo at the CBK and ordered
him to accompany them to his house for a search.
Fortunately, the acting CBK Governor demanded to see the
warrant, and rejected it because it was dated July 2005 and
the applicant was no longer the General Manager of
Charterhouse.
¶7. (C) Fearing further police harassment, Odhiambo called
the Daily Nation, which published his story on July 8, and
the Kenya National Human Rights Commission (KNHCR). The head
of the Commission arranged a meeting for Odhiambo on July 11
with Justice Minister Martha Karua, who was concerned by his
story and regretted how &criminals had taken over so much of
the Kenyan Government.8 She advised Odhiambo to write a
letter to Police Commissioner Ali asking him to guarantee his
safety. He sent copies of the letter to Minister Karua,
Finance Minister Kimunya, Internal Security Minister Michuki,
the Attorney General and the CBK Acting Governor to ensure
they were all aware of the effort to use the police to
intimidate or threaten him. Odhiambo never received any
acknowledgment of the letters, nor any protection. Nor have
the CBK, KRA, KACC, or the Ministry of Finance taken any
further action against Charterhouse Bank or the account
holders. The Ministry has not officially released any of the
CBK,s reports on the Charterhouse investigation. A scathing
July 8 press article called into question Finance Minister
Kimunya’s credibility in getting to the bottom of the matter,
pointing out a number of critical omissions and deceptions in
the Minister’s June 27 statement to Parliament, when he
announced the temporary closure of the bank.
¶8. (C) After the July 8 newspaper stories, Odhiambo said he
began receiving threatening phone calls warning him to leave
Kenya, suspicious people were seen lurking around his house,
and his cell phone may have been bugged. He claimed one of
the Task Force members connected with him has also received
threatening calls. Odhiambo sent his family to the U.S.,
changed his cell phone, and changed his residence twice. He
suspects Mwau and the other businessmen bought protection
from all GOK enforcement agencies by funneling large sums of
money to senior officials to pay for the NARCs constitutional
referendum campaign in November 2005. For example, one
acquaintance at KRA told Odhiambo the KRA Commissioner
receives Ksh5 million/month from Mwau,s group. Odhiambo
fears Mwau, Kabogo and others involved will kill him or
&make him disappear8 both to retaliate and to deter other
potential whistleblowers. He does not believe any GOK agency
will protect him effectively.
Whistleblower Requests Refuge in the U.S.
—————————————–
Kamau should be adviced to lie low ,cozi Sweden is fantastic lest you end up like the man who was made and praised as a man for the year. only later to be knocked down with first blow.And once knocked that blow you never recover,
Kamau why this (SHOW-UP)?
I think sharing success is not just show up but can be inspiration for anyone. I really appreciate you business plan and certainly you got great achievement. I believe a business writing with full of content can really take anyone to the success. In this era every thing needs to be planned then implementation can be at desired place.