In search of wisdom...

Over the last few days, we have witnessed a major turbulence in the Kenyan market. With the CCK guidelines and backing to lower the calling rates, Zain slashed it rates by flat 50% along with the messaging rates. And that took the market with storm, even though for a short while. There were people who started calling Safaricom names and some even said that Safaricom has a very capitalistic approach and has exploited the Kenyans with its high rates. We even saw Zain stooping down low and playing the ‘bendover’ song right in front of the Safaricom HQ, which to me was in a bad taste because you don’t expect dignified companies to react like this. During all this, Safaricom maintained the decorum in a dignified way and without disappointment to its users, even slashed the calling rates.

However we as Kenyans need to look at a bigger picture and analyze the whole situation. When I say that I am and always be with Safaricom, I do have my own valid reasons. I would write them down in just 3 points and expect you people to respond with your opinion on the same.

1. Quality and Coverage: -

I have been on both Safaricom and Zain for more than 3 years now and the kind of service both the companies provide is drastically different. Even when I have been on my wild Safaris around Kenya, I have always remained connected with my folks and friends via Safaricom. Zain’s customer care and network coverage are still an issue and I wonder if they grow in number of subscribers, how would they maintain their existing standards, forget improving them, given that they were already in loss and with the present tariff they would be doomed in a longer run.

2. Safaricom is seriously Kenyan, just like us: -

With 35% shares owned by the Govt. and 25% shares owned by Kenyans like us, Sh 4.8 billion out of the total Sh8 billion dividend is actually coming to Kenyans itself. Safaricom has always and is continuing to invest in the Kenya itself with new and improved products.

3. Owned by the people, not by a person: -

Unlike the competition, Safaricom is a public listed company and is the biggest firm by capitalization on the Nairobi Stock Exchange. Safaricom is answerable to its shareholders which includes the common people and the Govt. It cannot price the calls below the cost, not because it can’t afford but because Safaricom understands very well that a price war is not at all good for the whole Kenyan ecosystem which includes us the common people.

Now, I leave this conversation open for you people to take it forward and give me your opinions about the same… What do you guys think? Niko na Safaricom, what about you?