Wednesday is our Man around Nairobi segment where we spotlight the men who live, work, play and thrive in this city. Today’s Man Around Nairobi is Peter Nduati. Peter Nduati is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Resolution Insurance. He is also the founder and director of First Benefits Ltd, Pine Creek (Records) Holdings and Brown Oak Ltd which is an investment holding company. He is a student currently pursuing a doctorate programme focusing on Entrepreneurship in Kenya. Peter is a mentor with the Greenhorn Mentorship programme and also at AIESEC Daystar where he is the Chairman. Peter is also a diehard rugby fan. He is a supporter and sponsor of the Impala Rugby Club.
1. Did you grow up in Nairobi?
Yes, I was born in Nairobi and grew up in Dagoretti. In my later years, I lived on Riara Road before moving out of town. Nairobi was neat and uncluttered.
Traffic flowed and I recall riding double-decker buses. I also remember things worked because I used to use the City Council Clinic at the Metrological centre and doctors were available with few queues- oh and medicines were available. We used to pay 1/= as the consultation. We also used to get lunch in a city council school and that was before the Nyayo milk came.
The beauty of Dagoretti is that it’s straddled city and country cultures. So, I enjoyed the best of both worlds. In the mid ’70s, having a car, running water, electricity and television was considered a luxury. I was lucky to have that and still have the privilege of swimming in the river, going hunting with my dogs in Ngong forest and going to ‘play-land’ arcade. Not many people had that type of experience
2. What do you love about Nairobi?
I love the fact that I can drive 15 kilometres out of the city Centre and I can see forests, wildlife and indigenous fauna. I love that one can enjoy organic food that is grown in the city, a race course and the fact we still have some open ground where I can play with my children. I also like the fact that I can access most amenities that you find in modern metropolis like a theater, stadium etc.
3. What would you change about Nairobi?
Traffic, Traffic Traffic.
4. As a professional how is it working in Nairobi? Is Nairobi open to what you do or what could be better?
We have access to what we require to do business in Nairobi. Skilled Talent, Technology and a Market. The only problem is the ease and cost of doing business which we can improve by reducing the licenses required and the cost of power. My pet peeve- traffic is costing us a lot too.
5. If you had a tourist friend coming in from outside the country what three things would you say to sell them the idea that Nairobi is worth visiting?
Nairobi National Park, Maasai Market and Phoenix Theater.
If you would like to interact with Peter Nduati find him on Twitter at @PeterNduati.
