How a Hotel watchman become a millionaire.

 

 In 2006 things were so tough

I started depending on friends, mostly I would wait for drivers who knew me

if by 6 pm I would have not managed to get anything I would go to the stage to beg for just KSh 100 to buy food for the kids

but right now if I meet them I give them KSh 2000 a person would come with so many documents

I would peruse them and wonder does this person know me really because

but I have to vet them, I have graduates in this company

when I tell them the salary is little they ask me so how do you want me to survive?

someone would tell me I am in this town I am struggling and I have no place to live because now they no longer have the pocket money they used to receive from parents

such a person has to get a place to work and the first employment guys think of is in the security companies

my bosses.. how are you?

welcome to the show thank you how is the going? I am fine

isn't it? thank you kindly introduce yourself my name is Duncan popularly known as Kobet Bett, that's a family name

most guys in town call me Dango and even back home

where does that come from? it means Dango Security Services which is my company

I was born in Baringo, in the outskirts of Lake Bogoria

people joke that we feed on stones because they grow really fast and in large quantities like cabbage

when you come there you will surely prove me right

I went to school within the same area but at the lowest level

when others say they have a PhD from school, I have one from life experiences and nothing higher than that

my dad was called Joseph Kobet Bett, he was a teacher

I grew up in a poor background but even so maybe it was because dad was not cooperative

because whenever he earned his salary he would disappear for like 3 weeks

where was he taking all the money? he would spend all of it in town and when he comes back home he is so stressed

if you have been sent away from school because of school fees that was non of his business I am the 6th born even though we lost one of us in 2015 due to a road accident

he is my elder brother and I believe he inspired us to leave home and come to town, he left home in 1996

he was not able to complete his education but he worked so hard and lived a life that no one would imagine of hi background

I believe it's time I talk about our background hoping that no one in the family will be offended

but they all know the kind of life we have gone through

if everything would be smooth all of us would have completed our education but that did not happen

I spent so many years in primary school and while in class 4 I felt I was very old so I transferred to the school my dad was teaching

Mwolos primary school in Maji Moto area, I dropped out in 1994

but before I joined that school I ran away from home because life was so hard

at that time I was just thinking of how to make money, I escaped on foot and went so far away

in which class were you in when you dropped out? I went to look for a place where I could be employed to take care if cattle in Kieyo

I worked there for a while but after some time I decided to go back home

when I got home, I was not now ready for circumcision

after undergoing the rite I did not feel okay staying at home with mum

you decided to go and look for a girl to marry yes, that was in 1998 in 1999 I met a very beautiful lady

she was still young and in school but after dating for a while we were blessed with a baby

in Feb 1999 we used to do maize farming and after a while I bought a pool table and brought it at Mochongoi

it served me for a while but later on things started becoming bad you loved playing pool at that time?

yes I even became a star in that place no one wanted to challenge me

whenever guys wanted to play they would tell me to step aside and give them a chance as customers it was during the dry season, people were cutting trees, there was no rain and so the maize were not doing well in the farm

so life became unbearable the years were moving so fast, so after a while I moved to Marigat

I had saved some money from my maize business but when I relocated the money was so little, I did not manage to do anything with it

I embarked in playing pool, I had sold the table I had bought initially

I kept going out to play pool for sometime but life was getting harder each day

but guys used to think I have money

in 2006 I left Marigat and moved to Nakuru

my brother was a matatu driver, I told him I want to move to Nakuru

he asked me how will you survive there yet we have no relatives living in that town? I told him I have a plan

I looked for a house and managed to get one for KSH 1600 per month, so I requested him to help me transport my stuffs

so my family and I moved t Nakuru when I arrived in Nakuru that is when I realized life was indeed tougher than I thought

back home at least it was easy to get a tin maize, take to the posho mill and you have food but in Nakuru it was just hardship

life was tough especially from 2006 I started depending om friends

I would walk to the stage and wait for those drivers from home who knew me

I used to go to the stage at around 6 pm and would beg for just KSh 100 to buy kids food

most of those people are my friends to date, some of them were employed by the government while some are in the matatu industry

but today if I bump into any of the I give them KSh 2000 a time came when I was just about to be locked out of the house

I would come home in the evening and find the kids crying from outside

I decided to look for a job but I did not have any certificate

but you were a pro in pool I was not so famous in town although the rule was before you are allowed to paly you must first have money

but eventually I made a name for myself and became like a member because I used to frequent that place with the little I had

after I became a member guys discovered that I was good in pool

I used to be allowed in free of charge at times when there are new customers and I would make some money at least once in a while

I decided to look for a security guard job and got one, that is when I opened my eyes

where was that? I just managed to get the job within that area, it was my first and last employment because I was very passionate about it

when you are offered a job you have to be disciplined and that is one thing I always tell my staffs

I keep telling them I don't have to supervise them, just do your job and when your shift ends hand over and go

I keep telling them good service really matters and once a client is impressed no one can touch you

I was so passionate about my first job, I gave it my all

but what really kept me going is what guys called tips, although some people feel it is wrong

I used to work in a club I wasn't asking people for money but clients would just tip me

you know I had stayed there for almost 2 years and we had regular clients who would never miss to say hi

by the way sometimes the most generous people are drunkards

when this person has had enough in the club, he would give me anything that comes out of the pocket, whether KSh 200 or KSh 1000

I used to be very social with guys when a regular client comes in they would ask me would you take some soda and I tell them just give me I will sort myself out here

so that would mean either they buy me soda in reality or give me some money

by morning I would have at least KSh 1000 in my pocket

so I really wasn't depending on my salary, I kept it at least to settle my house rent

the tips were such a huge saviour, so at some point

I started thinking a head and telling myself perhaps my boss is being paid KSh 10,000 but he pays me KSh 5500 a month

so I thought to myself what if I opened my own security company?

that is one thing I keep asking myself just how it crossed my mind

no one is able to tell whether I am educated or not because I am a very social person

so now I got a friend

I started giving him the story of my life, I am not sure if he was excited or what he thought about it

he asked me , are you sure you want to start this thing? I told him yes

he saw you have a vision yes and I told him I want to make my money but I had no idea how

he asked me are you sure you can do that job, I told him yes but what he never inquired is if I went to school

he asked me what will be the name of your company

I got into deep thoughts because I had never owned anything

before we continue was this person well known to you or he was just an ordinary friend?

this was a regular client at the club where I used to work, he loved wine

he used to stay in the club even up to 3 am

whenever he was around he would call me his body guard

he would drink and even sleep so my job was to just ensure he was safe

until when he wakes up and now leave eventually we became very close friends

I told him I wanted to start my own company

I approached the supervisors in the same club and asked them if they will give me a job when I start my own company

at first it seemed so funny since some guys thought I was joking but I told them I was serious I want to start my own company

I told them one day I ensure that company becomes an empire and they accepted

they told me once you are ready just inform us when I told my friend about it he asked me to go and do a research for my company name, I asked guys but non had an idea

so I thought about merging my names and I came up with Dango

and I added 5 at the end

why 5? 5 because of the number of kids I had at that time

Duncan indeed you are a father of many kids

you had 10 at that time? yes 5 boys and 5 girls

the year was in 2012 and the journey was still on

how many do you have now? I have 30 although my target was 20

where will they live? here? the elder ones grow big and leave me with the young ones

so I felt Dango 5 security services Limited fits me perfectly

I did my research and no one had used that name so I gave it to him

he connected me with someone in Nairobi to help me with the registration

it's a Luo lady I can't remember her name I gave her my documents and she prepared a memorandum for me which I took to the registration offices

so after that my friend took over everything and my certificate was now ready

I went for it, when I held the certificate in my hands

I knelt down at Harambee house I told God thank you because you remembered my name and you indeed saw I had the passion for this

I tell you

so I left, sorry for that because when I remember that moment it brings tears to my eyes

so I left and met my first clients, the same ones at my place of work

I told my boss I have a certificate, now give me a job

so you went back to the same place you were working? yes and I asked them to give me a job

he told me they were so happy for me, I was now a director at Dango 5

I was given that title and eventually my first contract

when I was given that job, there was also another colleague of mine whom we would work on shifts

somehow I was stranded because I had no idea on how to go about it I went and told one of my uncles I have this new contract and so I want us to work together, he was a little bi educated

he asked me how and I told him we shall be working on shifts

so you were the director and as well as the security man yes, so my uncle agreed and we started working together, so I told him to take the night shift so that during the day I can walk around looking for new contracts

nd he told me okay so I started looking for clients and I came across my 2nd client who was dealing with scrap metals

I introduced myself and my company he asked me if I lived in Nakuru and I said yes, he did not interrogate me that much

he asked me how much I wanted to be paid and I said KSh 10,000 he told me he had KSh 7500 but after negotiating we settled on KSh 8000

so he asked me about response in case an emergency happens how will I respond

I had actually walked to his office on foot I told him I am just marketing my company but I have cars and motorbikes that I used for patrol

he said okay so in case a problem arises you will respond swiftly and I said yes so he told me it's okay now I want you bring me one security guard on 1st

I told him it's fine I went and told my colleague I will have to bet someone since already I had managed to get one client

I was familiar with most of the guards so I approached on and told him e have a job

he came and started working I continued working as usual at my place of work and after a while I got another contract called Lake Solai Hotel

I took my guy there and then I looked for another person to replace him

after sometime I now had 6 guards and so decided to look for an office

because clients were now asking me where is your office yet at that time I had non

so I went to a pace called Nyamakoroto to look for an office

within Nakuru? yes just at Biashara Street I managed to get an office but on the 5th floor because I was looking for a cheaper office, it was around KSh 4000

so I bought some few plastic chairs and wooden ones and finally I had an office

I labeled on the door Danco 5 Security and shorty after guys came knocking looking for jobs

so I started getting clients some in Pipeline, others in Eveready and it was now a challenge

walking to all those places on foot I decided to strike a deal with another guy who used to transport me, so I aske him if he can hire me his motorbike

he accepted, I asked him the amount he told me KSh 9000 per month meaning it was KSh 300 per day

but the fuel was on me were you still working as a security guard? yes and now I am explaining to you how Dango 5 came about

the man gave me his motorbike at that time I did not have any idea on how to ride a motorbike, I started training myself and I rolled with it severally

I still have the scars so the more I continued moving around the more I got more clients and more jobs

when time for payment came some clients would give me cash others cheques and so I started going to the bank to deposit them

so I approached the bank and asked them if I can help me get a motorbike in installments so that I can be giving them KSh 9000 monthly

I was given a motorbike worth KSh 85,000 which I still have to date

the moment I received that motorbike I started paying for it in installments and also clients were trickling in

I was going round to different places to get clients and in the process I was now experiencing security work

each day I was facing challenges and learning an experience from it Ann, this is my first motorbike when I begun Dango 5

because I did not have any other property this was my first property in Danko 5 until when I started acquiring the rest

I take care of it like my child, each time it breaks down I ensure it is repaired immediately

how long have you had this property?

you have really taken care if it sure for 8 years at times I pack it at home but shortly after I bring it back to warm the office

the rest have gone out there for work, I even own cars but I respect this motorbike

even if I got several injuries, it was worth it, I was looking for wealth and it knows your humble beginnings

sure so I used to see people with branded vehicles and I asked myself when will I ever get to this point

I am one person who is always thinking of how to make money so I went to the bank after a friend of mine told me some vehicles were being given out at a deposit of KSh 270,000

the bank gave me that money, I deposited it and I was given a car

I used to pay KSh 17,000 per month I branded the car and the moment I did that, people recognized the company and I started having more clients

clients started trickling in even more yes Kenyans love something new, they flock in to buy whatever it is offering

I don't know if it's about the price or they just want to change the services

I received so many clients and since then I have never locked back

do you have your employees all over the countries or just within Nakuru?

I have employees in Baringo my home town, Eldoret and Kericho

I haven't dome proper marketing in those areas except for referrals by friends or just clients opening up branches in those areas and asking me to provide security

I have a few in Nairobi but many of them are here in Nakuru the home ground

this is our headquarters but I want to expand my services and have more clients

I know of companies that have more than 8000 guards

I can't compete with them know because most of then started way back ahead of me and had connections perhaps

to make it in security work you need to have good network and friends

and when you apply for tenders your profile speaks for itself

Tell me about your history and this place this were my first clients and each branch they open they ensure they give me more work

I really appreciate this supermarket because they helped me grow

I have more than 20 guards in this supermarket

they have 2 branches in town and this here is the latest one

so I want to ask clients to come and do their shopping at Stage Nat in Pipeline

it's a one stop shop

my bosses how are you? checking on the money in the bank

and they offer you the ability to make more money and put it into use

and now what are the challenges you have faced that someone who is prepared to start this business should be prepared for?

we have so many business opportunities, not just security work

there is no need of staying at home doing northing you have to get exposure in town like me

although I am not sure if you can manage to survive like I did what I came to learn about this job is that Kenya has big challenge

the unemployed people each day so many people come to my office to beg for a job

people come with serious documents I peruse the papers and wonder does this person know me

but because I have to vet them and know about their background because this is a security job

because the first thing is.. and that is a true experience

by the way the guy whom we started this business with is now an officer with the KWS

when he was going for the interview he gave me a call and told me there was a KWS recruitment in Kabarnet

he told me he had no money so I gave him KSh 2000

the first exercise was to compete in running, the man knew what we had gone through in life and he emerged number one

he was employed instantly we have been friends, he is well trained

when I go wrong he would visit me and give us guidance even to my employees

he would tell them how he also begun as a security guard and train them a little bit

even though I have trainers and those doing the vetting

I was talking about the challenges and indeed Kenya is facing a lot of problems, at times we can't even blame the government

we have guys who completed school 10 years ago but they have never been employed, so how do you expect to get a job yet you graduated just yesterday?

we have people like me who have no certificates but they also need to make a living

when I got this experience I decided to be close to such people so that I can encourage them

I have graduates in this company when I tell them the salary is little they ask me so how do you want me to survive?

someone would tell me I am in this town I am struggling and I have no place to live because now they no longer have the pocket money they used to receive from parents and so they have to survive

the first employments guys think of is in the security companies if the government would have known that, actually they would invest in security companies

has security guards all over even if they work for different companies

but we have security guards I want them to try one day and remove all guards in a certain street and see if in the morning the shops would have anything by morning

Kenyan has so many criminals, I was once attacked with a mechette, here is the scar, some thieves had broken in a certain place and the police came late

we arrived first and had to fight the criminals

because it as a our job to take care of property and the police arrived late sometimes the police respond but in other towns they don't

for instance in Nakuru they respond very fast when you give them a call

security companies are the backbone of security in Kenya that's true but there is a notion that security guards are illiterate and don't know what they are doing

we have no clients who don't care about that

all they care about is the safety of their property

others want documents but each package has a different quotation

we have graduates, people with diplomas, Form 4 certificates and those who have non

the biggest problem is

clients are different and place of work vary

we have institutions and in such places you must have learned workers

se have clients who needs a security guard to look after their home perhaps because they keep travelling

such a person doesn't really care who you are will send but as long as there home is secure

clients respect us and I know of some whom when that hear that there is no security, they won't sleep peacefully

if a house is left maybe for 2 days without any security, it's going to be broken into

I have no idea if criminals also do their survey to know if a property has no guards

it is such a huge challenge when it comes to security but we are grateful for clients who appreciate our work

we have clients who take care of our guards like their own children, they give them food and everything, even if our salary is little this guards appreciates

if I want to do a redeployment they refuse because the clients takes good care of them

we also have some clients who have no humanity

you find our guards crying when you ask them what the issue is they tell yiu a clients insulted them

we always tell them the client is always right but later on when we do a follow up it emerges that indeed the client was on the wrong

I have been insulted by clients too, when they are unhappy with a service instead of inviting you to the office to talk they just call to insult me

I have to remain humble because this is business but after a follow up in most cases it's the client who is no the wrong

sometimes some of our guards make mistakes

when they earn money, instead of taking care of their families they sink into alcohol

so they come to work drunk and end up destroying their job and my job

perhaps 1 out of 10 guards would make us lose clients to a competing company because of their unruly behavior

that is the biggest mistake our guards make

we also have people who come with bad intentions and if we follow the law to the latter, no one would do this job

we have guards who leave without notice after earning their salary and they disappear with the uniforms

they use the uniform in another place not really some dispose it, I have no idea what they want to do with the attires

I don't know if they get so scared of saying that they want to resign, no one forced you to come looking for a job

and no one will beat you up for being open if you have gotten greener pastures

some guards work for5 days and say they want to resign, if you tell them to give a notice they rush to the labour offices

and report me yet they have worked for only 5 days, at times guys in those offices are also not keen with the case, they side with the employee

such an employee is someone really who has no passion for that job, if the conditions are not favoring them, it is good to just be open

we have employees who would want to out you in trouble just to go to the court and receive compensation

they lie they were being underpaid

but this person has worked for 2 years in my company where we had an agreement about salary when the joined

and this is a grown up and when they complain, you receive a notice asking you to pay this person KSh 500,000

this is a person who came begging for a job but later on they mess you up

so those are the challenges in the security sector I am not the only one who ha face those challenges but nearly all security companies

each day I receive information and for whatever challenge that has been encountered I try my best to ensure I respond

I had a program that I begun las year, it's called Tango 5 Tournament

it was an initiative that I begun to just show the young boys that when you grow u you have to face challenge's

I started it all alone but over time it has gained some popularity with some politicians chipping in with balls

It rolled out last year an in December I am organizing a tournament

I begun the initiative in Baringo my home but now I want to have another in Nakuru which is my place of work

I also support the needy families

currently I have a report of a family that really needs help

I want to help where I can

it's a family where a mother was sick and got amputated, his husband was their only hope

but last year he lost his sight, so the two of them are in the house

the family is struggling because their kids have no jobs

although they have a son in Nairobi who has been trying to make a living through driving even though he has no employment

so I had to help the family, first of all I bought a wheelchair

because the lady has no wheelchair, she is struggling moving from one place to the other, she crawls even to the toilet

so I decided to just go and check on this family

and finally how can guys reach you?

my office is near Athletics, Nakuru

I have a compound and an office written on Dango 5

you can also find me on Facebook

or you can reach me on phone

or

for welcoming us thank you

so that people don't despise humble beginnings.