Kamaki's: Businessman behind nyama choma eatery says he began bar with 1 crate of beer

 

A regular at Kamakis nyama choma hotels

For revelers in Nairobi and its surroundings, Kamaki's along the Eastern bypass is a familiar place for leisure. Murigi wa Kamaki the man behind popular Kamakis. Some have partied at this place while others have heard about it from friends, especially those from around Nairobi city. Here, binging and devouring some nyama choma is the order of the day, unapologetically done and in spirit of togetherness. However, how the place came about is an interesting journey of a man whose house was demolished nearby when the road was taking shape 11 years ago. . Murigi wa Kamaki set the first business there when land was affordable and now a decade on, the place is pricey and bursting with all kinds of businesses ranging from high-end pubs, major supermarkets, car dealers, residential flats, hardwares and posh homes. Kamakis is a popular joint along Eastern bypass. Photo: TUKO.co.ke. Source: Original In 2009 when the area was still bushy, Kamaki established a small pub that looked like a kiosk and started off with one crate of Tusker beer brand and two crates of soda. The 70-year-old named the pub “Kamaki's” after his father and this became the name of the popular place even though the initial pub, after it was modernised, has been overtaken by more dazzling entertainment joints. “I started with three crates. Two of soda and one for Tusker. I just decided to give it a try and with time it became popular as those working on the road and others coming to buy plots stopped by my pub,” Kamaki said. The businessman said he is now a happy that he dared a move which has opened an avenue to thousands of people. He said; “My house sat on the road but I didn’t know that. It was partially demolished but I decided to knock it down completely”. When he was settling there, plots were going for KSh 200, 000, then rose to KSh 300, 000, KSh 500,000 and now they cost millions of shillings.

by  Asher Omondi Muyela Roberto