Undoubtedly, most successful business people in the country who built their wealth from scratch had tough beginnings, and it’s this sad reality that forced them to work hard to become better.
This is no different for Victor Maina, the founder of Maathai supermarket, one of the popular retail chains in the country.
The businessman recently opened a shopping mall in Nairobi’s Ronald Ngala Street, christened Wholesale Mall OTC.
Reportedly, he had previously bought the building which hosted the great Jack N Jill Supermarket for Sh72 million.
Speaking during the official opening, Maina recounted his tough beginnings as a hawker in Marikiti market and Muthurwa.
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“I was a hawker here in Marikiti, then moved to Muthurwa and other parts of the city. I’m not saying this in jest, but to encourage you to put your best foot forward”, he recalled.
He encouraged young people trying things out to give their best and believe in God.
“Kusema ukweli, hakuna mahali mungu hawezi kutoa. Usikuje ukaona mahali uko huwezi fika. Kwanza vijana wetu ambayo wako hapa na wasichana, ukiwa young jua uko gold”, he said.
The tycoon is the founder of Mathai Supermarket, which has several outlets in Nairobi, Thika, Karatina, Nyeri, Embu, and Meru.
He is also into the hospitality business, owning Klub Liquid Cash in Thika. He also manages Klub Image Hotel in Thika which has rooms that boast a balcony, a flat-screen TV, and guests are served continental breakfast.
The businessman also owns properties including flats, mostly in Thika, and a 17-acre piece of land which has been a subject of a prolonged court case.
