Chapter 11: Building Twaweza
Mumbo sat at the edge of his desk, a pen twirling between his fingers as he stared at the documents before him. The name of his newly registered company, *Twaweza*, stared back at him in bold letters. It was a Swahili phrase meaning "We Can," and it reflected his determination to create something extraordinary. With Kendi's guidance, Mumbo had finally realized a dream he didn't even know he had. Like for instance what he was doing right now was to build something that could impact lives and provide opportunities.
Twaweza was designed as an all-rounded company, with the aim of securing tenders across different sectors such as construction, logistics, events, and even consulting. Its broad scope was ambitious, but Mumbo's vision was crystal clear: to break barriers and prove that with integrity, businesses could thrive even in a corrupt system.
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Kendi, ever the strategist, decided to bring Amanda into the fold. Amanda had been her friend for years and had a keen eye for business operations. She had the experience and knowledge that Twaweza needed in its early stages.
When Kendi broached the idea, Amanda was intrigued. "Twaweza sounds promising," Amanda said, sipping her coffee. "And if you're involved, I know it's serious. Who's the founder?"
Kendi smirked. "A brilliant guy. You'd love his ideas."
Amanda nodded. "If he's as brilliant as you say, I'm in."
What Amanda didn't realize was that the founder of Twaweza was none other than Mumbo, her newfound obsession as a fan of his alias author persona. Mumbo had kept his author identity separate from his personal life, using it primarily to promote his ideas and connect with like-minded individuals. His writings, full of revolutionary thoughts and dreams of change, had gained a loyal following, Amanda included.
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With Amanda on board, the team got to work. Registering Twaweza had been one thing, but running it was an entirely different challenge. They needed a team, an office, and a solid plan to win tenders and establish credibility.
Mumbo, using his author alias, announced a recruitment drive on social media. His passionate posts attracted dozens of young people eager to be part of something meaningful. Many of them saw Twaweza as more than a company. It was a movement.
The first interviews were held in a rented office space on the outskirts of the city. Mumbo was both nervous and excited. He couldn't believe how far he'd come in such a short time. The office was modest, with second-hand furniture and a few computers, but it was enough to get started.
During one of the interviews, Amanda noticed the enthusiasm of the youths who came in. She leaned over to Kendi and whispered, "This feels a lot like that author I told you about, his passion, his drive. It's uncanny."
Kendi suppressed a smile but said nothing.
Later that evening, Amanda remarked, "I need to meet him one day. The author, I mean. You have to introduce us."
Kendi nodded vaguely, her lips twitching with amusement.
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Despite the enthusiasm, the journey wasn't smooth. Running a business required meticulous planning, capital, and perseverance. Mumbo quickly realized that his vision wasn't enough, he needed systems, networks, and people who believed in the cause as much as he did.
Amanda proved invaluable, drawing up organizational structures and helping Mumbo understand the intricacies of managing finances, payroll, and operations. Kendi, on the other hand, used her legal expertise to ensure compliance with government regulations.
"You'll need at least seven key people to make this work," Amanda told Mumbo one day. "A manager for operations, someone to handle finance, another for marketing, a tendering expert, and a few field officers. It's not just about the vision it's about execution."
Mumbo nodded, taking notes. "We'll make it happen."
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Meanwhile, Mumbo made another bold move, one he kept secret from everyone except Kendi. Using his savings and some of the profits from his book, he began investing in land. It was a quiet yet strategic decision.
"Kendi," he said one evening as they reviewed company documents, "I want to secure our future, no matter what happens with the company or the case. Land is stability and it's something they can't take away."
Kendi agreed, helping him navigate the process. Together, they identified a few promising plots on the outskirts of town, places with potential for development in the coming years.
"You're thinking like a visionary now," Kendi told him as they finalized the deal.
"It's the fight," Mumbo replied. "It's made me realize we have to plan for more than just today."
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As the days turned into weeks, the date for the new court hearing approached. Unlike their opponents the local politician and the police chief, who likely assumed the family was no threat Mumbo and Kendi took nothing for granted.
The private investigator, Beatrice, continued feeding them updates. Evidence of bribery and collusion between the police chief and the politician was mounting. Kendi carefully cataloged everything, building a case that would be hard to dismiss.
The Juma family, though nervous, rallied behind Mumbo's determination. Even Anyango and Musa, who had initially been hesitant, began helping where they could. Mama Anyango, ever the prayerful matriarch, lit candles every evening, her faith unshaken.
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One evening, as the team wrapped up a long day at the office, Amanda turned to Kendi. "I like him," she said, referring to Mumbo. "He's sharp, driven, and… familiar. It's almost like he's the author, you know?"
Kendi froze for a moment before laughing. "Amanda, you've been obsessed with that author for months. Not everyone is him."
Amanda grinned. "Maybe not. But one day, I'll find out."
As she walked away, Mumbo, who had overheard the conversation, exchanged a knowing glance with Kendi.
"Do you think she'll figure it out?" he asked.
Kendi smirked. "Let her try. You've got bigger things to worry about like winning that court case."
Mumbo nodded, his resolve hardening. The fight for justice, the struggles of running a company, and the quiet revolution he was building, they were all part of something bigger.
As the office lights dimmed, Mumbo sat at his desk, jotting down plans for the future. In two months, they'd be back in court, and this time, he was determined not to fail.
The battle wasn't over, but for the first time, Mumbo felt ready to face whatever came next.