For a real estate company to stay relevant and keep growing strong at 15 years above, such a firm deserves recognition! Add the fact that it is associated to a membership owned sacco and you get to appreciate the incredible work done at the Mhasibu Housing Company Limited led by the Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Morris Njagi.
Here is their inspiring journey that landed the company the most coveted Most Resilient Valuable Brand Award by Valuable Brands Kenya. It is worth noting that this specific award is a prestigious preserve for real estate firms that have been in operation for not less than 15 years delivering on their promises and guaranteeing trust and credibility to their customers and stakeholders.
Mhasibu Housing 15 Year Journey
The company was officially incorporated in Kenya in April 2009 as a fully owned subsidiary of the Mhasibu Sacco Society Limited which boasts of 25,000 members. The initial aim of the real estate arm was to provide the sacco members with affordable property solutions thus enabling them to invest in real estate directly. With this kind of arrangement, the Mhasibu Housing Company had the advantage in the sense it already had a pool of potential clients who they would tap into. Especially with the fact that the parent cooperative body would provide the needed asset financing for the interested members in form of credit on their deposits.
But before we proceed, are you wondering about the origin of the name “Mhasibu”? The name is a Kiswahili translation of the word “Accountant” referring to the predominant membership of the Mhasibu Sacco which was started in 1986 by the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Kenya (ICPAK) to provide their members with a savings and credit platform. Another interesting journey of 38 Years. Hopefully a story for another day!!!
Well based on the success that the company has had over the years, Mhasibu pivoted to not only serve their affiliated sacco membership but also provide the same real estate investment opportunities to the general public across the country and the diaspora. This has seen the company start property projects spread in all major locations in Kenya such as Joska, Kisumu, Karen, Kitengela, Nyeri while they’ve had projects in Runda, Mwiki, Kisaju, Isinya, Nakuru, Isiolo, Nanyuki, Kikuyu and others..
Besides these incredible growth witnessed by the company in the last one and half decades, Mhasibu Housing also prioritizes the wellbeing of their employees totalling over 40 currently through trainings and encouraging them to invest alongside their clientele. Furthermore, the company promotes the communities in which they operate in various ways such as providing for children homes, engaging locals in value addition of the plots on sale as well as undertaking massive tree planting activities in those areas.
A few years back, the real estate sector was predominantly run by established personalities. Both in age and experience. Not anymore as more youth join the very luctrative sector thus challenging the status quo as we knew it.
Such a company owned and run by a youth is MD MODERN HOMES under the able stewardship of the youthful CEO, Marydiana. For a startup that has barely been in the market for less than a decade with such a promising brand, our selection team for the Valuable Brands Realtors Awards unanimously endorsed for the coveted award of the Best Youth Owned Real Estate Brand in Kenya for 2024.
About the Founder Marydiana
The CEO boasts of over 6 years experience in the real estate space as a realtor; kickstarting her career straight from the Technical University of Kenya (TUK) where she pursued a degree in Mathematics and Statistics graduating in 2017. She started off as a realtor handling sales prospects and rose to become the sales manager at one of Kenya’s budding low cost property development firms before taking a deep dive into entrepreurship in 2022.
Apart from being featured in our inaugural Top Women Real Estate CEOs in Kenya 2023 released last year, she has also been recognized by the Kenya Professional Realtors Association (KPRA) as the Realtor of the Year 2023, the National Business and Leadership Award (NABLA) honoured her with the Young Entrepreneur Achievement Award 2023 as well as being featured in countless TV Shows to discuss matters real estate such as the KTN’s The Entrepreneur Show and the TV47’s Realtors Show among many others. All focused on growing the MD Modern Homes brand!
md modern homes CEO featured on the Daily Nation Newspaper.
About MD Modern Homes
This real estate firm that is run by an entirely youthful team, is focused majorly on property marketing leveraging on its strong social media presence. The company has over 80K Facebook followers with millions of video views amassed over time while its Youtube channel has over 1,700 subscribers with hundreds of thousands views accumulated. And ofcourse the famous founder is leading the way with over 12K followers to her name on Facebook.
On the future prospects of the company, the CEO says, “Currently our focus is on marketing real estate projects and partnering with home owners-and developers. Our long term vision however is to go a top notch higher and be a developer and market out own real estate projects as I get a lot of motivation from the developers I have partnered with”. Furthermore, it is worth noting that over 50 real estate developers drawn from across the country have collaborated with MD Modern Homes in offtaking their properties.
On having an all youthful team at the firm, the founder notes the importance of growing together as a team and celebrating the wins they make as they work towards their illustrious future. She also believes that the journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step and we conquer with her fully!
In line with the Valuable Brands Kenya’s rallying call for the participating brands to commit on promoting impact beyond profits, the company is keen on supporting the development of talents in the rural counties through its football tournaments among many other projects they do.
On receiving the award, the CEO and the team had this to say:
It’s an immense Honor to receive this award Yesterday during the Valuable Brands Realtors Award 2024 held at Trade Mark Hotel, by Valuable Brands Kenya recognizing our brand’s Hard work, dedication and commitment in the industry.. Thanks be to God for the far we’ve come ,all our valued clients and the entire #MDModernHomes fraternity for the endless support and making this Possible!
When it comes to our inaugural Person of the Year, entrepreneurship is not just about numbers that translate on the balance sheets and financial statements. It is about numbers that translate to transforming lives, creating social change and inspiring a generation that believes in hardwork, strategy and most importantly, confronting the status quo.
It is about constantly questioning the way things have always been done and finding ways to fastrack growth by leveraging opportunities that come along the course of building a brand. For instance, must building a successful brand and company take a decade? Is it always about having experience that sets true entrepreneurs apart from the wannabes? Can one not only achieve corporate success but still use the chance to improve the lives of the people around them? And the cardinal of all, what differentiates the true brand leaders from their peers?
For the 2023 period, we focused on the wider real estate sector CEOs and Founders and how they have impacted the sector through the many programs and projects undertaken in the year under review. Based on this, our team shortlisted THREE incredible individuals whose contributions were so immense that they actually contributed a hugh chunk of the number of projects in the market.
These amazing founders include Dr George Wachiuri who not only leads one of the most resilient property companies – Optiven Ltd – having clocked 24 years in operation last year but also invests heavily in business mentorship programs We also congratulate him on his recent conferment of two honorary doctorate degrees. Dr. Wachiuri has built a reputable brand that not only believes in profits but in lowering a helping hand to uplift the economy as well.
The other key personality is Mr. Mwenda Thuranira, the CEO of Myspace Properties who has worked tirelessly to not only introduce but see to it that the strip mall concept became a reality in Kenya. He successfully delivered the Mytown Karen Mall with the Nyali and Kisii Town Malls set to open soon. Mr. Thuranira has also invested heavily in the Isiolo community through supporting educational programs through his Mwenda Thuranira Foundation.
Finally, there is Mr. Peter Nyaga, the Founder and Managing Director of Certified Homes Limited. A man under whose leadership the company has experienced an exponential growth and with it, turned many customers into investors, influencers into brand ambassadors, given a beam of hope unto the vulnerable and ensuring sustainability while at it. This is why we celebrate Peter Nyaga as the inaugural Valuable Brands Person Of The Year 2023.
Peter Nyaga’s Background
Mr. Nyaga got introduced to adversity at a very young age when his mother passed on while he was still in Primary school and had to be sent to a boarding school – which posed many challenges in raising school fees and for high school, he almost missed his admission due to reporting a whole two months late! This kind of upbringing would definitely make one start thinking outside the box. The one thing that most likely pushed him into business from that early age from selling sweets and biscuits to classmates in high school to eventually establishing his own real estate firm many years later. A decision that would pay off in millions. Literally. Academically, Mr. Nyaga holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Purchase and Supply Chain Management from the Presbyterian University of East Africa.
As you would expect it, it was never a perfect meteoric rise to wealth void of missteps and encountering a number of challenges. The humble upbringing taught him humility and simplicity that would later enable him to easily dine with kings and the commonfolk and treat everyone with dignity. Another humbling experience occurred during the 2017 general elections in which he unsuccessfully vied for an MCA Seat in Tharaka Nithi County. Besides these two, Peter Nyaga would find himself in deep debts when he indulged himself into the luxury life of the city on making his first million! A time that would clearly transform his life philosophy and with it, choosing it pursue something bigger than himself. A purpose that would change how real estate is done in Kenya as we know it.
A story he vividly captures in his first book: Achieving Your Dreams.
Building The Certified Homes Brand
In what would be described as a master stroke of risk taking and ingenuity combined, He together with his team established the Certified Homes brand just as the Covid-19 pandemic was creating uncertainty across sectors and economies globally. Yet with the company’s target clientele being the diaspora community, tow things were likely to happen: Either the firm would rise above the challenges and march towards greatness or be strangled at its infancy by the disrupted value chains within which it operated. Interestingly, the company was able to launch successfully more than five land projects across the country in its first year!
Furthermore, he has delivered several projects with the main being KWITU Gardens Phase 1 comprising of 38 units and now on Phase 2 of 40 units. Meanwhile these are at various levels of completion: Sukari Heights awaiting handover in April 2024, the Diani Holiday Homes, KWITU Holidays Malindi, The Bliss Ruiru, Diani Beach Plots, Juja Executive among many others.
To be selected a person of the year by Valuable Brands, we place a huge emphasis on your brand building process. We seek to explore the various unique brand strategies and expansion plans responsible for getting your company at its current position in the market. Undoubtedly, the founding and growth of Certified Homes as a brand has achieved its place. We discovered some of the strategies as outlined below:
Use of Brand Ambassadors Globally – Building a brand around your target clientele is a must when pursuing brand excellence. Infact, trying to get as close to them as possible is an excellent way to achieve this. Mr. Nyaga understands this probably more than any other in the country with bringing onboard Brand Ambassadors from across the world. These Ambassadors not only act as representatives of the disapora clients within the firm’s community but also create an effective communication loop for new projects, investment opportunities and any upcoming plans by the company. Currently, the company has brand ambassadors in ALL States in the United States of America, United Kingdom, Scotland, all African Countries, all United Arab Emirates amongst many others. Locally, he works with a number of influencers such as Mama Baha, DJ GeeGee, Mchungaji, Moya David.
A unique brand name – The real estate sector is the one economic segment that is built and maintained by trust. And when it comes to branding as well, a name means more. This is something the person of the year got right by naming the firm Certified Homes. A brand that continually works on ensuring value for investors and insistence on dealing with properties with certified documents. Therefore making a commitment to their customers of doing their much needed due diligence on behalf of the investors.
Leveraging Brand Opportunities – The company has a keen eye for branding opportunities within and outside the country. Especially platforms that grow its brand awareness such as Coroporate events such as participating at the Kenya Homes Expo, The Realtors Expo, The Realty Expo by Nation Media; social events such as diaspora tours by musicians and even the Churchill Show.
A Culture that Celebrates Excellence – As the brand experts say, All you have to do is to take care of your employees and you will not have to worry about your customers. This is true of Peter Nyaga as he empowers his staff with appreciation tokens and even handing the best performing ones cars! This kind of incentives not only drive the team but also creates a culture that celebrates excellence.
Community Driven Philanthropy
As is the old saying, money does not really change people, it exposes who they are and Peter Nyaga chooses to take this to heart with the several community programs supported by his company. For instance, he has always opted to celebrate his birthdays with the vulnerable kids in the Children’s Homes by marshalling friends and colleagues to promote them. Further to this, Certified Homes currently sponsors over 20 students across the country in notable schools such as Meru School and Mary Leakey Girls. Unlike many scholarship schemes, the company offers full support ranging from the school fees, uniforms, pocket money etc to ensure the total peace of mind and concentration to studies.
The biggest milestone being a student, Simon Gathanga who successfully finished at Kagumo High School and now pursuing Acturial Science at the famed Jomo Kenyatta University of Science and Technology (JKUAT). Read the story by TUKO.CO.KE here.
Peter Nyaga receives Simon Gathanga at his office
Special Interest Groups Support
In conclusion, empowerment is no longer just about giving. Empowerment is now embodied in creating sustainability to ensure dignity is maintained and self sufficiency as well. Mr. Peter Nyaga does this by offering seed capital to the various widows and People with disabilities that the firm supports. The supported groups are assisted to start tailoring businesses, farming and easy to run projects.
PERSON OF THE YEAR 2023: PETER NYAGA
We therefore present to you our inaugural Person of the Year Recognition : Mr. Peter Nyaga, the founder and Managing Director of Certified Homes Ltd. Valuable Brands Kenya says congratulations.
The majority of businesses fail within the first three years, and research indicates that only 33% of businesses maintain success over a ten-year period. This led me to pursue understanding why these numbers are the way they are, in addition to my own passion. It made me realize that the most overlooked yet crucial aspect of a successful business is Public Relations.
Now, I understand what you may be thinking. Public Relations is often misunderstood; some see it as manipulation, others as mere advertisement. In fact, even when we joke with one another and say, “you’re playing PR with me,” it implies someone is deceiving or playing games. However, today, we will explore what Public Relations truly encompasses and how profound its influence can be.
Public Relations goes beyond creating a good logo, using the right words for advertisements, or conducting press briefings and releases. There are several key elements within Public Relations that deserve attention. Communications, for instance, involves strategic, straightforward, and audience-oriented messaging. This includes tasks such as executive speech writing, employee handbooks, annual reports, house journals, trade journals, and more. Effective and well-presented communication is vital in addressing an organization’s objectives, plans, products, and services while enhancing relationships with both internal and external audiences.
Furthermore, communications extend to advertising. Public Relations offers a thorough thought process when crafting campaigns, focusing on storytelling and selecting the most effective delivery methods for each message. This is why maintaining excellent media relations is advantageous and considered a bonus for any PR practitioner.
Strategic Advisory is another crucial aspect of Public Relations. It delves into the future of an organization, considering the ever-changing market trends and dynamics. Organizations should be capable of planning ahead, implementing strategic plans, and reaching milestones. As PR practitioners, we are often asked to provide a strategic perspective, envisioning the bigger picture, and offering advice on important decisions. This aligns with the target audience and client base of any given organization. Additionally, it involves understanding the company’s objectives for both internal and external stakeholders, while utilizing tools and resources to facilitate the achievement of these objectives.
Crisis management is a vital role of Public Relations, as organizations often face challenging situations. A skilled PR professional ensures that an organization emerges from a crisis even stronger and more trusted, despite the costs incurred. By conducting thorough research on the organization and identifying potential gaps and impending crises, a PR consultant/manager can help develop an effective Crisis Management Strategy.
Let’s take Johnson & Johnson as an example of exemplary crisis handling. In 1982, seven people in Chicago died after consuming cyanide-laced capsules of Tylenol, an over-the-counter medication manufactured by Johnson & Johnson. Although the incident remains unsolved, the company’s response serves as a textbook example of crisis management. Immediately, Johnson & Johnson initiated a comprehensive response, suspending all product advertising and sending 450,000 messages to healthcare facilities and other stakeholder groups. The company also issued safety warnings to consumers. Despite evidence indicating that the toxic substance was accidentally introduced through store shelves and not the company’s fault, Johnson & Johnson did not hide the truth and eventually introduced tamper-proof packaging. James Burke, the CEO at the time, even expressed regret for not immediately transitioning to more secure packaging following the incident.
The key takeaway from this case is that Tylenol’s handling of the crisis is widely regarded as one of the best crisis management strategies in history. It has set the standard that corporations continue to follow today. The media praised Johnson & Johnson for its actions, which helped the Tylenol brand recover. One of the most important lessons from this example is that transparency and integrity greatly contribute to successful crisis management.
I invite you to join me every week on a delightful journey of learning and understanding Public Relations. Together, we will explore the latest trends in various industries and discover the tools that can help your organization achieve its goals while maintaining profitability. If you have any inquiries or suggestions, please feel free to reach out to me via email at msgrakuriangina@gmail.com.
