Kenya: For Mr Lemmy Njenga, the Internet has
been a formidable asset in terms of gaining
entrepreneurial skills and knowledge.
The trained aeronautical engineer believed that
he could use what he picked up for free online
to develop bankable ideas.
The result of this was Moran Pride Limousines, a
logistics company that caters to one’s luxury
transport needs and provides concierge services.
“I got the idea for the business from reading
[Richard Kiyosaki’s] Rich Dad, Poor Dad. The book
spurred me to think of innovative ideas that I
can use to build my own business,” says Mr
Njenga, who is in his early 30s.
He had always wanted to be a pilot growing up
and was fascinated by the idea of incorporating
something he had long admired into a business
venture.
“I figured that I could provide a service that
basically offers luxury air transport, but I later
changed the concept to include ground
transport,” he says.
That was two years ago.
Today, Njenga and his wife and co-founder of
Moran Pride Limousines, Mrs Hilda Monchari-
Njenga, are getting a handle on
entrepreneurship in a field few have trod before
them.
“We basically help clients who need luxury
transport for weddings, birthday parties, proms
or even a night out at the club to get the
vehicle of their choice,” says Njenga.
Kenya has witnessed a growing middle class over
the past two decades that has bulging
discretionary expenditure, making elite transport
services a viable business.
In the past, luxury transport like limousines and
helicopters were the preserve of the very wealthy
or those in the echelons of political power.
Marriage proposal
Today, however, stretch limos and luxury SUVs
like Range Rovers are a common sight in bridal
entourages on weekend mornings.
Some have even taken things a notch higher by
hiring a helicopter not only for weddings but to
make marriage proposals or jazz up ordinary
outings.
Moran Pride also provides airport pick-ups and
drops, and caters to corporates’ transport needs
by ferrying employees to seminars and retreats.
“Our clients consist of people who desire to
travel in style or mark important occasions in
elite vehicles, and what we have seen in the two
years that we have been in operation is that
there is a lot of demand for high-end transport,”
says Njenga.
To generate a sustainable client list, Njenga has
partnered with several players in the hotel and
hospitality industry and in event planning to
create a network that will help his business
grow.
A stretch Chrysler can be hired at $313
(Sh26,918) per hour during the day, while a
stretch Range Rover goes for $438 (Sh37,668) an
hour.
Hiring a Eurocopter helicopter for an hour will
set you back $2,200 (Sh189,000).
The pricing is, however, not rigid as clients often
have special requests or detours that are
factored in, with the prices adjusted accordingly.
parties to get State funding
Mr Jared Omondi, the CEO of Mee Kreations, a
company that offers event and wedding planning
services, concurs that luxury travel is in high
demand. Moran Pride and Mee Kreations often
partner to develop packages for their clients,
splitting the profits based on a revenue-sharing
agreement.
“We have been in the industry for several years
and the emerging middle class view weddings as
a big deal and are going all out to make them
memorable,” he said.
Mr Omondi says his company creates a tailor-
made package for each client that caters to their
preferences and budget.
“More couples are asking for limos, horses and
carriages, and choppers either for the entire
wedding, to and from the reception, or just for
the photo shoot.”
source: standardmedia.co.ke
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