:: Bank of Africa's new branch
25 February 2007

I really hadn't planned on going for that Bank of Africa Launch. In fact, the plan was simply to head to Kengeles Nairobi West, have a few beers, and listen to the Boda Boda band before head home. This like as simple a Friday plot as it gets. So I took a number 11 mat and headed South B wise. Off course, using a number 15 matatu is a better option and getting off opposite Nyayo stadium near the Nairobi West turnoff. However, I wanted to pass by Toyota EA and check out their motis and drool kiasi.

So I got off near Nyayo stadium just before Baricho road. As I walked towards Toyota, there was a huge tent that seemed to be blocking the way and I had to go around it. However, my curiosity got the better of me and I peeked in to see what was going down. As I was looking around, who was I to see but my old pal Sly? I quickly got the 411 on what was going down. It turns out that the Bank of Africa was inaugurating its new branch at that very location.

Now that I knew what was going down, I decided to chill and see what they were up to. The free alcohol and tasty snacks didn’t hurt making the decision. So I grabbed me a Tusker and some delicious snacks and settled in to see what went down. Unfortunately, I learnt at the third beer that the presentations had already been made. You should have seen me sobbing in agony. I had missed the speeches! All I could do was order another bottle of (free) Tusker and drown my sorrow. Sob.

In spite of missing the speeches, I stuck around and conversed with Sly and his colleague from jobo. I also ran into Terry Ann Chebet that news anchor on KBC TV and said hi. And Janet Kanini Muiva who was the person making that passionate poem during our Jamhuri Day celebrations. We made small conversation and she promised that her website at Kanini.co.ke would roll out some hot new stuff in a few weeks. I can't wait as I am such a fan. There was also Josiah, he of the expensive phones and clothes. And many other pals. I also met Levy and Dan of Strategic PR who apparently organised the event where I was downing free Tusker like the world was ending. Great job guys.

Eventually, we had to leave the tent and the party moved to Kengeles Nairobi West. Just as I had been planning all along. That Kengeles is really nice. Pints at Kshs100, a great ambiance and all that. I have been planning to disown Hooters (they ongezad pints by Kshs10) for a while and this Kengeles looks like a great candidate. The best thing about Kengeles on Friday is the Boda boda band. Yes. You heard me right. A live band. I have never been a live band enthusiast but this Boda boda is something else. They sing everything. I kid you not. They are like a DJ with the band churning out well loved song after well loved song. From “Vulindlela” by Brenda fassie to “Torn” by Natalie Imbruglia. From “Stella” by Freshley Mwamburi (whom KTN did a recent feature on) to "Karubandika". From Jamnazi’s “Koinange” (kodi ya nyumba munatafuta usiku/bisahara munafanya usiku) to “Mwendwa Wakwa Mariru”. It as a veritable cocktail of finger licking goodness. Good stuff that. Eventually, the party ended and pals headed to their homes in different stages of ulevi.

Now about this Bank of Africa. I had initially thought that the bank had bought out a neshing bank then started their entry into the Kenyan market. The only thing is that they actually entered the Kenyan market from scratch. The have made some forays into the Kenya public space the most memorable of which is their open sesame advert. The concept uses the old Aladdin thing where a dude tries to open a rock entrance using several words and eventually gets in using the words "Open Sesame". It’s a brilliant conceptual ad. The only problem is that it really doesn’t answer some of the basic questions about the product. This in fact is in my opinion is the real problem with the Bank of Africa's communication with me. I don’t know what their unique selling proposition. With Barclays Bank for instance I know that I am getting the backing of a big international bank. With Equity Bank on the other hand, I am getting a local bank that understands local issues. What is the Bank of Africa's unique selling proposition? I don't get it. Some food for thought here.

To the Bank of Africa, congratulations on your new bank branch. Congratulations to Strategic PR for a job well done too.

>> Related Links
:: Bank of Africa
:: Casino Royale (a capital Jamhuri)
:: KBC TV
:: Toyota EA
:: Barclays Bank
:: Equity Bank

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