‘I am not a spy,’ Nairobi pencil hawker on his business and rumours of being an NIS agent

Edgar Ignatius Otieno is a common face in the never ending Nairobi Central Business District (CBD) traffic snarl ups.
Along Kenyatta Avenue near GPO, Otieno hops from one car to another, donning finely tailored suits, with a carrier bag in his hand, hawking pencils.
This is something he has done for the last two decades.
"I went to school where I studied Social Work at the University of Eldoret, and at some point I was employed as a Sales Representative for Barclays Bank (now Absa Bank). But because the earnings were too little, I decided to hawk pencils. I have been here since the 2007 post-election violence," Otieno said in an exclusive interview with Citizen Digital.

Пікірлер: 289

  • @lynnomondi4899
    @lynnomondi48992 ай бұрын

    Have bought pencils from this guy for many years, now my girl is in campus 4th year...he's a person who respects himself and love what he's going and good book says...God will bless the work of your hands. He's blessed...

  • @osano_97

    @osano_97

    2 ай бұрын

    the problem is that he's to upgrade because that job is not going to help him out! if he's reading this, I promise to pay for him to the iam marwa KZread master class so that he can create and start a KZread channel

  • @marynzau7481
    @marynzau74812 ай бұрын

    I haven seen this guy since 2006 along Kencom, Kenyatta avenue and moi avenue. Amejituma juu hata ukimwambia huna pesa husema tu Asante & even goes further to wish one good day. In this world you can achieve anything sky is the limit. Thumbs up🎉🎉🎉

  • @CleanKisumuGeneralinvest-cw5du

    @CleanKisumuGeneralinvest-cw5du

    2 ай бұрын

    Get to farming

  • @agnesmurago5775

    @agnesmurago5775

    2 ай бұрын

    True..yeye Huwa hajam kama hubuy..he wishes you well ❤️

  • @joabomboto1540

    @joabomboto1540

    2 ай бұрын

    ​@@CleanKisumuGeneralinvest-cw5duNot everything is meant for everyone. He found passion in selling, given a chance he can do well in sales and marketing. Besides, serious farming is capital intensive. One must have good supporting systems to kick off.

  • @kenyanboy7627

    @kenyanboy7627

    2 ай бұрын

    Na wewe unafanya nini hizo streets since 2006?

  • @osano_97

    @osano_97

    2 ай бұрын

    most of the targets are government officials that are working on ministries, you know they stay at one job forever with same same parking lot

  • @bernardoduke5496
    @bernardoduke54962 ай бұрын

    Edga otieno my former school and class mate,may God bless and increase in favour.

  • @danasabnbwastetreatment.3102

    @danasabnbwastetreatment.3102

    2 ай бұрын

    Sigalame alumni ❤❤❤

  • @jacksonogwindi1653

    @jacksonogwindi1653

    2 ай бұрын

    Sigalame alumni wah. My long time friend.

  • @tomondiek2839
    @tomondiek28392 ай бұрын

    i wish him all the best and may God open big doors for you my brother! you have inspired many , including me.

  • @harrismuiruri4982
    @harrismuiruri49822 ай бұрын

    We celebrate you keep it up, keep improving your business, and upscale it to great heights

  • @evangelistgrace5278
    @evangelistgrace52782 ай бұрын

    I have been seeing this man selling pencil's for a long time, continue working hard my brother.

  • @agnesmurago5775

    @agnesmurago5775

    2 ай бұрын

    I have seen him too for a veeeerrrrrryyyyy long time, I have bought pencils from him apo Uganda house..keep shinning my brother.. Consistency is Key ❤️

  • @charlesogendo1411

    @charlesogendo1411

    2 ай бұрын

    He is a civil servant

  • @traytrid9367
    @traytrid93672 ай бұрын

    Plot twist: Bookshops started this rumour cause he is their competition

  • @collinstogoch761

    @collinstogoch761

    2 ай бұрын

    Oh

  • @dukeofrideshare

    @dukeofrideshare

    2 ай бұрын

    😂😂😂😂

  • @rosegallus4048

    @rosegallus4048

    2 ай бұрын

    Possibly 😂😂😂😂😂

  • @geraldinembula9188

    @geraldinembula9188

    2 ай бұрын

    Wah

  • @user-zv2ky7dv8q
    @user-zv2ky7dv8q2 ай бұрын

    He accepted life as it comes... He is leading by example to many young persons me included..Thank you for sharing this story

  • @dickens123
    @dickens1232 ай бұрын

    Ni kujituma. Respect

  • @leonardoking3670
    @leonardoking36702 ай бұрын

    I love this man's boldness. He has a great career in sales.

  • @BensonNyasae
    @BensonNyasae2 ай бұрын

    Guys acheni kumuekelea. He is not an NIS spy. He is a DCI undercover agent.

  • @vincentwandera30
    @vincentwandera302 ай бұрын

    Congratulations my brother am proud of you mwanawefu khurula ebumachi 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

  • @boazbett755
    @boazbett7552 ай бұрын

    Hustler of the Year🇰🇪🔥🔥🔥

  • @moseswandera928
    @moseswandera9282 ай бұрын

    Thats not joblessness.He has a job of selling pencils.He is not idling or tarmacking.He says can only accept a job worth more than what he currently has.This man understand his value

  • @254NOMAD

    @254NOMAD

    2 ай бұрын

    Exactly. He even said wengi wanampa a 20k job offer which is a demonstration to him. Most people underate the amount of money Hawkers make which is tax free. For example he's saying he makes at least 1500 a day that's 45k without tax huyo mtu ukimpa 50k job atakataa.

  • @emilysawayi5787

    @emilysawayi5787

    2 ай бұрын

    Demotion​@@254NOMAD

  • @lucywanjiku6361
    @lucywanjiku63612 ай бұрын

    Edgah l salute my five children have learned with your pencils and succeeded may yours succeed too you know how to market your pencil s keep up

  • @mercelineokoth
    @mercelineokoth16 күн бұрын

    I have seen this guy within CBD doing the same business for so many years and I really admire him. God bless the work of your hand

  • @omararale7962
    @omararale79622 ай бұрын

    A real struggle. Kasi safi halali❤

  • @ricolduded4375
    @ricolduded43752 ай бұрын

    A spy would say he's not a spy.

  • @youngreezy5310

    @youngreezy5310

    2 ай бұрын

    naturally🤣🤣

  • @Pablo19986

    @Pablo19986

    2 ай бұрын

    Saa ana spy nini😂😂😂

  • @wholexammy

    @wholexammy

    2 ай бұрын

    @@Pablo19986 Jaribu ku mug mtu tao. Utasetiwa na msee wa mayai 😂

  • @bmxsports581

    @bmxsports581

    2 ай бұрын

    This guy's are always undercover

  • @stephenngangaministrykenya.

    @stephenngangaministrykenya.

    2 ай бұрын

    @@bmxsports581 there is another one like 30 yrs ago he was a very dirty man and he used to buy our seedlings for sukuma wiki for 5bobs almost daily, but the way he vanished no one can tell

  • @samuelmotari
    @samuelmotari2 ай бұрын

    He makes more money than some of us who work 9 to 5 jobs with very little pay especially after tax deductions. Kudos to him 👏

  • @254NOMAD

    @254NOMAD

    2 ай бұрын

    Hawking ukijipanga na kujituma most watu wa 8 to 5 can't reach your level.

  • @mathewsotieno1422

    @mathewsotieno1422

    2 ай бұрын

    Hard work pays.🎉🎉

  • @mathewsotieno1422

    @mathewsotieno1422

    2 ай бұрын

    ​@@254NOMADbetter than 8 to 5 anytime .

  • @Kenny-gg9me
    @Kenny-gg9me2 ай бұрын

    "I am not a spy"...is what a spy would say...

  • @collinstogoch761

    @collinstogoch761

    2 ай бұрын

    Correct

  • @Joe-tr2vk

    @Joe-tr2vk

    2 ай бұрын

    I believe he isn't. Why would a spy appear in unhawker-like outfit to attract public's attention? If he is one he deserves to be fired then.

  • @jacklamar4792

    @jacklamar4792

    2 ай бұрын

    The comment i was looking for😅😅😅

  • @lashansoky1437
    @lashansoky14372 ай бұрын

    He is doing this job with passion may God's favor bless you in a better tommorow

  • @engineeringhomeoriginal001
    @engineeringhomeoriginal0012 ай бұрын

    Njorua ya Kothi👏👏Keep going E.Otieno

  • @janenjeri6998
    @janenjeri69982 ай бұрын

    I know this guy he used to sell pencils to my kids in primary school they have graduated and they are working he is still on the streets , God will see him through

  • @ngangajeremiah9912

    @ngangajeremiah9912

    2 ай бұрын

    See him through what?He is fine.

  • @254NOMAD

    @254NOMAD

    2 ай бұрын

    That's where people like you go wrong. If you listen to him to the end he said he has gotten job offers but the salary he's being given as an offer is below what he gets in the street. Giving him a 20k job is a demonstration. Most Hawkers can't take a job of less than 50k a month with other benefits because most make even more than that. Like him he's making around 60k a month.

  • @254NOMAD

    @254NOMAD

    2 ай бұрын

    My friends what you need to know is this, Most Hawkers can't and don't need jobs because they make good money that a job can't give them that's why it's not easy to offer a Hawker a job na akubali. One day go to Nairobi CBD, promise a Hawker a 30k job uskie venye atakushow,he/she will say No. Na mwenye atakubali can't work there for more than a month.

  • @privatedadj273

    @privatedadj273

    2 ай бұрын

    He is working

  • @abdab8466

    @abdab8466

    2 ай бұрын

    ​@@ngangajeremiah9912see him through means more blessing ,

  • @screenshorts357
    @screenshorts3572 ай бұрын

    If consistency was a person.

  • @adeschafuapropertiesltd4547
    @adeschafuapropertiesltd45472 ай бұрын

    I know the guy, he is very hardworking

  • @vincentgitiva8849
    @vincentgitiva88492 ай бұрын

    Hardworking man, not an easy job but it feeds his family and has kept him away from negativity

  • @jameswachira6380
    @jameswachira63802 ай бұрын

    Do you know this man inspired me way back 2000 ,when l was in that CBD as a hawker.Till to date l am in the village hawking and doing well despite school certificate. Education without job? That's nonsense we should use brain to survive.

  • @Leleikjl
    @Leleikjl2 ай бұрын

    He is such a great soul keep it up man

  • @joeonyango9969
    @joeonyango99692 ай бұрын

    😊His English is top notch

  • @juliuskirango7975
    @juliuskirango79752 ай бұрын

    whether a spy r not ,its your budiness.

  • @euniceanyango6556
    @euniceanyango65562 ай бұрын

    Ngoja kidogo nikatafute Kwatenge 🏃‍♂️🏃‍♂️.

  • @elias-zl6jj

    @elias-zl6jj

    2 ай бұрын

    Kwatenge will tell you

  • @marykinuthia6067
    @marykinuthia60672 ай бұрын

    Well done 👏.

  • @iamjoseph795
    @iamjoseph7952 ай бұрын

    Unaofantu 20k manzee ata mm siwezi. kazi za jua Kali zinalipa .. good job bro

  • @BEATRICE-ge7ff
    @BEATRICE-ge7ff2 ай бұрын

    Ameniuzia is a humble guy God bless you sir

  • @monicajepkemoi253
    @monicajepkemoi2532 ай бұрын

    This is just a man who respects himself and his work. The fact that many expect him to be in a bad state in terms of how he looks and presents himself says alot about us as a nation. Let the man be and if you can, buy the pencils.

  • @254NOMAD
    @254NOMAD2 ай бұрын

    It's the mentality people have that an Hawker must be a dirty guy making few shillings. My friends,a well organized Hawker goes home with between 1500 to 3500 or even more daily.

  • @b.9811

    @b.9811

    2 ай бұрын

    The problem is they Dont calculate that in a month they think they are poor. Hawkers have money wakijituma ❤

  • @mathewsotieno1422

    @mathewsotieno1422

    2 ай бұрын

    Tax free.mean while you and me take home very little after taxation.

  • @samuelnyamota2483
    @samuelnyamota24832 ай бұрын

    I like the way he talks and convidence ako nayo mungu anamupa nguvu kila wakati

  • @BJackson.
    @BJackson.2 ай бұрын

    This is exactly what a spy said when I was pinning him down in call of duty 😂😂😂

  • @MONAKHO.
    @MONAKHO.2 ай бұрын

    Great Job Sir....

  • @jymesmwas4127
    @jymesmwas41272 ай бұрын

    You expected him to say he is a spy? There’s more than selling pencils. You don’t need a rocket science.

  • @noahjenkins8408
    @noahjenkins84082 ай бұрын

    I doubt him. I doubt him

  • @leviticussaleh8330
    @leviticussaleh83302 ай бұрын

    Respect kijana ya kwetu Busia,,all the best bro

  • @user-ou5hm9iu2i
    @user-ou5hm9iu2i2 ай бұрын

    So who on earth would expect a spy to say he is one?

  • @samweltoo2070

    @samweltoo2070

    2 ай бұрын

    Spies don't stay in one duty station for long..

  • @anderikusjuadi
    @anderikusjuadi2 ай бұрын

    Good spirit, keep it up

  • @okothjames1758
    @okothjames17582 ай бұрын

    Good job sir👍🏾

  • @MichaelNgotho
    @MichaelNgotho2 ай бұрын

    I respect Edgar. I’ve seen him since 2000. Keep moving brother.

  • @akinyiwambui

    @akinyiwambui

    2 ай бұрын

    me too since 2000

  • @paulmagoto8994
    @paulmagoto89942 ай бұрын

    God bless your hustle

  • @BerylM.J-se9gj
    @BerylM.J-se9gj2 ай бұрын

    May God bless and I declare favor over your life

  • @kukuzambawazambanga
    @kukuzambawazambanga2 ай бұрын

    😂😂😂😂huyu lazima awe kgb mosad ama cia🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣unawezaje hawk pencils na suti kali hivyo 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

  • @Ndjili

    @Ndjili

    2 ай бұрын

    Spies are everywhere in all types of business and professionals. They hardly reveal their identity.

  • @Pablo19986

    @Pablo19986

    2 ай бұрын

    Unadhani spy anaweza vaa suit, atajulikana. Maybe nguo za kawaida. Hio suit NI kuvutia watu, wanunje. Hata Kuna manamba WA magari wanavaa poa na gari inajaa

  • @254NOMAD

    @254NOMAD

    2 ай бұрын

    Why do people think Hawkers can't afford a suit? Do you even know that most Hawkers make more money than most teachers,Police etc?

  • @antibiotic7238

    @antibiotic7238

    2 ай бұрын

    ​@@254NOMADYou exaggerating too much

  • @Princehishaam

    @Princehishaam

    2 ай бұрын

    😂😂​@antibiotic7238 you don't know the reality on the ground wake up to reality

  • @elvisdavid1259
    @elvisdavid12592 ай бұрын

    NIS bwana hawezi fanya interview,angekua ashaenda MIA.

  • @melodywakwabubi9317
    @melodywakwabubi93172 ай бұрын

    I have bought pencils from that man since 2000 around city hall . Everybody knows him around city or in general all city hall employees.

  • @KIM-xl6zs

    @KIM-xl6zs

    2 ай бұрын

    From 2000 wacha uongo

  • @franklinpendo444
    @franklinpendo4442 ай бұрын

    This guy is really good. I love vile anajituma.

  • @stanleyonyango863
    @stanleyonyango8632 ай бұрын

    May the Lord come through for him

  • @DanielWamweyaKinuthia
    @DanielWamweyaKinuthia2 ай бұрын

    Wacheni hizo Edgar, I worked with him at ds max promoters, Bado sales

  • @josephndua2246
    @josephndua22462 ай бұрын

    Real hustler ,keep up

  • @johngitau7224
    @johngitau72242 ай бұрын

    Inaitwa kujituma

  • @tatianayoungvibez313
    @tatianayoungvibez3132 ай бұрын

    I tried to recruit him once for sales in a microfinance akakataa, this guy loves what he sells

  • @mathewsotieno1422

    @mathewsotieno1422

    2 ай бұрын

    That will take away his freedom.. plus he takes home more money than what you will pay him.

  • @evanskipngeno1256
    @evanskipngeno12562 ай бұрын

    May God bless his hustle💪

  • @techyrack
    @techyrack2 ай бұрын

    wow, hardworking man, anajitambua fitih pia

  • @Mercysetmefree200
    @Mercysetmefree2002 ай бұрын

    May God bless you bro

  • @nobaso620
    @nobaso6202 ай бұрын

    Give him the job of being a spy from now on no one will suspect he is one.

  • @minousmith

    @minousmith

    2 ай бұрын

    😂😂

  • @ivyachola5210

    @ivyachola5210

    2 ай бұрын

    My take too

  • @mitchlusina1162
    @mitchlusina11622 ай бұрын

    He is not NIS, he is CIA

  • @annea5781

    @annea5781

    2 ай бұрын

    😂😂

  • @kodaknikonedgopro8862

    @kodaknikonedgopro8862

    2 ай бұрын

    😅 nikama

  • @Pablo19986

    @Pablo19986

    2 ай бұрын

    FBI😅😅😅

  • @solomonKachi7000

    @solomonKachi7000

    2 ай бұрын

    When Snowden leaked US records they found that Kenya is the most spied on country by the US within Africa. So it could be possible 😅

  • @solliesollie7080

    @solliesollie7080

    2 ай бұрын

    Yes

  • @jessekioi4469
    @jessekioi44692 ай бұрын

    Pls share his contacts

  • @aquinastera7404
    @aquinastera74042 ай бұрын

    God bless him 🙏🏿

  • @UnscriptedVideos254
    @UnscriptedVideos2542 ай бұрын

    This is exactly what a spy would say.🤣

  • @Pablo19986

    @Pablo19986

    2 ай бұрын

    Sasa ana spy nini?

  • @inchiyangu8094

    @inchiyangu8094

    2 ай бұрын

    ​@@Pablo19986zakayo😜

  • @Pablo19986

    @Pablo19986

    2 ай бұрын

    @@inchiyangu8094 how is that even possible. Zakayo ako state house na yeye ako street

  • @nancywanjiku1554

    @nancywanjiku1554

    2 ай бұрын

    Kila mtu ni spy cku hizi😂😂😂

  • @Gorgeousij

    @Gorgeousij

    2 ай бұрын

    😂

  • @ChefGeorge
    @ChefGeorge2 ай бұрын

    How can you spy in suit

  • @marygoretti964
    @marygoretti9642 ай бұрын

    He's a wonderful son of Kenya, I always used to look forward to buying his pencils for my (now grown children).

  • @sigentertainment9364
    @sigentertainment93642 ай бұрын

    How much is one pencil and how many pieces would one sale in a day! This is a spy at work !

  • @kimanikibe1462

    @kimanikibe1462

    2 ай бұрын

    Githogoro mentality

  • @kennyo1
    @kennyo12 ай бұрын

    And thats how he will be hired by the NIS

  • @robertkasamu8495
    @robertkasamu84952 ай бұрын

    God bless the works of your hand Mung''ayo

  • @esthergloryshine322
    @esthergloryshine3222 ай бұрын

    Oh Yes,I've been seeing him for years,Kudos

  • @lizaliz160
    @lizaliz1602 ай бұрын

    I know this guy from way back he was a young boy then ,he's telling the truth av seen him since then,he used to come to the beauty parlor i was in and i have promoted him many times,he's not a spy jaree.😅

  • @Herz375
    @Herz3752 ай бұрын

    Si pia kuna wengine walikua wanauza mayai na smokie na masuti

  • @alloycejames5285
    @alloycejames52852 ай бұрын

    So inspiring to many jobless youths who dont believe in self emlpoyment...

  • @dedigsuppliers2639
    @dedigsuppliers26392 ай бұрын

    By the way this guy has sold pencils for me since 2003 in nairobi stalls moi avenue. He has always been in suits

  • @kimsam5506
    @kimsam55062 ай бұрын

    Where the CCTV cant check and needs a human eye intervention thats where he might be offering his services to. NIS is a big unit no one will ever agree they work there but in real sense reports have to be done.

  • @lydiaowano5522
    @lydiaowano55222 ай бұрын

    His a smart guy and down to earth

  • @maryjohn4459
    @maryjohn44592 ай бұрын

    ebu mpate Edgar hukooo ''kwa mashimo bargaining for best price.He has respect for his job.

  • @halimakiniti1227
    @halimakiniti12272 ай бұрын

    Very impressive

  • @TullerPoppins
    @TullerPoppins2 ай бұрын

    Niko hapa 30 yrs old. I go to work when i want to drink.😢 no motivation. I stay & eat at my parents

  • @adventurevlogke8865
    @adventurevlogke88652 ай бұрын

    A spy would do the same

  • @shadrackmatata9174
    @shadrackmatata91742 ай бұрын

    Painful short story may Heaven have mercy on him 😢

  • @muleibrian1856
    @muleibrian18562 ай бұрын

    respect🤝🤝🤝🤝🤝

  • @wesleykabugi112
    @wesleykabugi1122 ай бұрын

    Hakuna kazi anacreat yake 😊 ama mnataka akae nyumbani akiwa anahangaika

  • @tedrickmuranda4672
    @tedrickmuranda46722 ай бұрын

    Kudos

  • @Olaiserriomunyak1059
    @Olaiserriomunyak10592 ай бұрын

    ... yani ako na diploma na anafanya pencil hawking!!🫂🫂

  • @imutimwiti7606

    @imutimwiti7606

    2 ай бұрын

    I do construction.... I have a degree in commerce,(Bcom)..... Bora pesa.

  • @StephenMumbwani

    @StephenMumbwani

    2 ай бұрын

    with 4 diplomas am hawking mandazi in Juba and proud of it

  • @umma6654

    @umma6654

    2 ай бұрын

    Are you serious​@@StephenMumbwani

  • @StephenMumbwani

    @StephenMumbwani

    2 ай бұрын

    @@umma6654 I am

  • @254NOMAD

    @254NOMAD

    2 ай бұрын

    Most Hawkers watu wako kwa office na hiyo Diploma hawawafikii Doo. A Hawker can make up to 3000 a day and even more.

  • @fredrickchesetto9063
    @fredrickchesetto90632 ай бұрын

    I have bought pencils from this guy. Quite an aggressive sales man. Makes his way into buildings and enters offices. He has maintained his looks unlike some of us who look Finished😅.

  • @wangware
    @wangware2 ай бұрын

    1500 per day untaxed is alot for a hawker

  • @calebjunior9055
    @calebjunior905521 күн бұрын

    Congratulations man ❤😊

  • @_beekay
    @_beekay2 ай бұрын

    Tell me you are a spy without telling me you are a spy.

  • @FlorenceKirigo
    @FlorenceKirigo2 ай бұрын

    YaMungu ni mengi you never know what GOID is planning for you I hope umeokoka juu pia hiyo disition Iko na favour juu neno lake pale MARK 11. 24 soma ti itakupea a good blessing me am a testimony for. 20yrs now be blessed Ameen🙏🖐️

  • @maishanisafari.7024
    @maishanisafari.70242 ай бұрын

    Wow...

  • @Gorgeousij
    @Gorgeousij2 ай бұрын

    He is not just a spy😂he is FBI

  • @BeatriceOmwaka
    @BeatriceOmwaka2 ай бұрын

    Kama umewahi fanya hawking utangudua kubeba vitu nyingi kwa mkono si kuuza. Unapata huyu wa pencil,pens,padlock,uzi sidano,dawa ya mende tatu au tano kwa mkono gets alot of profit kushinda hawa wengine

  • @japhetkiplagat7559
    @japhetkiplagat75592 ай бұрын

    We shall confirm with Jitenge

  • @NickMlala103
    @NickMlala1032 ай бұрын

    He just went professional he just loves his job hata kama ni spy let him do his job

  • @joanchepkemboi1685
    @joanchepkemboi16852 ай бұрын

    Kwani you people you mean you don't know this person the way amezungusha pencil all those yrs.hes not a spy ju he has been in this business many yrs

  • @carolinematianyi5212
    @carolinematianyi52122 ай бұрын

    I have seen him from 2006 moi avenue

  • @nickogega
    @nickogega2 ай бұрын

    Exactly what a spy would say.

  • @windowsxp1991
    @windowsxp19912 ай бұрын

    Bwana ata useme nini. We ni NIS

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