‘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.
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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
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
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
2 ай бұрын
Get to farming
@agnesmurago5775
2 ай бұрын
True..yeye Huwa hajam kama hubuy..he wishes you well ❤️
@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
2 ай бұрын
Na wewe unafanya nini hizo streets since 2006?
@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
Edga otieno my former school and class mate,may God bless and increase in favour.
@danasabnbwastetreatment.3102
2 ай бұрын
Sigalame alumni ❤❤❤
@jacksonogwindi1653
2 ай бұрын
Sigalame alumni wah. My long time friend.
i wish him all the best and may God open big doors for you my brother! you have inspired many , including me.
We celebrate you keep it up, keep improving your business, and upscale it to great heights
I have been seeing this man selling pencil's for a long time, continue working hard my brother.
@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
2 ай бұрын
He is a civil servant
Plot twist: Bookshops started this rumour cause he is their competition
@collinstogoch761
2 ай бұрын
Oh
@dukeofrideshare
2 ай бұрын
😂😂😂😂
@rosegallus4048
2 ай бұрын
Possibly 😂😂😂😂😂
@geraldinembula9188
2 ай бұрын
Wah
He accepted life as it comes... He is leading by example to many young persons me included..Thank you for sharing this story
Ni kujituma. Respect
I love this man's boldness. He has a great career in sales.
Guys acheni kumuekelea. He is not an NIS spy. He is a DCI undercover agent.
Congratulations my brother am proud of you mwanawefu khurula ebumachi 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏
Hustler of the Year🇰🇪🔥🔥🔥
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
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
2 ай бұрын
Demotion@@254NOMAD
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
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
A real struggle. Kasi safi halali❤
A spy would say he's not a spy.
@youngreezy5310
2 ай бұрын
naturally🤣🤣
@Pablo19986
2 ай бұрын
Saa ana spy nini😂😂😂
@wholexammy
2 ай бұрын
@@Pablo19986 Jaribu ku mug mtu tao. Utasetiwa na msee wa mayai 😂
@bmxsports581
2 ай бұрын
This guy's are always undercover
@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
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
2 ай бұрын
Hawking ukijipanga na kujituma most watu wa 8 to 5 can't reach your level.
@mathewsotieno1422
2 ай бұрын
Hard work pays.🎉🎉
@mathewsotieno1422
2 ай бұрын
@@254NOMADbetter than 8 to 5 anytime .
"I am not a spy"...is what a spy would say...
@collinstogoch761
2 ай бұрын
Correct
@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
2 ай бұрын
The comment i was looking for😅😅😅
He is doing this job with passion may God's favor bless you in a better tommorow
Njorua ya Kothi👏👏Keep going E.Otieno
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
2 ай бұрын
See him through what?He is fine.
@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
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
2 ай бұрын
He is working
@abdab8466
2 ай бұрын
@@ngangajeremiah9912see him through means more blessing ,
If consistency was a person.
I know the guy, he is very hardworking
Hardworking man, not an easy job but it feeds his family and has kept him away from negativity
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.
He is such a great soul keep it up man
😊His English is top notch
whether a spy r not ,its your budiness.
Ngoja kidogo nikatafute Kwatenge 🏃♂️🏃♂️.
@elias-zl6jj
2 ай бұрын
Kwatenge will tell you
Well done 👏.
Unaofantu 20k manzee ata mm siwezi. kazi za jua Kali zinalipa .. good job bro
Ameniuzia is a humble guy God bless you sir
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.
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
2 ай бұрын
The problem is they Dont calculate that in a month they think they are poor. Hawkers have money wakijituma ❤
@mathewsotieno1422
2 ай бұрын
Tax free.mean while you and me take home very little after taxation.
I like the way he talks and convidence ako nayo mungu anamupa nguvu kila wakati
This is exactly what a spy said when I was pinning him down in call of duty 😂😂😂
Great Job Sir....
You expected him to say he is a spy? There’s more than selling pencils. You don’t need a rocket science.
I doubt him. I doubt him
Respect kijana ya kwetu Busia,,all the best bro
So who on earth would expect a spy to say he is one?
@samweltoo2070
2 ай бұрын
Spies don't stay in one duty station for long..
Good spirit, keep it up
Good job sir👍🏾
I respect Edgar. I’ve seen him since 2000. Keep moving brother.
@akinyiwambui
2 ай бұрын
me too since 2000
God bless your hustle
May God bless and I declare favor over your life
😂😂😂😂huyu lazima awe kgb mosad ama cia🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣unawezaje hawk pencils na suti kali hivyo 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
@Ndjili
2 ай бұрын
Spies are everywhere in all types of business and professionals. They hardly reveal their identity.
@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
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
2 ай бұрын
@@254NOMADYou exaggerating too much
@Princehishaam
2 ай бұрын
😂😂@antibiotic7238 you don't know the reality on the ground wake up to reality
NIS bwana hawezi fanya interview,angekua ashaenda MIA.
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
2 ай бұрын
From 2000 wacha uongo
This guy is really good. I love vile anajituma.
May the Lord come through for him
Wacheni hizo Edgar, I worked with him at ds max promoters, Bado sales
Real hustler ,keep up
Inaitwa kujituma
I tried to recruit him once for sales in a microfinance akakataa, this guy loves what he sells
@mathewsotieno1422
2 ай бұрын
That will take away his freedom.. plus he takes home more money than what you will pay him.
May God bless his hustle💪
wow, hardworking man, anajitambua fitih pia
May God bless you bro
Give him the job of being a spy from now on no one will suspect he is one.
@minousmith
2 ай бұрын
😂😂
@ivyachola5210
2 ай бұрын
My take too
He is not NIS, he is CIA
@annea5781
2 ай бұрын
😂😂
@kodaknikonedgopro8862
2 ай бұрын
😅 nikama
@Pablo19986
2 ай бұрын
FBI😅😅😅
@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
2 ай бұрын
Yes
Pls share his contacts
God bless him 🙏🏿
This is exactly what a spy would say.🤣
@Pablo19986
2 ай бұрын
Sasa ana spy nini?
@inchiyangu8094
2 ай бұрын
@@Pablo19986zakayo😜
@Pablo19986
2 ай бұрын
@@inchiyangu8094 how is that even possible. Zakayo ako state house na yeye ako street
@nancywanjiku1554
2 ай бұрын
Kila mtu ni spy cku hizi😂😂😂
@Gorgeousij
2 ай бұрын
😂
How can you spy in suit
He's a wonderful son of Kenya, I always used to look forward to buying his pencils for my (now grown children).
How much is one pencil and how many pieces would one sale in a day! This is a spy at work !
@kimanikibe1462
2 ай бұрын
Githogoro mentality
And thats how he will be hired by the NIS
God bless the works of your hand Mung''ayo
Oh Yes,I've been seeing him for years,Kudos
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.😅
Si pia kuna wengine walikua wanauza mayai na smokie na masuti
So inspiring to many jobless youths who dont believe in self emlpoyment...
By the way this guy has sold pencils for me since 2003 in nairobi stalls moi avenue. He has always been in suits
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.
His a smart guy and down to earth
ebu mpate Edgar hukooo ''kwa mashimo bargaining for best price.He has respect for his job.
Very impressive
Niko hapa 30 yrs old. I go to work when i want to drink.😢 no motivation. I stay & eat at my parents
A spy would do the same
Painful short story may Heaven have mercy on him 😢
respect🤝🤝🤝🤝🤝
Hakuna kazi anacreat yake 😊 ama mnataka akae nyumbani akiwa anahangaika
Kudos
... yani ako na diploma na anafanya pencil hawking!!🫂🫂
@imutimwiti7606
2 ай бұрын
I do construction.... I have a degree in commerce,(Bcom)..... Bora pesa.
@StephenMumbwani
2 ай бұрын
with 4 diplomas am hawking mandazi in Juba and proud of it
@umma6654
2 ай бұрын
Are you serious@@StephenMumbwani
@StephenMumbwani
2 ай бұрын
@@umma6654 I am
@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.
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😅.
1500 per day untaxed is alot for a hawker
Congratulations man ❤😊
Tell me you are a spy without telling me you are a spy.
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🙏🖐️
Wow...
He is not just a spy😂he is FBI
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
We shall confirm with Jitenge
He just went professional he just loves his job hata kama ni spy let him do his job
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
I have seen him from 2006 moi avenue
Exactly what a spy would say.
Bwana ata useme nini. We ni NIS