Chinese TV firm gives Kenyans a channel for opportunities

NAIROBI — Anne Maluki drew inspiration from the positive femininity displayed by her mother while growing up in the south-eastern Kenyan county of Kitui at a time when the career dreams of many girls crashed against the rocks of limitations set by the patriarchy.

The 33-year-old business administration major was determined at a young age to prove her mettle in school with a realization that quality education could open a floodgate of opportunities in her life.

Maluki’s stellar performance at a private university in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi, secured her whitecollar jobs with local companies at a relatively young age.

She is currently a manager of the Aftersales Service and Business Hall Departments at the Chinese pay television firm, StarTimes, where she has worked for the last eight years.

“I oversee both departments and ensure smooth day-to-day operations,” she says.

Her ability to multi-task has ensured that local StarTimes’ clients are provided with quality after-sales service by a cohesive team of technicians whom she oversees.

“My team ensures that customers have a good experience when they visit our shops or when they are visited by our aftersales technicians,” says Maluki.

She belongs to a growing list of young Kenyan women professionals whose career mobility is accelerating thanks to opportunities provided by Chinese companies based in the east African Nation.

She credits the company’s executives for recognizing her talent and capabilities regardless of her gender, adding that her eight-year stint at the company has been rewarding in terms of professional growth and financial independence.

Maluki’s after-sales department was tasked by StarTimes to implement the 800 digital villages project in Kenya that involves the installation of satellite television dishes, high-definition set-top boxes and other accessories to boost connectivity in underserved parts of the country.

She says the project has narrowed the urban-rural digital divide in Kenya besides providing gainful employment to young workers who were hired to work as installers and maintenance personnel.

Maluki says that her active involvement in the digital villages project implemented by StarTimes in conjunction with Kenya’s ICT ministry has boosted her managerial skills and that she hopes to apply them to help transform her hometown.

“The management experience I gained, which is inclusive of real hands-on experience would ensure success in whatever project that would improve the livelihoods of people in my hometown,” she says.

She says the 800 digital villages project in Kenya, which is part of the 10,000 digital villages project implemented by StarTimes across Africa, has ensured that local youth have access to content that is both educational and entertaining.

Her visits to China in 2017 and 2019 opened her eyes to the Asian nation’s rich culture, technological progress and people-centered development that has won global recognition.

“Overall the visits were a privilege, an eye-opener and a wonderful learning experience. Africa should take a leaf out of China’s book, especially when it comes to technology and philosophy which is very advanced,” says Maluki.

While in China, she visited historic sites in the capital, Beijing, including the Temple of Heaven, the Ming Tombs and the Great Wall.

Maluki also visited Shanghai where she marveled at landmarks like the Oriental Pearl TV Tower, one of China’s most iconic skyscrapers.

“I was most amazed by the different LED sequences during the night. I also went on the amazing Huangpu River Cruise which is especially stunning at night as both river banks are brilliantly illuminated,” says Maluki.

She says a visit to the Shanghai History Museum increased her knowledge of the city’s rich artistic and cultural journey.

Maluki says she has developed an affinity towards China’s concept of community-driven economic growth, which she believes will resonate with her compatriots.

She says that the digital villages project, which involved local communities at every level of implementation, increased her appreciation of the concept of people-centered development.

“I believe that the rural community is the bedrock of development and the focus on the rural community will eventually lead to a faster pace of development countrywide,” says Maluki.

She aspires to mentor young girls at the grassroots level and expose them to career pursuits that can transform their livelihoods.