SErraND Blog
Practical advice, hiring guides, and insights for better home services in Kenya
The Wait For Mr. Kamau: A Familiar Kenyan Story
In Kenya, the familiar frustration of waiting on fundis like Mr. Kamau, mechanics, plumbers, and tradespeople who promise fixes that keep slipping with rising costs, highlights a deeper issue: a broken, opaque system for finding and trusting informal service providers. Rooted in word-of-mouth and personal connections, it lacks transparency, quality control, and reliable dispute resolution amid economic instability. Enter SErraND | Plug Wa Kazi: an emerging digital layer that doesn’t replace the traditional plug wa kazi but enhances it. By blending mobile tools, reputation systems, and network effects with Kenya’s existing cultural norms of trust and face-to-face expertise, it aims to bring greater visibility, accountability, and efficiency to the vast informal service economy, empowering fundis, reducing fraud, and fostering growth while addressing the digital divide. The future lies not in overwriting the informal sector, but in building a smarter, more resilient infrastructure upon it.
From Chaos to Confidence: How SErraND is Structuring Kenya’s $65B Service Market
...Periods like these quietly expose how dependent our lives are on services. That family get-together every December does not organize itself. People need transport, tents need to be hired, deliveries need to be made. Corporate end-of-year parties require caterers, venues, accommodation, DJs, MCs, and logistics. Even January reminds us of services, when gym trainers suddenly become relevant again after weeks of indulgence. Behind every memorable moment is a chain of service providers making it possible....
Seriously, Where Do You Get Your Fundis From?
*Seriously, where do you get your Fundis from?* _Be honest._ How many times have you had to post that question in a WhatsApp group, scream it into a Facebook comment thread, or worse, trust your cousin's "guy" who once fixed a bulb and now thinks he's qualified to rewire an entire mansion? “Where do you get your fundis from?” is probably the most Kenyan cry for help. And it’s not just fundis, it's plumbers, bakers, makeup artists, errand runners, photographers, dog trainers, CV writers, and even that one guy who says he can do literally everything but shows up with only a screwdriver and good vibes. We’ve been held hostage by the referral economy. If you don’t know someone who knows someone, well, good luck. You're on your own in this chaotic Nairobi wilderness
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Real-world advice for homeowners and service providers in Kenya. From hiring the right fundi to growing your service business.
Written with love from Kitengela and beyond.