Success Story from the African Diaspora: Wilfred ole Saroni

I interrupt the regularly scheduled programing, (believe it or not, the blog runs on a program now…who woulda thought) to bring you a quick inspirational story from the Diaspora. Whereas material wealth isn’t everything (I’m serious), I still love stories like these because they force us to raise our standards and our beliefs about what is possible. Anyway enjoy and I hope it sparks some thought (and more importantly) some action that will get you on a headline somewhere. Taken verbatim from this Daily Nation article:

US-based Kenyan businessman joins the big league Story by ENOCK WAMBUA in Lowell, Massachusetts
Publication Date: 3/22/2008
A Kenyan made history this week by taking his privately owned business to the mainstream of America’s commerce.

The building which houses the Holden Group of Colleges and right, Mr Wilfred ole Saroni in his office

Mr Wilfred ole Saroni, the proprietor of Holden group of colleges, has merged with Premier Educational Group.

The group is an empire of private sector middle-level training institutions boasting 47 colleges in states within the American eastern seaboard.

According to the merger, the Kenyan businessman brings to the Premier group the much sought-after private nursing programme which he has successfully run for more than five years at his three colleges in Lowell, Worcester and Nashua.

The Nashua college has been rated the second best in New Hampshire by the New Hampshire Board of Nursing for two years running.

The new development directs focus on a man who has become accustomed to scoring firsts.

Three years ago (in 2005), Mr Saroni hit newspaper headlines in the US when he became the first Kenyan to be awarded the Ronald Reagan Republican Gold Medal. In the same year, he scored another first by bagging the New Hampshire Businessman of the Year award.

By joining the board of directors at the Premier Educational Group, Mr Saroni has embarked on a journey of a transition from a business owner to an investor.

Talking to the Saturday Nation in his office in Lowell, Mr Saroni said he has had to endure great challenges to get where he is today.

Last year, he said, was particularly difficult for his businesses. He cited two investments that he said pushed him to the edge.

The first one, he said, was the acquisition of a multi-million-dollar building (Holden Center) at the heart of Lowell City.

The building, sitting on 3,000 square feet, is a former health facility that Mr Saroni planned to convert into a dormitory to take advantage of accommodation needs for students at the neighbouring University of Massachusetts, Lowell campus.

He is in the process of liquidating part of his shareholding in the building.

The second misadventure, he said, was a co-investment in the Holden Home Care company which, he said, had grown to a 300-employee service firm with a $100,000 weekly wage bill at its peak.

Owing to what he referred to as “billing differentials”, he withdrew his interests from the firm last year.

Exit strategy

Asked if he had any regrets over the two deals, Mr Saroni said: “It does not make business sense to hang on to an investment whose fundamentals are shaky. After realising my business miscalculations, I worked out on an exit strategy to concentrate on more rewarding ventures. I am very comfortable with the direction I am taking,” he said.

Following the merger, Premier Educational Group projects to grow its operating revenue with an additional $100 million from its current $270 million in the next five years.

While he will sit on the board, Mr Saroni will oversee the implementation and running of the nursing programme at all the 50 institutions.

Commenting on the fate of his employees, he said there was no risk of redundancy, adding that the creation of a nursing department at Premier will open more employment opportunities.

He said the new deal was a blessing for his employees who will move into a larger institution with better terms of service including retirement and health insurance packages.

Mr Saroni’s story is one of the success of a self-made man who has worked his way up from very humble beginnings. He attended Kimana primary and secondary schools in Kenya.

Mr Saroni arrived in the United States of America in 1996 and lived with his aunt whom he helped with household chores.

In 1997, he enrolled for a course in Microsoft Certified System Engineering and bagged the certificate in the same year before enrolling for an online Masters in Business Administration in 1998.

From the humble beginnings at Holden Quality Staffing, a nursing staffing agency he started in 1999, Mr Saroni has built an empire in health care provision.

Now go out and make it happen,

Mwangi

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47 Responses to “Success Story from the African Diaspora: Wilfred ole Saroni”

  1. […] to club without any signs of that changing. If that’s what you define as success….cool. Some people have been in the West less than a decade and built multi-million dollar businesses. You wanna learn from them, look for them. Maybe they are a friend of a friend of a friend of a […]

  2. EXSTUDENT OF HOLDEN says:

    This article is a lie, Mr. Saroni is not an entrepreneur just a conniving snake who has just robbed people of their dreams and hard earned money. Since Tuesday April 22, 2008 Holden has been closed by the nursing board of NH. Saroni has not been paying his staff or the place, yet has been collecting a “lump sum of money” from his students. Now he has 50-60 people out of nine to ten thousand dollars with nothing to show for it. He does not deserve this publication , he deserves to be in jail for robbing his own people of their dream, the action he did was spiteful and manipulative. He is an UGLY SNAKE AND A FRAUD SO STOP WITH THIS BULLSHIT ARTICLE BECAUSE THE INFORMATION IS FALSE!!!!!

  3. Mwangi says:

    @Ex-student: For real? Please send through some documentation about this and I will add it to the article.

  4. Langata says:

    Finally let the truth come out about Mr. Saroni. The Kenyan “Business Mogul” from Massachusetts of whom a lot has been said in this forum and some Kenya news media.

    He’s a big Hoax.

    Do you know that Mr. Saroni is NOT MCSE Certified leave alone MBA? I’m a long time friend to Mr. Wilfred (since he came to USA in 1998) and I can tell you today Mr. Saroni is a form 4 (8.4.4 system) graduate although he took some computer classes in Lowell Massachusetts. Between 1999 and 2000 to enable him get technical support position(s) with different temporary agents during the dot COM balloon.
    To the best of my knowledge he has never taken a formal college class and neither has he been enrolled to any continuing education or undergraduates school in the USA.

    Now to his business deals:
    Mr. Wilfred has been supporting all of is Schools on credit cards and he is now debited to the eyelashes. He has 2 houses (Lowell and Dracut) and he is the verge of losing them both (repossession) to the banks for non-payment.

    Remember that huge Title on Ronald Reagan Gold award? Mr. Saroni was NEVER awarded this award, which only an elite group of business and professional people are nominated to receive the award before the awards selection committee reaches a final decision. One MUST MUST be a US Citizen. Mr. Saroni is not. You can call the communications office for the Republican National office (202-863-8614) in Washington DC for verification.

    In the past few years when Mr. Wilfred realized how deep he was on those debts, he invited Kenyans living in Massachusetts and New Hampshire to his house for a church “fund raising dinner”. The money was to build a church in Kenya but a good chunk of it was reflected back to his Holden business.
    He also organized a number of PNU –Boston (president Kibaki’s party- search You Tube) fund raising meetings across the nation and from my sources not a single dime was given to PNU. Not a penny.

    Well, the fact is Mr. Saroni has been playing around with innocent Kenyans brain after he gained their trust as community church vice chairman. In some occasions he would invite people to his house for kids Birthday party and regardless of what one bring in as a gift for the kid(s), he or she will be also expected to stash some cash in an envelope handed out in course of the party. “party turned fund raiser”.
    The same routine will be repeated whenever a mob is invited to his house for a visiting grandma farewell dinner, his mother or any other official from the Kenya Government whom he hosted through the church.

    My conclusion: Mr. Wilfred Ole Saroni is a greedy moron who wanted to be at the top of the news at all times, showing off his “vast business empire” and trying to imitate the Hollywood “Rock star” life style soo soon so fast. Like his Dracut house that he build from scratch is worthy over $600K plus custom designed furniture worthy Over $100K.
    Mr. Saroni owns Latest Model Jaguar and a Mercedes Benz and has a personal Chauffeur.

    ——-Mr. WOS chewed more than he can swallow and now he’s chocked.

  5. Mwangi says:

    @Langata: Thanks for the information. It is truly a tragedy…I really thought he was a man worth interviewing on this blog later on down the road. However it seems that rather than being an example, his life may just be a warning. Though I am yet to make a final decision on Mr. Saroni, the weight of the evidence is definitely against him at the moment……hmmm 🙁

  6. hillary says:

    Serious consequences for silly mistakes.

    The latest news getting to our desk indicates some not soo good results to the proprietor of Holden School, Mr. Wilfred Ole Saroni.
    According to our sources, a group of prominent Attorneys have accepted to file a felony charge against Mr. Saroni on behalf of former employees for issuing bad checks-which is a federal crime since it involves the US Post Office (mailing) and the crime goes beyond one state. A varage of other charge is also on the table from the students who were kicked out of school last week.
    New Hampshire attorney generals office is also investigating the matter with a possibility of an indictment roaming.

    Mr. Saroni is a resident of Dracut Massachusetts, where he owns a $1 million mansion (8 Presidential Cir Dracut Ma. 01826: Prime Grp Inc to Wilfred M. Saroni, $950,000 see link for detail:
    http://www.salemnews.com/pubiz/local_story_350103844)

  7. Mwangi says:

    @hilary: By this point I am just stunned, it’s as though the man’s life is snowballing in the wrong direction all at the same time…….:(

  8. blupanther says:

    I try to highlight the positive Kenyans on my blog (thanks for all your support Mwangi) and it is amazing to me how many Kenyans are silent when there is good news about a person, but vocal across several blogs when bad stuff comes out. It may just be that his finances did not work out the way they should have, and as an entrepreneur you have to understand that it may happen. we should hear his side of the story before we jump to conclusions about him or anyone else.

  9. Amani Yabwana says:

    My fellow Kenyans,

    Its rather saddening to see the stumble of Mr. Saroni in his business undertakings. I choose the word stumble for being an astute business afficianado, I understand downturns are relative.

    My question is: Is Saroni really down?

    Why do we foolishly rush to state that he is down without concrete information. I for one think he has just reorganized his business. Its debatable that he took more than he could chew, I have heard him say exactly that. I am just of the opinion he is disengaging gears and downsizing.

    I might be biased, I do know Saroni personally and I would say he has great insight and is a leader of high calibre, a revolutionary. He has absolutely changed the African way of thinking regarding business. We all know we can make it.

    Ask the Kenyan/Ugandans that are running a nursing school, the Kenyans/Nigerians running a UHaul enterprise, the Kenyans running store businesses, list is just endless. For us Saroni’s success is our beacon, where our dreams lie.

    Saroni, the African community salutes you!

    You have taught us lessons no school ever does. For that we are thankful.

    Scribes will rush to state that he is a con….I counter, he made his money, there was no con there!

    The community had become complacent in its association with Ole Saroni. We all wanted to be identified with success. Thats the reason those that had the occasion to party with him carried both our and Saroni’s beer when we went to his house.

    Kenyans joined the Holden school, did not keep up with their reading, thought they could deliver a case of beer to Saroni and get reinstated. Saroni stood up to them, asked them to deal with the school management hierachy and hence the bad blood.

    We Kenyans ought to know the basics of the American society, there is no shortcut and corruption if any is not blatant as taking the president of a school a case of measly beer.

    To ask a question, since the man relied on the “magnamity” of the community as others have suggested, it can only mean he has a good sum stashed somewhere. Not unless he was conned by the Kenyan politicki that trooped to his office and home? His only misgiving in my view is his association with people that are of questionable integrity/stature.

    If you look careful at the lowellsun article, they are only questioning the management aspect of the business, the business/school is above the fray. Their success on the NCLEX rivals any school in NH and MA. So its only a matter of time the management will switch with Saroni maintained as an advisor/consultant and his wife becoming the “new management”. Its business, I understand it. Then it would be only a matter of time, the jaguar and the benz will not go anywhere, this time around though….you may not get a ride as easily as before. Once bitten, twice shy they say.

    Watch this space. Ole Saroni will rise up somewhere. Ole Saroni if you happen to read this; do know that there are Kenyans and Africans in general out here that are rooting for your comeback! We know you can!

  10. Mwangi says:

    @blupanther& @ Awani: I am glad to see two things:
    a) Some positivity on this article. I always chose positivity over negativity any day of the week.
    b) Someone willing to stand up and defend a fellow African. Too often we are the cause of each other’s downfalls and are quick to kick each other down when we are bruised. It is so refreshing and so encouraging to see Africans willing to support each other and give each other the benefit of the doubt.
    Perhaps an interview with the man is in order?

  11. mwangi says:

    @Amani yabwana, Come on now!!! could you please stop using the term “our” when your views are actually representing you individually?
    Mr. Saroni has never been a leader neither a revolutionary as long as I can tell. I know the guy from the day he landed in USA, before he meet his wife at a nursing home and even before he cold complete a sentence in English. What I’m tying to say is I know this Man more than you probably know him and he’s a real damn and opportunist guy.

    He has 100% relied with his wife Sarah’s not only for the green card but also education. I truly believe if it were not for her Mr. Wilfred Ole Saroni would be still herding cattle in Loitoktok or if lucky selling those used TV he used to sell.
    And he might as well end up doing exactly that. Mr. Saroni has no respect to his wife at all. Just a few months ago the guy lied to his family that he is going to Kenya on a business trip just to be busted in an old woman’s apartment just a stone throw away. What an embarrassment, with your suitcases at a prostitute’s bedroom. And you dare call him a leader. Maybe, to you and your kids-stupid.

    In Lowell, he pretty much got a recognized by help from Rev Kimuhu who happen to be from Loitoktok.
    I don’t know how much you traveled this country, but let me tell you that saying Mr. Saroni is beacon of success is utterly an insult to thousands of KENYAN PROMINENT BUSSINESSMAN IN USA. Personally I know over 20 Multimillionaires –Kenyans- Self made Multimillionaires scattered from California to Maine. These are Ladies and Gentlemen who have acquired vast wealth right from the scratch and they don’t talk about it…..they don’t show off. Unlike your friend who makes a few thousands in five years and he wants be on every newspapers headline. And bytheway, have you see the Ronald Reagan Gold medal? It must be “breath taking” ehh!! Ehh!! Liar. Shame on you!

    Amani yabwana, if Saroni has taught you “lessons no school ever does”, then I’m worried what kind of a man you’re. That makes Ikanyi, William and Paul (Saroni aides) look like professors to you. The only few things I can learn about Saroni are:
    a. He’s a Hoax
    b. Sex maniac
    c. He’s a scam
    d. He’s “parasite”
    e. He’s stupid
    f. He’s a liar
    g. He’s an egocentric
    I don’t understand how a man living in a 1 million dollar house who wants to be “identified with success” would be handing out envelops for an impromptu fund raising and asking people to bring him beer.

    Yes, he might have stashed some money in his Kenyan bank accounts but I doubt he’s going to spend it after all. The IRS needs him more than ever before. All those students and stuff he passed bad checks to are yearning and thirsty for justice. And even if he gets past this, it’s immoral to make your money out of others sweat. People will curse you for rest of your life and most of the times you end up dying like a dog.
    Once again make sure you understand what all this blog is about. It’s not about casting Mr. Saroni as a devil….No. It’s all about the telling the truth of the matter in an honest way. And we all or rather I wish he can do a comeback and who knows, I might get a ride on that jaguar once more.

  12. Mwangi says:

    @mwangi2: Wow! The controversy rages on…………….

  13. Amani Yabwana says:

    Mandela, Steve, Mwangi, Njoroge, Mmama, advisor or any other handle you choose to use here on the loft and other blogs.

    Its quite interesting that you are going to great lengths to spew your “knowledge” of Saroni. Your audacity to refer yourself as his friend is both with great tenacity and ferocious to say the least. I dont know what your personal beef is with Saroni, but envy and loathing or should I say jealousy is the ink that fills your pen.

    Having said that, let me try and dissect your verbalizations:

    Quote: “@Amani yabwana, could you please stop using the term “our” when your views are actually representing you individually? Mr. Saroni has never been a leader neither a revolutionary as long as I can tell.”

    Response: When I use the term our my friend, I speak of the Kenyans that have truly benefited from Mr. Ole Saroni’s business leadership. Ask around and you will meet nurses that have graduated from his school. I happen to know almost fifty of them. Highly knowledgeable, very good nurses, good at what they do. I will be happy to provide names if you so wish. In any case its public infor, its right on the MA and NH nurses websites if you care to check.
    Mind you, his school also has trained CNAs, Medical Assistants. So for you to just write that off its kinda laughable in my estimation.

    Quote: “I know the guy from the day he landed in USA, before he meet his wife at a nursing home and even before he cold complete a sentence in English. What I’m tying to say is I know this Man more than you probably know him and he’s a real damn and opportunist guy.”

    Response: You digress on the issues here. Everyone thats an immigrant landed in the US. I would surmise Saroni is one of the lucky Kenyans to have a good wife who works hand in hand with him. For this you hold him in contempt? You seem to begrudge him for not being able to complete a sentence in English and being “damn and opportunist” and yet he was able to pull off what he did having “found you in the US”.

    Quote: “He has 100% relied with his wife Sarah’s not only for the green card but also education. I truly believe if it were not for her Mr. Wilfred Ole Saroni would be still herding cattle in Loitoktok or if lucky selling those used TV he used to sell. And he might as well end up doing exactly that.”

    Response: Relying on one’s wife in the US is called survival. The adage that goes behind every successful man is a woman is taken very seriously in this country. Both literary and personally. As for him having being a cattle herder and an used tv salesman. You make my point exactly, this guy is pure genius for he has accomplished what few have even dreamed.

    Quote: “Mr. Saroni has no respect to his wife at all. Just a few months ago the guy lied to his family that he is going to Kenya on a business trip just to be busted in an old woman’s apartment just a stone throw away. What an embarrassment, with your suitcases at a prostitute’s bedroom. And you dare call him a leader. Maybe, to you and your kids-stupid.”

    Response: The issue of Saroni and respect for his wife is most importantly an issue between him and his wife. This is in the event that the scandal you are trying to pin on the guy ever happened. My kids will definately learn from Saroni’s example both his rise from a “cattle herder” to a multi millionaire and also to what I now believe surrounding yourself with the right people to maintain success. Everyone reading this post can honestly see your hatred/jealousy for the guy you refer to as “friend”.

    Quote: “In Lowell, he pretty much got a recognized by help from Rev Kimuhu who happen to be from Loitoktok.”

    Response: Its a well known fact that everyone gets help in the US. It happens that the people that rush to help you are those that you share a heritage/background with. Then the arc goes outward. So whats wrong with Rev. Kimuhu helping Saroni as you say? you are really intriguing.

    Quote: “I don’t know how much you traveled this country, but let me tell you that saying Mr. Saroni is beacon of success is utterly an insult to thousands of KENYAN PROMINENT BUSSINESSMAN IN USA. Personally I know over 20 Multimillionaires –Kenyans- Self made Multimillionaires scattered from California to Maine. These are Ladies and Gentlemen who have acquired vast wealth right from the scratch and they don’t talk about it…..they don’t show off.”

    Response: I dont need to paste my travel credentials here. All I can say is your knowledge of rich people is admirable. If only you could learn from them. I would say I have learned from Saroni and Im quite happy with my life. Regarding showing off, I think Saroni was down to earth. What would you say about David Karangu from GA and JP from TX owning their own jets? Showing off is what you see, being able to accomplish their goals is what THEY DO.

    Quote: “Unlike your friend who makes a few thousands in five years and he wants be on every newspapers headline. And bytheway, have you see the Ronald Reagan Gold medal? It must be “breath taking” ehh!! Ehh!! Liar. Shame on you!”

    Response: I think the readers can ascertain who the liar is on this one. Saroni made a few thousands? You tend to be a joke.

    Quote: “Amani yabwana, if Saroni has taught you “lessons no school ever does”, then I’m worried what kind of a man you’re. That makes Ikanyi, William and Paul (Saroni aides) look like professors to you. The only few things I can learn about Saroni are: a. He’s a Hoax b. Sex maniac c. He’s a scam d. He’s “parasite” e. He’s stupid f. He’s a liarg. He’s an egocentric. I don’t understand how a man living in a 1 million dollar house who wants to be “identified with success” would be handing out envelops for an impromptu fund raising and asking people to bring him beer.”

    Response: On the lessons taught by Saroni I refer you to an earlier argument on professionals in the workforce that are happy to be Holden graduates. With your endeared “knowledge” I feel for you that you “fell” for the hoax and trooped to this “stupid” man’s home to bring him beer. Surely whos stupid?

    Quote: Yes, he might have stashed some money in his Kenyan bank accounts but I doubt he’s going to spend it after all. The IRS needs him more than ever before. All those students and stuff he passed bad checks to are yearning and thirsty for justice.

    Response: If he has money stashed, AMEN. Good for him. IRS needs everyone in this country so he is no exception. Ever heard of IRS audit? everybody does at one time in their life. Talk of justice. We are in the US, innocent till proven guilty, ring a bell? And by the way, your hear-say, heart wrenching and back-stabbing innuendo does not count.

    Quote: “And even if he gets past this, it’s immoral to make your money out of others sweat. People will curse you for rest of your life and most of the times you end up dying like a dog.”

    Response: Trust my word my friend, Saroni will get past this. For you to lecture on morality, its quite admirable I must say.

    To Saroni I say, Hold steadfast in God for people are unreliable as “Njoroge” has so truly shown. The “curse” of people like Njoroge will just bounce off your being for “who am I to fear with God by my side”

    “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.”- Romans 12:12

    Quote: “Once again make sure you understand what all this blog is about. It’s not about casting Mr. Saroni as a devil….No. It’s all about the telling the truth of the matter in an honest way. And we all or rather I wish he can do a comeback and who knows, I might get a ride on that jaguar once more.”

    Response: Well, you threw me off on this one. I will let the people decide on what your aspirations are. I pray you wise up, work hard/smart and get your own jaguar.

  14. Olmisigiyoi says:

    The truth is Saroni is a US citizen not a kenyan citizen. He is Kenyan born US citizen. He issued me with a bad check of US$ 10,000 and issued a law firm in Kenya another bad check of US $ 210,000. I am still trying to recover my money.

  15. R says:

    I did read this story in the press, Mwangi. Interesting takes here about it.

    All the more reason you should interview him,if you ask me, and interview some people around him also, unanonymously, to get to the bottom of his story.

  16. Mwangi says:

    @ everyone leaving comments: If anyone knows how I can get in contact with Mr. Saroni and interview him please write to me at masmilele@thedisplacedafrican.com or simply leave a comment on this blog or contact me using one of the options in the link below:
    http://www.thedisplacedafrican.com/contact-the-displaced-african/

  17. […] a story on Wilfred Ole Saroni which I thought was so inspirational that I linked to it on my blog: Success Story from the African Diaspora: Mr Wilfred ole Saroni

  18. […] a story on Wilfred Ole Saroni which I thought was so inspirational that I linked to it on my blog: Success Story from the African Diaspora: Mr Wilfred ole Saroni

  19. acolyte says:

    @ Amani
    Are you Mr Saroni’s lawyer? I have noticed that you are all over the internet trying to defend this chap? The fervour with which you are doing this makes you very suspect. Is there something you know that you are trying to sweep under the rug?
    Remember everything that was done in the dark shall be seen in the light!

  20. Moody Awori says:

    @ Olmisigiyoi Mr. Saroni was able to acquire a US work permit due to his wife’s status as a Green Card holder. He is eligible for American citizenship next September, but says that he does not want to lose his Kenyan citizenship. He is hoping that the Kenyan government will quickly introduce the much awaited provision for dual citizenship. He plans to raise funds in the US for some Kenyans seeking elective office at home. On his choice of Republicans as growth partners, he said, “I like the Republicans’ approach of encouraging small businesses”.
    ————————————————
    http://www.takingitglobal.org/express/panorama/article.html?ContentID=7108
    ————————————————

    To my knowledge he’s NOT a citizen as yet. LOL =)) =))

  21. Amani Yabwana says:

    I am not a lawyer, neither am I in the legal field. My views are personal and do not speak fro Saroni or anyone else.

    I just happen to be a Business Student who discerns brevity and success in Saroni’s accomplishment. Migrating to the US and achieving what Saroni has in the little time is great in itself. Lets give credit where its due.

    I hurt when I see Kenyans falling over themselves to celebrate a perceived failure. We are our own worst enemies. The contempt driven craze only fogs the most important aspect of our existence – PEOPLE. We rarely support our own when they embark on a business, we engage in cut throat competition for the wrong reasons. Only WE can change our misgivings and WE can only do so if WE identify them.

  22. Mwangi says:

    @Amani: I agree with your last statement 100%, I hope you’re support is coming from a genuine place and I applaud you 🙂

  23. acolyte says:

    @ Amani
    I do agree that some of the comments made by people were not in great taste but for all the hills Saroni climbed to get where he is/was it is obvious that he stepped on some toes. Plus I do think the fact that he had Kenyan students shows that he had some support in the community.
    The fact is that more often than not power goes to many AFricans’ heads and that is one thing that could have happened to Saroni. The thing is that Africans have too many extremes, either we hate each other too much so no progress or we support each other no matter what ignoring common sense when things are going downhill due to tribal/national affiliations and no progress there too.
    So I think it would be best if you tried to take a balanced view of Mr Saroni’s activities. I am sure a detailed financial investigation will show whether he deliberately gutted his school or not, when that comes out I would like to hear what you have to say then.

  24. Mwangi says:

    @everyone: I repeat, if anyone knows how I can get in touch with Saroni and hear his story, that would be greatly appreciated!

  25. Moody Awori says:

    @ Mwangi……….I don’t know where you’re but you can drive to his house. His address is posted somewhere on this blog.
    Or try 411 for his home phone #.

  26. Mwangi says:

    @Moody: On which blog can I find his address? I live thousands of kilometers away….I live in Australia. Is 411 a directory service?

  27. Wamalwa Kijina says:

    @Mwangi……….see above a thread by hillary dated May 1st, 2008 at 12:35 am , for the address
    or try the directory service (411).

  28. Mwangi says:

    @Wamalwa: Thank you very much

  29. Kimani says:

    that is bullshit some of you guys work as CNA and you can dare talk about somebody who has done such Goodness to Kenyans. am not suprised even walmart has alot of negative acctully Jesus had some negative too. Yes saroni was not the best but at least he tried un like many of you who all you know is collect shit. why don’t you guys accomplish something good and then talk about other. The bottom line is if you have a boss you like a monkey and for sure Saroni don’t have one.

  30. Mzalendo says:

    It certainly seems to be the Kenyan/African style that when a man is doing well, everyone is his friend, drinks and eats what he has to offer. But there is also deadly secret envy that immediately shows at the downfall. Here we have a man claiming to be his long-time friend slinging mud like there’s no tomorrow. With such “friends” it is not surprising that the man went down! How about waiting for the truth to come out, e.g. in court, before coming down so hard on the man. To be sure, he ought to do something about the students and employees, but let’s wait and see what he does. In the meantime, why not talk to the man, get his version, and see if anything can be done to support him?

  31. Mwangi says:

    @Mzalendo: That sounds like a very reasonable idea

  32. Kimani says:

    That is what am saying.honestly i was very happy with this guy he Gave me hope that i can surely be something and a sure alot of young kenyan were inspared by this guy. so If the guys has cash flow probleam why dont we chaga money to own some of the share because the guys has the infrasture in place.

  33. Kelly says:

    Again this just goes to reinforce my beef with most of us Africans. When one of us dares to dream, we all want to bring them down. Bankruptcy is not new to business men, even Donald Trump has been bankrupt. The fact that this guy has money issues doesn’t make him less of a success. Fact is, he has achieved far more than most of these people with all the negativity ever will in their lifetimes.
    On a lighter note, I hadn’t figured that there are 2 Mwangis, I thought you had developed some weird double personality thing!

  34. Mwangi says:

    @Kelly: LOL! Sorry for the confusion. That’s what happens when traditions give me a name that is about as common as rice in a supermarket…..

  35. liberiangirl says:

    I provided this school a 5,000 deposit. I was to suppose to start school last year..just to get letters that this and that is pushed back. Which basically made me think the school was a fraud. I do not know much about Mr.Saroni, but I do know I want my money back…lol. I recently recieved paperwork from the NH board of nursing asking me to provide the proof of my payments.

  36. Mwangi says:

    @liberiangirl: From what I heard the school had to be closed down recently and so my guess is it’s assets are probably owned by the creditors or the State right now.

  37. Liberiangirl says:

    You are correct, hopefully this will get taken care of soon, I am happy to say I start a REAL nursing course on September 8th.

  38. Mwangi says:

    @liberiangirl: Congratulations. Here in Australia, I trained to be an aged care nurse with a dubious organization that is now charging me an arm and a leg to replace my stolen certificate so I really do appreciate the value of doing things above board and wish you all the best with that. You are in one of the best industries, if not the best industry, in the Western world right now, hope you can leverage all its opportunity and all the money in it for your benefit.
    Soon I will have a podcast where I talk to a woman who started up a nursing agency and sold it at a pretty good price. Perhaps something to think about once you have wet your feet as a nurse for a while……………

  39. liberiangirl says:

    Thank you for your kind words. It just so happens that my mother ownes a nursing agency and doing quite well. I do plan to help her with it and take it over eventually. I also plan to go back to Liberia and maybe open a clinic.

  40. Mwangi says:

    Does she? Isn’t this world small? Ask her if she would be free to talk about how the nursing industry works up there? I am in Australia so no fear of competition and it would add to the body of knowledge: who knows we may end up running the Western nursing industry and making it “an African industry”.

  41. liberiangirl says:

    Sure I can def do that. I will get back to you tomorrow!

  42. Mwangi says:

    @liberiangirl: Thank you very much I look forward to it. Tell her she can check out the other podcasts I have done to confirm my professionalism: http://www.thedisplacedafrican.com/category/displaced-african-podcast/

  43. liberiangirl says:

    My mother is so computer illiterate…so trust me that is not even an issue..How would you like to set this up? She says she is willing.

  44. Mwangi says:

    @liberiangirl: You guys are in the States right? I would just need a phone number and we would choose a time and then I would call at that time, call, ask questions for as long as my guest is willing to give me, edit it, put it into podcast form and just like that we are done.
    My availability is typically:
    Everyday: 12 a.m. – 7 a.m. (GMT +10h)
    How is tomorrow at 3 a.m. (GMT + 10h)?

  45. liberiangirl says:

    OK THAT IS COOL…Please email me at josu.t.roberts@questdiagnostics.com for more information.

  46. Community radios says:

    Saroni is no rolemodel for success. He is an unscrupulous con who has polished his skills and is still stealing millions of shillings from innocent Kenyans. After closing down the college in the states he started a media firm Boston Media Group (BMG) and with his co-directors (Moses Kuria – alleged PNU spokesperson and Antony Maina – CEO Spasys Ltd)he has now managed to run away with over 1m Kshs. paid through BMG to community radio stations for voter education on the referendum. The money totalling 1.47m was paid through BMG by UNDP and the IIEC in two orders respectively. Besides owing the community radios, he once more shut down BMG and left without paying his employees. This man is no success and should be rotting behind bars. All this cases are going to catch up with him and he’s gonna pay for everything. Mwangi, you can get in touch for Saroni’s contacts.

  47. […] ones below get you thinking about just how limitless the possibilities are if we apply ourselves: Success Story from an African in the Diaspora f) Finally serve mother Africa and make it the best continent EVER: You can begin by checking out […]

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