I have always been passionate about technology and driven by the desire to spot opportunities, not only in Kenya but across the world. However, building a product for global markets proved difficult. Countries such as the USA, Singapore, and China are far ahead, with most niches already covered. That realization pushed me to look back home, where opportunities remain and gaps are waiting to be filled.
Early Attempts
WTT News Headlines (wttnewsheadlines.co.ke)
This was my first serious project, a news aggregator built using Google News feeds. It failed largely because of poor SEO. I had built it with React instead of Next.js, which made search engine ranking difficult. For someone to find the site, they had to search the entire domain name directly. I also never marketed it, which compounded the problem. This experience taught me how critical technology choices and SEO are for visibility.
Websites Arena (websitesarena.com)
Initially, this was a portfolio site where I hoped to attract web development clients. No one hired me, and I eventually took it down. Later, I repurposed the domain into a Flippa‑style marketplace and even built an AI SEO analyzer to help developers prepare their sites for the AI era. Despite these efforts, customers never came. I marketed it a little, but not enough. From this failure, I learned the importance of marketing, SEO, and understanding customer acquisition.
The Turning Point
Kobstore (kobstore.co.ke)
Kobstore is different. Unlike my earlier projects, it is built on the lessons I learned and on a deep understanding of Kenya’s market. I know the gap exists: small businesses need affordable, versatile platforms, and Kobstore is designed to fill that need.
The journey has not been easy. I have faced countless errors and bugs, many of them difficult to debug. In the past, I often quit when things became too hard, especially when I lacked the knowledge to push through. This time, I am holding on, even through the stress of bills and the pressure of building.
Lessons Learned
From WTT News Headlines: technology choices and SEO are critical.
From Websites Arena: marketing and customer acquisition matter as much as the product itself.
From Kobstore: understanding the local market and solving real gaps is the foundation of resilience.
Looking Ahead
My dream for Kobstore in the next five years is to expand beyond Kenya into other East African markets. I want it to become a regional hub — a platform that empowers businesses, creators, and entrepreneurs across East Africa.
Beyond the marketplace, I envision Kobstore AI: a business‑oriented artificial intelligence built from the data we will collect over the years. This AI will be designed to power the East African community, offering insights, automation, and tools tailored to the realities of local businesses. It will not only strengthen Kobstore but also contribute to the broader digital transformation of the region.
Right now, I am barely holding on, but persistence, passion, and the lessons from my failures continue to drive me forward. Kobstore is more than just another project; it is the culmination of everything I have learned and the vision I refuse to give up on.