Is the Government a beneficiary of Samuel Abisai's 221 million?

A number of friends have asked me how betting is currently being taxed in Kenya.  I have seen a number of discussions on both print and social media  on this subject and there seems to be a little confusion on how it’s being done. From whom should the tax be chargeable? What is the correct rate of tax? is there withholding Tax on winnings? 

First, taxation on winnings has evolved in the last decade. The Government has struggled to arrive at the best approach for taxing this sector which is a multi billion-shilling industry. Its main agenda is to raise revenue as well as discourage betting obviously because of the well known negative effects.  Different jurisdictions have adopted different styles.

For simplicity I will divide it into two parts:

1    1. Taxes on Bookmakers (companies)

There are four categories provided for under the Betting, Lotteries and Gaming Act.

    v  Betting tax – payable by the betting company at the rate of 7.5% (sec 29A) of the gross turnover less the amount paid to customers as winnings.

    v  Lottery tax – payable by the lottery company at the rate of 5%( Sec 44A)  of the lottery turnover.

    v  Gaming tax- payable by the gaming company at the rate of  12% (sect 55A )of the gross turnover less the amount paid to customers as winnings.

    v  Prize Competition Tax – chargeable on  the  cost  of  entry  to  a  competition  which  is  premium rated  at  the  rate  of  15% (Sec 59B ) of  the  total  gross turnover.  

Note all the three taxes have been standardized to a rate of 50 % w.e.f 1^st Jan, 2018 (Refer to section 26-29 of the Finance Bill 2017). All these are paid by the bookmaker to the Collector (KRA) by the 20^th of the  month following the month of collection( just like VAT). 

2        2. Taxes on punters (winners)

Previously withholding tax at the rate of 20% gross winnings was chargeable. Through the finance Act 2015 the rate was reduced to 7.5% w.e.f 1^st Jan 2016. Later, through   the Finance Act 2016, this was removed from the Income Tax Act and the model of taxing bookmakers and not punters was adopted. The rates are as explained above. 

The Big Question,

Can then Samuel declare the winnings in his income tax return and pay tax at the graduated individual scale?  Please note that individuals don't pay taxes at the rate of 30%- that’s discussion for another day.

The simple answer is, although in my opinion it would be necessary to declare the winnings in the return, the money may not be taxed. Whether winnings are treated as taxable income is an issue that has been contested a lot. There have been a number of case laws on this subject. The fundamental question is whether winnings should be treated as taxable income. This would also mean that the punter (winner) be allowed to offset his losses against that particular income which is the case in some jurisdictions. Some have argued that betting is more of a hobby than a business. Post 2017,  Income Tax Act does not treat winnings as taxable income. Betting, gaming and lottery services are also exempted from VAT (refer to the first schedule).  

Conclusion. Samuel may just  end up keeping all his money. What? I know, and that also explains why when you “sportpesa” and win that 3k, no taxes are withheld.

Disclaimer:

The views expressed in this article are my own and do not reflect the position taken by  Kenya Revenue Authority on this matter.  

 

AFTER LAW SCHOOL

It has always been my dream to become a Lawyer. Well, not really, when my pre-primary teacher asked me what I would be when I grew up, I probably said a teacher. That was because the most loaded person I knew in my village was a teacher (I still think I would enjoy teaching).Or I might have said a pilot. I loved the skies, I still do, not that I had flown by then, but given how elated we would get whenever there was a plane flying over our heads, I guessed whoever was flying that thing must be having a lot of fun. You see at that age, the only ingredient I was looking for in a career was how much fun I could have.  Anyway, I really don’t  remember what I told my nursery school teacher.

Later, I discovered I really enjoyed controversy. Each time I had a conversation and someone took a certain view on an issue I would automatically assume a different view just for argument sake. I would really defend whatever position I momentarily held. This would sometimes really piss off my siblings, probably  because most times, they knew what I really stood for (I am grown now, I don't engage in fruitless arguments,I choose my battles). In class I really fancied English, sarcasm  and I specially enjoyed mooting. And there it hit me; a career in law was my calling.

So there I began my journey. I still remember one of my first classes; One Mr. Oduor asked us, “What is law?” “I pretty elementary question that is” I thought. I had always thought of Law as being a bunch of rules and regulations which if one disobeyed there were consequences. The law stated both the rule and the consequence. And there I raised my hand, and as eloquently and confidently as I could, enunciated the above words. Mr. Oduor gave me that encouraging look, “I forgive you, you are a First Year.”   

Subsequently, I learnt that the definition of law is so broad that even the greatest law scholars do not really agree on an universal definition of  law. In fact one, Thurman Arnold didn't think the law can ever be defined.  But my most interesting guy is W.H Auden, he says “Law says the judge, as he looks down his nose, speaking clearly and most severely, Law is as I've told you before, Law is as you know I suppose, law is but let me explain it once more, Law is The Law”

Deep, I know right?

Okey, Okey, I will let you know where I am going with this. One of my great professors at Law School taught as that, if we were to make successful lawyers, we also needed to inter alia indulge in reading the Bible. I remember reading this verse twice, once in Jeremiah and again in Hebrews. And God said “I will put my laws in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God and they will be my people.”

Prior to joining Law school my scrape with this verse was my starved definition of what law is. My understanding of these two verses was that, God being a Superior Being would write a bunch of rules and regulations accompanied by consequences of non compliance with the ultimate punishment being a penalty of death or life imprisonment in Hell or both. And that every time we obeyed him, we made him really happy.

Later, as I spent more years at Law School studying the various fields of law. My understanding of what law is, really broadened.  I cannot claim to define law. Law touches on every field imaginable. Environment, business, property ownership, personal life such as family,marriage et cetera. The law also carries several components; systems of social norms on which laws are based, a group empowered to enforce the laws, a legitimate system of enforcement,a system of interpreting the law and so on.  

Therefore when God said, “I will put my laws in their minds and write it on their hearts…”we have to look at this law holistically. See, the law is a set of rules and regulations true, but that is only one component of it, the law bares rights and obligations we owe to other people, animals, our environment etc. The law provides for fundamental rights and freedoms we are entitled to, and the law also provides rights and obligations owed to us by other people, institutions, government etc.

In the same view, when God conveys that, he will put His Laws in our minds and write them in our hearts, He  not only daily reminds us that in his Kingdom, there are rules and that sin( disobedience) has consequences, but also that we have an obligation towards other people and the environment. We are entitled to certain Fundamental Rights and Freedoms. This Law provides for the rights and obligations owed to us by God himself. In psalms, God promises to protect us, in Isaiah, God promises to heal us, in John 3:16 he promises to LOVE us. He makes loads of promises to us through Abraham our forefather.

Assuming that the Kingdom of God is a society in which God is the king and we are the citizens, an except of  Chapter Four of our Constitution would be probably read something like this:

The Bill of Rights applies to all law and binds all State organs and all persons.

 Every person shall enjoy the rights and fundamental freedoms in the Bill of Rights to the greatest extent consistent with the nature of the right or fundamental freedom

God  and all citizens have the duty to address the needs of vulnerable groups within society, including orphans, children, widows, older members of society

a)       Every person has the right to life.

b)      The life of a person begins before conception (God declares that, He knew us before we were born)

c)      Every person is equal before God and has a right to equal protection and benefit of the law.

d)       Every person has a right to be loved by God,

e)       Every person has a right to a new beginning.

f)        Every person has a right to own property, self actualization and security.

g)       Every person has the right to health.

h)       A person shall not be held in slavery or servitude (no satanic, sijui witchcraft bondages)

i)         Every person has a right to access information (access to God) and correction or deletion of untrue or misleading information that affects the person (remember the prayer of Jabez?)

j)        A right or fundamental freedom in the Bill of Rights shall not be limited except by law, and then only to the extent that the limitation is reasonable and justifiable before God and  based on His Love towards us, human dignity, equality and freedom.

I am sure you get the drift by now. In putting the laws in our minds and writing them in our hearts. God then affirms his commitment to love us,to chasten us, to keep the promises He has made to us. On the other hand we have certain obligations towards ourselves, each other, our environment and God. Next time we are tempted to think getting saved is engaging in a life of rules and regulations, I pray that this Article shall remind us of what a life we have in Him. Let's think about it this way, His law, is in our best interest. 

So, after Law school, I can confidently tell you that, “Law is as I've told you before, Law is as you know I suppose, law is but let me explain it once more, Law is The Law.”

MY TAKE ON THE UHURUTO PRESIDENCY

It is amazing how we were all united prior to the 4^th of March, 2013. We came out in numbers never witnessed in the history of Kenya but soon all the love and peace messages we passed to each other started to disappear when the results started trickling in.  Soon hate and tribal messages started spreading around. For a while I kept asking my self, “What just happened?” The truth of the matter is that we can only have one president at a time.

RAO has a constitutional right to go to court and see that justice is done. At the end of the day, when the fat lady sings, whether it is Uhuru or RAO who is sworn in as the 4^th president of Kenya, there are a few things that we need to bear in mind.

Firstly, whoever is sworn in, shall be the president of Kenya and not the president of those who prefer him. If you find yourself believing that, if your preferred candidate doesn’t win then there is no democracy, you have issues. If you find yourself overexcited because whoever won is a member of your tribe, you also have a lot of growing up to do. If you find yourself thinking things like, we are a minority tribe, we also want one of our own as president, you have an inferiority complex. This is not a tribal superiority competition.  

Secondly your success in life has not been deferred until one of your own becomes president. I have seen Luo’s who have achieved incredible success during the Kibaki presidency; I know Meru’s who moved mountains during the Moi presidency. Think about it, has anyone ever asked you for a pass to use the recently constructed Thika Superhighway (constructed under Kibaki presidency) because you are not a Kikuyu? Speaking diverse languages and having different cultures is a beautiful thing. God never meant us to use them against each other.  

Thirdly, I am reminded of a time the Israelites where exiled in Babylon. This was a perfect opportunity to sit and whine how one of their own will not become  King. But listen to what God tells them “Seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if the city prospers, you too will prosper.” Jer 29:7

This is the same message I wish we would carry today. Regardless of who is sworn in as president, “seek the peace and pray for the prosperity of the city (country), for if the country prospers, you too shall prosper.” I believe that all leadership comes from God and if indeed God has appointed Uhuru to be the president at such time like this, we need to stand united and work towards a prosperous country. And to those of us prophesying doom and issuing threats of how those who voted for Uhuru shall regret after sanctions start being given, please understand this, if Uhuru is sworn in as the 4^thpresident of Kenya, any sanctions given would affect you too. We will need to stand behind our president regardless of whether it is UK or RAO who carries the day.

Lastly, unless you are among the senior counsels handling the presidential petition, or you work for the office of the president, let's stop obsessing over these things and go and work, seek peace and pray for the prosperity of the country, for if the country prospers, you too shall prosper. In the words of Barrack Obama, “In the face of impossible odds, people who love this country can change it.” 

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WHY I ADMIRE POLITICIANS

We hate on politicians, I hate on politicians. In fact, I am not their biggest fun, I would rarely be found doing a political commentary, but I have to watch politics closely. The bible instructs us that " supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way." And besides Plato said, “One of the penalties for refusing to participate in politics is that you end up being governed by your inferiors.” 

“Politics is not like an ocean voyage or a military campaign… something which leaves off as soon as reached. It is not a public chore to be gotten over with. It is a way of life.”- Plutarch

There are approx 7.1 billion people on the planet. The most powerful man on the planet is a politician ( http://www.forbes.com/powerful-people/ ). In fact, at least five out of the ten most powerful people on earth are politicians. A lot of negative things have been sung in praise of politicians, and to be honest, I enjoy the songs. However, the other day I am having a huge debate in my head on whether there is anything to admire about politicians and here is my verdict;

Politicians posses certain abilities that the common citizen doesn’t. For example,  A politician is   a fellow who will lay down your life for his country (-Texas Guinan) and come next elections, you will still vote for him. Amazing, right? How do they attain that kind of loyalty? “The word politics is derived from the word poly, meaning many, and the word ticks, meaning bloodsucking parasites.”-Larry Hardiman

A political calendar is very different from our normal calendar, in fact as  Harold Wilson  puts it, “A week is a long time in politics.” They make things happen over night.

Politicians have amazing faith. They spend a lot of time and millions of money to fund campaigns with no certainty they will win. Think of Uhuru and Ruto (now Uhuruto) for example. The two Kenyan politicians who are also ICC suspects mounts one of the most expensive campaigns in Kenyan history even before they were cleared by the Kenyan Courts  as to whether they were illegible to run for 2013 presidential elections. They were certain things will work out.  If that’s not faith I don’t know what it is.

Politicians have incredible tenacity, you can say a lot of nasty things about a politician and instead of committing suicide, He rises up the following morning, have his team dig dirt about you, dishes  you with a beautifully crafted nasty reply, and He’s a happy man. It’s a fact, “The only people who say worse things about politicians than reporters do are other politicians.”-Andy Rooney

Politicians are the only one’s who can lie to your face and even though you know with every sense in your body it’s a lie, you still believe in them. Will Rogers says, “If you ever injected the truth into politics, you would have no politics.” Most politicians don’t even believe themselves. They actually get surprised when when you do.

A good politician need not be academically knowledgeable. They do not let lack of education or in-eloquence limit them. We have all seen illiterate and inarticulate people flourish into power. That is incredible determination. 

Politicians have amazing language skills. They  are the only people who can steal from you and make you feel safe enough to vote them back.  A politician only has your best interest at heart if your interests are relatives with his interests or if you are an actual blood relative. 

    

Forget the negatives, sometimes I think if half the people in the world had the faith, the tenacity, the positive attitude and the hope of a politician, we wouldn't have any poor people.

THE NINCOMPOOP

The Nincompoop, Who can understand his ways

He whines about bad leadership but still votes for the same person.

She squawks about corruption and yet gives her body to get a job.

He complains about tribalism but wouldn't vote for someone outside his own tribe.

She rumbles about how all men are cheaters as she sleeps with a married man.

He breaks other people’s relationship and gets surprised when someone runs off with his girlfriend.

She is ready to be a second wife to a ‘faithful man’ (who won’t even introduce her as his wife) because all men are players.

He is very incompetent at his job but still laments about how he has a bad boss.

She expects to be treated like a queen yet she behaves like trash.

He demands to be respected and treated like a prince, yet he does not provide for his family and drinks himself to death.

She is bitter with all men because one guy broke her heart.

He follows after every dimple he sees and wonders why he can’t have a stable relationship.

She flirts with a guy for days and wonders why he is catching feelings.

He sleeps with everything in a skirt and expects to marry the proverbs 31 woman.

She thinks God is an ATM machine you only go to see Him when you are broke.

The Nincompoop, who can understand her ways?

DATING TIPS FROM KIDS

Henny Youngman said, "The secret of a happy marriage remains a secret." However, we got a bunch of kids to reveal the secrets and this is what they had to say;

How do you decide who to marry? 

1. You got to find somebody who likes the same stuff. Like, if you like sports, she should like it that you like sports, and she should keep the chips and dip coming- Alan,aged 10 (wise, this one)

2. No person really decides before they grow up who they're going to marry. God decides it all way before,and you get to find out later who you're stuck with - Kirsten, age 10

What is the right time to get married?

1. Twenty-three is the best age because you know the person FOREVER by then.-Camille, age 10

2. No age is good to get married at. You got to be a fool to get married.-Freddie, age 6 (what? parents please, don't discuss your marriage squabbles in-front of your kids.)

How can a stranger tell if two people are married?

1.You might have to guess, based on whether they seem to be yelling at the same kids.-Derrick, age 8 (lol)

What do most people do on a date?

1. Dates are for having fun, and people should use them to get to know each other. Even boys have something to say if you listen long enough.-Lynnette, age 8

2. On the first date, they just tell each other lies and that usually gets them interested enough to go for a second date.-Martin, age 10 (A player in the making )

What would you do on a first date that was turning sour?

1. I'd run home and play dead. The next day I would call all the newspapers and make sure they wrote about me in all the dead columns.- Craig, age 9

When is the right time to kiss someone?

1. When they're rich.-Pam, age 7 ( a serious gold digger in the making)

2. The law says you have to be eighteen, so I wouldn't want to mess with that.-Curt, age 7 

3. The rule goes like this: If you kiss someone, then you should marry them and have kids with them. It's the right thing to do.-Howard, age 8 (Committed boy this one) 

Is it better to be single or married?

1. I don't know which is better, but I'll tell you one thing; I'm never going to have sex with my wife. I don't want to be all grossed out.-Theodore, age 8 (who does this kid hung around?)

2. It's better for girls to be single but not for boys. Boys need someone to clean up after them.-Anita, age 9 (bless you child)

How did the world be different if people didn't marry?

1. There sure would be a lot of kids to explain, wouldn't there.-Kelvin, age 8

How would you make a marriage work?

1. Tell your wife that she looks pretty, even if she looks like a truck.-Ricky, age 9 (This one attended marriage classes clearly.)

Ps. Answers borrowed form  from the Board of wisdom.

BULLETS THAT WILL PIERCE YOUR RELATIONSHIP RIGHT IN THE HEART

PART ONE- The Ball of Fire

There is popular photo doing rounds on social media with a caption, “Heart, please stop getting involved in everything, your work is to pump blood.” Sometimes people wish they could switch off that part of their heart that longs for love but unfortunately it’s not possible. Having a good (I didn't say perfect) is possible. I have been privileged to have associated with people who have admirable relationships and some whose relationships didn't work. In the process I have learnt a few things that I can share.  But first here is a fascinating story.

“It was one of those rainy Friday evening; I was from the office after a long week’s work. I left the office with one of my lady colleagues, it was really cold and having considered the traffic, it didn't seem like the best time to go home. Besides Nairobi touts have a habit of increasing the fare every time it rains. By the way,I am still yet to get the economics behind that. We languorously decided to sit and have coffee. The coffee joint had tables arranged in a very romantic way. It is as if they had posters saying “if you are in love come in, if you are not, move next door.” We took one table at the corner of the restaurant and we sat facing each other. Since we had been used to working together, it was easy for us to strike off a conversation and soon we were bursting into laughter over nothing really. Due to the current insecurity in the country, we had been sensitized on the need to look around especially when in public places for suspicious looking people or anything incongruous. So I did. 

I noticed at the other corner of the restaurant someone looking suspiciously like the love of my life chatting excitedly with some gentleman who was clearly dressed to impress. “No, she couldn't be the one” I thought. I took a closer look and there she was. My heart started beating faster, a ball of fire started building in my chest. “Who could that guy be? Why didn't she tell me she was having coffee? Is she lying to me? Is she playing me?” I was lost in thought pondering over these questions. By now my colleague was telling a story of some guy who had been battered by some Nyeri woman but I was no longer listening. After a short while, I guess while also watching out for terrorists, she saw me seated with this beautiful lady.  Our eyes met, that was an awkward moment. I could see from her body language that she was asking the same questions I was. Who was this woman? Why didn't I tell her I was having coffee? Am I playing her? We are pretty composed people, and over reacting isn't one of our best treats.

We proceeded with our coffee dates but it was officially a delicate situation. After a few minutes, it stopped raining and we decided it was time to leave. I signaled my colleague and we walked over to their table we did the introductions. I could see the relief in her face when I explained who my company was and I felt some ice pour on the ball of fire on my chest as she explained the man she was with was her uncle. I left the restaurant with my girlfriend laughing about how that could have ended badly.

I never really delve into feelings that much but I made an exception for this. I thought for a while why I had felt the ball of fire on my chest  before I could even find out who the guy was. Later it downed on me, that is what people call jealousy. Did I have a well founded reason to be jealous? Of course not, but yet I was." 

Of course this is a really simple illustration but I am sure we can all relate to this story in one way or another.

Having a fulfilling relationship is everyone’s dream. Forget the myth that men have a phobia for commitment. Men do not have a phobia for commitment to relationships in general; most times it is a question of bad timing or getting involved with the wrong person. 

It is unfortunate that grapevine on who made up with whom and who broke up with whom is more popular than investment information. We derive excitement from these things. No wonder all the TV stations in the country are showing soap operas all the time. On the same note, someone should tell the Kenyan media that not everyone is into ‘soaps’, this is too much. Anyway, that said,  One of the reason why we derive joy from these things, is because we want to relate these stories to ourselves. Unfortunately real life isn't anything like the movies or the dramas.

Jealousy is a powerful emotion. It makes people do all kinds of stupid things. Some people think that jealousy and love are synonymous. They mistake one for the other, or assume that the greater the love, the greater the jealousy. Jealousy is a disease, love is God given. Havelock Ellis said, “Jealousy, that dragon which slays love under the pretense of keeping it alive." Let’s be honest, by agreeing to be in a relationship we are not signing out on the rest of the world. Your ‘significant other’ will still have friends of the opposite sex and colleagues. It is important for one to appreciate that and be comfortable with it. Feeling jealous is not a crime but can cause us a lot of discomfort which results to us reacting in disastrous ways. Ask anyone who has dated a jealous and an insecure person, it is not attractive at all.  Insecurities make people stick to a bad or abusive relationship even though they are sure the relationship is  not good for them. This stems out of the fear of being sad and lonely. Just for the record; its OK to be single.

Sometimes feeling jealous may be well founded, the partner may just be about to run off with someone else. 'However, most times, feelings of jealousy results from our insecurities.

"Jealousy is bred in doubts. When those doubts change into certainties, then the passion either ceases or turns absolute madness."-Francois de La Rochefoucauld

 

I have seen people getting stressed over a text message they read from their partners phone. The problem is, you end up jumping to conclusions before you get to know the truth and by the time you do, you are already angry and biased. Jealousy contains more of self-love than love

Jealousy makes you think that the person you are with is better than they are and that you are worse than you are. Rodney Dangerfield joked, “My wife's jealousy is getting ridiculous. The other day she looked at my calendar and wanted to know who May was.”

The antidote for dealing with jealousy is to start appreciating yourself and believe that you deserve the best.  There is nothing as attractive as a self confident person. The bible story of Cain and Abel offers a perfect example. When Cain got jealous of Abel for offering a better sacrifice before God, God asked him, “If you had done well, would your sacrifice not have been acceptable?” God was simply telling him that Abel isn't better than you, he just did something better than you but you can do well too.  Mary Scmich says, “Don't waste time on jealousy. Sometimes you're ahead, sometimes you're behind.”

 Most people will treat you with the same value you attach to yourself. If you value yourself other people will. Acting jealous and insecure will get you dumped at fiber optic speeds. Find your own personal goals in life and follow them through, this will help you build the much needed feeling of self worth. Find out what God says about you too. This will give you not only the much needed confidence but will give you an identity and purpose that will last you for the rest of your life.  

Watch out for, Bullets that will pierce your relationship right in the heart part II. 

YOU NEED TO KNOW PEOPLE

If you need to hear the latest gossip on the Deputy Chief Justice of Kenya Nancy Baraza and the now famous security guard madam kerubo, just say the above statement to any Kenyan and violà , you got your story. The context under which that phrase was used got the DCJ into trouble and as such I will subvert the use of that statement to a different context.

The saying that, “It's not what you know, it's who you know” is very common in our realist world. This statement is mainly common among job seekers and even business people. Your talents, abilities, and experience may never take you anywhere if nobody knows you exist. It is therefore crucial for one to understand the value of networking and to understand that fellow human beings are a vast resource. Life is so much easier if you know who to talk to on what issue.  There is no one who is self sustaining. Whether you are in school, looking for employment or doing business, it is paramount that one take  networking seriously and do it on purpose. In fact research has shown that Networking accounts for more than 60% of annual hires and has proven to be the best way to find a job or internship.

You can either network on purpose or randomly. Some have developed very good people skills and can network easily and randomly.  We all have people in our lives we really can’t tell how they got there.

Many people shy away from networking on purpose because of various reasons, some of these are stereo types associated with networking.  An article on Wiki-how records three major stereo types.

• Networking can seem insincere, pretentious, or even manipulative. And if that's what you're thinking, you're probably right... about some of it. There will always be people who judge others based on image and titles, but there are also people who want to build genuine, mutually beneficial relationships. You’re going to have to sift through the people you don't want to know to get to the people you do want to know.
•    You might think you're too shy or self-conscious to schmooze. Networking does require a degree of boldness, but with the advent of social networking sites, you can get to find others with similar interests and goals without being in a room full of people. Do not be afraid of meeting new people, some will like you, some will judge you, that’s life, not every relationship you start need to work.  The problem is that, “most people erroneously regard any failure as an accurate evaluation of their worth”- Theodore Bryant. A famous saying goes, "the worst thing we have to fear is fear itself."
•      Networking takes time and effort. Unless you're an extroverted person who thoroughly enjoys schmoozing, it can be exhausting. Why bother? Well, one way to think of it is to imagine how much time and frustration you would save if anything you wanted or needed was just one or two phone calls away.

There are many keys to better networking. I will mention a few of those I have learnt and I am sure we are all endowed with some level of creativity and come up with our own unique ways of networking.

  
  Be easy with small talk, invite people out for drinks or whatever interest you may have in common with the other person. The idea is to establish a connection beyond your initial meeting.

•  Learn to keep your already existing networks for example college mates, some of them may be your boss some day or come in handy when you are in need.
•   Diversify, associate with people from various fields, economics, law, medicine, banking inter alia
•   Remember to bring value in others, life is just not about you, networking is a two way street.  Create win-win situations. People will want to be part of your life because you add value to their lives, you can maintain your existing relationships if you can consistently bring value to those in your network.
•  Understand how to network with busy people. I have singled out this category because I think it is a special category.  A busy person simply cannot or will not give you serious slice of their attention without a good reason. Don’t presume you’re entitled to a response just because you took some action and reached out to the busy person. These people receive dozens of incoming communications per day so they aren’t trying to be rude, they are simply being effective.  As such if you resent such people for being busy and not responding to your communiqués promptly, you’re not going to become a very good networker, but instead respect them for setting priorities since they must triage in order to be effective and have a life. There is a whole article on “how to network with busy people” on www.stevepavlina.com.   I recommend anyone interested in learning how to network with busy people to read this article.
•  Know what you are looking for, not everyone is the ideal person to have in your network. Caution: don’t only think of the things that would benefit you, but think of what you have to offer to others. Be careful who you spend your time with, someone once told me, “there is no neutral person in your life, each one of them has a certain influence, negative or positive”  I usually say there are two dogs inside you, a black one, and a white one, whichever you feed is the one that grows. Again, be careful who you spend your time with.
•   Find out who knows whom, you may be surprised that the people around you know more than you think. I have found myself many times going, “what? You know that person? I have always wanted to meet them.”
•   Use your network to introduce people with similar interests; you may be surprised how in giving you get good measure.
•   Be proactive; don’t always wait for people to come to you, find ways to start conversations.
•   Be in the right places, Attend religious meetings, go for career meetings, business club meetings, sports etc.
•   Use the internet, I have reconnected with friends through social media than any other media. Social networking has evolved over the years to become a business networking tool as well. The MD Ipsos Synovate Kenya, Maggie Ireri speaking on the power of social media tweeted, "A brand is no longer what we tell the consumer it is – it is what consumers tell each other it is." Find blogs journals and professional organizations online. I wouldn’t have written this Article if it weren’t for the internet and you probably wouldn’t be reading it either.
•   Learn to follow up.
•   Personal development is crucial. Other people are also looking for networks and the more developed you are personally, the higher chances that other people are going to be interested in you.  Remember, most people will stay away from needy people; they will want to stay around people who also bring value to their lives.

 I cannot overstate the value of networking. I have personally benefited from my networks in very many ways. I have saved time and money and have had an easier time getting some things done. I don’t know everyone and I don’t need to, but whenever there is an opportunity I will establish a new network

I don’t believe that you always need to know people to get things going in your life; we have all met some ‘self made’ people and besides God has the ability to raise you from nothing. I however believe that God intended us to network, that is why he commands us to love one another.