Are high end consumer goods- computers, cars, etc.- being marketed to
consumers in Kenya? I am trying to verify the presence of a wealthy
class of Kenyans. If they are discussed in a recent news article I
would appreciate this information. Discussion of this class in an
article not of this type will also be considered.

Well known U.S. or European publication preferred. Also the country of
Kenya strongly preferred. But any African country where only the very,
very poor are typically portrayed would give me hope.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

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Clarification of Question by insearch1234-ga on 29 Apr 2005 11:02 PDT

I have upped the price because I want a specific answer.  I would only
be satisfied with 1) a news story 2) related, at least in part, to the
marketing of high end consumer goods in Kenya. Brandy, the liquor,
would be an example of an acceptable product. 3)Consumers In Ghana,
Tanzania, Zimbabwe, or other poor African countries [not South Africa]
accepted.

---

Clarification of Question by insearch1234-ga on 29 Apr 2005 13:13 PDT

The article can come from any well known, international source (not
just U.S./Europe)

Hwllo insearch1234-ga.

These article gives you some opinions about the state of consumer
marketing in Kenya. Since you're looking for a "well known"
international source I'm not posting this as an answer but there is a
lot to think about on these pages.

Good luck.

~ czh ~

http://www.g21.net/daily072803.htm
The Class System in Kenya

The sixth class (lower upper class) consists of Kenyans who are very
rich. A few of them are distilled from the fifth class .Most of these
super rich Kenyans had the advantage of having the first encounter
with the white man. They got their wealth when there was no
competition (as people from central province say, when there were no
moles). ... This class drives big cars, often more than one in a
family, and travel abroad often. Their children go to exclusive
private schools, either locally or abroad. Their business interests
are vast and intertwined; they use Asian or white fronts in business.
They spend their time cultivating contacts here and abroad with the
mighty and the powerful. Most members of this class are politicians
and those who are not politicians have made attempts to get into
politics, not because they are driven by altruism, but because
politics ensure their business interests are taken care of. This class
knows too well what its strategic interests are and goes to any
lengths to pursue them.

The top or seventh class in Kenya is fact invisible, most people -
particularly those who belong to the lower classes - are not even
aware the class exists. In fact, invisibility is one of this class's
hallmarks. This class is made of Asians and Europeans who are in most
cases very rich. They own the means of production either directly or
through the stock market. They own industries, factories and other
establishments such as banks and insurance firms. But you will never
know what they own. They hide what they own through cross ownership or
using layers of holdings companies. The sixth class in fact learned
from them how to disguise their wealth.

This class is in a class of its own. They are first world people
living on a third world country. They take their children though
mother country curriculums, their schools are exclusive and teachers
are often imported. Their children go to Universities abroad. In
mannerism and deeds this class has succeeded in shielding itself from
the influence of other classes.

Thank you for commenting. 

I'd like an article written no earlier than November 2004. 

Also a consumer good being sold- in more than one country is fine -
would be my preference.

Thank you.