African Entrepreneurship Record

Chapter 299: Chapter 286 Nairobi’s New Citizens

The delay in information has left the Portuguese in Angola unaware of the expansion in East Africa. Only the final barrier lies between the two countries, and the eastern part of East Africa is completely connected with Mozambique.

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Nairobi,

The term ”Nairobi” means ”place of coolness.” It is a modern garden-style city, lush with greenery, vibrant with flowers, clean, and tranquil, making it a popular tourist and summer retreat.

Such favorable climatic conditions are one of the reasons why Ernst chose to locate the textile factory here. In an era without air conditioning, Nairobi’s environment provides a better working atmosphere for workers.

Nairobi’s climate is more aptly described as springlike all year round. Its coolness stands out in a tropical region and is indeed cooler compared to the summers in Europe and the Far East. The most significant factor is that Nairobi maintains this temperature year-round.

”Welcome to Nairobi. Nairobi may not be as prosperous as Venice but isn’t too far off. Given the current city planning of Nairobi, development has been rapid for us. This city is only two years old, and I hope you all actively participate in building Nairobi once you become its citizens. The better we build our city, the more enjoyable life and work here will be for everyone,” said Nairobi’s mayor, Jose, to the first batch of Venice immigrants.

The Venice immigrants looked around, observing the city that was soon to become their new home.

”In terms of urban appearance, it’s indeed not bad. However, the architecture is relatively monotonous, lacking the dazzling beauty of Venice and its artistic atmosphere. Moreover, the city is small, resembling a rural town in Venice, and the climate is somewhat dry.”

”It’s not bad at all, at least not as awful as we imagined. I thought the East African government would dump us in the wilderness! At least there is infrastructure here, and I find the environment quite pleasant. I couldn’t stand the humid environment of Venice. Moreover, East Africa’s temperature is really comfortable. Previously in Mombasa, it was quite hot, plus Europe always claims that Africa is scorching, but it’s not the case here.”

”It’s indeed different from what I imagined Africa to be like. This place seems even more livable than Egypt, which is packed with people despite all that sand, making this area much more inhabitable.”

”Look at those Black laborers over there. Are they the slaves of East Africa?”

”Most likely, yes. I’ve heard that colonies use Black Slaves, especially in Africa, which has no shortage of them. I saw a few in Mombasa; just more of them here.”

The reason why there are more Black people here in Nairobi compared to Mombasa is that the East African government pulled them from surrounding villages to temporarily resolve the housing issue for these Venice immigrants. The first phase of the housing project, consisting of three thousand units, has been completed.

”Compared to the Black people, I’m more interested in these yellow-skinned people. They seem to be living quite well here, though I’m not sure how approachable they are.”

While the Venice immigrants were evaluating the living conditions of East African residents, the citizens of Nairobi were also assessing these Venetians. This was the first time since the founding of Nairobi that such a large-scale arrival of immigrants occurred simultaneously.

The Venice immigrants were having intense discussions about everything in Nairobi, finding all of it fascinating.

At this moment, Nairobi’s mayor, Jose, said: ”Since you are new to East Africa, meal arrangements will be at the canteen for the first month. After a month, you’ll have to rely on your earnings to support your family. As long as you are willing to work hard in the factories, surviving in East Africa is not difficult. Although the price of industrial goods might be a little high, food is quite affordable. Now, are there any other questions you would like to ask?”

”Honorable Mayor! Where will we be staying tonight?”

Nairobi’s mayor pointed to the northeast, ”Do you see where those Black people are working? The newly constructed houses to the west—those will be your homes.”

”How will we handle drinking water and cooking?”

”For drinking water, you can collect it from nearby wells. Laundry can be done by the river. As for cooking, you can build your own stoves or ovens, or choose to eat in the canteen. Meals are free only for the first month; afterward, you’ll have to pay.”

”Mayor, how long are our working hours?”

”Ten hours a day, with extra pay for overtime. You’ll work six days a week.”

”Where do we go for worship?” an immigrant asked.

Nairobi’s mayor replied, ”Of course, it’s in your own homes. There is no church here, but if you wish to build one yourselves, you’re welcome to do so, although you’ll have to complete it on your own.”

”Oh! My God? No church? That’s terrible.”

”Stop complaining. The immigrants before you lived well enough without a church. If you’re truly devout, you can worship at home. As long as you have God in your heart, He will bless you. Piety isn’t determined by the presence of a church. Does having a church guarantee the blessings of Almighty God? Europe has plenty of churches, yet it’s engulfed in war, which is why you came to East Africa,” Jose explained.

As a Protestant, Jose, already a supporter of justification by faith, became more disheartened after encountering so many non-believing Chinese in East Africa. His convictions had been shaken, or rather, he had become discouraged.

”Alright. Enough said. Next, prepare the materials registered in Mombasa. We will distribute housing according to the contents of those records. Everyone, gather your belongings and follow the staff,” Jose instructed.

Soon, the eastern New District of Nairobi was crowded with people. They didn’t have much luggage, but most had brought their families along.

”Don’t push. Learn to queue first. If anyone continues to push forward indiscriminately, don’t blame me for not warning you. Police, maintain order,” Mayor Jose said, observing the swarming crowd, ”Line up properly, and the staff will register.”

”Bring the files over!”

”Mr. Abbot, your family consists of four members—your wife, a son, and a daughter, correct?”

”Yes, sir.”

”We have four houses: one, three, five, and eight. You can choose one of these.”

”Uh, do they differ?”

”No, only the location varies.”

”Then I’ll choose three.”

”Very well, Head of Household is Abbot, with family members wife Jenny, son Andrew, and daughter Anolina. Seventh Community, Number 203,” recorded the registration staff. ”This is your house number. Please wait a moment, and a staff member will escort you and your family to your residence.”

”Next”...

Soon, four families were gathered together.

”Follow me, all four families,” said an East African police officer.

Led by the officer, they walked for an unknown period until they arrived at an empty street.

”See this sign?” he said, pointing to a sign at the street entrance, ”This number seven signifies the Seventh Street, your area is known as the Seventh Community. The first house on the left belongs to Mr. Mavist’s family, the third to Mr. Andre’s family, the fifth to Mr. Abbot’s family, and the eighth to Mr. Reep’s family. Bring over the paper you just registered!”

The East African police officer took the four slips of paper from the individuals, took glue from his pocket, and proceeded to the doors of the four houses. A blank square was reserved on the right side of each doorframe, where he pasted the slips in order. This served as a simple house number, recording the basic details of each immigrant family.

”You can move in now!”

Abbot then asked, ”Sir, I have one more question. Why aren’t our houses arranged in sequence, with spaces in between?”

The officer explained, ”Because there will be other immigrants settling here in the future, they just haven’t arrived yet.”

In actuality, the vacant houses were reserved for immigrants from the Far East and Germany. Houses numbers two, four, and seven were planned for Far East immigrants, and number six for those from the German regions.

This arrangement was intended to ensure a comprehensive integration of immigrants, avoiding the situation where individuals from a single region or ethnicity reside together in one area.

”If you follow this street to the end, you’ll find the Seventh Street Police Station’s office. If you ever encounter any trouble, you can find me there. There’s also a government bulletin board, where the latest policies and government notices in East Africa can be viewed. Water can be fetched on Fourth and Fifth Streets, where there are two wells. For laundry, you need to go to the river in the northern part of the city. As for the public canteen, it’s situated at the end of the street, and is the largest building around. Your meals will be arranged there for the time being. The toilets are situated behind the street. In East Africa, open defecation and indiscriminate sewage disposal are not allowed. Wastewater must be poured into the drainage ditch behind the toilet...”