Ashish Seth

Business: The Bhagwanji confectionaries, Nairobi Branch

Established: 1895, Mombasa

Citizen: Kenyan

A trip to Mombasa is deemed incomplete without having eaten Bhagwanji’s kachoris. Bloggers to travellers have extensively shared their delight of trying this Indian savory in an African country. Their story dates back to nearly 100 years, when 17-year-old Bhagwanji left his hometown Jodia, in Gujarat in search of a better life and survived the journey till Mombasa. Sensing the need for Indian savories among the already existing Indians in this coastal town, Bhagwanji saw what others failed to see. He did the only thing he knew best – making Kachoris. The business grew in no time and his mission to satiate the Indian palate was nearly accomplished. Soon he requested his brother Hansraj and later members of his extended family to help him manage the business. The secret to making these kachoris still remains with a few members of the family.

“A philanthropist and a visionary Bhagwanji baba had no reason to return to India. Kenya was home now, a land that made him a household name, something which he could never have contemplated had he chosen to stay in India,” says his great Grandson Ashish Seth. Till date their Kachoris have been exported to far-flung places like the UK, Australia, Canada and East Africa. Their dream to start a shop in Kutch, India, however, remains a distant dream solely because of the aggressive competition there, admits Ashish.

Back in Kenya, the one huge challenge they face is their staff being poached by other firms, which Ashish says is a big blow. “There have been times when I have handled the kitchen all alone,” he adds. The Seth family strongly believes in passing on the family tradition the practical way. “Yes, we are taught how to cook. Above all, caring for your employees, providing them with some extra loan, extending a helping hand when they need the most have all helped him. I underwent a 3 month training at home, before I started this branch in Nairobi,” says Ashish unabashedly.  Right now with stringent policies and rules, all he yearns are policies conducive for business.