"Everyone in Kenya is smart it takes one to think outside the box to make it" Director Philip Onguko

Good morning once again. It's exactly 10 minutes past 8 in the A.M. Yes. And we are back. Nambia that I'll be coming back. And here I am again. I keep a promise as you can see. My good name is Eliza Kimani and I am your host for the day. And I have a question that I want to uh ask you. Yeah. Have you ever gotten to a point that you feel uh you love your phone so much? Most of us love our phones. I think that is one of the things that stays with us for the longest. I think you're always having it everywhere and all that. And we find ourselves loving our phones so much. What happens when uh the motherboard of your phone doesn't work or your phone is no longer charging or accidentally it falls down and the screen breaks, we get stressed, uh we get worried, we do not know what to do about it. Um, it stresses us and at times you go to a place and you're like 220 you feel like you cannot be helped. But today I am here to tell you that there's a solution and there's a place that you can go to uh for your phone to be um repaired well and um cuz for me I think my phone is my baby. So if I say that for your baby to be taken uh care of I am talking about your phone. Yeah. So I am talking about the IQ service center and it was founded by um the uh the tech entrepreneur Philip Omulama. Okay. and I am here with him in the house today. So, he's going to be telling us and you would want it to be repaired or you want to know and you like you know what if I had the skills I would be very very happy I would appreciate it and that's why he's here to tell us how he came about with IMAT. Yes. and that is an organization or an institution where you can go and learn how to repair phones and um all these tech equipments. So before that is not some that's not my niche. Okay, I'm just telling you what he has told me about himself and what I know that we're going to be discussing today. So yes, if you have a question you want to ask, make sure that you drop your comment Facebook. So, we're going to be reading your comments or your questions as we get to answer them as we go on with this amazing segment. But for now, let's get to hear from him. Good morning. >> Good morning. >> How are you? >> I'm good. >> Tell us a little bit about yourself and also tell us about the IQ uh service center. >> Okay. Uh Shukran, my name is Phillip Lama. I am the CEO or founder of IMAT. IMAT is I IQ mentorship and empowerment training center and uh it is a mother branch of uh the main service that we used to provide as IQ. Ike being the repair center. >> And uh I met now that it came about after uh noticing that too many youths were interested in learning how to repair mobile phones and laptops of course and they did not have the uh there were no uh good institutions that could offer such kind of trainings. So we came about uh for that main reason. So we had IMAT. IMAT is IQ mentorship and empowerment training center where we train youth on how to practically repair mobile phones and laptops. >> Wow. Amazing. Okay. But maybe you can tell us what is this gap that you noticed that made you first start I center and also afterwards after seeing that you've gone with the IA center realized that hey I think I need also to start an institution. So what was that gap that you noticed as a person or maybe as the team that you're working together with? >> So of course yeah I'm not alone. We have a team or we have a squad in place. We have individuals like Mike and Vic. >> H we run I met and uh the main thing that made me want to create such an institution was uh the lack of job opportunities. So we wanted to create like an entrepreneurship field whereby youths who are who are interested or who had the zeal to understanding how mobile phones and laptops do work could find a place where they could equip themselves and create employment for themselves and for others too. >> So we not only uh focus on repairing or just teaching people individually. Our main aim is to create a ripple effect whereby each and every person that learns from us can create a job opportunity for themselves and also others. Opportunities for the youths of this country. >> Okay. Most organizations they lure people with that. um sorry to say they say once once you you and then it dawns on you that and then they start telling you internship opportunities are very few. So what are you doing different to make sure that you're promising these people these young people that after this we're going to get you jobs and you're actually making sure that you're delivering that. I understand that one deeply and like I said our main aim is not just to offer certificates after you have completed our service. >> We really see to the end that you've gotten yourself something to do or you've got you've gotten yourself a place to work >> or most have a track record for that. We already have people on ground who learned through who passed through us and are now having their own shops. That's a CEO to CC uh we do not only teach we just not a teaching institution like I said that IMAT came about after IQ. Yeah. >> IQ is the repair service center where we >> actually repair mobile phones and laptops. >> So uh they all operate under one roof. So it is easier for one uh to see practically what is going on after the school because they can really practically engage in uh understanding how mobile phones and laptops are repaired >> and can have a one-on-one direct uh like internship and all that. But um another thing that I can add on that is um as I said IQ being a repair and service center we have been in the market for long for I can say for at least uh 15 years uh we have been running that business for 15 years. So we have created partnerships and uh clientele all over the country just having this one. We also have like technicians who whom we work with let's say uh from Mombasa and all that while those ones who have branches will require other technicians to work with. You are guaranteed that after you do not want to have your own shop or if you do not have the capability of creating one or having one or starting one at the moment of repairing before I met so we used to repair even for other technicians. We work as a referral immediately after graduation like we just had a graduation the other week >> and we already have requests for those who have graduated from us so that you can have some placements in other institutions. Just a month ago, I I was asked by Samsung, there was a there is a Samsung branch there at near just opposite the because they truly trust in us and uh believe in how we do teach. That's a having uh a place to work after you have learned with us is like a guaranteed but uh I do not entirely push on people to seriously just get employed. One Nambia students they can get employed to get experience. Yes, it is very very true and good and vital. But we base and focus ourselves on telling them to be entrepreneurs so that they can also create chances for others. Okay. Um, you feel you seem very passionate when you're talking about that which is a good thing. Maybe you can tell us a success story of someone that you've seen. Um, they came to your uh to your school, they've learned from there, they've gotten the skills and maybe right now they running their shop somewhere or they've been employed by a big company or something like that. As any story of any student that maybe you can think about, >> there are plenty. You can say I can start with one of the biggest mobile phone repair company stroke sellers of uh repair uh tools, equipments and also spares. I believe most of us of most of these Kenyans already know Dharma mobile spares. So we have we have had some of our students working and are currently working with DMA and they believe that DMA has in me already positioned them in a good place whereby we also have other people some are in Mombasa We have it will be a topic on its own. There are so many who have employed themselves and who have also been absorbed by other big tech companies. >> Yes. >> And who are your main target uh audience as I or probably as um the whole institution? Uh generally anyone who is passionate enough that is one of the things that we ultimately you have to have an interest you have that is a key point number one at least you know how to read and light and write school and all that it's not limited to that we also take in other technicians who want to improve on the They just want to sharpen their skills and for you to remain relevant or to remain afloat you have to be better than the rest and that is where sharpening comes in and that is why IMET was built or was made. >> Okay. Um when you talk about that nikama um this is one of the people that are trying to give a good word for the business you know uh what would you say is making IQ different from all other organizations and institutions that we've heard of and institutions that we know of out there. Yeah, there are several institutions and some are just cropping up after maybe they have seen us also doing this kind of thing because Kenya formal way of teaching youth on how to repair mobile phones and laptops. But it is through the struggles that we decided to just put it formally and all that. very very formal and an institution that is recognized by uh the government of Kenya as it is at the moment in such a way that we do offer practical training skills we majorly focus on the theor sessions they there also we having a room like this one and it is subdivided into different sections and there is section that does handle the mobile phone and laptop repairs. So right there exacts that are really required for you to be a competent mobile phone and laptop repair engineer in this country of ours. >> Okay. Yeah. Uh what are some of the technological ways that probably your institution is using or how is technology being um employed or used in your teaching or your repairing um your daytoday life we are incorporating tools and equipment we also have that we do use in the repair field. Okay. To easen up the work or to do work that looks almost perfect or near perfection. We are using integrating the machines of today and soft of today that I don't need and we are also incorporating softwares of today that helps easy in easiness of solving mobile phones and laptops problems. Zippo even advance with technology. >> Okay. >> So when I what I hear is you saying that having a digital skill is very very important for one a technician that wants to come and uh learn from you or a technician that you've already taught and they are now going out uh on the field. Yeah. So probably you can also tell us some of the skills that are very very important because I'm I'm I'm thinking if you're using softwares then that means probably someone needs to have a background in um computer studies or something to understand how to handle or uh use the programs. So maybe you can also tell us about that. >> Yeah. Uh like I said, we are not just limited to teaching on how to repair by by uh the technical terms. We are living the teachings. We are living the teachings. Like I said, at least 15 years in the field operating the mobile phone and repair things. We also teach on customer relations skills, bookkeeping, entrepreneurial skills, AI integration very time and again It's all communication skills. They're there. We also have examinations for that. We examine them on the same handle problems. safety. Everything that revolves around any basic workshop, bookkeeping, importation of this gadget, mobile phone repair, mobile phones and laptops, even importation of tools and equipment, importation of spares. So, it's an allround best under one roof. >> Okay. Amazing. Um, and when you are training these young people, cuz I want to imagine that most people that are interested in learning and getting equipped with these skills are young. What are some of the mistakes that you've seen uh them do or out there? What are some of the mistakes that you feel young people are making? Um, because I'm sure now um not everyone has gotten to get to IQ, but other people are in other institutions. So, as a whole, what are some of the mistakes that you think young people are making? That is one very big mistake. One very big you going to handle someone's property and000. You are not going to you're not supposed to joke around that. So the mistake that young people are doing that's why we are insisting or we are urging them to come over so that they can have experience in learning and practical skills in uh learning how to handle handle these gadgets of course all revolving around the teachings So, so those are the gaps that we looking at and we're trying to maximally utilize those uh mistakes that uh that opportunity to me opportunity They do not know even how to book they don't have a record. So those are the things that we do teach at our place and those out it is out of those mistakes that I see them doing that we created this institution and that is why I practical skills bookkeeping communication skills and yeah >> especially when it comes to communication skills very important very many young people do not know how to speak to people >> truly the course but they would won't would own up or maybe even the customer is wrong but in business they say that the customer is always right. >> We just say he's king. >> Yeah. >> All right. Um right now in the generation we are in we see models keep changing every now and then. um for example a phone and uh every new model comes with new uh methods or maybe new softwares or uh in a different way. So to ensure that every time uh your institution is also up to date like updated every now and then uh to be able to handle these gadgets with their new models as they keep on coming. So with that one it is something that has been observable experiencing whatever you're saying before the Chinese brought about their screens and all that we have done Philips the previous phones aisha With that came about the change metamorphosis. I can tell you for sure every now and then we must advance in our ways of teaching in our way of understanding how mobile phones do work. the newest technology. We have a team that does that. The trending emerging issues and trends every now and then. These are the challenges that are with these devices. We take risks too. Understand the structure. So that is on the repair department will not be handling it for the first time. We also invest too much in technology standby of new phones. There's a new OPPO in the market. There's an iPhone that is coming out iPhone 18 that is on the outer space. There is a pairing of this chip to that software that is required. So we have a team for that and also PDF. There is a curriculum that we have set in place and we also have notes for our students physical notes that when PDF formats notes we keep on updating them. There is a new phone. So we update them PDF every now and then updated information or notes on the emerging issues and trends in technological world. It is easier because we are leaving the teaching. >> All right. Um, is there a time probably you've gotten a gadget that is kind of difficult to handle or um you didn't realize where the problem was or something like that? Cuz I want to imagine at times even doctors uh fi see a sickness for the first time. Yeah, they've never heard about it or uh it's not in the books or it was just mentioned but it's not as uh common to everyone else. So maybe you can explain um how you deal with that when you now probably thought that you cuz I feel like you guys are doctors but now phone doctors, gadget doctors. Yeah. So um you diagnize a phone or a computer or a laptop uh because you think that the problem is something and then you come after you realize oh that was not the problem or you don't even find uh the problem you were looking for or something like that. So maybe you can tell us how you get uh to go about that. >> It happens. It happens. We also have mobile phones out of experience at the end of this device is going to be this way. So just try and save time for your client. Don't take them in rounds. Just like the field hospitals. We have our ways of finding out where we work on other technicians phones the frequency of those we are having a Samsung Galaxy with a Bluetooth and Wi-Fi issue the repeatedness of that kind of This one is also for the big companies. We are dealing directly with consumers too. to live and direct and save their time. You can do nothing about it. It is dead and dead forever. pressure going and forth and all that. So we also have challenges. So you can just adise them that does not make sense. Yeah. does not make sense to fix this phone. Just go ahead. Yeah. Yeah. Those who want it that we left with no choice. But just understand that we also have problems that are chronic. It is not dead until we say so. As a CC, we regard ourselves as one of the best and we are working towards being the best >> mobile phone repair technicians and institution to teach on how to repair mobile phones and laptops. >> So we have problems that are but extensively >> serious. I want just to um empower my people with some of the common problems that you've seen in different phones. At times people say that um there's a phone that after four years you have to replace and get another one. Maybe warranty probably it's going to go to like up to 5 years after that. I think I need to get a new phone. uh you can tell us uh how that works and maybe some of the recurring problems that you've seen uh with different um uh like it's a common problem among many phones among many laptops or computers or maybe tell us when you do something uh this is going to affect it. Yeah. >> Yeah. The most common one charger with iPhones most probably buying fake chargers buying It's a market for us to create awareness. >> Yeah. >> So that we can maintain our clients to every good care of their devices. So charge us and do not use yourself in dump. Not gadgets in damp areas. Don't drop them and all that. Handle your gadget with care when people go for counterfeit services and for counterfeit spares. >> Yeah, I know someone. So you have people complaining about network problems after fixing charging issues. People compl complaining about uh display issues after fixing screens and uh we really look into that. They degrade the working the phones. Also you've touched something on the warrant and guarantees the warrants that is 24 months 12 months. And most of the times how many years is that? for years to but we know that one they can work. But uh we also into we also want or work with organizations that do the e-waste management the recycling and all that in place how to recycle. Of course by repairing we are trying to elongate the life of this electronics. So we are so much interested into e-wast they deem obsolete. So in the long run so we also into environment so much >> okay um you've spoken about charges there is something that very many people say so I want you to tell us if it is true or it is a myth um one is saying that you should not charge your phone o overnight another one is saying that you should not charge your phone to 100% another one is saying that you should not use your phone when charging it. Um is I don't know if they are true or they are not. So you're here to educate us and help us understand cuz those are terms that I've heard very many people say. So yeah, you can tell us about that. It won't charge anymore. Just cut it inch. So you have budget phones, mid-range phones and flagship highend phones. Of course they have self-maintain like You can find the stories and all that just charge phone if it's full just unplug it. >> Okay. >> No pressure. >> And um what opportunities do you think exist in um the broader picture uh especially for the young people? or anotherwhere anywhere in the world. If you have the skills you are able to fix, you can be able to fix a phone and you can earn a livelihood out there. So opportunities are unlimited. That is why I identified this gap and we created skills and practical skills on how to repair these ones and have their livelihood through mobile phone repair. Opportunities are unlimited. Just come and learn, get skills, get yourself some something to do. And after you have solved a problem, you're going to earn something because the world revolves around solving problems. They will never end. Trust me, they have been there. is part and parcel of ourhood for learning banking everything almost everything revolves around mobile phones do happen also deal with accessories the mobile phone world has a has a very very big big market. Yeah, it has potential. >> Okay. M >> most of the times for young people they tend to lose confidence in themselves especially if you do you make a mistake probably you are having a client's phone and then you've messed up like you were saying the examples of the screen and then another problem is there the phone is not charging anymore something else and um this might affect the confidence that they have in themselves because they feel like they're not doing enough or they failed. So how do you get to address such kind of issues with your students to ensure that that failure does not affect them? Because I'm very sure that uh it's not always every time that everything happens 100% as you would expect. So how do you get to speak to your students or address such kind of issues where they um kind of tend to lose confidence in themselves? >> Yeah. Okay. It is easier for me. I have been in the field So most likely we have to diagnose first before giving out a quotation. So you go ahead and give them the price of the screen when this phone comes. Oh, there's some connectors that are broken. There's some chips that are broken. There's a flex that having a problem. So these scenarios we handle them carefully. We also have a space for repair. So after learning you can understand practically just in case and uh there are unfortunate events that do happen but what I say we always take full responsibility of the shortcomings most of our jobs are yeah most jobs so we have clips for that so it's easier for us to back. This one is selfined. We take responsibility. Honesty and is part of our pillars. >> Being honest and um integrity is one of our very very strong pillars too. >> Okay. >> Yeah. Quical industry. Yeah. >> Amazing. Um when talking about that I think about the problem that is there in Kenya as a country and most of the times you find that very many young people are unemployed at Akama we are trying um to educate them we're trying to encourage the young people to go ahead and uh join these institutions and get skills for themselves because now uh what I is doing I think it's making people see that you don't need to be wait to be employed or go for the white collar jobs um you can do a technical uh kind of job and it pays you well and it's okay. So where do you think we are going wrong as a country? Because we trying everything we can but the employment rates are still very very high >> as a country. I don't want other people to think this way but I will not wait upon the government to give me or to handfeed me. I am I can't be my own boss. Now what I did is just to identify a niche, a gap. There are no technicians in the area that where I started electronics. So I noticed that there were no techians by then. 2008 there was a niche. So I identified the niche and utilized it by then. But everyone okay everyone is having a phone. there is some so I'm sorry I've lost your question >> I had asked um what is the problem where are we getting it from >> okay as a country it should begin with you should begin with you can just give a very very simple you know, you'll get out of that place. So that is the mentality that I want you to have. Of course, we also depend on other people. Sometimes you cannot do it yourself. And that's why we have we also take in some students sponsorship and of course we have been in the space and we know we know how it feels not to have an opportunity. But most within their area. They will see opportunities. Imagine >> it just starts with you. Just the way you think and the way you look at things. Try to find a problem then create a solution. Think of how you can do something and shorten the distance. Think of how you can do something and bring the services closer. You can You can do something as long as you solve a problem. You'll be an entrepreneur and you can get yourself something out of it. We have to think by ourselves. What can you do to solve a certain issue? What can you do by yourself? So just think, think and look around. Yeah. Look around. You can also have some good talking skills. Can you can present an idea to someone just think with the technology that we having, we have the internet at our disposal. Yeah. So there are a lot of I think there are a lot of opportunities to limited. >> So I see time is really running out but maybe you can tell us what is the vision of IMAT as well as um the IQ center maybe some few years to come. Um what is the vision that you have? So we are truly working on practically giving out skills on youths impact skills and knowledge on how to repair mobile phones and laptops but it is not limited to those uh repairs and anything that is concerned with mobile phones and laptop like I said the importation the sailings the accessories and all that everything that is attached to mobile phones and laptops. Now uh we want to be the best repair hub in the country and beyond. We also want to have the biggest institution within eastern central Africa that handles mobile phone and laptops and related electronics. So, so we are looking at ourselves to Nigangalia to cure a very very big university or a very big big tertiary college that teaches or impacts youth on how to pay mobile phones and laptops because h now that we are Nita certified certified and we also accept students from beyond the borders. In fact, we have had students from South Sudan Tanzania and we can now accommodate students even from other far and wider places. Now we are also looking into having in the next coming future near future we looking into having a very big boarding where we can have the accommodation of uh those ones who are coming far from Nairobi or outside the countries. So that is the institution that we are looking to create. Now we want to solve a very very very big problems a big problem among the youth. So we will be having a very very big institution within Nairobi and other counties of this country and also accommodate other youths from other places of this Africa and maybe beyond. >> Amazing. Yeah. >> Maybe in connection with that in one minute you can tell us what do you want people to see or hear when uh they hear your name mentioned uh 10 years from now what do you want them to remember you for? So uh 10 years from now IMET which is IQ mentorship and empowerment training center started at very small kiosk but uh we want people to see growth resilience. We want people to see someone who tried and failed tried and failed multiple times. Someone who worked himself out of dust but eventually a dream for the young upcoming Kenyans who wanted to do something with their their lives. Someone who has transformed this country, someone who has transformed the lives of many youths. Al I always say someone who has created like a ripple effect to help someone. If I help someone, someone will help someone. Someone will help someone. So I always say the world has enough for us all. I don't believe that we have very limited uh resources as a country. Believe Kenya is a very beautiful place with very very sharp and smart young boys and girls and uh everyone in general in Kenya is smart. So you are inspiring. I can see your journey from where you began a very small but right now we thank God we are somewhere respectable we would be having a very very big institution something even bigger than Kenyat that's what I'm trying to figure out so it's like an ant looking at a mountain but uh from the challenges that I have had and the conquering that we have had I believe there is nothing that is impossible It is possible. I can do something with my life. I can do something myself. I can think beyond the boundaries. I can think outside the box and do something for me myself. Okay. For the community and for the country at large. >> So that is it. I want you to take this opportunity and speak to a young person that's watching. Um, tell them anything. I I don't want to like give you what specific words you should tell them or advise them on, but you just uh be free tell advise them anything. Anyone that is watching uh out there. >> So, uh there's something that I did not mention. We also have girl techs in this industry. So, we have managed to have women in tech industry. Some of them have already been employed. They have been absorbed by other companies who have gone through us. And uh we are also having other technicians. We also have people who have done their degrees and all that who are interested or who have come to us and studied mobile phone laptop repair and they have the skills already. If you want to establish your own shop, please. We know what we are doing. We know how the the culture of mobile phone and laptops revolve around us. Also, companies you'll be helping the public or helping the society and in one way giving back. We are also looking at the shelved gadgets. So we are saying just uh to put it clear that the gadgets that you have home shel that you are not using the gadgets that you want to dispose uh the gadgets that you find faulty you can bring them to us uh as donations. We also accept donations by the way that will help uh teach youths on how to do their repairs perfectly because who they don't practice on people's phones of course. So mentorship and empowerment training center. Yeah. laptops. >> All right. Or you can tell us where people can find you probably where your offices are or um if you are online where people can find you online. >> Hello Kenya Cinema Plaza number. We are at Kenya Plaza fourth floor room number 42 Nairobi CBDala Avenue just next to service center. Yeah, just making this Kenya and the world better. >> Are you online? >> We are online. We go by the name IQ service center or IMAT. We also have a Facebook page that is uh IMAT I T. We also have an IQR page I cur I the I for eye gadgets then cure for curing and um we have IQ service center on Tik Tok whereby we give out tips daily tips on how to repair mobile phones and laptops for the technicians that are currently practicing it. >> All right. Yes. >> Thank you so much. Um time has gone and yeah we have come to the end of this amazing segment. Um thank you so much for coming. You've educated very many young people and I'm very sure that if you're there and you want to study, you want to know how to uh repair mobile phones. This is the place to be. I have made sure. So if you need to go to them, make sure that you do that. But at the end of the day, make sure that you're doing something with your life out there. Yes. Thank you so much for coming and um I am very sure that my people have gotten to learn a thing or the two from the amazing discussion that we have had. True. >> Yes. I'm taking a very short break but I am going to be coming with an amazing woman young lady. Yes. So uh we're going to be having a very amazing discussion. So make sure that you stay here with us on why in the morning. My good name is Eliza Kimani. Uh we're taking a very short break but we are coming back.