Despite public dislike, Trump business centre open doors in Nairobi

Located prominently along the Third Street next to a Turkish tower, the Donald Trump Business Centre is arguably the most talked about topic in the neighborhood. Photo/ Courtesy

Immediately the US election was over and President-elect Trump was declared victor, a businessman in the neighborhood decided to name his premises after the Donald.

Located prominently along the Third Street next to a Turkish tower, the Donald Trump Business Centre is arguably the most talked about topic in the neighborhood.

Trump has viewed Somali’s as a threat to the United States. With two days before his election as the 45th President, he warned of the danger posed by Somali immigrants in Minneapolis, a deeply segregated city that has the largest Somali-American community in the US.

“It’s horrible what they have been doing and if you want people to pour in Minnesota all you have to do is vote for Hillary Clinton,” Trump said.

For Abdirahman Yussuf, a stall owner at the Donald Trump Business Center he said the business premise has nothing to do with Trump and what he stands for, adding that he draws inspiration from the business mogul.

“Besides what he said during the campaigns, he remains an inspiration in terms of business growth and sustainability,” the 24-year old Somali national said.

Mohamed Suleiman, a second-hand shoe dealer notes that, “Majority of the customers don’t give much consideration to the name displayed on the banner outside, if they find something that they need to buy, they just buy it without giving much ado about the name of the building.”

Sylvester, 33-year old hawker from Laikipia said the shopping center, just like Trump’s election victory, was unexpected.

“It was a miracle, much like nobody expected Trump to win the US elections,

“We least expected that the owner will name his business after such a divisive figure.’’

Sylvester believes the controversy that surrounds the name could be the reason behind the brisk business at the premises.

“We get lots of customers daily, I don’t know if it has anything to do with the brand name. Most of them come from nearby, others tell a friend and they do visit our stalls,” Sylvester observed.

James Kinangop, a shoeshiner with a makeshift stall opposite the Trump Business Centre said he is uncomfortable with the name, adding that Trump would never be a figure of inspiration.

“When the world is experiencing lots of hate and violence, Trump opted to stoke it through his bullish, unpolished and vile rhetoric,” he said.

“He could do better than that and anyone who aspires to be like him should rethink his value system,” he added.

We asked Gabow, the man in charge of the premise how the customers view his building and the name.

“People do come to buy the goods they want: what happened in America stays in America.

“We mean no harm and Alhamdulillah (Thanks to Allah) we have a great customer experience,” he said.

He added that, “What we can do is borrow a leaf from his journey vis -ã – vis ours,” Gabow responded.
Donald Trump’s palaver on Somali’s won’t stop today or maybe tomorrow with his recent attack coming hours after the Ohio State University stabbing.

Trump posted on his Twitter: “Isis is taking credit for the terrible stabbing attack at Ohio State University by a Somali refugee who should not have been in our country.”
Donald Trump Business center is set to rename after Eid next year, perhaps, to a Somali name.