Alex Nyaga built Parapet Cleaning Services from a small outfit operating in single room into one of Kenya’s top 100 mid-sized firms.
I am a cleaner,” Alex Nyaga introduces himself, downplaying his position as CEO of a regional cleaning company that serves top clients such as UNEP, embassies and banks.
Mr Nyaga, a polished man who drives a classy car, says most people raise eyebrows at the seemingly self-deprecating introduction.
Make no mistake. The 40-year-old entrepreneur has made a tidy fortune from the craft of cleaning offices and homes through his company Parapet Cleaning Services.
The firm has in the past been feted among the top 100 fastest-growing mid-sized companies in Kenya whose annual turnover ranges between Sh70 million and Sh1 billion.
Founded 18 years ago, the Nairobi-based company has grown from a little-known start-up operating in one room into a regional giant with 4,000 employees in Kenya, Uganda and South Sudan. Rwanda is the next market for Parapet.
“We often fail to recognise the special role of cleaners in our offices, homes, hospitals, schools and hotels,” says Mr Nyaga, a graduate of hotel management from Les Roches International in Switzerland. He has never been employed.
“Imagine the chaos should the services be withdrawn for just a week,” he says in a reflective tone, as if painting a mental picture of the unfolding mess in office toilets, uncollected garbage and layers of dust on cabinets. The CEO then pauses for a moment before citing the ageless mantra of ‘‘health is wealth’’, and as such economic growth is dependent on a clean environment.
“Looked at from this perspective, you realise that the cleaning profession is greatly undervalued,” he quips. Mr Nyaga is on a mission to add a sparkle to the profession.
The company has developed a training package where new employees are taught to develop a passion for the job and handle clients better alongside technical skills on modern equipment such as vacuum cleaners and pressure washers.
“Workers are proud to introduce themselves as Parapet cleaners, owing to the level of professionalism with which they are associated,” he said.
The CEO, who derives his mental resilience from swimming, says that the sense of ownership has earned the company dividend in the form of customer satisfaction levels, giving them an edge over competitors.
Parapet has also kept communication channels open with customers, including on social media, to address concerns. The firm, which has a countrywide presence, recognises the importance of partnerships to fuel growth.
A partnership deal with Airtel entitles premium customers of the mobile phone service provider to a discount in cleaning services.
Another pact with Chandaria Industries is meant to instil self-discipline in Kenyans to observe cleanliness on the streets, homes and offices in a campaign dubbed ‘love where you live, work and play.’
While affirming that business is great, Mr Nyaga is cagey on disclosing the company’s worth. “We are a successful company with good returns,” it’s all he said when asked on the company’s valuation.
“Chasing money is temporary and fleeting. You tend to forget the underlying drive for your cause if you put money first. Ours was to create thousands of jobs and give a reason to our clients to love where they live, work and play.”
The company has over the years fashioned itself as a one-stop cleaning shop targeting both residential and commercial customers.
It has bagged lucrative deals with East African Breweries Limited (EABL), embassies, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) alongside banks like Barclays and Chase. Mr Nyaga says that 80 per cent of new customers have been referred to the company, underlining its customers’ trust.
The firm has 450 constant customers. The company offers cleaning and fumigation services of homes, carpets and upholstery, offices, washrooms and cars. It also provides sanitary bins and post construction cleaning. Its offices are located near Wilson Airport, Nairobit.
Inside, a corridor whose walls are adorned with canvas portraits — offering a sneak preview into his love for fine art — leads to Mr Nyaga’s office.
A music lover, he says, he has never been employed. He opted instead to follow the entrepreneurship path which ‘‘often leads to infinite possibilities’’.
Top-notch services
Parapet Services was set up in 1998 shortly after My Nyaga completed his studies. The company’s logo has a bird flying off the word parapet, whose dictionary meaning is a wall on the top most part of a building meant to protect a person from falling over.
“We settled for this to represent our quest to offer top-notch cleaning services with the bird symbolising our outstretched wings to different markets in Africa,” says the father of two boys.
He says he started out with a mix of savings and loans from banks. In line with its growth strategy, Parapet has diversified into education with the establishment of Parapet Hospitality and Business Institute which offers diploma courses in foreign languages, hospitality, management and accounting. It also trains and outsources support staff to companies seeking secretaries, receptionists and office messengers.
Mr Nyaga, a Rotarian, says the cleaning market is largely unregulated, which has led to an influx of quacks who do shoddy work.
He is also a trustee of the Kenya Youth Business Trust, which trains and funds young entrepreneurs to the tune of up to Sh200,000.
“I believe once someone reaches the top it’s only natural to reach to those at the bottom of the ladder and uplift them.”