There is no big
difference. Sonko and Carnegie practice philanthropy. They are both devoted to societal
growth through supporting development projects. The only difference is that one
is a leader and a businessman, and the other was just a businessman. Carnegie struggled
to give back to the community; in fact, he is the first person I have heard who
sacrificed more than 90% of his wealth to the benefit of his nation. Sonko also
sacrifices all he earns for the society development and public good.
Carnegie was
born in Dunfermline, Scotland in November 25, 1835, and immigrated to USA with
his very poor parents. He started working at age 13 as a telegrapher in a
company where “peanuts” is just a poor word to describe his earnings. Poor Carnegie
struggles through life, his eyes wide open to every microscopic opportunity. By
mid 1960s, he had massive investments in railroads, railroad sleeping cars,
bridges and oil derricks.
Mike Sonko was
born in 1975, in Mombasa. After completing his primary education from Kikowani
Primary in Mombasa, Mike began to participate in his father’s business while
still a student at Kwale High School. His father was a developer. He dealt with
buying and selling of plots at the Coast to European buyers from where he realized
supernormal profits. Entrepreneurship-oriented Sonko had made sh 5,000,000 profits
at the level when I was sleeping in the corners of Amabuko Secondary School,
reading hard in order to alleviate myself from poverty. At form four in 1991,
Mike Sonko was already stinking rich. This did not affect his academic performance
because he qualified to university. He decided that business was his calling; a
Business Administration and Management course at Edxcel International School in
Mwanza is all he needed. Sonko joined his fellow Nairobians in the year 1994
and invested in Matatus and properties; he was also a chairman of Eastlands
Matatu Association. He has expanded his ventures to nightclubs, cyber cafes,
salons, boutiques, and phone accessories shops in Nairobi.
“I propose to
take an income no greater than $50,000 per annum. Beyond this, I need ever
earn, make no efforts to increase my fortune, but spend the surplus each year
for benevolent purposes.” Said poor Andrew Carnegie. “Man must have no idol and
the amassing of wealth is the worst species of idolatry. No idol is more debasing
than the worship of money.” He added. Carnegie developed a dictum, where he
proposed that people should spend first third of their life to getting
education they can, second third in making all the money they can and the final
third in giving all away for worthwhile causes. Before he died in August 11,
1919, Andrew had donated $350,695,654 for various philanthropic causes.
Mike Mbuvi aka
Sonko has never received salary, neither as an MP nor as a Senator. He gives
every needy visitor who visits his office sh.1000 for fare. Each month, he
spends sh 5,000,000 on harambees, development projects and handouts. Sonko also
runs a charitable organization, which helps needy pupils. He opened several youth projects to empower the youth
in Makadara and increased stock for mama mbogas and built for them shades.
Among his philanthropic
projects, Carnegie funded establishment of libraries in the United States,
Canada, Britain and other English-speaking countries. He opened Carnegie
Library in 188. In 1885, he gave $500,000 to Pittsburg for a public library, $250,000
to Allegheny City for a music hall and library and $250,000 to Edniburgh for a
free library. Carnegie funded 3,000 libraries located in 47 US States, Canada,
UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand and West Indies. Carnegie established
institutions under his name: Carnegie Institute of Technology, Carnegie Institution,
Carnegie Melton University, Carnegie Vanguard High School and Carnegie Trust
for the Universities of Scotland. Carnegie opposed giving money to individuals
in the name of charity, “ I gave a beggar a $1 coin, and what he did to money
was really frustrating.” He said. According to him, charity supplies the means
for those who wish to improve themselves to achieve their goals. He held to his
stand that wealthy people should contribute to society in the form of parks,
works of art, libraries and other endeavors that improve the community and contribute
to the “lasting good.” Several years after his death, his name is still outstanding
in the eyes and ears of the people; he is still serving people in his absence
to realize their dreams. I think this is what Caroline Muthoko was trying to
pass to Sonko on that bright morning when they had a small argument on radio.
No one can deny
that philanthropy is the building block of the Western world. People competed
in doing philanthropy and at the end of the day, there was massive development across
the countries of the West. One thing about most whites is that they do not
overspend; they invest in mega projects. People understand that wealth belongs
to the nation; in fact, when Carnegie approached his death, he surrendered his investments
to the public before his death. Carnegie opposed wealth inheritance by arguing
that the sons of prosperous businesspersons were rarely as talented as their
fathers. By leaving large sums of
money to their children, wealthy business leaders were wasting resources that
could be used to benefit society. He believed that the future leaders of
society would rise from the ranks of the poor; he believed in this because he
had risen from the bottom. He believed the poor possessed an advantage over the
wealthy because they receive greater attention from their parents and are
taught better work ethics.
If we have a few
Kenyans with this heart, then the Wings of Africa will have the strength and
power to see and fly us successfully to prosperity. However, we are most of us
are greedy, stealing even from where we are supposed to give back to; and we
must accept that. I have not heard financial cases involving philanthropists
like Sonko and our leaders have to emulate this. Thanks to our Kenyan corporations
devoted to corporate social responsibility. Thanks to the first president of Kenya,
His Excellency, Jomo Kenyatta. Thanks to our academic institutions, let us develop
the youths who have a mind in societal development, not greedy spendthrifts
that make our nations to suffer huge debts.
