The tale of the pauper to the prince has been told enough already. Especially if you're named after history makers, like Churchill and Winston. In a sense, his fate was already written in the stars, sealed by the universe.
But this story wouldn't make sense without rephrasing it, so here it is: Churchill was a shoe shiner. Then cleaner. He returned to school after 13 years. He is now Chairman of Safaricom Investment Cooperative.
It's a long way from the boy in Kaloleni, a low-income neighborhood in Nairobi, who rises through his abilities.
In his spacious office on Nairobi's Waiyaki Road, he takes me on a tour through his childhood, his father's rumba music, and how he became just like him. But if you listen closely, he seems to be saying, whatever comes with you, doesn't have to go with you.
What do you miss most about your childhood?
I'll quote Oprah (the American talk show host) who said she would do things much faster if she could turn back time. When you're growing up, there's no luxury of time. If you could go back in time, you'd want to do the things that you've missed now and do them quickly, whether it's going back to school, because that took me a while, 13 years.
What kind of kids you?
Very ambitious. And a leader.
What was your nickname when you grew up?
soldier. My grandfather was a chief, and people marched for chiefs. I've been imitating that a lot, haha! Just like a soldier, I like things that are done well and with structure.
What has not changed in the “Soldier” since childhood?
My integrity. And it is through prayer. Soldiers pray before they go for any activity and one can survive or not.
How to stay childish in adulthood?
I love dance. Rumba. My father loved rumba and slow music.
How are you different from your father?
I took a lot from him: the same handwriting, the same precision, emotion, structure. I like to work in organized places and rush. I've learned a lot and I'm different because I'm agile, which is essential if you want to climb any ladder of success.
What are your favorite and lasting memories of him?
He loved Franco very much and the Madelo regime. I listen to these two a lot, as well as local musicians like Les Wanyika. I dance with my wife and kids, who keep asking me what the message of the songs is – I get it, but it's relatable.
What is the soundtrack to your life now?
Smooth and emotional music. slow music. No noise. At this age, I just want peace of mind.
You seem like a hopeless romantic.
In a way yes, and no. It's all about peace of mind. There is a lot of noise, screaming and fighting in today's music. When I was young, I attended a reggae concert and people started fighting. I never came back. This scared me.
What's the most romantic thing you've ever done for someone or something someone has done for you?
Wow haha! Buy flowers and chocolates. And go on a romantic vacation.
What's the one place you love to go?
Spain, South Africa and Dubai.
What travel experience changed your life?
Highbury is in the UK, although I'm not an Arsenal fan. I'm a Liverpool fan. When I was there, I saw a pothole that caused an accident, and within hours it was fixed and no one even realized there was a pothole there.
Where do you go when you want to be with yourself?
I am a very prayerful person, so I will take a vacation and go to Amboseli or any forest. Sometimes, I just coast to detox and think about the future.
Churchill Winstons, CEO, Safaricom Investments Cooperative.
Image credit: Francis Nderito Nation Media Group
What special treatment does she do just for you?
I guarantee you a relaxing holiday, during which I enjoy playing and relaxing. Dancing is a must.
Have any of your children picked up the musical gene?
Yes, the type of music we listen to is not like Madilu and Les Wanyika. Now we have Ferry Gola, Valley Ipupa and Kofi Olomide. My child looks at me, wants to know more, and I understand and speak Lingala, so I will help them translate what the music is saying.
What does money mean to you now?
The foundation I was raised on is that loving too much money is toxic. Whether you become a billionaire or not, you have learned that all of these things are false. Use your time and money well, and give back to the community. I ask God not to be boastful, disrespectful, or out of touch. When God lifts you up, He expects you to lift up others.
What's the most ridiculous thing you've ever bought?
I bought my child one of these cars for about Sh50,000 and they have outgrown it.
What is your unusual habit?
(Long pause) Waking up at three in the morning to take a cold shower after prayer. Whether it's rainy, cold, etc., I pray until 3:30 a.m., then I shower. But I'm in bed at 9pm.
I mentioned prayer a lot. Why is God so important to you?
It is the foundation that is built in us, and it is also what God has done for me, from being a shoe shiner to a street vendor to a cleaner in the corporate world, and now being a CEO is no easy feat. I think this is strange.
What aspect of faith do you struggle with?
Look at what's going on in the world and all these false prophets because the challenge with lies is to look for another lie to back up your previous lies. How do you give people false hope?
What is one thing you wish people understood more about you?
I am very friendly and have an open door policy at home and work.
What are you finally coming to terms with?
That life is short. Do what you can and do your best when you have that time.
If you had six months to live, what would you do that you've been putting off?
The Bible teaches that confession is possession, so I know I have another 40 years to go. I like to be positive because life has taught me that the tongue is a small element, but it can make powerful things happen.
What matters most to you now?
The success of this organization, my family and personally.
What does this success look like?
At SIC (Safaricom Investment Cooperative) we have a capital of about Sh3 billion, and if we took half of that and invested in projects and ideas that would give shareholders a premium double-digit return, I would consider myself successful. In terms of family, success means being a servant leader. If I achieve these two things, my success will be complete.
What is something you always thought was true but over time realized it wasn't?
If you want to move up the corporate or life ladder, you have to have someone to hold you down. You don't have to know someone who knows someone to be successful. Yes, you need social capital, but some people have risen through hard work, determination, and self-confidence.
What is your insecurity now?
Failure to achieve one's goals. Failure is a part of life, but wanting to change things makes you work harder, and seeing how that change can be achieved can make you have a sleepless night.
If success is a moving object, how do you know you're there yet?
There is no state that one reaches and feels accomplished. But one of my mentors, Dr. Myles Munro, when he was in Kenya, answered a similar question and said it was over. He did everything he wanted to do and probably talked until the end of his life. After leaving Kenya, he was involved in a plane crash and died with his wife. Keep dreaming and growing. There are still more challenges.
What would you trade your success for?
And with another success. Either make it or create it. Sacrifice is part of the journey; I went to school after 13 years. Sometimes you want to move out of the country, but you sacrifice and take your family or friends.
What book did you read that challenged your point of view?
“The monk who sold his Ferrari Written by Robin Sharma is about the idea of who will cry when you die. I have also written ten books that I think everyone should read.”Gorilla thinking“Thanks to you, really. If I want to be successful, what should I do?
What is your favorite weekend meal?
Nyama choma. I do not drink. With rumba in the background.
What's a weekend hack that can make your weekend better?
You can travel to see the wildebeest migration. It will change your perspective on life when you see crocodiles picking up zebras and unfortunate wildebeests. Life is unfortunate for the weak and timid, so what were the wild animals thinking when they were caught? Who escaped?
What do you apologize to yourself for?
Not doing things faster. If I could turn back the hands of time, I would do things much faster. And I apologize for that, as does Oprah. Maybe I would be at the top of the ladder of success if I did things faster.
Have you forgiven yourself?
Yes, these are the basic lessons, if you fall, you dust yourself off and get back up.
What do you thank yourself for?
Give back to the community. I know Kennedy Odede and Raphael Obonyo, who give back to the community and we work closely with them.
What makes you happy now?
When I bless someone else and become a servant leader. When I give my colleagues a reason to come to work because they stay motivated, well-paid and motivated, it makes them extremely excited to work.
What does this huckster say to the CEO now?
(long pause) Connections, networks and social capital are key to this journey.
Who do you know that I should know?
Joshua Oyegara, Martin Oduor, George Odhiambo, Kariuki Ngari and Robert Kibara are top CEOs in the banking sector. You should also know about the former CEO of NSE, George Odundo. These are the people who helped me walk this journey. And Eli Odong is my mentor. You need to know them.
Why is it named Churchill?
It's a strange thing. My parents used to call us people who made history in the world. My father is Boaz Wilson. We have Carrie Francis in our house, Queen Elizabeth, Kennedy Evans…all of these are history and change makers. This is the direction I followed with my children. It puts pressure on you. You don't want to be like Winston Churchill and fail.
Have you done the same thing with your children?
Yes! One of them is named Dr. Myles Munro haha! I listen to him a lot, he is my mentor.
