Refugee communities in Kenya have changed the look, taste, speed and style of business.

Today thousands of bloggers are writing about the various challenges faced by the 11 million refugees who have no country to call home and the 40 million more who have been displaced because of war and natural disasters.

At Yipe, we thought as part of our contribution to the initiative, we would pay homage to the refugees that have had a positive impact on the way we do business.

Since Kenya's independence, the country has been home to refugees from the Horn, East and Central Africa.

All these communities have had an effect on the way we do business here in Kenya:

Uganda

Kenya has played host to Ugandans fleeing Obote, Amin, Obote II and other Presidents during the country's tumultuous years. Coming from a country where the academic system was developed, many refugees were quickly employed in Kenyan schools. Their impact on students who would later in life become entrepreneurs was that these teachers not only taught excellent English and Maths (both essential for running an enterprise) but they also gave budding student entrepreneurs a world view.

Once Museveni was installed, the number of refugees seeking asylum diminished and many of the ones living in Kenya returned to Uganda. Some of the Ugandan exiles even went home to leadership positions.

However evidence of this relationship persists as Kenya remains a leading trade partner to Uganda, and if one looks at the trucks plying our highways, you tend to find a bunch of matoke banana's tied to the chasis!... yes, they even made an impact on our diets.

Rwanda and Burundi

Many exiles running away from the genocide and civil war taught french in Kenyan schools, opening up francophone countries for local entrepreneurs to venture into.

Apart from french tuition, Rwandese exiles were also influential in the "mitumba" second hand clothes market.

With stability many returned to their countries, however similarities in work ethic between Kenyan entrepreneurs and these neighbours persist, leading many Kenyan entrepreneurs to set up enterprises in these countries.

Ethiopia

Fleeing first from Haile Selassie then Mengistu, many Ethiopians came to Kenya. Their impact has been on the introduction of delicacies such as their definitive dish injeera, and the number of Ethiopian restaurants in Nairobi seems to be on the increase.

Interest in Ethiopian crafts has also led to the establishment of Ethiopian art galleries.

Somalia

After Barre's fall, Somali refugees sought refuge in Kenya. Whilst the more fortunate ones found asylum in western countries, in true entrepreneurial fashion, the community managed to set up an informal but efficient money transfer system. These money courier outfits became so popular that even Kenyans in the diaspora started using them because they were cheaper than Western Union and also the money would get to the doorstep of the person receiving the money.

Congo

Refugees running away from the late Mobutu introduced a sense of style, lingala music and of course dance (ala Kofi Olomide!). This "haute" culture remains with certain radio stations and nightclubs devoted to lingala music. Their artistes have also enriched Kenyan entrepreneurs who have promoted their concerts in the country.

Even though they arrived in Kenya penniless, afraid and without hope, these communities have left their footprints indelibly marked for Kenyan entrepreneurs, opening more doors to business opportunity.

Thus, we pay homage to these communities... Let's unite to re-unite refugees.