24. This is how many children Yussuf Didow’s father had. The tall poppy of the family, Yussuf had to grow, both in stature and in life, just to stand out. “My father was busy, but he was available, and in the little moments, he gave us his all.”
Because his father was a busy man, something inside Yussuf told him he too would have an exacting schedule as a man of substance. But he has put in the work with his own four children: walking here and there, swimming now and then, and hugging them always.
At his gilt-edged office along Nairobi’s Kilimani, he pronounces himself on his love for fish, and how back then, before going to school, he’d party and dance all night, the hallmarks of a life still under construction. Now, he is an older, more contemplative man, wanting to be more settled, the way a river calms when it widens.
What is something interesting that has happened to you either this month or this week?
Going to see my son graduating from a short course on confidence building. He was giving a speech in front of a crowd. A very short, brief moment. But I could see myself in him. It was a very proud moment for me.
What is it like being a father now?
It's being more available and available. Children knowing that having you around makes them more confident and comfortable. For me, being a father is being there.
What's an underrated joy of fatherhood?
Carrying everybody along. You are heavy lifting while others are enjoying.
Did you grow up like that?
Kind of. You know, I come from a polygamous family. My dad has 24 children. I don’t quite remember what number I am, haha!
Everybody had something to add, some value proposition. Everybody had a different character. My dad really wanted to make sure that we all went to school. And I believe... if you look at the definition of fatherhood from him, he was really doing the heavy lifting.
Would you like a large family too?
Definitely [chuckles].
Coming from such a large family, did you ever feel that your father never had enough time for all of you?
My father was a businessman, and most of the time, he was focusing on ensuring that he provided for the family, because my mother was a housewife.
He was engaged in barter trade between Mandera and Nairobi. I did my primary schooling in Mandera, then went to boarding at Maseno School. But the little moments over the holiday period that we were able to see him, he was always there for us, motivating us and giving us the support that we required.
Transnep Insurance Brokers CEO Yussuf Didow.
Photo credit: Francis Nderitu | Nation Media Group
What is your fatherhood struggle?
Balancing time, work-life balance. Being a father is more important to me, and being a CEO is extremely demanding.
What do you remember most about growing up in Mandera?
My madrasa life, which I inculcated in everything I do now, the Islamic teaching of integrity, trust and respect.
What remains unchanged about Yussuf since childhood?
Being humble and patient. I am extremely patient.
What do you see when you look in the mirror?
My vision has always been to be that person who supports others, uplifts and creates an impact in whatever I do.
What used to make you happy that no longer makes you happy today?
Playing football and watching Manchester United [chuckles]. Because of how things have evolved, I no longer get time to watch the games.
You used to play football? Which position were you in?
Midfielder. Attacking. And whenever I take a free kick, it is always 90 degrees. [chuckles]
What drew you to football?
To be honest, it was more of my friends. And a sport that I also loved. It was engaging. Football was a way to hang out and socialise.
What are your hobbies now?
Swimming and nature walks. I take time to walk with my children at Karura Forest or The Arboretum. Sometimes I am alone and I picture where I want to take the company.
What's the boring part about swimming that most people don't know?
I believe swimming is the only activity that exercises the entire body. But it’s also fun.
What’s your self-care routine?
I enjoy visiting new restaurants and having a taste of new cuisine. I think I have visited nearly all the restaurants in Nairobi. I will drive to Naivasha to have a feel of Enashipai. I recently discovered a zipliner over Lake Victoria!
What’s a dish that instantly takes you back to your childhood?
Fish.
In Mandera?
No, I was at Maseno School. I love fish up to now [chuckles]. I can make a mean fish and tea haha!
If you could have dinner with anyone in this world, dead or alive, who would you go for?
Jeff Bezos. Or Elon Musk. I envy and admire the way they have revolutionised the technology industry and how it's transformed all aspects of life, from healthcare to travel.
What's the most memorable conversation you’ve had over a plate of food?
With my current partner at Transnep Insurance. We were discussing the idea of going into insurance, which is how Transnep was born.
What have you learned the hard way in life?
Not to expect much from people. And not to expect anything in return. I lower my expectations from the word go.
Isn't that counterproductive?
Not in workplaces, in social setups.
Has it affected your relationships? Has it made it better?
It has made my relationships better, by far. By the mere fact that you have these high expectations and they fail, you always feel demotivated or that somebody has let you down.
Which quote best describes how you see the world?
Leadership is something that I value a lot. If the people following you are not influenced and decline when given an option, then that means you are not a leader. They are following you because of your power.
What is a superpower you would like to possess?
Convincing power. Convincing people of noble ideas and helping lead the world.
What cheers you up the most?
Achieving our targets. Seeing the team grow and having highly motivated colleagues at work. Personally, it's when I head home in the evening and my children hug me.
It is a long way to 24 children. How many do you have so far?
I have four children, haha!
What do you hope your children will remember about you when they are at your age?
That I was always a present father. Being present means the little time that we get together, I shut everything else and I am there for them. 100 percent focused.
What is your favourite activity you do with your children?
We enjoy swimming. All my four children know how to swim. We go swimming and we watch movies together.
What was your teenage rebellion?
I really enjoyed dancing. I would find myself visiting clubs, which was definitely a taboo in my culture. I would sneak out. When we would take the Akamba bus from Nairobi, we would alight in Kisumu and have the time of our lives before proceeding to Maseno, haha!
Did your father ever find out?
Never [chuckles]. He’ll find out today.
Transnep Chief Executive Yussuf Kala has learnt humility, respectability and managing expectations
How do you measure a life well lived?
When I die how many people will feel my absence because of the impact I had on their lives? That would be the most fulfilling thing.
What do you fear people will remember about you when you are gone?
At times I have been very harsh. Saying no when necessary.
What belief do you hold true that most people will disagree with?
As a stout Muslim, there is something called Qadar, which means that everything that has happened has already been decided. We are just here to align, because we believe the pen is already dry, and you cannot change much.
What will surprise people about how you spend your weekend?
I don’t have a structured weekend. It’s a relaxed, but it is also an opportunity to attend to social events.
