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Kaymu Rwanda boss is a big fan of Game of Thrones books

Friday May 20 2016
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Alvin Katto, Kaymu Rwanda's country manager. PHOTO | ANDREW I. KAZIBWE |

Alvin Katto. He is currently Rwanda country manager for the online marketplace Kaymu.

Kaymu operates in 21 countries worldwide, including 15 in Africa and six in Asia.

Kaymu is an online platform where buyers and sellers transact business, buying and selling products.

Katto holds a Masters degree in Electrical Engineering from Imperial College in London.

He is an avid reader and is currently reading and watching the Game of Thrones saying he prefers the books to the TV series adaptations.

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What’s your off-duty passion?

I love watching movies. It really doesn’t matter what genre, as long as it has a good story. I also enjoy reading books and I prefer fantasy novels.

If you had not turned into who you are now, what would you be?

I think I would have probably been a researcher. When I was growing up, I was curious and liked learning new stuff and finding out interesting facts, which I still do to this day.

What signifies your personal style?

I am a friendly laid back guy. I love meeting new people and I am very open as well. Despite liking to meet new people, I wouldn’t say I am the most outgoing person. I am a bit of an introvert but also pretty fun from what people have told me.

How do you manage your wardrobe?

It’s pretty simple, smart casual. I have four pairs of jeans and four pairs of shoes, among them a pair of sneakers and a pair of black casual shoes. I like keeping it simple.

When in East Africa, where are you most likely to be whiling away your time on a Saturday afternoon?

Of course it should be in Mombasa, on the Kenyan coast. It is a very beautiful place and a relaxing one. I’ve been there a few times with my family, and a couple of times with friends.

The great thing is that you are by the ocean and even if the sun is really hot, you get to enjoy a beautiful breeze from the ocean. Relaxing with a cold beer at the beach in Mombasa makes my Saturday afternoon.

Describe your best destination yet in East Africa?

I definitely dream of going to Zanzibar. I haven’t been there. It is a very old and beautiful city, there are lots of historical things to see, the beaches as well. I’ve also heard that the people there are very friendly. So for a combination of reasons, Zanzibar tops my bucket list.

Anywhere on your must-visit list?

Hawaii. I’d love to be on the beach there to enjoy the calmness by the waters, the water sports and the great weather. I’ve heard they’ve got great hotels too. Definitely from the movies I’ve seen, its an amazing place.

What do you see as East Africa’s greatest strength?

I think it’s the community feeling. East Africans are a friendly people compared with other regions of Africa. This has been noted by people from other regions and also from abroad. This characteristic attracts visitors here and it is what has made our tourism successful.

What’s your best collection?

Currently it is a collection of the Game of Thrones books by George R. R. Martin. I have all of them, and I am currently waiting for the release of the latest one later this year.

What’s the best gift you’ve ever received?

That’s a hard one. I recall it was my 24th birthday in 2014, when my colleagues and boss threw me a surprise party. It had been a stressful work day, and I had no birthday celebration plans. On my way out of the office, I met my boss who offered to buy me a beer.

To my surprise, on walking into the agreed on venue, I discovered that all of my friends were there. I didn’t enjoy it much since I was tired, but just the thought behind it was touching.

What’s the best gift you’ve ever given?

It was my sister’s birthday in 2010 and I had to surprise her with this Usher Raymond CD collection she had wanted for a long time but could not find locally. I was still pursuing my studies abroad then, so I just sent it to her by mail.

Your last great read?

A book called Deception; A Novel of Murder and Madness in T’ang China by Eleanor Cooney and Daniel Aitieri, but this can never beat the last book of the Game of Thrones (Dance with Dragons). The suspense is thrilling. There is so much drama involved in the Game of Thrones. Unlike the TV series, the books offer real cliff hangers at the end of each one, and so you just have to read the next.

Which movie had an impact on you?

There are several, but The Usual Suspects by Bryan Singer is one of my favourites. This movie shows you that not everything is as it seems, what you see on the surface is not exactly what lies beneath. It taught me that I always have to be conscious of people’s actions and words and to always read between the lines.

What’s your favourite music?

I enjoy rap and R&B.

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