In 1951 Doshi Hardware Stores was opened in Nairobi and Bhattji (Bachubhai) was invited to be a partner. Pappa asked Mansukhkaka if he would like to go to Nairobi and Kaka agreed.

In 1955 a Hardware & Building Material enterprise was opened on William Street in Kampala. P. I. Patel, Ravjikaka and Babukaka were Pappa’s partners. As the business that P. I. belonged to (Mengo Trading) had become bankrupt it was arranged that P. I would only have 1 share though 33% ownership. Ramnikkaka and Gidhubhai went to Kampala. Jayantibhai also joined from Mengo Trading.

Nanubhai Patel, our Chartered Accountant, was instrumental in setting up the business in this way. (Mansukhkaka was his son’s tenant in Nairobi for many years.) Nanubhai was a widower and he had stayed at our house in Mombasa for about 3 years. In 1948 the business in Mombasa were formed into a Limited Company. Later Nanubhai moved to Nairobi and formed a partnership. Pappa supported him and he in turn helped Pappa.

The businesses grew steadily and steel and building materials were added. Price lists were sent to upcountry customers from the new arrivals and stock. As yet there were no borders within E. Africa so there were no problems in sending goods to Uganda and Tanzania. The Head Office, as it were, was in Mombasa. Gidhubhai was in charge for business with Nairobi and Narendrabhai Trivedi in charge of business with Kampala. All goods were transported by rail and the godown was on railway sidings. The Nairobi business expanded and a godown was acquired in the industrial area and the shop had moved to larger premises in Tom Mboya St. Dolukaka joined the Nairobi shop and then Dhirukaka came from Mombasa.

In 1958 while Kishorkaka (who had joined the shop in Kampala) went to India to get married, Daddy Mummy and Ajay (not yet 1) went to Kampala. The shop changed premises and was near the Post Office. A warehouse was acquired in the Industrial Area. They stayed with Sumatikaka.