Kenyan entrepreneurs find their way to formal work

In all the middle and lower class neighborhoods of Nairobi, Kenya, small businesses such as the

(bike-taxis), water sellers with their

(manual carts), or vegetable and street food kiosks.

Titus Mutinda, 43, the father of a son, lives and sells water in the Umoja neighborhood of Nairobi.

In 2015, this property manager realized that this resource was an ongoing problem in the area, and came up with the idea of ​​selling it to residents.

He says that he had been dedicated to this activity in Umoja for three years, "but 2017 was exceptional," he points out.

“In January, the supply began to reach the houses mixed with sewage, so it was only used for the toilet tanks.

But from March it was even worse, because the taps were totally dry.

In November the problem had still not been resolved.

Why not take advantage of that opportunity?

In a press release issued on November 4, 2019 by the Nairobi Water and Sewerage Company, it was said that the city's demand was 790,000 cubic meters per day, compared to an installed productive capacity of 525,000.

In some neighbourhoods, especially in Eastlands, the supply is affected by leaks due to old infrastructure, blockages in pipes and illegal connections, vandalism and deterioration of catchment systems, among other causes.

The result has been dependence on alternative water sources, such as wells and water carriers.

To prevent tenants from continuing to move to other, better-supplied neighborhoods, some landlords have drilled wells to guarantee their tenants a sufficient supply, raising their rent slightly.

Since most renters cannot afford to switch to buildings with piped water, they settle for buying uncertified water.

“Some owners have drilled wells in their buildings, but the business continues to work well for me.

Every month I earn 3,000 Kenyan shillings [24 euros] selling water.

It is an easy business to start.

All you need is a cart and 20 20-litre drums.

Yes, you have to be strong.

Pulling a cart with that load is no small feat.

If the water issue is resolved in Umoja, I am sure that in Nairobi there are more neighborhoods with similar problems, so I will move my activity there”, concludes Mutinda.

Nairobi is famous for its traffic jams, which can only be avoided by getting there very early or simply by using a

, as the pedicabs and mototaxis that are frequent in East Africa are known, capable of reaching any part of the city. capital.

Lawrence Mbogo is a 40-year-old driver and father of a son.

He works in the Donhold neighborhood and lives in Kayole.

His day begins at six in the morning and ends at half past eight in the evening.

He became a motorcycle taxi driver in 2013.

Lawrence Mbogo drives his motorcycle taxi through Nairobi's Kibera neighborhood.Rahab Gakuru

“I'm glad I had the courage to leave my job as a temporary worker five years ago,” he acknowledges.

driver

I can earn 1,000 Kenyan shillings [eight euros] in one day.

The income has helped me to open a

in Kayole, because I hope to leave this occupation one day.

It's dangerous”, he tells about his business.

drivers

have been accused by other motorists, by the police and by pedestrians of being reckless on the road and breaking traffic regulations, even in front of traffic guards.

In addition, the increase in crimes committed by motorcycle taxi drivers and their clients does not contribute to improving the bad image that has already been created by the improper use of the road.

On Monday, March 7, 2022, a video captured chauffeurs brutally attacking a female driver following a traffic incident in Nairobi.

The recording, which went viral, showed the victim screaming for help as the group of young men ripped off her clothes and tried to drag her out of the car.

Following the event, President Uhuru Kenyatta ordered a crackdown on drivers of

in the capital and throughout the country.

It also required that all motorcycles be registered in a register.

In February 2018, the National Transportation and Safety Authority (NTSA) reported that there were 1,393,390 registered motorcycles in the country.

However, it also pointed out that the exact number of these vehicles that functioned as

and had documentation was unknown.

According to Mbogo, Kenyans should not blame motorcycle taxi drivers for the mistakes made by a few drivers who don't even have an official license.

“The business started with good intentions to help the country's unemployed youth, but it has also made room for some dangerous elements.

The biggest risk is that sometimes we take criminals posing as customers to kill the driver and steal his motorcycle to commit misdeeds.

The police should put more effort into ridding the business of harmful elements,” the taxi driver emphasizes.

Silus Mutua's fruit and vegetable kiosk.Rahab Gakuru

Silus Mutua, who also has a son, runs a vegetable and food stall in the Umoja neighborhood.

Mutua opened his establishment in 2011. He has done well, and that has allowed him to invest in the business of

.

“In addition to the investment in the mototaxi, I have built a stable house in the town where I dedicate myself to raising cows and goats.

As I cannot always take care of the farm, I have hired a boy who works with my wife.

Every day I earn 1,500 Kenyan shillings [12 euros].”

The kiosk opens at nine in the morning and closes at nine at night.

The times of greatest influx of public are midday and afternoon.

The stall sells vegetables at a good price at all hours to the hundreds of customers who come there daily, and offers to chop them at no additional cost.

“In three years I hope to completely pass it on to my wife and dedicate myself to something else.

If you don't know your market, you can have significant losses, because you work with perishable products.

We also have clients known for taking credit and never paying”, laments the businessman.

Rick John Ngugi

Jane Nganga, affectionately nicknamed Mama Githeri (mama is a Swahili word meaning mother;

is the Kikuyu name for a traditional dish made from maize and legumes, mainly beans of all kinds, mixed and boiled), started her business in 2014. There was then a shortage and the inhabitants of the Tena neighborhood had to travel long distances to find a provider.

“Daily sales range from 1,500 to 2,000 Kenyan shillings (12 to 16 euros), and buying the cereals can cost around 300 shillings (2.4 euros).

Among my clients, there are both families and single people.

I also complete my

business with fresh vegetables.”

About the difficulties he faces, Nganga says: “Sometimes, clients don't come and I have losses.

Other times, the City Council asks us for a license that we do not have.

Some require a bribe to allow you to continue with the business.

I don't have any official permission to sell food.

That's why City Hall officials keep asking me for money."

As for his plans for the future, he says that he hopes to expand the business or open a cereal store or an M-Pesa mobile banking service.

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