The heartbreaking news of popular NTV journalist Rita Tinina’s untimely death spread over the internet yesterday, shocking and saddening many Kenyans.
We are working to compile as much information as we can on this extraordinary journalist, Rita Tinina, while authorities begin their inquiry into the circumstances surrounding her death. Let’s examine what we already know.
Childhood
Rita Tinina’s childhood and early years are still a mystery; particulars of her early years have not yet been revealed.
It was said in police reports about her death that she was purportedly 46 years old when she died.
Education
Her LinkedIn profile provides the meagre details we do have about her schooling. The late, great anchor studied mass communication and media studies at the University of Nairobi, where she was awarded a Bachelor of Arts degree.
Career
Rita Tinina gained popularity among audiences as a cherished media figure with more than ten years of priceless expertise in radio and television.
Her career started at Nation Media Group (NMG), where she developed her abilities and made a big impact on the corporation. She then started a new chapter in her career in 2012 when she joined KTN News as a senior reporter, where she excelled.
But when she joined NTV again in October 2023, she saw old friends and resumed her quest for broadcasting greatness, bringing her career full circle.
Personal Life
The late journalist was renowned for her secrecy, withholding information about her private life from the general public. Although her daughter, age eight, is known, details regarding her personal relationships are still unknown.
Legacy
Rita Tinina’s love for journalism was evident throughout her illustrious career, winning her respect and appreciation from both audiences and colleagues.
Her enduring reputation in the media landscape was secured by her varied talents and persistent dedication to her profession, which left a permanent impression on everyone who had the honor of seeing her work.
If you have been keen to follow the agribusiness news and trends in Kenya, you must have noted that macadamia nut farming is one investment channel that informed farmers are putting their money into.
The local prices of these nuts have been consistently going up and the international market is also expected to grow by at least 12% by 2025.
By the way, macadamia nut prices in Kenya hit a high of Ksh.220 per kilo.
That’s a pretty impressive future market outlook for current farmers and anyone who wants to invest in the nuts production in our country.
Remember the highest percentage of the nuts we produce here is slightly processed and sold in this international market. That means we are going to benefit directly as the global market expands.
It is so pleasing to see farmers who have abandoned coffee, maize and other crops and gone into macadamia farming smiling; of course because they are now making more money than they were with those earlier crops.
Is this the right time to invest in Macadamia farming?
Yes, this is actually the best time to invest in commercial production of this brown gold. So far, the country has over 30 industries buying the nuts from farmers. Most of them simply process the produce for export. That means there is now ready market for your produce.
A few years back, no one could imagine that macadamia farming in Kenya would one day be as rewarding as it is now. A few macadamia trees would stand in homesteads essentially to provide shade only. Every season, children would crack a few of the nuts that fell off the trees and then leave the rest to rot away.
Fast forward to the period between 2015 and 2020 and the economics and trade around this crop have dramatically changed. The brown nuts that were being left rot are now gold, fetching as high as Ksh 220 per kg.
And it is a fact that the farmers currently producing macadamia in Kenya do not have the capacity to satisfy the demand from these processing companies. That is why the price is currently on an upward trend.
How long does grafted macadamia take to mature?
Grafted macadamia trees start fruiting after 2 years and reach an economic production in the third year. At this time, a tree would give you 20 to 30 kilos of nuts per harvest. The production increases steadily over time and by the 7th year, each tree should give an average of 100 kilos per harvest.
You can buy grafted macadamia seedlings from Richfarm Kenya (0724698357).
The rate at which your tree grows and reaches maturity (full production) is also dependent on how well you water it and feed it with the right minerals.
Macadamia trees require a lot of water especially in the hot areas since they have a high transpiration rate – losing water through the leaves.
Where are macadamia best grown in Kenya?
Macadamia nuts are mainly grown in the central part of Kenya such as Muranga, Kiambu, Kirinyaga, Embu and Meru. These are the places that the tree was first introduced when it came into Kenya.
With time, the tree has spread to other areas of the country such as Bungoma, Kakamega, Kitale, Machakos and Taita Taveta.
Macadamia trees, especially the Muranga 20 variety, are highly adaptive to different climatic conditions. As such, they can be grown in most parts of the country. However, the cooler and rainy areas seem to be more favorable.
The key ingredient in successful macadamia farming in the lower parts of Kenya is irrigation. The trees will need a significant amount of water especially when they are young in order to grow well.
How much do macadamia nuts fetch in the Kenyan market?
While macadamia are the most expensive nuts in the world, it is unfortunate that Kenyan farmers are not yet being paid fairly for their raw nuts. A kilo of the nuts was bought at the highest price of Ksh.230 at the close of the harvesting season in 2019.
This is much lower compared to what farmers in other places in the world get. For example, farmers in Australia earn as much as Ksh.600 per kilo of raw nuts.
So is macadamia farming in Kenya profitable?
Well, the macadamia farmers in Kenya still make some good amount of money as profits. We could do a quick calculation here: Mature macadamia trees produce an average of 100 kilos per year.
An acre holds about 80 trees hence a total production of 8000 kilos per acre in a harvest. If this farmer sells their produce at an average of Ksh.150 per kilo, he will have a turnover of Ksh.1.2 million.
The cost of maintaining a mature macadamia orchard will hardly get beyond Ksh.100,000 so the farmer has a cool million to walk home with.
How much water do macadamia trees need?
In Kenya, farmers essentially produce macadamia without ever having to irrigate them. But of course you know what that means: their yields are always below the optimum.
For optimum production, a macadamia tree will need at least 40 liters of water every day throughout the flowering and fruiting period. Irrigation should be stopped when the nuts mature to allow them to harden off.
This is a critical fact that anyone seeking to commercially produce macadamia in hot areas that have rains below 800 mm annually.
Which is the best macadamia variety in Kenya?
We consider Muranga 20 the best variety of macadamia in Kenya. This is because it adapts well to both cool and hot climates and yield just as high in whichever climate you plant it.
The nut quality and weight is also higher compared to other varieties. Its vigorous growth also means that the farmer does not have to wait for so long before getting their first fruits.
Final Word
As we always tell you, there’s no marathon race that has ever been won by those who did not start the race. If you like the idea discussed above and you have what it takes to actualize it…then don’t wait to start…just do it.
In an effort to put an end to the countrywide doctors’ strike, the Ministry of Health and the Kenya Medical Practitioners Pharmacists and Dentists’ Union (KMPDU) are scheduled to meet on Monday.
KMPDU Secretary General Dr. Davji Atellah stated in a statement to newsrooms that the meeting will provide a chance for the parties to have a productive conversation and attempt to resolve the issues mentioned in the Union’s strike notice.
The union advised doctors to refrain from working until the negotiations were fruitful.
“We want to emphasize that our strike continues until our demands are met. We understand the challenges and sacrifices each of you is making, and we want to assure you that your efforts are not in vain. Your unwavering commitment to our cause is what strengthens our position at the negotiating table,” KMPDU stated.
The strike was called by the union due to a number of reasons, including the MoH’s noncompliance with their 2017 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) and its refusal to post medical interns.
Despite a court order last week from Employment and Labour Relations Court Judge Byram Ongaya suspending the doctors’ strike to allow for negotiations, the doctors have continued their strike.
On Sunday, the body of an unidentified man was discovered near the Wanyiba Falls in Kirinyaga County’s Rwamuthambi River.
Around 5:00 p.m., locals who had gone to the river to get water discovered the body. Police from Kiamaciri station were notified and sent to the area right away.
There have been previous reports of incidents at the Wanyiba fall. A Kenya Defence Force (KDF) officer’s body was discovered in the same fall on October 27, 2023.
After identification, the officer was laid to rest at his residence in Kagio.
Chrispina Gathoni, the assistant chief of Muthigi, says that instances of deaths being discovered in rivers and on highways in Kirinyaga are alarming.
On March 14, 2024, the naked body of an unnamed woman was discovered abandoned at Cumbiri, near rice farms along Mutithi-Kandongu-Kagio, and was transferred to Kerugoya mortuary.
Two weeks prior, a second woman’s lifeless body was discovered abandoned near Rukanga along the Makutano-Sagana road. Later on, it was discovered that she was a blogger from Tharaka Nithi County.
After being recovered on Sunday, the body was brought to the mortuary of Kerugoya Referral Hospital to await a postmortem.
Easter vacation is quickly approaching, and there are certain locations with breathtaking views that you shouldn’t miss.
Don’t worry; we got you covered with family-friendly destinations that are affordable.
Here are some suggestions for stunning locations that are affordable:
1. Cycle through the Great Rift Valley
One of the best ways to enjoy a good vacation is by ensuring you’re doing the most. This is by ensuring you do not miss out on taking an adventurous cycling tour through the Great Rift Valley.
While cycling, you will be able to see through a number of quaint villages and cross many serene African Lakes such as Lake Nakuru, Naivasha, Baringo, and many more. You will also encounter several animals and colorful exotic birds as you cycle your way through the place.
2. Enjoy lunch at Karura Forest
If you want to enjoy a good Easter holiday with a group of family or friends, a good picnic idea is not bad for you. Enjoy lunch together with family or friends at the breathtaking Karura forest, the world’s largest urban forest.
While you enjoy your sumptuous meal, with your loved ones, you may encounter a number of beautiful chirping birds that fly across. There is also a good nature presence where one can take photos. There one can do some activities such as cycling and games to play around.
3. Mount Kenya Hike:
A hike to Mount Kenya is one of the most recommended things to do on a budget. Enjoy a good hike as you can witness the beautiful nature that the mountain has to offer.
It is the best place to visit on the Easter holidays, as the hike entails different fun activities that come with climbing toward the second-highest peak mountain in Africa.
There is a peaceful atmosphere that surrounds it and as you reach the summit, you get a chance to enjoy soaking in the breathtaking panoramic views of the mesmerising Kenyan plains and other peaks that encompass the beautiful Rift Valley.
4. Carmel rides at Pirates Beach in Mombasa
Mombasa is one of the best places to be on holiday as there are many places to be and visit. If you want to cut on budget while in Mombasa, you can visit Pirate Beach together with family members and friends.
Since it is free, there are a number of things one can do such as swimming, camel riding, boat riding, and many more. There are also much affordable places one can eat from.
5. The Famous Mamba Village
One of the most undeniably fascinating things to do in Kenya is to pay a visit to the famous Mamba Village, which is a popular home to over 90 large Nile crocodiles.
One will also spot lovely Ostriches in the dedicated Ostrich park, giraffes, and peacocks. There is also a restaurant where one can enjoy some delicacies as one admires the beautiful African decor.
In order to facilitate the reinstatement of housing levy deductions, President William Ruto will sign the Affordable Housing Bill on Monday morning.
Ruto reiterated his intention to sign the bill that was approved by both chambers of parliament into law on Sunday during an interdenominational prayer event in Trans Mara.
The measure, which had changes that included adding county governments, was approved by the National Assembly and the Senate last week.
Prior to this, governors had expressed concerns to the public about why the national government was carrying out the housing program while the function was being devolved.
County liaison committees will now be established by governors to supervise the program’s execution.
While in Kilgoris, the president reaffirmed that the nation’s economy is once again on a promising trajectory and expressed the government’s eagerness to carry out its commitment on roads and other development projects.
“Mwaka jana tulikuwa na shida sana; sasa leo nawahakikishia kuwa mwaka huu ndio mtaona maendeleo tukliwaambia,” Ruto mentioned.
Several members of parliament, President Ruto, and Governor Patrick Olole Ntutu of Narok were present at the thanksgiving event for Tourism Principal Secretary John Ololtuaa at Ildolisho village, Kilgoris constituency.
Governor Ntutu led officials from the area in calling for an improved road network in Trans Mara, and President William Ruto pledged to tarmack fundamental highways, such as the Lolgorian-Kilgoris road and the Kilgoris-Mariwa road.
Just a few meters from the Nkararo-Enooretet border, where fighting had broken out, President Ruto ordered Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki to return to the area in order to enhance security.
In addition, the president launched the Utalii College Ildolisho campus.
YouTube is undeniably a reliable media house that keeps and supplies video content that is relevant to the consumer’s interests. Our generation consists of people who have abandoned traditional TV or are in the process of doing so. And where are they going? Youtube!
Here are some bytes for you. Every single day, over five billion YouTube videos are devoured around the world.
On the supply side, more than 300 hours of HD quality videos are uploaded to YouTube every 60 seconds, contributing to a supermassive collection of more than 1.3 billion videos!
The reach and power of this network cannot be underestimated, with many artists, celebrities, and comedians have launched their careers through simple YouTube videos.
I know someone’s mind is already ringing with questions on how to tap into this huge platform and make some coins.
And Yes! Such a platform where such a large number of people spend so much time presents numerous opportunities to make money! In fact, YouTube has now become a booming business in the last few years.
How to make money on YouTube
Making legit money online is not a get-rich-quick affair. Bringing it home, making money on YouTube requires hard work and patience like every other good business.
Its however important to mention that for people who are willing to put in the time and effort, the payoff can be quite huge!
Most people make money on YouTube through advertisements placed on their channels.
Just the same way you would be paid to place advertisements for products and brands on your TV channel.
But the great advantage is that Youtube provides a platform for you to produce and broadcast any kind of content you want to share with the world. In other words, you are both the producer and the broadcaster.
In return, Youtube retains a share of the income that your ‘programs’ or videos make from advertising. Your duty is to create the video content for your audience, while YouTube gives you the platform to air the content and serve advertisements on your channel.
Many Kenyans have asked me severally the amount of money YouTube pays. Based on statistics from various YouTubers in Kenya, 1000 views pay approximately Ksh.100. The amount can go as high as Ksh.200 per 1,000 views depending on the source of traffic and number of clicks.
I have seen many people misleading others in regards to YouTube earnings in Kenya. Unless you get hundreds of thousands of views, it’s hard to generate decent income – YouTube is not a gold mine for the lazy publishers. Those getting over 1 million views are the ones earning good money. For 1 million views, you will earn more than Ksh.200,000.
Below is the estimated income you will earn from YouTube in Kenya based on views:
1,000 views – Ksh.100
10,000 views – Ksh.1,000
20,000 views – Ksh.2,500
50,000 views – Ksh.7,000
100,000 views – Ksh15,000
200,000 views – Ksh.30,000
500,000 views – Ksh.70,000
1 million views – Ksh.150,000
2 million views – Ksh.300,000
The money earned from YouTube depends on the number of subscribers, number of videos and how frequent you post them —and of course views. Someone can post one video which gets 1 million views and it earns Ksh.400,000. Another one will post 10 videos which will get 100,000 views in total and generates less than Ksh.15,000 from the videos. The quality of videos matters a lot too.
To start earning from YouTube, first, post good videos that will get over 4,000 watch hours and at least 1,000 subscribers. After 12 months, apply to monetize with AdSense.
I suggest that you choose a topic that has many viewers. The most profitable topics include Entertainment, Sports, health, fitness, Real Estate, Travel &Tourism, Recipe/cooking, and music.
Is my Youtube Channel eligible?
For a Youtube channel to be eligible to be served with advertisements, the channel viewers must have watched 4,000 hours (240,000 minutes) of the channel videos in the last 12 months.
What this means is that your channel must have released sufficient content and that the video content must have been watched for a minimum of 4,000 hours.
What this means is that if your channel has 200 videos 4 minutes each, then it’s expected that on average every video is watched at least 300 times to give a total of 4,000 watch hours.
Of course, there are other considerations. For instance, if a user does a search on YouTube and then watches a series of videos with yours being the first – every video watched in that series (whether from your channel or not), will be factored into the session watch-time for that content.
At this point, it is important to mention that the number one ranking factor for YouTube is “Watch Time.”
Creating content that keeps the viewer hooked all the way through is the most important factor in that video’s success on Youtube.
YouTube easily falls in love with videos that increase watch time on the site. We will discuss methods of boosting the watch time for your videos later.
Of course the more the content the better, although quality cannot be ignored if your channel is to attract and retain a loyal audience.
Your channel also must have at least 1,000 subscribers to be eligible to make money from advertising. This is not such a huge mountain to climb.
Promoting your channel and asking your audience to subscribe would give you more than 1,000 subscribers in a couple of weeks.
Building an engaged audience
Of course, the first thing you need to do on YouTube, just like any other platform, is to connect with an audience that loves your content.
This gives you an opportunity to make money while doing what you love. For instance, if you are into comedy, you need to create and share video content that excites, entertains and keeps your fans coming back for more.
If you’re a newbie on YouTube, you may want to first learn how to create good content that viewers watch consistently, and try out strategies to first grow your audience in order to maximize your opportunity to make money.
As a matter of fact, people don`t buy what they need. They only buy what they want. The only time people buy what they need is when they need and want such a thing. Need alone never motivates people to buy.
You must be able to identify what people need and want or what people want. If you`re offering what people need and want, you will have a prosperous business.
If you are offering what people want (even if they dont need it), you will still have a successful business, but dont ever go to the market with what people need and dont want. People dont buy what they need. They only buy what they want.
Let me explain.
Our needs are things useful or good for us. Our wants are things we want to buy or use.Sometimes we dont know what is good for us, so we dont care about paying for it and some other times we want what is not good for us and we are willing to pay for it.
Let`s take this practical example.
Motivational books (books on human relationship, leadership, finance, business etc.) are very good for us and every African youth needs to read at least two of such books every month, but do they want such books?
Will you sell much of these books if you advertise to them?
You know the answer.
But think about this
Hip-hop music is full of nonsense, nudity and useless songs. We don`t need such songs, yet our youths want them, so the hip-hop (demon-possessed) singers are making much money.
The above example should show you something.
Dont sell things that people need or dont want. The best thing you can sell are things people need and want.
When we started forming WhatsApp groups to educate people about profitable business idea in Kenya, our primary target was the African youths between the ages of 18 and 30 and to be frank, these are the people who need our message and business ideas and advice articles the most.
These are the people who are just becoming adults and people within their first decade in adulthood.
These are the people who, though they have certificates, they are jobless or are not earning enough money.
Most people in this age bracket are young, strong and singles, so they have much power to change whatever they want to change about their lives.
But guess something?
Most people within this age bracket don`t want to hear that there are no jobs.
Somehow they want to believe there are many good jobs waiting out there for them.
These people don`t want you to tell them that they can be business owners, if truly they want to be rich.
Though these people need our message and business ideas and advice articles, they dont want it. Its too bitter for their taste.
We tried for some years and even wasted money along the line, so as to get our message across to the people in this age bracket, but we failed and wasted our time and money.
We had to change our strategy.
Its painful but thats what we did. We now target people who are between the ages of 27 and 50.
If you are between 18 and 22 and I tell you, “Hey, jobs are scarce. The era of good jobs is gone. Be an entrepreneur”, you are likely to see me as a mad man.
But if you are 30 and I tell you the same thing, even if you will think I am too extreme in my assumption, you will agree with me 70% because you have probably finished school, searched for jobs many months or got an underpaid job, so I can have a chance to prove myself to you.
I want to hope you are getting my teaching here?
We, as entrepreneurs have to understand that people don`t buy what they need. They only buy what they want, so the best thing for us to sell is that thing people need and want.
While selling things that people want but don`t need can make you rich, some of such things are usually not good and may be sinful.
Take for instance people dont need cigarette but they want it. They dont need alcohol or bhang, yet they want them and are willing to pay much for them.
Should you then sell such things?
No.
Instead, sell something that people need and want.
How do you know what people need and will be willing to buy?
Research who you are about to sell to. Who are they? What do they know? How do they think? Where do they work or play? What are their values, interests and passion?
If you know people, you can predict what they will be willing to pay for.
Don`t just sell what people need. Sell what they need and want to buy.
That`s how to make much money in the business world.
Construction sites are on the rise in Kenya, both in towns and the suburbs. Starting a construction equipment leasing business is a profitable venture that can fetch you high profits.
Among the equipment you need are a concrete vibrator, mixer, and a concrete hoist machine.
With many people constructing houses, the demand for these types of equipment is high in the market. If you are thinking of starting a construction equipment leasing business, this is what you need to know.
Carry out a Feasibility Study
Before purchasing the equipment so that you can get started with the business, it is important that you first study the market. This will help you to determine the viability of the business and also identify a good business location. Talk to people in the construction industry and get to understand the equipment that are in demand.
Write Construction Equipment Leasing Business Plan
A business plan is a road map for any business. If you have done a feasibility study, it is easy to write a business plan. The business plan should state the equipment you need, their prices, their demand, market segmentation, business strengths and risks.
A business plan will help you to maneuver in the business and overcome business risks. It will also help you to project business revenues and determine if the business is profitable before venturing into it. You can hire an expert to guide you write a business plan.
Acquire Business Licenses and Permits
You need to acquire business licenses to operate a legal business in Kenya. You can obtain business licenses from the county government offices or the county council offices. The cost of business licenses varies with the type of business and County. For a construction equipment leasing business, the price ranges between Ksh.5,000 and Ksh.10,000.
You may also need to insure your business equipment. When you lease this equipment, you have limited control over how it is used. As such, they are likely to get damaged more often. Also, your business equipment is at risk of getting stolen. You can insure them against theft.
Cost of Starting Construction Equipment for Hire Business
The cost of starting the construction equipment for a leasing business depends on the size of your business and the type of equipment you want to lease. As rule of thumb, it is best to start small and grow your business over time.
To start a small venture, you need at least a concrete mixer and a vibrator which will cost you Ksh.250,000 and from there you can grow your business gradually.
Items for Starting Construction Equipment Leasing Business
To start construction equipment for hire business, the items you need depend on the size of your business. These are some of the equipment you need and their prices in Kenya.
*A concrete mixer (400 liters) – Ksh.180,000
*Concrete vibrator with shaft (Honda) – Ksh.60,000
*Concrete hoist machine – Ksh.400,000
*Trappers – Ksh.100,000
*Wheelbarrows (5 in number) – Ksh.25,000
Is Construction Equipment for Hire Business Profitable?
Yes. There are a high number of Kenyans constructing houses both commercial and residential. This creates a demand for construction equipment. The following are construction equipment hire rates in Kenya.
*A concrete mixer (400 liters) – Ksh.4,000 per day
*Concrete vibrator – Ksh.1,500 per day
*Concrete hoist machine – Ksh.4,000 per day
*Trappers – Ksh.100 each for 21 days
*Wheelbarrow – Ksh.100 per day
If you have all this equipment, your daily revenues are at least Ksh.9,000. If you are located in areas with lots of construction activities, you can be leasing your equipment for at least 20 days a month.
Essentially, it means you will be making roughly Ksh.180,000 in a month. If you deduct your expenses, you will be left with roughly Ksh.100,000.
Where to Buy Construction Equipment in Kenya
There are many shops that sell equipment in Kenya. You can visit the Industrial area in Nairobi and you will find many retailers selling them. To get better service, it is better you buy new equipment for longer service. You will also get a warranty so that you can get a free repair in case of a breakdown within the warranty period.
How to Market Construction Equipment Business
One of the best ways to get customers is through working with people in the construction industry.
For instance, reach out to constructors and masons and let them know that you lease such equipment. Agree with them how much you can pay them a commission for every successful referral.
This is a great way to get your business off the ground when it is new. Build a name in the industry and with time, you will not need customer referrals to get jobs.
Final Word
The good thing about this business is that you don’t have to be involved in its day-to-day running.
That means you can continue doing what you do best even as you leave this business to run in the background (provided there’s good marketing involved).
Best of all, there is room for growth. The construction sector is a multi-billion venture and the future looks bright.
So don’t hesitate, if you feel this is the kind of business that would resonate with your needs and passion, go ahead and give it a try.
Is entrepreneurship a solution to the massive unemployment challenge in the country? Some would argue that young people should rely on their own hustles to make a living due to the huge gap between available jobs and the number of qualified people.
However, other people are of the view that entrepreneurship is a tough game that has its own obstacles such as raising capital, acquiring licenses and the huge rate of entrepreneurship ventures that have failed.
This was an interesting conversation I had with Joyce Wagaki, an entrepreneur who started from scratch and is slowly building her brand in African inspired fashion.
If you had told her 5 years ago that she would be a successful entrepreneur, Joyce would have laughed that idea off as impossible.
How could she be an entrepreneur yet she was a Journalism and Media Studies graduate, with an amazing voice and a ‘bright future’ in the media industry?
“Before I graduated, I got a 3 month internship at a leading media house. We did a voice test and my voice set me apart from the other interns landing me reporting duties both on radio and on the lunch hour T.V bulletin. I knew then that my goal in life was to be a news reporter and eventually become a news anchor.” Joyce said.
After finally graduating from media school, Joyce was positive it wouldn’t be long before she got a job. She prepared her C.V and her Cover letter and started applying for reporting jobs in the media.
She didn’t get any positive responses immediately but she kept applying, kept working on her C.V and following up on the jobs she had applied for.
About 3 years after her graduation with no success in getting employment, Joyce’s sister who was accommodating her in Nairobi got another opportunity in China leaving Joyce to fend for herself while sending her money from time to time for her upkeep.
Seeing her job applications for news reporter/news anchor were not bearing any fruits, she went an extra mile and sent her C.V with voice recordings of herself hoping this would set her apart.
Unfortunately no station picked her and this left Joyce frustrated and disappointed.
“I knew I couldn’t go back home because I did not want to burden my parents. Even though my sister supported me, I still needed my independence.”
One day, Joyce’s sister saw some handbags in China which had unique prints. Amazingly, the bags were so cheap. She reached out to Joyce and asked her if she would be interested in selling the bags in Kenya.
“At first I was reluctant because I had never thought of being an entrepreneur. However, my sister convinced me to give it a try since one of my strengths was the ability to convince people.”
Joyce’s sister sent the first batch of 20 bags and 20 ear rings. True to her word, the bags had a unique design and print compared to the bags in the market then.
“I knew that my livelihood depended on the sale of those bags and ear rings so I did everything I could to sell them. I started by selling to my close friends and church mates.
I also went to town daily with a backpack stashed with some bags and walked office by office selling the bags. Sometimes, I didn’t make any sales, I had to deal with some clients who were so rude but that did not deter me.”
However, this whole time, her mind was still set in the media. She sold bags during the day and in the evening, she did her recordings and kept applying for jobs.
“Impressively, I managed to sell all the 20 bags and ear rings and made a profit of Ksh.30,000. My sister had bought and shipped the bags and ear rings at only Ksh.10,000 in China. Since the bags were unique, I sold them at Ksh.800 and Ksh.1000 per bag and the ear rings at Ksh.250.”
This experience made Joyce rethink her initial decision of being employed full time in the media to actually taking entrepreneurship more seriously.
Her sister kept sending her bags from China and with time, she expanded her collection to leather bags which were more official compared to the printed ones.
She even opened a face book page, (Bags and Leather) to take advantage of the online market.
Joyce sold the bags for a while and the returns were great, she was able to pay her bills but due to unavoidable circumstances, the bags business was not sustainable.
“I had to think on my feet since I couldn’t keep running an unsustainable business and I still had financial obligations. I thought of going back to applying for jobs but considering how far I had come, this wasn’t an option for me.” Joyce said.
One day Joyce had gone to Eastleigh to meet up a friend. However, as is the typical Kenyan style, her friend kept her waiting for over an hour.
“I was so frustrated when my friend eventually never showed up and called to cancel our meeting. Instead of wasting my day, I decided to take a walk around Eastleigh and window shop because Eastleigh was popular for getting quality items at affordable prices.”
As she was window shopping, Joyce met some ladies selling deras. At the time, she didn’t even know what deras were and deras were still a new concept in Nairobi.
“I got curious and asked the lady to tell me more about deras, how much they cost, how they are made, e.t.c. She sold me a material for Ksh.300 then directed me to a tailor who sew the dera for me at only 50 shillings and in a few minutes, the dera was ready.”
Joyce was so impressed with the end result that she wore the dera to church the next Sunday. Being a lover of taking photos, she took a photo of herself wearing the dera and posted it on facebook that Sunday evening.
“When I woke up the next day, I was surprised to get a lot of requests from my comment section and inbox from people who loved the dera and wanted one for themselves.
I was so shocked by the numerous requests but I also saw this as a great business opportunity. Also most people perceived Eastleigh to be unsafe and I took advantage of that by being the middle person between the traders and my clients.”
However, Joyce still hadn’t figured out how she would run the dera business since she needed people’s sizes thus each dera needed to be custom made. So she asked people to send her their measurements and design preferences and she would ensure they get their deras delivered to them at a fee.
That was when Joyce opened Gaki Collections, a face book page that she used to sell deras.
“With time, one of my clients asked me if she could get African sandals to wear with her dera. At that time, I had no idea where I would get African sandals but one lesson entrepreneurship had taught me was, You do not tell a client No, Just say Yes and figure it out later.”
That is exactly how Joyce started the Gaki collection sandal line which consists of custom made sandals tailored to a client’s needs.
All a client needs to do is send details of their shoe size, what color and design they would like their sandals to have and Joyce makes sure she gets the sandals made and delivered anywhere in the country.
Since my business was purely online, I knew there was more to social media and in order for my business and brand to grow, I needed to pick up social media and digital marketing skills.
“That is when the She Goes Digital program came along. Through the program, I learnt how to boost my page, make use of online ads and figure out details such as what time my audience is active online.
I made use of the skills I gained through the program and by the end of 2017, I had shipped my goods to Ghana, Liberia and U.S.A and I got even more clients online.”
Final Word
Our take-away from this interview is that we are all gifted in many ways. However, we need to have the heart to explore.
You don’t need to close up your mind to employment as the only source of income, open up your mind to more possibilities.
So what’s your excuse? Get up, identify opportunities around you and make a difference.