After Charles Karanja completed a construction course at a technical college in Kiambu, he experienced difficulties in finding employment, which led him to explore opportunities in other sectors in order to secure himself a job.
Armed with his expertise in construction, Karanja identified a unique niche in the market that needed to be addressed that catered to the deceased.
He discovered a unique way to honour the deceased by painting and beautifying graveyards, providing them with a peaceful resting place, noting that it was a niche market that had not yet been widely explored.
His initial project was done by drawing inspiration from ideas he found online, as it was the first time he had attempted such a task. The positive feedback he received motivated him to continue exploring and creating more projects.
“I specialise in constructing and enhancing graves, as people are always finding new ways to pay tribute to the departed. In the past, the deceased were simply buried in the wilderness with a banana tree as a marker, but now we commemorate and celebrate the lives of our loved ones in more meaningful ways.”
“I assist people in honouring and respecting their loved ones in a unique way by creating beautiful graves. A person’s grave is their forever home, visible for all to see for eternity after they are buried. It is important to show that the deceased was valued and respected by their loved ones.” He explained.
The grave decorator based in Kiambu town shared that he makes Sh600,000 in a successful month and Sh200,000 during slower months. He charges a standard rate of Sh60,000 for each project, allowing him to provide job opportunities for other young individuals.
“My business was launched with the help of a client’s down payment. I have a managing director, ten regular employees, and contract temporary employees when things get busy,” noted Karanja.
Similar to all other businesses, Karanja has faced a variety of challenges, including financial limitations and difficult customers.
“I do face obstacles, especially financial ones. There are times when clients underpay or go quiet after the work is done. This makes following up on payments extremely challenging, especially if they are not within Kiambu County. Following up via calls and messages can also prove to be ineffective sometimes, as they may ignore or completely block your calls,” he added.
Karanja intends to grow his business by expanding into various towns, with the aim of providing employment opportunities for the youth and addressing the widespread issue of unemployment in the country.
Karanja also aims to become the top grave decorator in the country and hopes to inspire and employ youth by opening more workshops in the future.
By Hellen Lunalo
