Kiambu County residents are utilizing local small businesses, to enhance their living standards amid ongoing hard economic times.
Some of the reasons driving the escalation of small businesses, include the high number of job searchers in the County compared to the very few job opportunities available.
Speaking to one of the street vendors who has been in business for two years in Kiambu town, Elizabeth Kanyara, who sells smokies, boiled eggs and chapatis, the vendor narrated that starting her business was the best decision that she ever made, since she is now able to tend to her basic needs and no longer depend on her relatives to help.
Elizabeth chose to focus on selling food due to her passion for the industry and a desire not to expand her business to a hotel.
Despite her business’s growth, she faces challenges that include harassment from County inspectorate and difficulties in obtaining necessary certificates, due to rogue County officers.
“I graduated with a diploma about three years ago and after unsuccessful searching for a job opportunity, I decided to venture into this business, as I needed money to take care of my six year-old son and myself,” she said
She plans to expand her small business to enable her pay school fees for the child, feeding, and rent, and expanding her sales through two more trollies. Elizabeth records a daily profit of Sh 1,000 to Sh 1,500 on a good day.
The vendor advises that one should consider certain factors for the success of their business, including the location, good customer communication, as well as cleanness in the business place.
Josphine Libala
