While a majority of youth would not view self-employment as rewarding, this is not the case for Samuel Ongeri.
The shoe shiner in Kibera’s Laini Saba said Friday his business has enabled him fend for his family.
Ongeri ventured into the business in 2010 after completing his form four exams because his parents could not meet his college fees due to poverty.
“After my Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education exams, I had to look for a way out to help me since I had no any other job. My parents were not able to pay for my college fees because they were labourers and so raising collge fees was an uphill taks for them,” said Ongeri.
“I therefore saw it wise to start the shoe shining business to sustain me. I started this business since I can buy a small tin of shoe polish at Sh30, dye at Sh65, two shoe brushes at Sh50 and soap at Sh20 each and water which I get for free.”
He said he enjoys his work and shines shoes for both women and men at a pocket-friendly charge of Sh50.
“Mostly my customers are teachers, police officers and fellow residents. I fetch huge profits especially during rainy season whereby I raise my charges from Sh50 to Sh70. In a day I can make Sh600 and Sh150 on a dry day,” he said.
“The business has been helpful to me since it has sustained me in Nairobi and I can now support my parents who are growing old, my wife and my two children," the high school leaver said.
His greatest challenge is during the dry season when he at times goes without customers and need for a stall to shelter from the hot sun and rains.
He intends to expand his business come next year.