Located in south east of Nakuru town is a popular estate known as Bondeni.
The area is famous for its informal sector (jua kali), which has created a means of livelihood for hundreds of youth.
Erastus Gikonyo who owns a jua kali workshop, said he has been in the business for the last 30 years.
“I have employed eight young men in my workshop; we specialise in making charcoal jikos, metal pans, water boilers, snacks warmers, chicken feeders, metal gutters among others. This business has enabled me pay school fees for my two children who have now graduated from Moi and Egerton universities,’’ said Gikonyo.
The jua kali workshops are so popular such that they attract customers from as far as like Gilgil, Molo and Kuresoi.
"Most of the products are very affordable in these workshops, we get so many orders from wholesale shops within Nakuru town and neighboring sub-counties,’’ he said.
He explained that the business depends entirely on scrap metals thus the operational cost is low.
Majority of the youth working at the workshop are paid on commission depending on the products they make.
Brawn Odoyo one of the youth whose specialty is jiko making said he takes home at least Sh500.
“If I pull up my socks I can even pocket Sh1,000 in a day.’’