While many hustlers would loathe charcoal business, there are those in Kibera who are earning incomes to sustain them and their families.
Charcoal fuel in the area has since gained a lot of customers, especially during this rainy season.
According to Venah Lugiri, a charcoal dealer at Makina, charcoal is the preferred fuel in the area as it is cheap.
“Charcoal can be used in small quantity to cook as much food depending on how you want it. Most of our customers are hotels and restaurants. Our product has a ready market,” she said.
Morris Matunda who owns a charcoal kiosk on DC Road said the business has helped him educate his son who will sit his KCPE exams next month.
“I sell a kilo of charcoal at between Sh50-60. This depends on the quantity which sometimes makes me sell the charcoal as low as Sh30. This money has helped me take my son to school and he is ready for his KCPE this year,’ said Matunda.
He said he gets his charcoal from suppliers from North Eastern and Eldoret.
Matunda wants other people to try selling charcoal because unlike other products, it does not expire.