At around 7.30am on my way to the office, I always find a group of four energetic young men busier than bees cleaning cars as owners wait seated in plastic chairs not far from the car wash.
I always notice about three or four cars spotlessly clean as the owners settle their bills and ready to drive to work.
I had to literally get an appointment with one of the car cleaners, David Ombija, because he is always so busy, with more cars arriving to be cleaned.
During the interview, David whose car wash is located at the Afraha stadium, said his day starts at 5am.
“I report here at exactly 6am and I close at 8pm,” revealed, David.
He said he is proud of his work and he doesn’t get tired.
He admitted that in a single day, he can wash seven medium cars.
“We are paid in commission, the quicker you are the more you earn. For a medium car we charge Sh250 where the owner of the business take 60 per cent and I take home 40 per cent with seven cars I pocket Sh700,” added David.
I also find out that larger vehicles such as trucks and buses are charged differently, between Sh400 up toSh600.
David confessed that even when the business is so low, the cleaners cannot fail to pocket at least Sh400.
“I have been in this business for three years; I was able to save some money and opened a ‘mama mboga kiosk’ for my wife. I am also able to pay bills and school fees for my two children,” said David.
As I leave, I spot another car wash with a group of five young men busy cleaning cars and a lady in a blue coat with a receipt book collecting money from the owners of the cars.