Due to the biting drought and harsh weather being witnessed in most part of Rift Valley, residents of Athinai in Nakuru County have become creative through recycling sisal waste, hence making a living.
The villagers are eking a living from Athinai Sisal Factory waste in Nakuru .
The villagers mostly youth and women collect the waste from the factory's dump site, process, dry, and sell it to furniture manufacturers for stuffing sofa sets at sh 100 per bale.
Speaking on Friday at Athinai, the villagers say that the business has supported many families and it has helped many youth who have abandoned felonies .
Sam Kimani 21, says the tough climatic conditions has forced them to earn a living through recycling the waste .
“We collect the waste, dry it and process the bale before selling it to carpenters for stuffing chairs,” said Kimani.
Susan Jeptoo, a single mother says that she has been in the business for the last five years .
“This business has supported my family. I pay the rent and feed myself with the money i make from this place,” says Jeptoo.
The villagers said that the dump site is the 'emblem of hope' to locals who are finding hard to make ends met .
The villagers are now in the process of contributing money and construct a 'company' to process the waste in large scale and sell the stuffing to other parts of the country.