A young university graduate in Riabai, Kiambu County, has defied the odds and ventured into making environmental-friendly charcoal briquettes.
After tarmacking for one-and-a-half years looking for a white collar job, the 26-year-old Bachelor of Arts in Economics graduate from Kenyatta University George Mochu Ngari decided to put all his academic papers aside and rolled up his sleeves to set up an innovative and environmental-friendly charcoal manufacturing business.
Now, the young entrepreneur says he is not ready to leave his charcoal business for any other job, unlike many of his colleagues still searching for elusive white-collar jobs.
The charcoal briquettes he sells are made using locally available bio-degradable raw materials such as saw dust, maize cobs and stalks, wheat straw, soil and water.
He claims the charcoal product venture is efficient, environmental friendly, and cost effective.
“The technology used in production of charcoal briquettes does not entail cutting down trees which is therefore a boon to efforts aimed at conserving forest and water catchment areas.
When used, the charcoal is odourless and does not produce smoke making cooking a stress-free activity. Cooking is also faster and lasts three times longer than ordinary charcoal, according to Ngari.
The young entrepreneur who has been in the business for five months said he got his business idea from the internet when he read an article on use of appropriate technology in economic empowerment written by a retired military officer.
It was after reading the article that he decided to venture into production of charcoal briquettes after borrowing a Sh150,000 loan from a local bank to buy necessary equipment for making briquettes.
The raw materials are mixed and baked in improvised kilns where they turn black in colour. They are then sieved and mixed with water and a little soil for smooth compression. The contents are then poured into the compressor machine for proper mixing and compression before getting a final product of cylinder- shaped briquettes.
“During production,n the briquettes are wet and have to dry in the sun for two or three days depending on the weather. After drying, they are broken into smaller pieces ready for packaging in 50kgs bags,” Ngari says.
He currently employs two people who help him with the production. The team is able to manufacture 15 bags daily with each bag going for Sh450.
“From the earnings I get, I have been able to pay employees, sustain the business, and service my bank loan. I have already repaid half of the loan in less than five months and expect to further expand the business by employing more staff and increasing production and sales,” Ngari adds.
He currently sells his product to domestic and commercial clients which has encouraged him to produce more and look for a bigger market.
Ngari believes that if his innovation is widely accepted and utilised nationally, the country could make positive strides to save endangered forests and water catchment towers from destruction.