Used car tyres.[Photo: Nation]
A group of youths in Machakos are making a living from used car tyres.
The youths under the umbrella group, Tyre Revolution, collects tyres from various places before selling them to interested customers.
Speaking at Machakos town on Thursday, the youths led by their leader Samuel Mutinda, said that tyres have helped them stay ahead of their unemployed colleagues in the town.
"We normally get the tires mainly from various garages in Machakos Town and sorrounding at a considerable low price. We can as well get them from individual car owners," said Mutinda.
He added: "We then stack them here every morning where interested customers can come and buy."
He says that their main customers are makers of sandals (akalas) which he says have gained popularity with local youths of late.
"A single akala maker can buy up to 15 tyres in a week making them our main customers," said Mutinda.
Other customers, he says are those who want to use them in their homes for growing flowers, fencing their kitchen gardens among other uses.
Mutinda now urges other youths in other areas to exploit existing opportunities in their environs to better their lives.
"The proceeds that we get from here, we share equally and save a little for tomorrow. Let youths from other areas be creative and innovative and they will succeed," he said.