This archive report was first published on 1 September 2021.
September 1, 2021, marked a significant milestone for Antony Muthungu, a 28-year-old entrepreneur from Kirinyaga County, as he established a Sh3 million USB cable factory in Sagana.
With a background in physics and mathematics, Muthungu had initially pursued a teaching career but was motivated to venture into industry after witnessing the widespread sale of substandard products in the Kenyan market.
His firm, TotoScie, manufactures high-quality USB cables, which have garnered a positive market response. Muthungu's innovative approach has impressed Kenyans online, with many praising his entrepreneurial spirit.
According to Muthungu, he developed the idea of setting up the assembly line after experiencing the frustration of using substandard cables. He purchased over 5,000 damaged cables, tested each one, and identified the main problem, which led him to research and develop better cables.
Despite the challenges he faces, including high production costs and the risk of counterfeit products, Muthungu remains optimistic about his business. He has pleaded with the government to introduce friendly policies to encourage upcoming manufacturers and has urged anti-counterfeit agencies to improve their surveillance on fake products.
Muthungu's entrepreneurial journey began when he invented a gadget to reduce road crashes while in his second year at Karatina University. The device, called LUAM Blackspot Tracer, alerts motorists approaching black spots from a distance of 500 meters.
With a passion for innovation, Muthungu has also developed a remote electric switch and a water meter reader that sends billing messages to water firms and consumers. His future plans include establishing earphones and other phone accessories and launching a fully-fledged phone assembly by 2025.
