This archive report was first published on 12 August 2019.
On a cloudy Sunday afternoon, Daniel Mugendi, a self-made carpenter, sat under a tree beside the Mombasa-Malindi highway peeling off the bark of sticks he would use to make poolside beds.
With an open furniture shop by the roadside in Shanzu, Mombasa, Mr. Mugendi has turned his passion into a thriving business.
After peeling the bark, he twists and nails the sticks to fashion beautiful pieces of furniture, including TV stands, shoe racks, and kitchen stools.
"I get the sticks from various places in Mombasa and Kilifi counties," Mr. Mugendi explained, adding that he uses neem tree wood because it is not easily infested by termites and can be protected with a coat of paint.
Mr. Mugendi's journey to success began after he dropped out of school in Class Six due to lack of school fees. He then resorted to casual labor, but after learning how to make furniture from his grandfather, he discovered his vocation.
"After gaining the required skills, I saved some money, traveled to Mombasa, and started an open-air furniture shop," he said.
With a monthly net profit of at least Sh30,000, Mr. Mugendi's business has been a success, with majority of his customers being locals and some tourists buying his products, which go for between Sh500 and Sh3,000.
However, he faces challenges such as theft and the rainy season, which makes his furniture wet due to the lack of a sheltered shed.
"When theft cases increase sharply, I have to hire a night guard, which means an additional cost," he said, adding that he plans to buy land and build a permanent furniture shop to avoid these difficulties.
Mr. Mugendi advises the youth to use their skills to not only earn a living but create employment for others.
