This archive report was first published on 16 September 2019.
Emmanuel Mukunzi, a 19-year-old student from Luanda-Vihiga, has found success in selling potatoes in Kisumu.
After completing his primary education, Mukunzi sought to become self-dependent and started by selling water to households in Kisumu. He was introduced to the business by an individual who leased him a cart and Jericans for Sh100.
One cart of 12 Jericans cost Mukunzi Sh25, and he would earn Sh120 per cart after selling. On a daily basis, he would sell 120 Jericans, making his daily income Sh850 after deducting expenses.
However, Mukunzi left the water business after four months due to the expansion of water networks, which made it difficult for him to sell water to households. He then turned to selling potatoes, a business he had always wanted to venture into.
Mukunzi bought a 50kg sack of potatoes for a startup and hired a cart to supply potatoes to estates in Kisumu. One sack of 50kg cost Sh1,300, and he would make a profit of Sh500 on each sack after sales.
On a good business day, Mukunzi can sell up to five sacks, but his average is four sacks per day, bringing his daily income to Sh1,600 after deducting expenses.
Mukunzi's success in the potato business has inspired him to venture into other businesses in the future. He encourages the youth to try their hand in businesses perceived to be odd by their generation.
