This archive report was first published on 11 January 2020.
Meet Lukas Njiru, a mid-50s man from Embu County who has been selling sugarcane for the past 30 years.
He operates from Karurumo market in Embu County, where the heat spikes demand for his sugarcane.
According to Njiru, a sharp machete is essential for his job, as it enables him to peel a sugarcane fast and make more money while satisfying impatient customers.
He started his working life as a casual labourer, but the job was energy-draining and the pay meagre.
However, Njiru considers selling sugarcane a good job as it allows him to employ himself and earn up to Sh1,200 on a good day, an amount he'd never be paid working on people's farms.
He buys sugarcane from farmers in the morning at Sh10 and sells it for at least Sh30, with the sugarcane from Gichera and Muregwa areas being the best.
On a good day, Njiru sells about 40 sugarcanes, but he can sell more if demand is high.
He has since switched to the Mumias variety of sugarcane, which customers prefer due to its tenderness.
Despite the challenges he faces, including muscle strain and the ban on polythene bags, Njiru has been able to educate his children up to college and even bought a motorcycle, which he uses to transport sugarcane.
