JUA KALI BUSINESS IS AS GOOD AS OTHER WELL PAYING JOBS

By Maritim Kipngetich

Few people can work for one employer for a decade, but George Mureithi, 54, has spent more than half his years on earth doing a job many would find difficult to do for 12 months  – Jua Kali.

For the past 36 years, Mr Mureithi has braved scorching sunshine, weathered thick clouds that often rain torrentially to earn his bread and butter at the famous Kamkunji Jua Kali shades.

 “I started working here in 1978 just after dropping out of school,” Mr Mureithi speaks with a mirthful smile.

Mureithi who makes water containers

George Mureithi in  his Jua Kali shop in Kamukunji.

and wheelbarrows, says he procures his materials from Industrial Area where theey are cheaper before modeling them to sell at a margin.

“I buy containers from Industrial Area at a cost of Sh1, 000 per container and I sell them at sh1, 400 after I have made them ready at a cost of Sh150.

“I sell a readymade wheelbarrow for Sh2, 500, although my production cost is around Sh2000,” he says.

 Mr Mureithi has seen his business grow many-fold, from an initial Sh50 per day to the current Sh1,000 per day.

“Daily income in this job is not predictable though,” he adds.

Mr Mureithi who says he lives with his family in Kangemi near Kilimani Estate has four children whom he had taken through school using income from the business.

Two of his children are now working for reputable companies in Nairobi.

“I have also been able buy a farm in Naivasha and build a house,” he says.

Another boost for the artisan is that he has teamed up with 12 colleagues with whom each contributes Sh500 per week towards a common pool.

 From the income, each of the group members has managed to buy a plot at areas of their choice. The group opened a joint bank account.

So good has been the business that Mr Mureithi says he will be unwilling to accept any other offer even from government, which he terms a poor employer.

All he wishes the government to do is set aside a place for them to work.

“We pay Sh800 tax per month to the county government yet it has never thought of setting aside a better place for us,” he says.

Mr Mureithi admitted that he was contented with his Jua Kali business that is currently worth Sh100, 000.