Hawkers strike gold with curios

By PATRICK KIBET

A long the busy Kenyatta Avenue in Nakuru town, Joram Wangai and Joseph Kimani hang around the popular Maasai market hawking attractively designed necklaces, bangles and rings.

The busy Maasai market hosts traders selling wood carvings, necklaces among other artifacts. The market is popular with tourists visiting Nakuru town, which is home to the largest flamingos sanctuary in Africa.

The duo, both in their 30s, is well known within Nakuru town, sell necklaces, bangles and rings made from different materials. Business Unusual got up with the two young men, and had an interview about their business experience.

Kimani’s story begins with the post elections violence of 2008. The battle saw Kimani lose his small business and displaced from Kericho. He ended up in Nakuru showground with other IDPs from parts of Rift valley.

"In Kericho, I used to sell watches around town and for many years it was my source of livelihood. When the disputed elections brought the worst nightmare in my life, we relocated to Nakuru," Kimani narrates.

"When we arrived at the showground in Nakuru the conditions were generally bad. I opted to rent a house for my family in Maili Sita before moving to Bondeni area," Kimani adds.

At the end of 2008, Kimani started hawking watches and necklaces in Nakuru streets. It is during his hawking business where he met with Joram who was also selling sunglasses around Kenyatta Avenue in Nakuru town.

"I met Joram 2008 when we were both hawkers. He was selling necklaces and after a brief chat I realised we had a lot in common. With time, our friendship developed into a strong bond and a business partnership." Kimani says.

Joram was born and brought up in Nakuru. And just like Kimani, his education ended in primary school. He was forced to do menial jobs in Nakuru town to earn a living.

"When I moved to Nakuru town I started working at some hotel as a gardener. Their pay was meager as I earned only 1,500 per month," says Joram. "After working for some time I moved to Nairobi Ndogo within Nakuru town and started selling wares."

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