Garbage collection earns Polycarp Wekesa a living

For two years while living in Kaptembwo estate in Nakuru, Polycarp Wekesa, 25, saw his neighbours accumulate garbage which took time to dispose.
The fact that the town council’s garbage collection vehicles came to the estate irregularly meant that most households lived with garbage at their doorsteps.
Wekesa, a jobless youth, saw this as an opportunity to make a living.
He says, “I felt the suffering of most residents as garbage literally suffocated them. Some would dispose of it along roads which in turn became a nuisance to many people. I just thought of helping them out at a small fee.”
Due to the already existing need, Wekesa approached households and explained his solution.
At just Sh20, he would collect and dispose of the garbage every two days. 

Fees for his siblings

He explained, “First, I approached 20 families and all of them were excited about my idea. They saw me as a ‘saviour’. I was helping them solve a problem which they had lived with for years. They were particularly happy that I was only charging them a very small fee each them I visited their houses. I would use my bicycle to dispose the garbage at a designated area.’’
With the initial batch of families, Wekesa was assured of making Sh800 per week.
This was good income for him.

“What was important is that my idea was now generating a constant income. The days when I used to cut and sell grass using my bicycle were over. I now plan my finances and even help pay fees for my siblings who are in school.’’
Currently, he serves 30 households. This has increased his weekly earnings and financial security.
Due to the growing popularity of his garbage disposal idea, Wekesa plans to recruit two additonal garbage disposers.