Kericho, Kenya: One of the fruits that is literally flying off the shelves during the dry spell being currently being experienced across the country is watermelon.
While many Kenyans are complaiing about the dry season, Josphat Mutai, a fruit vendor in Kericho town, wishes every day of the year was this hot.
"The weather makes people thirsty all the time and those who want to live healthy are opting for watermelon instead of soft drinks."
Mutai reveals that he sources the fruits from Marigat in Baringo County. Once the fruits are delivered to Kericho, he displays them for sale at various strategic locations in the town including near hospitals, supermarkets and at the local bus stage.
He spends about Sh120,000 to purchase the fruits from the source in Baringo and Sh20,000 on fuel to deliver the fruits to his base.
"After the fruits reach Kericho, I use an old pick-up truck, a van and station wagon to distribute and sell the fruits at various locations within town."
Mutai, 32, sells a 2kg watermelon for Sh60, 3kg (Sh100), 4kg (Sh200) and 5kg (Sh300). He says there are bigger and heavier watermelons, which he sells for upwards of Sh500. He also sells slices of the fruit for Sh20.
The trader says his customers buy all the melons within a week and he often has to make three trips in a month to purchase more. At the end of it all, he makes a Sh60,000 profit.
He adds that the business, which he established in 1997, has enabled him to employ eight casual labourers who assist him sell the fruits.
Mutai who began with an investment of Sh1,000 and hawked fruits in Kericho town using a wheelbarrow, proudly reveals that he now wants to purchase a lorry to ferry watermelons and other fruits from farmers within and outside Kericho County.
