I started metal welding business with Sh500, Nyeri welder says

Paul Murage (right) at his workshop in Nyeri, explains on how he came up with a multipurpose chaff cutter machine PHOTO:KIBATA KIHU/STANDARD

In 2009, Paul Murage, from Nyeri County, graduated from the National Youth Service Programme with a wide array of knowledge in metal work.

He had high hopes of using his newly acquired skill to earn a living and he immediately went into employment in order to gain some much needed experience in this field.

“I not only got to sharpen my skill, I also learned where to source for raw materials,” he says.

Unfortunately, his employer closed shop and Murage was left to fend for himself. With just Sh500 in hand, he went on to buy some scrap metal.

“I made a jiko and some spoons which I then sold and made a profit. I used that amount to make two more jikos and eventually after selling several jikos, I was able to make my first chaff cutter which I sold at Sh15,000,” he says.

It was, however, not easy for him to sell that first cutter as the client was skeptical of his ability to build it.

“He made me sign a contract with him at a local police station before he gave me the money to build him the cutter. When it was done, he was very impressed,” Murage says.

This proved to be a turning point for him as he realised that he could create a niche for himself in a market dominated by foreign manufacturers.

“The chaff cutters that farmers buy from local shops are often imported and are made of cast iron, which is very heavy but also has a tendency to crack,” he said.

To counter this, he used ordinary iron which he turned into stainless steel, which was more durable, lighter and locally available.

“Imported chaff cutters cost as much as Sh45,000 in a shop, but mine sell for as little as Sh25,000. I also offer a one year service guarantee whereby I fix it in case of any problems,” he said.

So far, his chaff cutters have been sold all over Nyeri County and in other counties across central Kenya, as word spreads about his affordable machines.