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Lack of employment is a challenge among the youth in the current financial dispensation, resulting in a number of them being dependent on their parents or guardians.
Most youths after completing Form 4 or even colleges expect white collar jobs, while shunning those in the informal sector that can be lucrative, but to Nisha Jepkoech, this is not the case.
The 23-year-old lady ventured into the chapati business after Form 4, which earns her a living in her day-to-day life, enabling her to cater for her basic needs as well as support her parents.
Speaking to KNA at her small kiosk located in Nandi Hills town, Jepkoech said that she resolved to go into the chapati business after school as a way to avoid idleness as well as to avoid being dependent on her parents, noting that ladies need some necessities that some parents might not be in a position to provide.
“Just like any other young lady, I have a lot of needs, which is why I work hard to earn a living rather than depend on my parents. With this business that has lasted for two years, I am able to provide all personal effects that a lady requires, pay Sh5,000 rent, and put food on the table,” she observed.
Jepkoech, who started with one 2kg packet of wheat flour a day, says that as of now she manages to cook and sell a whole bundle per day, making an interest of Sh 4500 per day. In addition to chapatis, she also sells tea and chips, which tops up her interest to Sh 5,500 per day.
She further noted that due to the high demand, she has employed two ladies who assist her at the kiosk as well as supply chapatis to her esteemed customers who want to be served at their place of work, markets, and businesses.
“I have employed two ladies who assist me in my kiosk, for whom I pay Sh300 per day. They help me supply orders to my customers while I am busy cooking. I know that by the time they leave this place, they will have acquired the skill of chapati cooking that I also learnt from my mother,” she explained, adding that cooking chapati is an easy skill that can be learned through observation and practice.
The hardworking lady whose dream is to own a big restaurant in the future says she wakes up at 5:00am to ensure that by 6:00am chapatis are ready to serve the early morning customers and closes her chapati kiosk at 10:00pm every day except on Sundays, which is her day of worship.
According to Jepkoech, her customers range from people working at the offices to boda boda riders, business people, and students, among others.
Jepkoech noted that most youths end up in depression due to lack of white collar job opportunities, yet they are able to create their own, adding that there are a lot of businesses that require minimum capital and skills to start, like chapatis, boiled eggs, and roasting maize, among others, that youths ought to take advantage of to be financially independent.
“With the current economic times, youths should ventur into the informal sector as they look for good-paying jobs. Youths, especially ladies, should double their efforts to be independent,” she advised.
By Ruth Mainye