Kisumu: Jobless Journalist Stumbles on Lucrative Mboga Kienyeji Business After Radio Contract Ended

 

In 2023, Kelly Ken Rodgers Odinga had arguably one of his best years, working multiple roles as a digital journalist, social media manager, and content creator at Urban Radio in Kisumu. When the contracts ended, he found himself in a challenging period of unemployment, facing the responsibilities of rent, food, and caring for his mother and kids. Struggling to make ends meet In an interview with TUKO.co.ke, Kelly disclosed that he shifted focus to leveraging his influence on social media in his quest for stability.  He started marketing businesses and brands, providing them with online visibility and connecting them with potential clients. "Despite my efforts, the income wasn't sufficient, prompting me to explore additional avenues to meet my monthly bills," he started. Kelly says the turning point came when his mother brought him goodies, including kienyeji vegetables. Started with Facebook post He says he decided to cook his mboga kienyeji, enhanced it with milk and ghee, and then shared the result on his social media page. The response to the viral post was overwhelming, with followers offering to purchase the remaining mbogas. "That marked the start of my venture into cooking mboga kienyeji. The first client agreed to buy vegetables worth KSh 900, and he paid KSh 1,000, including the delivery fee," he said.  Kelly disclosed that the following day, he went to the nearby market, bought fresh stock of mboga kienyeji, cooked them for sale and made a handsome KSh 6,000. Kelly's business pays bills The entrepreneurship journey gained momentum as he received numerous orders, with his followers affectionately labelling him as "Mr Enhancer." Kelly's newfound venture became a lifeline, enabling him to pay bills comfortably and lead a fulfilling life. He underpins that how a would-be simple post brought forth the business idea at a time when he was lost on options still amazes him. In the face of unemployment, my focus on social media marketing and selling mboga kienyiji has proven to be a source of impact and contribution to various aspects of my life. "To anyone facing challenges, I encourage you to recognise the opportunities around you – sometimes, they're closer than you think," he concluded. 

by  Hillary Lisimba