Maasai Mara University Student Sustains Himself by Selling Smokies and Boiled Eggs

NAROK – In the face of the rising cost of living, parents are struggling to support their children’s education, prompting students to seek alternative means of income. This economic pressure is particularly felt by learners in tertiary institutions, who must manage expenses for tuition, accommodation, and meals. As a result, many have turned to side hustles to support themselves financially.

According to Kenya News Agency, Samuel Chacha, a second-year student at Maasai Mara University, has taken up a unique business to meet his financial needs. He sells smokies and boiled eggs near the university’s gate. Chacha, who comes from a modest background, started this venture to sustain himself while studying.

Chacha shared that he initially feared the judgment of his peers but gained confidence as the business proved essential in covering his basic needs. Balancing his academic responsibilities with his business, he starts his day at 4 am, attending to assignments before preparing his goods for sale. He benefits from the support of local farmers and shops, which supply him with eggs and smokies at wholesale prices, saving him the time and effort needed to source these items.

He funded his business using savings from his pocket money and a loan from the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB). With less than Sh5000, he purchased a trolley and his initial stock, and has since seen his business grow. Chacha buys a crate of eggs for Sh450 and sells them for Sh900 after boiling, earning a profit of Sh450 per crate. On average, he sells three crates a day, in addition to smokies, which also yield a significant income.

However, like any venture, Chacha’s business faces challenges. The business is seasonal, with a downturn during the three-month-long holidays when his primary customers, the students, are away. Academic demands sometimes overwhelm him, necessitating the hiring of help to manage his business.

Despite these challenges, Chacha remains determined, driven by the need to support himself and occasionally his family. He recalls assisting his parents with his younger sibling’s school needs. He envisions graduating from university not only with a degree but also as an entrepreneur who can provide employment to other students.

Chacha encourages other students across the country to utilize their free time productively and engage in activities that can support them economically.