Maasai Mara University Student Sustains Himself by Selling Smokies and Boiled EggsNyeri Women Representative Advocates for Dairy Farmer Cooperatives and Delivers Milk Cooler

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.

NYERI – Rahab Mukami, the Women Representative of Nyeri, has called on dairy farmers in the region to form cooperatives to facilitate easier access to financial services and enhance their dairy production capabilities. This appeal was made during her attendance at the Farmers Annual General Meeting (AGM) with Gakindu dairy farmers in Mukurweini Constituency, Nyeri County.

According to Kenya News Agency, Mukami emphasized that forming a cooperative would enable farmers to deposit and borrow money at lower interest rates. In her address, she also highlighted the significance of dairy farming in Nyeri County and encouraged the farmers to invest more effort in the industry.

Mukami presented a significant contribution to the local dairy farmers by delivering a milk cooler worth Sh 550,000. This equipment is expected to play a crucial role in reducing milk spoilage and wastage, thereby increasing the farmers’ income potential. The cooler is particularly vital for those producing over 1900 litres of milk daily, who had previously expressed the need for better milk storage facilities.

She acknowledged the various challenges faced by the farmers, particularly in sourcing raw materials required for increasing milk production. Mukami reiterated her commitment to supporting the farmers in becoming fully self-sufficient.

Additionally, she expressed her gratitude to Wakulima Dairy, under the leadership of Muhika Mutahi, for its ongoing support and commitment to purchasing milk from local farmers. The farmers present at the meeting expressed their appreciation for Mukami’s efforts, with local farmer James Kamau noting that the delivery of the cooling machine was a significant boost to their operations.