In 1983, at the age of 15, Lucy Wangare Muchiri found herself at a crossroads in life. Pregnant and unable to continue her education, she made the difficult decision to leave Lari Secondary School, unknowingly setting the stage for an extraordinary journey.
Lucy, originally from Gethithia village in Kiambu County, had initially been supported in her education by her uncle, the renowned author Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o. However, when Ngũgĩ went into exile, this financial support ceased, forcing Lucy to move to her mother’s home. She recalled, “When he went into exile, that financial assistance ended, and I had to move to my mother’s place, where I had to walk to school.”
This transition marked the beginning of a challenging phase, as Lucy now had to endure long daily walks to school. But an unexpected hitchhike changed the course of her life. What began as a ride to school led her instead to Nairobi, where she ended up living with the driver and eventually becoming pregnant.
After facing numerous hardships, including the loss of her partner to illness, Lucy and her family relocated to Cherang’any in Trans Nzoia County. Yet, even in the face of adversity, Lucy found the strength to persevere.
The early 2000s brought a significant turning point when her husband’s health declined and he passed away. This tragic loss, however, brought with it a sense of liberation from an unhealthy relationship, allowing Lucy to embark on a new chapter in her life.
With a rekindled passion for cooking, Lucy began catering for events, sharpening her culinary expertise. A key moment came when a pastor paid her Sh800 for her services—an amount that would serve as the seed capital for what would soon become a multimillion-dollar business.
Lucy’s entrepreneurial journey began modestly, with food sales under a tree in Kitale town. Despite facing resistance from the town council over public health violations, Lucy persisted, catering affordable meals to low-income earners. Her determination, combined with disciplined saving, led her to establish the successful ‘Mama Njuguna Hotel,’ known for its delicious and budget-friendly offerings. The hotel not only became a thriving business but also created job opportunities for many young people in the community.
Lucy’s story of success did not end there. She expanded her business by opening ‘Mama Njuguna Choma Zone’ along the Kitale-Eldoret road. Through consistent profits, she was able to fund the education of her four children, and at 48, she returned to school to further her own education.
Today, Lucy is at the helm of a flourishing business empire, overseeing a workforce of 40 employees. What started as a small venture selling githeri, chapati, and tea for as little as Sh5, Sh10, and Sh10, respectively, has grown into a thriving reality.
Lucy Wangare Muchiri is not only a successful entrepreneur but also an inspirational figure. She actively speaks at schools and churches, imparting entrepreneurial knowledge to young women and girls. As a passionate advocate for women’s rights, she campaigns against gender-based violence and encourages women to assert their rights and seek support when needed.
Through her hard work and savings, Lucy has accumulated Sh3 million and secured loans totaling Sh80 million to fund the construction of a new hotel near Kitale Bus Park. The acquisition of land for the hotel, purchased for Sh1 million, marks the fulfillment of her long-held aspirations.
