Catherine Muringo’s bold statement about purchasing her first expensive car just three months after launching her Mitumba business, with only KSh 2,000 as initial capital, became the subject of much debate and humor. Despite being the punchline of jokes, Catherine remained firm in her belief that the business had been easy to enter, though Kenyans on social media had their own exaggerated opinions.
Her journey to success wasn’t always smooth. Over nine years ago, Catherine faced failure with her salon business, and she knew she needed to find a new path to support herself. At that time, she had little to her name—just under KSh 2,000, which she used as her starting capital to dive into the Mitumba business.
Mentored by a friend with experience in the clothing industry, Catherine slowly gained valuable insights into the trade. “I had less than KSh 2,000 as my starting capital. I was jobless and desperate. I went to Korogocho market and picked up a few pieces of children’s clothing to stock my empty shop,” she recalled.
The Sh. 2,000 investment quickly paid off, yielding Sh. 9,000, which she reinvested into purchasing more stock. As her business grew, she met a dealer who further taught her about different varieties of Mitumba bales, which made her business even more profitable.
Today, Catherine Muringo is the proud owner of Experienced Mitumba Bales in Gikomba Market. She sources her used clothing from international vendors, with a particular fondness for Canadian bales. “I love Canadian bales because they are clean. I also source from Australia, the UK, and occasionally from the US and China,” she shared.
Initially, Catherine wasn’t aware of the differences between the various types of bales. “I just used to buy them randomly,” she explained.
In a recent interview with NTV, Catherine humorously recalled how she bought her first car just three months into her Mitumba business. “Things were so good that between July and December, I was able to buy a Nissan X-trail worth KSh 700,000,” she said.
A passionate advocate for women’s empowerment, Catherine mentors women, particularly widows, who are interested in the Mitumba business, offering guidance based on the support she received when starting her own venture. Her mentorship has helped numerous successful entrepreneurs in the Mitumba sector.
She also advises Gikomba shoppers to visit early in the morning, between 4 a.m. and 8 a.m., when fewer bales have been opened and the best quality items are still available. “The best thing about this venture is that you can start with less than KSh 20,000. If you’re wondering how to get into the second-hand clothing business, Experience Mitumba Bales is your home, and I’m here to help you get started,” she said in an interview with Times.
