When Catherine Muringo revealed that she bought her first car just three months after starting her mitumba (second-hand clothing) business—with only KSh 2,000 as initial capital—her story quickly sparked debate, curiosity, and even jokes online. While social media buzzed with exaggerated reactions, Catherine stood firm, crediting her quick success to determination, smart reinvestment, and a business that was surprisingly easy to get into.
Her journey wasn’t always glamorous. Over nine years ago, her salon business failed, leaving her with little to her name. Jobless and desperate, she turned to a friend experienced in the clothing trade for mentorship. With her last KSh 2,000, she went to Korogocho Market and bought a small batch of children’s clothes to stock her empty shop.
That modest investment brought in KSh 9,000, which she immediately reinvested. As her sales grew, she connected with a bale dealer who taught her the ropes of sourcing and identifying high-quality mitumba. This knowledge became a turning point, boosting both her profits and her confidence.
Today, Catherine owns Experienced Mitumba Bales at Gikomba Market, sourcing second-hand clothes from Canada, Australia, the UK, the US, and China. “I love Canadian bales because they’re clean and consistent in quality,” she says. Initially, she bought bales randomly, unaware of the huge quality differences, but now she’s a seasoned buyer who knows exactly what to look for.
In a lighthearted NTV interview, she recalled her biggest early milestone: “Things were so good that between July and December, I bought a Nissan X-Trail worth KSh 700,000.”
Passionate about women’s empowerment, Catherine mentors aspiring entrepreneurs—especially widows—on how to start and grow in the mitumba business. Many of her mentees have since built thriving ventures of their own.
For shoppers, she shares a simple tip: visit Gikomba early, between 4 a.m. and 8 a.m., when the best bales are freshly opened and the top-quality pieces are still available.
“The best thing about this business,” Catherine says, “is that you can start with less than KSh 20,000. If you’re wondering how to join the second-hand clothing trade, Experienced Mitumba Bales is your home. I’m here to help you begin your journey.”
