Businesswoman Catherine Muringo has captured the admiration of internet users by revealing that she successfully purchased her first car within just three months of delving into the second-hand clothing business, known as “mtumba.”
In an interview on NTV This Morning, Muringo shared that she took the bold step of leaving her job to venture into the business world, even though she was a newcomer.
“I decided to try mtumba on the advice of a friend who emphasized its lucrative potential. Interestingly, the very week I lost my job was when I started my business,” she recounted.
The early days of her venture were exceptionally rewarding. In 2013, Muringo experienced a seamless start when a customer purchased her entire stock of baby clothes from her first “camera” (starter bundle). The initial investment of KSh 2,000 turned into a substantial profit, motivating her to further immerse herself in the business.
Buoyed by this success, Catherine expanded her operations, acquiring a bale of clothes and securing a stall at Nairobi’s Gikomba market. Within a remarkable three-month period, she achieved a significant milestone—buying her first car, a Nissan X-trail valued at KSh 700,000.
However, some social media users expressed skepticism about the rapid success story. One user commented, “Starting with KSh 2,000 and buying a KSh 700,000 car in three months? Really?” Another user highlighted the challenges faced by others in similar businesses, stating, “My neighbor has been in the same business for over 15 years and doesn’t own such a car.”
The discussion surrounding Catherine’s achievements unfolded within the broader context of changes in the business landscape in Kenya. Data from the Registrar of Companies revealed a notable increase in business closures, with 2,540 entities shutting down in 2021—1,255 more than in the previous year.
Among these closures was Kune Food, which ceased operations in June 2021, just two years after its launch, citing high operating costs despite raising over KSh 120 million. Additionally, We-Farm Shop, an Agritech company, announced its closure within a year of introducing the WeFarm Shop app.
