Youth unemployment poses a significant challenge in today’s economic landscape, compelling many young individuals to rely on financial support from their parents or guardians. However, amidst this prevailing issue, there are cases like that of Nisha Jepkoech, a young Kenyan who defies the conventional path by opting for entrepreneurship.
Rather than waiting for traditional job opportunities after completing her Form 4 education, Nisha chose to enter the chapati business at the age of 23. This decision not only enabled her to support her parents but also allowed her to meet her daily needs. Instead of succumbing to idleness, Nisha’s entrepreneurial spirit led her to establish a small chapati kiosk in Nandi Hills.
In an interview with KNA, Nisha explained that her motivation for entering the chapati business was to avoid dependency and idleness. She emphasized the importance of hard work in providing for her needs and expressed satisfaction with the success of her venture, which has been thriving for two years.
Starting with a modest 2kg packet of wheat flour daily, Nisha’s entrepreneurial journey has evolved significantly. Presently, she prepares and sells an entire bundle of chapatis daily, generating a income of Sh 4,500. She has expanded her offerings to include tea and chips, further boosting her daily earnings to Sh 5,500.
The increased demand for her products has led Nisha to expand her operations, employing two additional ladies who assist with customer service and chapati deliveries to various locations such as workplaces, markets, and businesses.
With a vision of owning a substantial restaurant in the future, Nisha’s daily routine begins at 5:00 am, ensuring freshly prepared chapatis are ready for early morning customers by 6:00 am. She closes her kiosk at 10:00 pm daily, dedicating Sundays to worship and rest.
Nisha’s customer base is diverse, catering to office workers, boda boda riders, business professionals, and students. She pointed out a concerning trend of young people experiencing depression due to a lack of white-collar job opportunities but emphasized the potential for individuals to create their own employment opportunities.
According to Nisha, businesses requiring minimal capital and basic skills, such as chapati making, boiled eggs, and roasting maize, provide viable avenues for youths to achieve financial independence. She encourages young people, especially women, to seize these entrepreneurial opportunities as a means to overcome unemployment challenges and foster financial autonomy.
“In the current economic climate, youths should explore the informal sector while searching for well-paying jobs. Young individuals, especially women, should intensify their efforts to attain independence,” she advised.
