A while back, Kenyan entrepreneur Stephen Kinyua identified a gap in the supply of watermelons in Tharaka Nithi County and more specifically Chuka town that was rapidly expanding thanks to the establishment of Chuka University in its outskirts. The influx of students and teaching staff made the demand for foodstuffs - including fruits and vegetables- skyrocket.
Fruits like mangoes, paw paws, oranges and passion fruit were readily available locally, but apples and watermelons had to be sourced from beyond Tharaka Nithi County boundaries.
Luckily, Kinyua has always been an ambitious person. With the establishment of Chuka University, the entrepreneur saw an opportunity for earning the kind of income he had always dreamt of. He quit his job as a teacher in 2013 and ventured into the sale of melons in the growing market. As his specialty got rewarded his prowess grew and his prominence as one of the leading suppliers of watermelons into Chuka town has never diminished.
To dominate the watermelon market in Chuka town, Kinyua had to be patient to create a loyal customer base that sustains him in the business. However, the benefits which range from easy loans and insurance benefits are agreeable. Since starting the journey of selling of watermelons, Kinyua says that the demand has been varying due to the economic circumstances. He reveals that the network to get good watermelons has been a major challenge.
Source: kenyanews.go.ke