The Challenges Facing Young Entrepreneurs in Kabete Kiambu, Kenya: A Case Study

The enterprise experiences of John Kuria, a resident of Kabete Kiambu since birth, provided useful information for the research study into the need for a vocational and enterprise training institute in the area.

Background

Although John excelled in his O Level examinations, his family could not pay for him to further his education. However, John, now 35, has tried his hand at various businesses since he was 22, but, unfortunately, none has thrived. Currently self-employed as a poultry farmer and playwright, he has, over the last four years, also intermittently run a nursery school.

A Playwright with a Social Focus

A gifted playwright, John has written several plays, three of which were selected to run at the Kenya National Theatre. The plays tackle various social issues, especially drugs and HIV/AIDS awareness among young people. He sees theatre as an untapped medium at local level, for creating both awareness and job opportunities. John feels that a lot of opportunity lies ahead for his theatrical talents, but he is without any source of guidance or support, and his playwriting does not provide him with any income.

Poultry Farmer

John currently runs a poultry project at the site of the proposed Institute, with 25 indigenous chickens, which are more resilient to disease and less expensive to maintain than more exotic breeds. John aims to increase his stock to 1,200 over a period of two years. However, he lacks the necessary capital to purchase and maintain day-old chickens, which would be much more convenient than maintaining a hatchery. The demand for chickens and eggs in Nairobi, which is 20 minutes drive away, is especially strategic for John’s venture, but he has no access to support in developing a robust business plan and securing finance.

Nursery School Enterprise

Over the last four years, John has run a nursery school, currently attended by fifteen children and employing two part-time teachers. His vision is to provide affordable quality private preparatory and primary education for local children. There is clearly a niche market for such an initiative, as the free primary schooling introduced by the government in 2003 has led to local schools being overstretched. However, John is disadvantaged by his lack of business acumen and finance. He runs the school in temporary accommodation and has had to close it down twice due to lack of funds to pay teachers’ salaries.

Challenges and Opportunities

John’s strength is his determination to succeed as an entrepreneur and to try his hand at various ventures. However, he has not had access to any formal business training or business support services, and he has taken on too many enterprise challenges at once. The new Institute will provide him and others with a well-structured entrepreneurial training programme, minimal start-up capital and appropriate business support services, thereby enabling them to develop clear business strategies.

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