As we cross the railway line adjacent to Free Area market, we are met by a colorful King and Queen Kahato scrap metal stall.

Miriam Nyambura Kahato secured this stand after a decade of collecting scrap metal on foot around Nakuru.

The 40-year-old has dominated the scrap metal business around Free Area and beyond. She is famously known for riding her motorcycle, as she goes door-to-door in search of scrap metal.

Watch: Miriam Nyambura speaks on her 15 years of collecting scrap metal.

For her, this is a business she ventured into after facing unspeakable mistreatment while working as a house help from 14 years of age.

Mirriam Nyambura at her shop in Free Area during an interview.

Photo credit: PURITY KINUTHIA/MTAA WANGU

"I faced a lot of challenges while working as a house help especially hostility from wives after I complained of their husbands preying on me," says Nyambura.

Thankfully, her husband introduced her to the business in 2008, pulling her from the house help work.

"My husband got to know of the scrap metal business after he met a gentleman who was in this business. He then introduced me to it."

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Nyambura says she started by walking before she inherited her husband’s bicycle and later upgraded to the second hand motorcycle that she currently uses.

"I open the shop at 7am. My daughter comes in about an hour later which allows me to leave in search of the metals. Some days I go to collect from specific people, while other days I go looking in possible areas," she reveals.

Mirriam Nyambura uses her motorbike to collect scrap metal across Nakuru County.

Photo credit: PURITY KINUTHIA/MTAA WANGU

Staring at the heap of scrap metal in her shop, Nyambura emotionally tells me, "My daughter, I am grateful for the far I have come."

Unfortunately, lifting the heavy loads has brought her health complications which manifest as joint pains.

"I lift metals weighing above 50 kilograms at times. Despite the joint pains, I have to keep working to provide for my family. My hope is to buy a tuktuk so that I can transport the goods easier," she says.

Nyambura has also employed a few youth including her daughter, who manages the shop while she is away.

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Fearless 40-year-old woman takes on scrap metal business in Free Area

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