We met Amri Museveni surrounded by customers asking 'ni how much?' He responded, “kuna ya ten, twenty na fifty”.

Curious to know what was happening we moved closer. Inside the cart that he pushed sat peeled coconuts displayed on the brown husks.

Amri tells Mtaa Wangu that the idea to sell coconuts on a cart came to be after a visit to Tanzania, where he saw other street vendors doing it.

Recognizing a market gap in Kenya, where coconuts are not easily accessible outside coastal towns, Amri decided to bring this idea to his hometown.

Coconut pieces displayed on Amri's cart.

Photo credit: MUTHONI WANJIKU/MTAA WANGU

Upon returning to Migori County last year, Amri invested Sh 30,000 into his new venture; Sh 15,000 for a cart and Sh 15,000 for initial stock.

He later relocated to Nakuru to expand his business and increase his market base.

The 20-year-old, breaks and sells 50-70 coconuts daily, offering portions at prices ranging from Sh 10 to Sh 50.

"On a good day, my sales can reach up to Sh 7,000, including the sales from coconut water, which I sell for Sh 50 per 500 ml bottle," he says.

He uses coconut husks as firewood at home, emphasizing that this business has kept him away from crime.

Customers stop to buy coconut pieces from Amri in Nakuru city.

Photo credit: MUTHONI WANJIKU/MTAA WANGU

Despite facing challenges with inconsistent supply from his supplier in Mombasa, Amri manages to procure 500 coconuts per shipment.

He adds that the cat and mouse game between him and the county enforcement officers affects the business, since he has to be on alert and keep on moving despite having customers to avoid being arrested.

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Amri says that the job has enabled him to cater for his needs and his family's.

Frequent customer Fredrick Kioko praises Amri's innovative approach to making a living.

Fredrick Kioko, a frequent customer of Amri's coconuts in Nakuru city.

Photo credit: MUTHONI WANJIKU/MTAA WANGU

“Instead of resorting to crime, he chose to create his job. Many youths complain about unemployment, but opportunities are there if you look for them,” says Kioko.

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Muthoni Wanjiku