It is still the boldest thing Shannel Kibet has ever done, but she knew she had to try and fail rather than not try and not know if she would have succeeded or not.

And a few years on, she is happy that the leap of faith she took to quit her job and start her own business has paid off.

It was 2022 when the government announced the introduction of digital number plates. This meant that all motorists would have to replace their old number plates with new ones.

Shannel saw a silver lining and a business opportunity in the new policy.

Shannel Kibet and Ms Kurgat during installation of digital number plates outside NTSA offices around KFA in Nakuru.

Photo credit: Purity Kinuthia/Mtaa Wangu

Then, a saleswoman at a car accessories shop in the city centre, she quit her job to start her own business installing the new digital number plates.

"While I was working at the vehicle accessories shop, I heard that people were queuing up at garages making appointments just to have their old number plates replaced with the new digital ones. Since I had a little background on what was needed to be done when it came to the installation process, I quit my job and started my own digital plate installation business," Shannel says.

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Luckily, she had taken a course in plant operation after high school, so she knew how to use spanners and cut metal to size. With Sh3,000 she bought a rivet gun, a number 10 wrench, some rivets and some place holders.

Shannel Kibet making marks on the new number plate before trimming it.

Photo credit: Purity Kinuthia/Mtaa Wangu

"Armed with my tools, I went to the Nakuru National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) office near KFA to see if there was anyone offering the binding and installation services. Good thing nobody was doing it, so I immediately set up camp there and waited for my first customer," she says.

"I remember the first day as if it were yesterday. It was around 3pm when I saw a gentleman driving from the NTSA offices. I approached him to ask if I could help him with his new number plate. He refused, telling me that he had made arrangements with someone else. An hour later, he came back and asked if I could install the plates for him, which I did for Sh1,500," the 23-year-old says.

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It takes five to ten minutes to bind and fix the digital number plate installation.

"The fees vary depending on the number plate holder's preference. It ranges from Sh800 to Sh3,000. If a customer just wants to keep their old number plate, they only pay Sh300 for the installation. I pay a monthly licence fee of Sh350 to run my business," Shannel says.

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The number of customers she serves in a day has grown beyond her ability to do the work alone. She has now employed 10 people.

Shannel Kibet trimming the digital number plate before making the installation in Nakuru.

Photo credit: Purity Kinuthia/Mtaa Wangu

"I am happy that this job has led me to self-employment, where I am better paid and can employ more people. I love it when women come and are trained in this job and do their best. My hope is to get a bigger place to do this job and also to train more women in this job," she says.

wanjirukinuthia20@gmail.com

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