Beaming with joy and a sense of accomplishment, Peter Mulinge shares his inspiring journey from a humble sugarcane vendor to a successful fruit stall proprietor. His life took a positive turn after obtaining a business loan from Chai Sacco, a financial cooperative that revolutionized his personal and professional life.
Mulinge’s story begins with a vision shared with his wife, a trained salonist. Together, they embarked on this transformative journey by becoming members of the Sacco and starting to save diligently. This effort was driven by their aspiration to secure a loan that would enable them to elevate their living standards. “The moment I received my first loan from the Sacco, it was a game-changer,” Mulinge says. “I invested part of the funds in expanding and diversifying my product range. Today, I offer an even wider selection of fruits to my customers.”
Amidst a bustling marketplace, the father of three diligently attends to his patrons at his vibrant stall, adorned with an array of luscious fruits – from plump, ripe bananas, succulent oranges, and fragrant pineapples to sweet, juicy melons. His dedication to his business is evident in the steady stream of customers who are drawn to his well-stocked offerings. Much like his fellow small-scale traders in the vicinity, Mulinge sources his diverse merchandise from Kongowea market, the expansive open-air market in Mombasa.
In his late thirties, Mulinge attributes his foray into a Sacco to his wife’s insightful suggestion. Her peers enlightened her about the advantages of joining a Sacco and proposed the idea to Mulinge, who promptly embraced it. Becoming a member, he embarked on the journey of saving whatever modest sums he could set aside. “There is no fixed amount required for one to save,” he explains. Saccos offer a flexible approach to savings, and their loan repayment structures are suited to individuals with humble incomes, such as Mulinge.
His Sacco offers a manageable loan repayment plan, allowing Mulinge to repay his loan over two years with daily installments as low as Ksh 300. The convenience of mobile money transfers for loan processing and repayment eliminates the need for frequent trips to the physical office. “That is how I took a Ksh. 250,000 loan,” he explains, emphasizing the ease of accessing the Sacco’s services.
Reflecting on his economic status before and after becoming an active member of the Sacco, Mulinge notes a significant improvement. “My life has changed 360 degrees. I am now better off than I was a few years ago,” he joyfully admits. The increased stock and variety of fruits have boosted his profits, allowing him to support his young family, repay the loan, make monthly savings, and pay rent. Mulinge feels more secure and optimistic about his future despite the unpredictable economic dynamics.
Mulinge faced numerous challenges on his path to success. He was born in Ukambani and currently resides in Kisauni. He initially worked in various odd jobs in Mombasa. Realizing that his economic future was at risk, he decided to start his own business. He began with a small investment of Ksh 1,000 in sugarcane stalks, which he sold from a wheelbarrow on the streets.
“I used to move from place to place on the streets, pushing a small wheelbarrow with sugarcane, selling to customers. However, I had a strong desire to establish a kibanda (kiosk) from where I could operate,” he says. Street vending was risky, and Mulinge narrowly escaped attacks from thugs. Aware of the dangers, he ultimately decided to set up a fruit stall in 2022 at Mwisho wa Lami in Mishomoroni, one of Kisauni’s most populated areas.
“I used to sell sugarcane crisps in the streets when I first came to town in 2014. Back then, my average daily profit was Ksh 150, which was enough to meet my daily needs. However, things changed when I became a father,” he reflects on his past life in the city. The sugarcane business was insufficient to support his growing family. With his wife’s assistance, Mulinge expanded into selling fruits with the goal of achieving greater stability and growth.
In the future, Mulinge plans to rent a more secure and permanent business space. He envisions buying and selling stock in large quantities and eventually opening branches in different areas of the city. His long-term goal is to secure his family’s future. He has already made a partial payment for a parcel of land and plans to build a family home. This move will eliminate the stress of paying rent and provide a stable environment for his family.
Mulinge attributes his economic prosperity to his participation in the Sacco. “Belonging to a Sacco has changed my life. I will soon be living in my own house, free from the menace and stress of paying rent,” he says with a smile. His journey from a struggling street vendor to a successful fruit stall owner is a testament to the power of determination, support, and smart financial planning. Moreover, Mulinge’s story speaks volumes about the positive impact that the cooperative movement in Kenya has had over the years on the lives of many people in society.
