The Inspiring Journey of Mombasa’s ‘Mtu wa Mboga’
The vibrant chorus of matatus honking, touts enthusiastically calling out, and bodaboda riders skillfully weaving through the congested streets creates a lively symphony in the air. The narrow sidewalks, poorly maintained and often overcrowded, become a pathway for weary pedestrians making their way home after a grueling day of hustling. Some faces reflect exhaustion, yet a resilient spirit shines through, embodying the tenacity required to navigate city life.
In the heart of Kisauni, Mombasa, Mr. Peter Muthui stands as a testament to this enduring resolve. Amidst the din of honks, shouts, and the rush of motorbikes zipping by, Peter expertly balances a bunch of vibrant sukuma wiki in his left hand while wielding a sharp knife in his right, deftly chopping greens in a large plastic bowl as he prepares for his bustling clientele. Saturdays are particularly frenetic, with city dwellers often departing for weekend escapes early in the afternoon, making this peak time for Peter’s trade.
“I rarely find a moment to answer a friend’s call during these hours. It’s a constant flurry of chopping vegetables, weighing potatoes, sorting through fresh tomatoes, and negotiating prices with eager customers,” he shares, his voice resonating with warmth as he attends to an awaiting patron. Since arriving in Mombasa’s port city in 2000 as a hopeful young man, Peter joined a team of market laborers at the bustling Kongowea market, taking on the arduous role of Hemali—responsible for transporting goods for customers, especially in the vibrant market scene.
“The work was demanding, navigating the tough elements day in and day out, with pay that rarely matched the effort,” he recalls, the weight of those laborious years palpable in his tone.
Sensing a need for change, Peter began to craft a transition plan. Soon, he decided to venture into selling tomatoes outside his modest rented room during the evenings after his market shifts. Starting with a mere Ksh100 to purchase his initial stock, he quickly discovered that his generous neighbors were eager customers. Gradually, he expanded his inventory and set up a small table outside, transforming his humble beginnings into a full-fledged venture. Within a fortnight, he left his taxing role as a goods carrier to dedicate his energy solely to this new path.
Through the support of a close friend, Peter became a member of a self-help group comprised of traders who gathered every weekend to fundraise. Each member contributed a thousand shillings, which was then allocated to one member each week. Peter’s moment came, and the Ksh 15,000 he received propelled his business ambitions.
“I diversified my offerings to include sukuma wiki, cabbages, an array of vegetables, bananas, and onions—items that quickly drew in more customers. Before long, I had earned the nickname ‘mtu wa mboga’—the vegetable man. With profits steadily climbing, I decided to meet my customers’ increasing requests by adding potatoes to my inventory,” he explains.
With newfound financial stability, Peter married in 2006. “My wife became an invaluable partner, bringing tremendous support to the business. Whenever I ventured out to restock, she would sell our remaining produce from home,” he shares, a smile lighting up his face. The couple moved into a larger space, creating a more conducive environment for both their stock and their family life. As their joint efforts bore fruit, both the customer base and profits flourished. Eventually, Peter and his wife took the significant leap of renting a shop in one of the bustling buildings along the lively Safari-Magorofani stretch in Mishomoroni.
They tailored the space to their business needs, initiating delivery orders from various stock suppliers within the city and beyond. Their once-humble tomato stall evolved into a comprehensive grocery store, supplying not just individual customers but also nearby small traders. Thriving under each other’s encouragement and enjoying financial success, Peter and his wife eventually acquired two acres of farmland in their rural home in Meru and constructed a house on a quarter-acre plot in the Junda area of Mombasa, where they now happily reside with their four children.
“This kind of business is undoubtedly challenging. There are moments when customers’ spending power dwindles, and the stock becomes stagnant. Perishable goods can spoil unexpectedly, leading to potential losses. However, such challenges shouldn’t dissuade anyone from pursuing their business aspirations,” Peter remarks, his demeanor steady. “With the right management skills, self-discipline, and determination, the rewards of entrepreneurship can often surpass those offered by conventional employment.”
Reflecting on his upbringing in a struggling family, Peter warns against being overly selective when seeking employment based on one’s professional background. “There are many young people who shy away from this kind of business, hindered by the ‘nice job mindset’ prevalent among university and college graduates,” he advises, particularly cautioning his firstborn, a university freshman, not to fall into this trap.
