Shoe shining is a popular business in most parts of the country especially in urban areas and cities such as Nairobi just to mention a few.
The business is one of the many informal business that many Kenyans disregard despite the potential that lies in it.
In Nairobi for instance, shoe shining has been elevated with elegantly-designed comfortable racks where you sit on a pedestal as your shoes are cleaned.
But just how much does shoe-shiners make.
According to Hellen, a shoe-shiner working in Nairobi CBD, she charges between Ksh 30 and Ksh 100 depending on the type of shoe.
In an interview with Presenter Ali, the shoe-shiner said she makes Ksh 2,000 on a good day before excluding daily expenses and miscellaneous.
Daily expenses include shoe polish and paying the owner of their respective workstations who charge Ksh 800 per day.
The shoe-shiners also pay the county government Ksh 2,000 per year.
“On a good day I can make something between Ksh 1,000 to Ksh 1,500 after spending on my expenses. Expenses include shoe polish and paying county askaris although we pay per year,” Hellen said.
Hellen also highlighted challenges they face in their line of duty which include serving clients on credit basis.
“We also face challenges, not all customers come with money, others want to get our services on credit basis but that mostly applies to daily customers,” she added.
