John Mbugua, a Class Seven dropout, may not be the ordinary butcher down the corner as he is one of Kenya’s quintessential entrepreneurs.
Behind his ever fresh-faced demeanor lies a remarkable success story that has led him to serve high-profile clients, including State House, Kenya’s official presidential residence, through his thriving business, Jojen Butchery.
Born with an innate entrepreneurial spirit, John Mbugua’s foray into business began in 1979 when he penned a promising business proposal that failed to secure funding.
Undeterred, he joined a manufacturing company for three years before realizing that his heart was set on self-employment.
Fate would lead him to the taxi business, where he honed his business acumen but found little financial success.
It was during this time that he stumbled upon the meat trade and discovered his true passion.
Working at a neighboring slaughterhouse, Mbugua immersed himself in the intricacies of the meat trade.
He observed how distributors operated on credit and recognized an opportunity to start his own venture.
In 1984, armed with a meager Ksh6,000, he opened a makeshift butcher shop along Dagoretti Road, making soup while actively seeking meat orders from local schools.
Mbugua’s journey was not without challenges.
As he hustled to grow his business, he faced skepticism from his peers.
However, with unwavering determination and the support of his wife Jennifer, who worked alongside him, Mbugua defied the odds and within two years, his business started flourishing.
“My wife was the cleaner and cook while I took charge of marketing, going to weddings and visiting homes and schools looking for orders that were initially not forthcoming,” Mbugua said during an earlier Interview with Business Daily.
He moved to a more decent location and began serving esteemed clients such as Lenana School, Parliament, and Kenya Railways.
To further expand his venture, Mbugua approached the Co-operative Bank for a loan of Ksh350,000.
With this capital injection, he established Jojen Butchery in a commercial building owned by the late Nobel Laureate Wangari Maathai’s former husband, Mwangi Mathai.
The name “Jojen” is an acronym derived from John and Jennifer, honoring his supportive wife.
With perseverance and dedication, Mbugua’s client list grew, encompassing private and public organizations, and even the prestigious State House.
His unrelenting commitment to quality service and competitive quotations won him tenders, even during changes in presidential regimes.
He fondly remembers former President Daniel arap Moi as a good person to do business with, while business with President Mwai Kibaki declined due to the president’s limited appetite for meat.
However, his experience with the former president, Uhuru Kenyatta, was positive one, praising his understanding and approachable demeanor.
“President Kenyatta is a real gentleman with a human touch and understands issues. I have so far enjoyed working with him,” he recalled.
Despite his successes, John Mbugua remains a private individual with a phobia for media attention.
He believes that sharing one’s story with the media can lead to financial downfall, and thus, he keeps a low profile.
“I have seen people become poorer after sharing their stories with the media,” he revealed.
His focus remains on his thriving business, which now employs 15 dedicated staff members, including those working in a restaurant within the butchery.
