Patrick Gachuhi is an experienced chicken vendor located in Gakere Road, Nyeri County.
This entrepreneur has garnered a loyal clientele due to his delectable roasted chickens which has become a delicacy in Nyeri.
As evening descends, residents are attracted to Gachuhi’s roadside establishment, enticed by the enticing aroma that permeates the surroundings.
Gachuhi launched this venture two years ago, following a series of life’s challenges.
“I ventured into many businesses before without breaking through until I decided to try my luck in selling roasted chicken. The venture isn’t as easy as many might perceive it to be,” he said.
Gachuhi roasts both broilers and kienyeji chicken, and said the broilers should be six weeks old.
“After I purchase the chickens, the first step is to slaughter and clean the birds with the help of my three colleagues. To give the meat its eccentric taste, we normally season the meat with ginger and garlic and boil it for some time. Once ready, the meat is then fried on a hot metal grill until dry
“My business runs from Monday to Sunday but I can take an off day when I’m extremely fatigued. I generate enough money that has helped me pay school fees for my children, meet my family’s needs, pay my rent, maintain my business and pay my workers,” he said.
Gachuhi primarily sources his products from local farmers, who arrive for work each day between 5:00 PM and 9:00 PM.
His pricing is considered affordable, ensuring that there is a variety of options available for every customer.
“My prices vary from Ksh 10 to Ksh 150, hence making it affordable to all buyers. The prices of chicken have nevertheless shot up, making it difficult to keep a steady profit margin,” he said.
To maintain and draw in more clients, Gachuhi emphasized that rigorous hygiene practices are essential for fostering trust and confidence among consumers.
Meanwhile, farmers supplying him with chicken have expressed concerns regarding the escalating costs of poultry feed.
“My stall is not in a strategic position, which makes it hard for new customers to locate my premises. In addition, overhead costs such as rent for the stall are quite high, so I have to dig deeper into my sales, thus reducing my take home
“I intend to open a big restaurant in a strategic position in town. This will enable me to serve a larger number of customers. Every single vendor should have a clear vision and create solid business plans to avoid stagnating at one level,” he stated.
Gachuhi encouraged young individuals aspiring to enter the business world to persistently strive for success and to continue their ascent until they achieve their highest potential.
He emphasized that a desire for immediate profits can be detrimental to anyone embarking on a business journey and should be meticulously avoided.
“This type of business calls for someone who is very persistent and resilient. There are days where you’ll come with your roasted chickens and end up not selling anything and even lack to make any profit at all
“Start bit by bit and pick up as you get along. At the beginning of the business, you’ll have to accept the challenge of not making much profit so that you can sustain the business operations. It all starts with one customer, and at the end, you will have many customers. Have the heart to grind and look at the bigger picture,” he said.
