Esther Onyango grew up at the Mukuru Slums in Nairobi.
For 17 years, Esther regarded Mukuru as her home and although the challenging conditions of the slum influenced her formative years, they did not dictate her future.
In 2007, a significant change in her life occurred when her brother, Patrick Oboya, secured a contract with a football club in the Czech Republic.
This achievement marked a pivotal moment for the family, as it opened doors to a life beyond the slums and presented an opportunity for a brighter future.
While her brother’s success brought a sense of stability, Esther was resolute in her desire to forge her own path to achievement.
She had long nurtured a passion for cooking, a talent she inherited from her deceased mother, which would serve as the cornerstone of her future pursuits.
Esther’s culinary journey commenced with a modest mandazi kibanda, a small food stall she established in her community.
Her cooking abilities, refined through years of preparing meals for her family, quickly earned her recognition among the local residents.
In March 2023, Esther made a significant advancement by establishing an online business, successfully converting her small kibanda into a flourishing venture.
Nevertheless, her path was fraught with challenges.
During her initial effort to sell chapati online, Esther faced severe criticism on social media.
While the unfavorable comments could have disheartened her, she chose to perceive them as a chance for personal development and improvement.
However, a woman named Mirriam stepped in as a mentor for Esther.
“Mirriam came to my rescue. She saw my mistakes and corrected me,” Esther recalled.
Under Mirriam’s mentorship, Esther enhanced her cooking skills and developed a more effective business strategy.
Her unwavering commitment to success, combined with the assistance she received, started to yield results.
By the time she received her second order, the feedback was exceptionally favorable, representing a pivotal moment for her enterprise.
As her reputation flourished, her clientele expanded accordingly.
The acquisition of her first international client represented a notable achievement, highlighting the growing scope of her business.
“I know my late mum is smiling down on me, watching her little girl do what she loved most—cooking,” she stated.
Esther is currently expanding her business, appreciating the opportunities she has established for herself and resolutely aiming to motivate others who encounter comparable difficulties.