In the heart of Nakuru town, Martha Waititu’s rose from being a secretary at an international school for two decades to becoming a trailblazing businesswoman in industries dominated by men.
With a passion for change and an unwavering commitment to her vision, Martha took the plunge into entrepreneurship a decade ago, revolutionizing the construction industry in Kenya.
Here is her story as told by WoK.
Identifying a Market Gap
After years of working as a secretary, Martha’s desire for self-employment and pursuing her passions grew stronger.
Her keen eye spotted a gap in the supply of modern hollow concrete blocks in an industry traditionally dominated by men.
Armed with a capital of Ksh2 million, she imported two hollow block-making machines from China.
However, introducing new technology to an industry entrenched in traditional practices was no easy feat.
Overcoming Challenges and Embracing Innovation
Martha’s initial journey was fraught with challenges.
The construction industry favored conventional building materials over the new hollow concrete blocks.
“Getting customers was very difficult. Convincing them to adapt to new technology took time since building stones are readily found in Nakuru County. Some were sceptical but with time they started to embrace the new technology,” Ms Waititu said during an interview with the Standard.
While her determination was unshakeable, it took nearly three months to secure her first order.
“It was difficult to pay for labour, electricity, water and materials. At some point, I wanted to give up,” she recalled.
But eventually, a client bought 15,000 pieces, which was the turning point for the business.
Rising Against Gender Bias
Navigating the male-dominated construction landscape was no easy task for Martha.
She faced gender bias and skepticism from potential clients who doubted her capabilities based solely on her gender.
She recalls a pivotal moment when she bid for a tender to construct new classrooms for a school under the new Competency-Based Curriculum.
Though initially overlooked due to her gender, she ultimately won the contract after the initial contractor failed to deliver.
“I did the work well, which made the client confident with my work. This industry requires one to be bold, confident and deliver to prove your detractors wrong,” said Ms Waititu.
Building a Strong Foundation
With time, Martha’s business gained momentum.
Larger orders from schools, individual builders, and contractors came in, cementing her position in the industry.
Coordination became essential as she managed a team of diverse workers, including welders, carpenters, and masons.