Richard Ngatia: Nakuru Trader Who Has Educated His Kids To University, Bought Land By Selling Cabbage Waste

Richard Ngatia is a businessman who plies his trade at the Wakulima Market in Nakuru County.

The businessman buys cabbage waste from other vegetable vendors and sells them to farmers who keep rabbits and chicken.

Ngatia who works with his friend has been in the business for over 20 years.

Here is his story as told by WoK.

Background

Ngatia ventured into the business over 20 years ago when he joined his friend who was already in the trade.

He buys waste cabbages from other traders in the market and sells them to farmers.

“When they get their vegetables; they sell these leaves to us. Instead of throwing them away, we prefer buying them and selling

“That’s better because at least we make some money for ourself; this is where I get money to take care of my children,” Ngatia said.

Ngatia and his colleague buy cabbages waste from vegetable vendors or suppliers who ferry the cabbages to the market.

They sell the waste products from Ksh 50 to Ksh 400.

Fat returns

From the business, Ngatia has been able to educate his children up to university level, and bought land for himself.

“I live in own house, I stopped paying rent,” Ngatia said.

Challenges

Ngatia mentioned that they experience reduced sales during rainy seasons when there is green pasture everywhere.

He noted that he makes most sales during dry seasons.

“We suffer losses during rainy seasons because there’s a lot of green grass and people prefer that over these cabbages. We sell most of these during dry seasons,” Ngatia said.