Eunice Mburu, CEO of 20X Entrepreneur Ltd and founder of the
Chanuka Jipange initiative.
Through the Chanuka Jipange Initiative of 20X Entrepreneur, the people of Iten were challenged to see themselves not as passive observers of opportunity, but as creators of value in a rapidly expanding Kenyan economy.
Eunice Mburu, the CEO of Chanuka Jipange, reminded the room of something profound: “We must move from complaining to positioning, and from survival to value creation.”
This message resonated deeply in a town where world-class discipline is normal — where even a boda rider and a watchman can finish a 5am run before going to work. The training highlighted that this culture of consistency, resilience and early rising is not just useful for athletics — it is the foundation of entrepreneurial greatness. High altitude strengthens the lungs, but discipline strengthens destiny.
The session took a transformational turn when Buildex Interiors — the Kisumu-based manufacturer of gypsum, connie boards, tiles, and interior finishing solutions — joined the training. What was expected to be an information-sharing moment became a turning point: several participants were able to position themselves for real distributorship and retail opportunities with Buildex. Suddenly, possibilities that felt distant became tangible and immediate.
The Buildex CEO shared the contrarian story behind his
company’s founding. When the government stopped the logging of trees and many
Kenyans complained about the shortage of timber, he saw a gap. “When people
were complaining, I saw an opportunity,” he said — a message that mirrored
Eunice’s emphasis on shifting from reaction to positioning. Today, Buildex is a
growing Kenyan brand, and the CEO encouraged participants to take advantage of
the massive opportunities in the Affordable Housing Projects, which will
require suppliers and service providers across the country.
For many residents, the training revealed something they had never considered:
They live in one of the most disciplined towns in Kenya — and discipline is the raw material of entrepreneurship.
The same determination that makes Iten athletes dominate global marathons can be channelled into business, innovation and value creation. Eunice challenged the participants to stop undervaluing their environment. “You live where champions are made,” she said. “That means you have the discipline to create value — not just to survive, but to build.”
Participants were also guided on how to plug into existing government programmes such as the Hustler Fund, the Nyota Programme, the Women Enterprise Fund, the Youth Enterprise Development Fund, and the business opportunities emerging through the Affordable Housing supply chain. These programmes were demystified not as political promises but as practical tools for creating enterprises, jobs and sustainable incomes.
Another eye-opener was the sports economy — an area where Iten has unmatched competitive advantage yet unrealised potential. Participants discovered opportunities in athlete-focused AirBnBs, guided running experiences, sports massage, nutrition services, photography, logistics, and athletic gear supply. The message was clear: If the world comes to train in Iten, then Iten must also train itself to monetise that value.
By the end of the session, the mood in the hall had shifted. People left inspired, focused and energised — no longer waiting for opportunity but recognising that they are already standing on fertile ground. They understood that complaining lowers altitude, but positioning lifts horizons. Survival exhausts, but value creation expands.
Altitude has always shaped champions in Iten.
Now, through the Chanuka Jipange Initiative, mindset will shape their future.
Iten is rising — not just on the track, but in thought, innovation and enterprise.
