Ex-Amref staffer ventures into road construction materials

@robertomollo3

When Simon Masinde lost his job at Amref, he had to think of a way to make money to sustain himself.

Masinde, 57, thought of starting a business in Homa Bay of making materials, mainly used during road construction. 

The venture did not only sustain him financially, but it has created employment for youths who have finished college and those preparing to join university or other middle level colleges. 

“I have more than 50 youths employed directly and indirectly. What I can urge youths is to ensure they are involved in activities that don’t put them at loggerheads with the law,” Masinde told the Star on Tuesday. 

At his workshop in Homa Bay town, he makes culverts, concrete spindles for decoration, concrete poles and ventilation blocks.

Culverts are used in making footbridges, concrete road caps used in drainage systems, road channels which control water movement on a tarmac road and paving slabs for pavements.

Masinde said they make quality construction materials using sand, cement, ballast and water.

“Many youths enjoy the work because we train them first. I pay each Sh500 per day and I like the commitment most of them have shown,” he said.

The entrepreneur said they have metallic moulds that make their work easier.

At Homa Bay town workshop, Masinde has 10 people in permanent employment.

He also engages five students at a time to help them raise school fees as they learn the trade. The students normally work for about three months.

Employee Jackton Omondi said he was happy with what Masinde is doing to help the youth.

“Youths have developed stress and some have taken their own lives because they don’t have jobs or any source of income,” Omondi said.

 Masinde told the Star he was employed at Amref as a spring and shallow well technician. His job was to construct springs and shallow wells in communities where access to water is a challenge.

“I also used to maintain these water sources as well as repairing those that were broken,” Masinde said.

 Masinde has opened a branch of his current business in Trans Nzoia. 

He is also empowering others by helping them start similar ventures in Western, Rift valley and coastal regions. 

“I have friends whom I worked with at Lake Basin Development Authority (LBDA). They are also doing similar businesses after they lost their jobs,” he said.

 Masinde said he has trained people on digging wells and maintaining water pumps. 

In Homa Bay, construction companies have started recognising his work by sourcing materials from his workshop.

The firms give Masinde tenders to make the materials.

Edited by A.N