Leaders and residents attending the disbursement of the second tranche of the Nyota Programme funds in Eldoret, Uasin Gishu were left stunned on Friday after one beneficiary revealed that she had built a thriving coffin business with the support of the government initiative.
The unexpected revelation came during an interaction between Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen and Sharon Chebet, one of the programme's beneficiaries, as he engaged young entrepreneurs who had received Nyota funding.
When Murkomen asked Chebet what business she was engaged in, her response drew laughter from the audience.
"I'm a coffin seller. I sell coffins," she said confidently.
The CS, momentarily surprised, asked her how she ventured into the unusual business.
Chebet explained that before becoming a business owner, she worked as a broker, linking bereaved families with funeral service providers and earning a small commission from every referral.
"I helped people who had lost loved ones and didn't know where to get funeral services. I would take them there, earn a small commission, and that's how I made a living," she said.
Murkomen quickly came to her defence as sections of the audience laughed, saying there was nothing unusual about the business.
"She is doing a very good job of protecting the dignified send-off of loved ones," he said.
Chebet said the first tranche of the Nyota funds gave her the confidence to expand beyond brokerage and establish her own business.
She said she combined the grant with savings of Sh25,000 to purchase her first stock of coffins.
"I was able to buy five coffins. One cost Sh15,000 and another Sh10,000. I also bought one executive coffin worth Sh50,000. When I sell it, I make a profit. That's how I started my business," she said.
Today, she operates from business premises in the Pioneer area near the Sosiani River in Eldoret, where she pays rent while steadily growing her enterprise.
Although the business has become profitable, Chebet said attracting customers remains her biggest hurdle because of the sensitive nature of the trade.
"It is tough because when someone has just lost a loved one and I approach them about my business, they tell me, 'Don't come now, we're still grieving.' But I'm in business and I'm looking for customers, so marketing is difficult," she said.
To overcome the challenge, she has embraced digital platforms, posting flyers and photos of her products on Facebook and TikTok, while also relying on referrals from friends and associates, whom she rewards with a small commission.
Chebet also appealed to the county government to ease licensing requirements.
She said they had previously been promised support on business licences but were still waiting.
"I'm still praying and hoping the governor will hear us and allow us to get those licences so that running the business won't be complicated," she said.
Murkomen said President William Ruto had announced plans to waive business licence fees for Nyota beneficiaries for two years to enable young entrepreneurs to grow their enterprises without unnecessary costs.
The CS praised Chebet's courage for venturing into a business that many people shy away from because of societal stereotypes.
When asked how much she earns, Chebet said her monthly profit ranges between Sh50,000 and Sh70,000.
"That's a lot. Thank you very much. Good job," Murkomen told her.
He urged Kenyans to respect all forms of legitimate businesses, saying funeral services remain an essential part of society.
"Sadly, we lose people all the time. There has to be someone to fill that gap so that families who have lost their loved ones can give them a dignified send-off," Murkomen said before congratulating Chebet on her success.
A total of Sh172 million was disbursed to 6,914 beneficiaries from the Uasin Gishu, Nandi, and Elgeyo Marakwet cluster during the event.
Ruto launched the event in Nairobi confirming that more than Sh3 billion has been disbursed to over 122,000 young entrepreneurs across the country, each receiving Sh25,000.
With the disbursement of the second tranche, each beneficiary will have received a total of Sh50,000 to boost or start a business, making Nyota one of Kenya's largest investments in youth enterprise.
