Putting food on the table has become such a strenuous task for Kenyans even before Covid-19 stroke.
Many could meander their way to getting as little as Sh50 to allow them eat but now even getting that money is a big problem.
In Kenya, a white-collar job with a salary and more so in government, is seen as the ultimate personal achievement.
This is drummed into the minds of children early in their schooling.
But most Kenyans are known to be innovators and entrepreneurs. Even without a white collar job, they are hustling and earning something.
These jobs can put food on your table without having a degree.
Window cleaners
You may find them hanging on very tall buildings and you would wonder if it is ever safe enough.
Some of these come from professional property maintenance companies, while others it is just a job that will help them put bread on the table.
Matatu Fillers
You have probably heard a tout shout, “Wanne…wanne wale wa haraka,”
Only for you to board the matatu thinking it is about to leave and later you see some passengers disembark one by one.
It can be frustrating at times especially when you are in a hurry or it’s an emergency.
Johnstone Kamau, a matatu filler at the Uthiru stage said this odd job puts food on his table every day.
“On a very good day, I can make close to Sh600 a day,” Kamau said.
“When I fill a matatu I earn Sh30 to Sh40. The morning hours when people are going to work is when I make most of the money, then the day goes slower and slower.”
Kamau said he takes his work seriously just like any other job.
“I make sure 5:30 am finds me at the stage, for us it’s a first come first serve, but you must be connected to the tout or driver, for you to earn a little more,” he said.
“On slow days, we sit inside, because nobody will want to get in an empty bus. On fast days, we fill it from outside.”
Parking Boys
Some people are very experienced drivers, but sometimes when you are in Nairobi town looking for a parking spot, you notice young men gesturing from your side mirrors.
“Apana, songa mbele….reverse kidogo!” While entirely you are doing the whole job.
After you alight, they demand for something small. So that they can guard the car as you run your errands.
Sometimes, they will demand for this cash after you are done with your errands and you want to drive off.
Peninah Kariuki is a driver who had her tires slashed after she failed to give a parking boy Sh100 which he demanded.
“I did not instruct him to guard my car, because I was only dropping something for a client around Muindi Mbingu, after coming to the car he demanded for his coin and I gave him Sh50” Peninah said.
“The boy slashed my back tyre and run, I ended up using Sh3, 500 to fix that puncture. I was so devastated.”
- Traffic Car Cleaners
You are stuck in traffic and you notice a person, a young man or a child, wiping your car with a cloth.
After they are done, they knock at your driver’s window and demand for Sh20.
Failure to which some move on while others bitterly apply oil on the cloth and smudge it on your windscreen before taking off.
You are left to handle the situation yourself.
- Ferriers
In this rainy season and with Nairobi’s poor drainage systems, many streets are left flooded. However, such rains create a job for some people. It is a cash cow for them.
Peter Kinoti, a mkokoteni owner, transforms his tool for delivery into a “ferry” on such occasions.
“The water levels rise when it rains, and people who are in a hurry will do anything to avoid getting wet, so my mkokoteni carries like 4 people at a go, I charge them Sh200 and I can make like 5 or more rounds,” Kinoti said.
“On a good day, I make almost Sh3, 000, which feeds my family.”
Some carriers who don’t have mkokoteni’s offer to carry you on their back at a negotiable price depending on your size and weight.
- Beggars
There are genuine beggars who need help.
However, there are others who take advantage of public sympathy, masquerading their fake illnesses and now, using trance-inducing drugs to steal from generous Kenyans.
Some go to the extent of inducing the drugs in the snacks: ball gums, sweets or nuts they sell.
Investigations done by the Star’s Njeri Mbugua last year stated that the drug can be administered in a handshake, through injectable, foods and beverages or blowing it on the victims face.
The victim loses free will and becomes suggestible.
- Mama Fua
Earing from Sh500 and more, this booming business that mostly targets campus goers is slowly becoming trendy.
Kennedy Karambu, a third year at Riara University said he calls “mama fua” to do his laundry every two weeks.
“I don’t like doing laundry because I don’t have a drycleaner yet, it’s cheaper calling my mama fua who also cleans the house after that instead of wasting my money in cleaning companies,” he said.
Exhausting services
By emptying septic tanks before overflows and offering unblocking services to rentals, apartments and offices this booming business sees a person get from Sh4,000 to Sh6,000.
Depending on how much water content fills in the septic tank, it can take 2 months or more before you call for their services again.
Peter Njoroge a landlord warns that some of them might take advantage and not completely remove all the water contents, leaving you to call them more, monthly or during the heavy rains.
