Kericho: In the peaceful and serene town of Kericho, we find a 20-year-old, Anicet Nijimbere who has carved out a remarkable entrepreneurial path. Born in Burundi, a country that has seen its fair share of political instability, he developed a simple idea to find better opportunities in Kenya, which has evolved into a thriving coffee and snack business, earning him a place in the busy streets around Moi Gardens.
According to Kenya News Agency, Nijimbere's story is marked with sheer desire, ambition, hard work, and resilience, serving as an inspiring example of how young people can make and exploit opportunities in a foreign land. "Life in Burundi was not easy since the job opportunities were limited, and the economy was tough. I had to think of a way out," Nijimbere recalled.
After completing his secondary education up to Form 6, Nijimbere made the bold decision to move to Kenya in search of better prospects. "I knew that Kenya had more opportunities, especially for young people like me," Nijimbere explained with a smile. His decision to settle in Kericho was driven by both the town's growth and the relatively lower cost of living. Upon arriving last year 2024, Nijimbere said he initially faced several challenges, from adjusting to the new environment to learning a new language.
"In Burundi, we spoke French and Kirundi. Here, everything was in Swahili and English, which made communication hard but I had to learn quickly to survive," Nijimbere admits. Despite the language barrier, he persevered and spared time to learn Swahili with local vendors, shopkeepers, and anyone willing to engage in a conversation with him.
This dedication, the youngster added, helped him connect with the locals and understand their needs, following which he decided to start the coffee beverage and snacks business. "On arrival, I interacted with the locals and identified that they loved coffee and snacks but didn't have people who can sell the same to them. So, I decided to try my luck and have not regretted," he remarked.
"I started this business with only Sh. 2000 and sold a snack and a glass of coffee at Sh.10 each. At first, the business was slow as customers had not known me but later on it improved," he said satisfactorily. Today, Nijimbere's business is a staple around the Moi Gardens area in Kericho. He serves coffee and a variety of snacks, all priced at an unbeatable Sh10 each. His customers range from schoolchildren to workers and even local business owners.
"The most rewarding thing is seeing people come back which shows that they trust me and my products," Nijimbere reiterated. Nijimbere has however faced some challenges such as the increase in prices of the commodities that he trades in whereas he must sell the snacks and coffee at the same prices to retain customers. Another challenge is that he no longer enjoys the monopoly as many young traders have ventured into the same business that he pioneered.
"I have learnt to differentiate myself by offering the best value for money," Nijimbere said convincingly. Asked about his future, Nijimbere said he intends to expand his business by opening branches in neighbouring towns. He advised the youth to start small businesses to empower themselves economically instead of searching for elusive jobs or abusing drugs and alcohol.
"Kenya has given me a chance to show what I can do. I'm grateful for the opportunities here," Nijimbere says.