Biz Lounge: How man explored gap in the market to become Nakuru's biggest darts supplier

Arthur Gakuo, popularly known as Joniko, has built a niche business supplying dart equipment, a venture he launched two years ago after noticing a persistent gap in the local market.

For years, darts players in Nakuru relied on suppliers from Nairobi, often facing delays and high costs.

As a seasoned darts player since 1986, Gakuo understood the inconvenience well.

“If one of the arrows broke, we had no option but to take it to Nairobi, and that would cost you more.”

This challenge motivated him to seek a solution. He first bought equipment through a middleman, but the profits were minimal.

“I was getting little profit, so I inquired where the source is,” he says. This search led him to Tanzania, where he began sourcing the equipment directly, making the supply both reliable and affordable.

Gakuo started the venture with an investment of about Sh. 30,000. “I took 20 arrows for Sh  20,000, and other related costs so I began with roughly Sh. 30,000,” he recalls.

Over time, his business grew steadily, allowing him to employ a young person to handle sales noting that he is a dart player first. .

According to him, the business stands out because it is consistently profitable.

“It is a good business since it has proven to be a profitable venture,” he notes.

His product range includes shafts and flights, retailing at Sh 200 and Sh 100 respectively, along with stoppers priced at Sh 50.

Despite facing increased competition especially during national tournaments, Gakuo remains confident in the enterprise.

“There are a lot of competitors, especially during the nationals,” he admits, “but the demand is still there.”

Looking ahead, he hopes to pass the business to his son. “I am currently teaching my son how the business works so that when he’s on campus, he will be able to make some income,” he says.

On good days, particularly during major events, he notes that the business can generate up to Sh 20,000 in two days.

However, Gakuo hopes that his son will get to run the business fully and get to even open a physical shop within Nakuru and beyond noting that he will continue to grow the business

Balancing his responsibilities as both a darts player and a business owner is not easy. “It’s hard to balance between the two,” he says. “But mostly we allow cash payment  and record keeping to make work easier especially during major tournaments.”

Even so, Gakuo remains committed to growing the business while continuing his long-standing passion for the sport.