Hawker on wheels: Naivasha man’s story of survival and resilience
Elijah Kiarie sells a bottle of water to customers at the Naivasha Municipal Park on 22 December 2025
After surviving an accident that left him with a permanent disability, Elijah Kiarie did not foresee the hardship that awaited him in his new state. However, he refused to bow to pity and decided to save his dignity.
He was at work in Njabini, Nyandarua county handling logs when he got into an accident that left his spine injured and changed his life for good.
Paralyzed and unable to continue working, he moved back to his rural home in Kinangop. But life there was far from easy, especially without money, support, or a clear direction. He struggled to survive.
The weight of stigma and hopelessness pushed him to the edge, to a point where he contemplated suicide. Yet somewhere in the midst of despair, he chose a different path.
“I decided to start again and relocate from my rural home since I had started thinking of taking my life,” he recalls.
In 2021, Kiarie moved to Naivasha with nothing but determination to try and find something to do. With no place to stay, he spent nearly a month sleeping outside, unsure of what the next day would bring.
It was during this period of uncertainty that he found inspiration. The COVID-19 pandemic had created a demand for masks, and with only Sh 100 left in his pocket, he decided to take a risk.
His starting capital came from savings he had accumulated back home through small jobs such as repairing shoes and participating in a weekly contribution group.
Although most of that money had already gone into food, the little he had left become the seed for his new business. On his first day selling masks, he earned a profit of Sh. 30.
“I came to Naivasha with almost Sh. 3,000, but I had spent most of it on food and other necessities, and I was left with the Sh. 100. It wasn’t much, but it gave me hope especially after I sold all the masks on the first day. I sold the masks until the demand was reduced,” he says.
With time, he adapted to changing circumstances. As the demand for masks dwindled, Kiarie shifted to selling biscuits, juice, and other small items.
Elijah Kiarie poses for a photo with his goods at the Naivasha Municipal Park on 22 December 2025
Today, he is a familiar face around Naivasha town, moving from one spot to another as he serves his customers. More importantly, he has built a sense of independence and dignity.
“I can’t say I’m a burden to anyone. Now I’m able to buy myself basic things without asking anybody,” he shares proudly.
He notes that he never encounters challenges given that he is selling the goods from a wheelchair noting that it's all about customer service and how he interacts with customers.
" I call my work the cheapest supermarket since I get to take the goods to the customer and at an affordable price. I just ensure that my customers are left with a good impact from our interaction by speaking politely even after declining to buy anything," he says
Life as a person with a disability, however, still comes with challenges where he notes that traveling can be difficult, as people sometimes assume he is asking for free rides or money.
"Accessibility is another obstacle, with many places still out of reach due to stairs and lack of proper facilities," he says
He notes that beyond business, his identity extends into faith and service. As an ordained pastor, he hopes that in the next five years, he will not only expand his ministry but also own a car to make mobility easier and his work more effective.
Kiarie’s story is a testament to resiliency, the power of starting over, no matter how dark the circumstances.