How a Naivasha couple turned their love story into a thriving juice business
Samuel Ngure, commonly known as Kababaye, and his partner Sarah Njoki, known as Kamamaye.
In the bustling streets of Naivasha, Samuel Ngure, popularly known as Kababaye and his partner, Sarah Njoki (Kamamaye), are living proof that love can be sweet and refreshing.
Their love story began in 2019 when their paths crossed amid the hustle and bustle of everyday life. They were both chasing their own dreams until a casual friendship began to blossom. Within a year, that friendship had deepened into love and the two became inseparable.
Now aged 31 and 26 respectively, the couple has weathered life's storms, their bond anchored in friendship, trust and open communication.
Their shared resilience is mirrored in their business journey. Ngure first came up with the idea of selling juice initially Njoki would prepare it while he went out to sell it.
As demand grew, Njoki joined him at Naivasha Municipal Park, where the two now work side by side every day.
“We wake up at 6am, go to the market for fruit, come home to prepare it, and then set up shop,” Njoki explains. “People sometimes mistake us for siblings, but we don’t mind what matters is that we’re building something together.”
Running a business as a couple can be challenging, as it can be difficult to separate personal and professional life. However, they have learned to overcome this with teamwork and transparency.
“If you love someone, you trust them,” says Ngure. “We’re open about money so that disagreements don’t build up.”
Even hostile customers don’t faze them. When Njoki feels discouraged, Ngure is there to lift her spirits.
“What keeps us going is being together, no matter what,” says Ngure. “We make sure we’re friends first, and we talk about everything, whether it's good or bad.”
One of their toughest tests came a year ago when they suffered the heartbreaking loss of their child. However, rather than pulling them apart, their shared grief forged an even stronger bond. 'It was one of the hardest times of our lives,' says Njoki softly. ‘But we supported each other, and it made us stronger.’
The couple has an unusual “friend zone” rule for resolving disagreements: they temporarily set aside their roles as partners and speak as friends to find solutions without letting emotions get in the way.
To young people dreaming of marriage, Njoki has a clear message: ‘Marriage isn’t for show. You have to stick together through everything, appreciate the little things and celebrate every blessing. It’s not always easy, but it’s worth it.”
When asked what love means to them, their responses are as tender as their journey together. "Love is something special from God," says Njoki with a smile. Ngure adds, "Love is something you have to take care of, just like our juice stand."