Inside one mans mission to transform street Chapati

Wesley Kibinga, a trained teacher, believes in seizing opportunities when they present themselves. 

And that is exactly what he did when he decided to start selling chapatis while he was waiting to be employed as a secondary school teacher.

Having identified a need, Wesley has been able to turn his hustle into a thriving business. 

Initially, he sold chapatis in estates and eventually expanded his business during the festive season. 

"Most people sell chapatis on the street, but I saw a gap in bulk chapati sales that few were exploring. That's how Chapo Poa came into being," says Wesley.

With an initial investment of Sh5,000, Wesley bought the necessary ingredients and used equipment he already owned to get his business off the ground. 

His marketing approach was simple but effective: going door-to-door, introducing his services and offering free samples. 

This strategy landed him his first significant order - making chapatis for a birthday party.

During the festive season, Wesley saw a spike in demand as people hosted family gatherings, picnics and other celebrations. 

"The festive season brought me a lot of customers, and through them I've got referrals for office events and other occasions. It's clear that my business is growing," he says.

He prepares the chapatis at home and later delivers them to customers' homes, with the delivery fee varying depending on the proximity of the customer. 

But the journey hasn't been without its challenges. Wesley admits that running a business professionally was a struggle at first. 

Participating in a start-up incubation programme in Nakuru helped him overcome these issues. 

"Many start-ups fail because they operate without structure. Through the programme, I learnt the importance of proper accounting and building a skilled team, which are essential for success," he explains.

Currently Wesley charges Sh800 per packet of flour, making a profit of up to Sh1,500, enough to cover his needs. 

He works alone, but hires workers on a casual basis when he has many orders and hopes to have more permanent employees.

Looking to the future, he plans to open a physical shop, as he prepares the chapatis at home, and expand into catering services to offer more than just chapatis.