Nairobi: As formal employment opportunities remain limited, many Kenyans are increasingly turning to Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) to earn a living, support their families and contribute to local economic growth. Across towns and trading centres, small businesses continue to provide livelihoods for thousands of entrepreneurs, proving that modest investments, combined with determination and hard work, can transform lives and create sustainable sources of income.
According to Kenya News Agency, for 45-year-old Daniel Langat, a groundnut trader operating in Kericho town, selling roasted groundnuts has become more than just a business. It is the enterprise that has sustained his family, educated his children and given him hope for a better future over the past decade. Originally from Olenguruone in Kuresoi South Constituency, Nakuru County, Langat runs his business near the Jumbo area and opposite Kericho County Referral Hospital, serving commuters, traders, patients, visitors, and residents throughout the day.
The father of five says the business has enabled him to meet household expenses, pay rent and educate his children, with his first-born expected to complete Form Four this year. Langat’s entrepreneurial journey began after financial challenges forced him to drop out of school after completing Class Eight. Unable to continue with his education because his family could not afford school fees, he ventured into various informal jobs in search of a reliable source of income. Before settling on groundnut trading, he sold pineapples, hawked soap, and worked for other people while learning the basics of running a business.
From those experiences, he realised that roasted groundnuts offered a more dependable market. Compared to some of the other products he had sold, customers rarely complained about quality, while demand remained relatively steady throughout the year. Nearly 10 years later, the business has grown into his family’s main source of livelihood. Langat sells roasted groundnuts in packages ranging from Sh10 to Sh50 and above, making the product affordable to customers from different income groups.
On slow business days, he earns between Sh1,500 and Sh2,000, while on good days his earnings exceed Sh3,000. He attributes his progress to consistency, discipline, and patience rather than the size of his business. ‘Many people believe success only comes from big businesses, but I have learnt that consistency is more important than size. Every packet I sell brings me a step closer to my goals, and that is what keeps me going despite the daily challenges,’ said Langat.
Despite the gains, he acknowledges that operating a small business comes with uncertainties. Customer numbers fluctuate from one day to another, making it difficult to predict daily income. He says some days record brisk sales while others attract only a handful of customers, requiring resilience and careful financial planning to remain in business. ‘Business has its ups and downs. There are days when customers are few and sales are low, but giving up has never crossed my mind. Every new day presents another opportunity, and I have learnt that persistence is what keeps a business alive,’ he added.
Langat is also an active member of Africa Gospel Church (AGC) Immanuel in Kericho town, where he draws encouragement to remain focused on his business and family responsibilities. Looking ahead, he hopes to expand the enterprise through increased savings and eventually diversify into other income-generating ventures to improve his family’s living standards. He believes access to affordable financing would enable many small-scale traders to increase stock, improve their businesses and create employment opportunities for others.
Langat has appealed to the government to establish more designated trading spaces for small-scale entrepreneurs and expand access to affordable loans and grants to help traders grow their enterprises. He further urged the government to introduce empowerment programmes targeting entrepreneurs above the youth age bracket, noting that while several initiatives support young people, many older business owners also struggle to access affordable capital despite operating viable enterprises.
According to Langat, strengthening MSMEs through financial support, training and better trading infrastructure would not only improve household incomes but also contribute significantly to local economic development. He also encouraged aspiring entrepreneurs not to wait indefinitely for formal employment but to take advantage of available opportunities, however small, while remaining committed to disciplined financial management. ‘No work is too small if it is honest. Start with the little capital you have, remain disciplined and save consistently. Do not underestimate any business because what matters is how you organise and manage it. With patience, commitment and wise planning, a small enterprise can grow into a business that supports a family and even creates jobs for others,’ he said.
As more Kenyans embrace self-employment, MSMEs continue to play a vital role in reducing unemployment and strengthening local economies. Businesses such as Langat’s demonstrate how resilience, prudent management, and determination can turn small ventures into reliable sources of income, supporting families while contributing to economic growth and community development.
