Alfred Obara joined Moi University in 2016 with prospects of a decent job opportunity after graduation but later realized there were limited opportunities in the Kenyan job market.
With fears of joining the unemployed graduates club, Obara decided to employ himself to shape his destiny and ease the financial burden of his parents.
“I come from a family of moderate means, where my father was a school accountant and the breadwinner. We are four kids, so we would only receive the basic needs as our father worked to provide for my siblings too.”
“I did not want to be a burden to my father after completing my studies, so I had to think beyond the classroom,” he said.
With proceeds from his University allowance and a Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) loan, the 25-year-old started his first business, selling eggs with one of Kenyans’ favorite accompaniment of kachumbari – a mix of chopped onions and tomatoes.
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At some point, he started working on online jobs after classes which helped him raise enough capital for his next venture. Obara diverted to a fast food business after completing his degree in 2021.
The journey was, however, not a walk in the park for the new entrepreneur as the business took too long to break even, which was against his expectations.
“I used to hire students to cook and serve customers. This was a major challenge. Sometimes food would be over while the students were still in class,” he said.
Struggling with losses, Obara decided to shut down the business for some time to strategize. He sought counsel from friends who were already in the food business, and in 2022 he reopened the joint and hired chefs from Eldoret town.
Hiring professionals saw his business gain momentum, and about four months later, he was able to open another restaurant in Nyali, Mombasa County. He is looking forward to expand his business to other parts of the country.
