Jacqueline Watahi, also known as the “Chapati mistress,” has become a sensation in Nairobi, Kenya, thanks to her delicious chapatis.
However, the story of how she became a successful chapati maker is not one of glamour, but rather one of resilience and determination.
Watahi embarked on a path that would eventually lead her to become a well-known chapati maker, but it wasn’t an easy journey.
It all started with a challenging separation from her spouse of eight years. Following the split, she found herself jobless, with two kids to take care of and no clear direction for her future.
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Despite having a desire to work, her husband had previously prevented her from doing so. Faced with limited options, she decided to focus on her culinary skills, which she had a good understanding of.
Armed with only Sh. 430 in her pocket, Watahi decided to make a few chapatis to sell. She made 34 chapatis in her small kitchen and took some pictures, which she uploaded on Twitter.
She then went to the Kayole corner market near her home to sell them, and they were a hit.
“I sold them to about four people and my container was empty. From the reception of those who bought and tasted the chapatis in my presence, I realized that people loved them. And there I had my answer. I was going to make this my livelihood,” she told Nation in an earlier interview.
Encouraged by the positive feedback, Watahi posted more pictures of her chapatis on Twitter, and the orders started pouring in.
She started fulfilling the orders from her small kitchen, and her business grew rapidly. As of 24th April 2021 , she has over 22,000 followers on Twitter, and her chapatis were in high demand across Nairobi.
Twitter had been a critical tool in helping Watahi build her customer base, as her fans on the platform are all fans of her chapatis.
She also gained a reputation for being very responsive and customer-centric, which has earned her a lot of positive reviews and recommendations.
“Twitter has been very pivotal as far as the customer base is concerned. These are all fans of my chapatis. There’s nothing else I post on my timeline. I’m not popular. It’s God knowing that I came into it holding nothing and I had no other option.
Every Saturday, she woke up at 2 am and initiates the chapati making process, investing long hours in mixing, kneading, and rolling the dough.
The efforts she put in have yielded positive results. Customers rave about the quality of her chapatis, and many have become regulars. She has even expanded her business to include other snacks, such as mandazi and samosas.
Despite her success, Watahi remains humble and grateful for the opportunity to provide for her family.
“For someone like me who has always felt like I’ve been faced with resistance and rejection most of my life, this positive feedback reminded me that there’s something in me worth giving to the world,” she said, adding that, ”Plus, being in this kitchen has not only kept my hands full, and mind off a past that’s behind me now, it has also given me and my children a somewhat comfortable life that I’d never pictured.”
