Mahmoud and Rashid Omari are redefining pencil production by crafting them from recycled newspapers. After retiring from their previous careers, the brothers established Momo Pencils, based in Machakos.

The business embraces sustainability and innovation. It was established on the suggestion of one of their business partners.

“My partner came up with the idea and said that we could make pencils from newspapers. It was a novel idea at the time. I didn’t know it was possible but after research we realized that it was very possible,” said Mahmoud Omari.

The two CEOs conducted extensive research and attended training workshops to equip themselves with the knowledge of the enterprise they sought to exploit. Afterwards, they bought specialized equipment needed to launch their pencil manufacturing business.

5 years since the enterprise started running, the company has the production capacity of nearly 1 million pencils per month. They shared that 2 newspaper pages can make 3 pencils, leaving zero waste.

The manufacturing process first begins with obtaining the newspapers, which are then cut to KEBS certified standards. Each piece of paper is then rolled into the shape of a pencil and put in a machine to get the cylindrical shape.

The pencils are thereafter laid out in the sun to dry, after which they are smoothened out with sandpaper and cut on the edges. A finishing film is then applied before the pencils can be taken to the final stages of production.

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“Once we’ve done that, we take it to the shrinking machine where you bind the film onto the pencil. From there we take it for sharpening and the next stage is packing,” said Rashid Omari.

Momo pencils has employed around 50 people. It gets most of its customers through its official website. A majority of them are drawn by the curiosity of how newspaper pencils differ from the traditional wooden pencils.

“The difference is, when you look at the aspect of innovation which is recycling, we are using newspapers instead of wood. Secondly, if you look at the quality, it is long lasting and durable. Thirdly, it is a product made in Kenya,” Mahmoud Omari noted.

The brothers, now five years into their business, are determined to make a mark with their pencils and pioneer a bright sustainable future.