Winjoy Kananu is an importer and trader of mitumba bales, operating from Gikomba Market in Nairobi County.
Kananu recounted that her initial foray into business involved selling eggs.
She spent a year hawking eggs before transitioning to the sale of fruits.
“I was dealing in various food items, purchasing them in bulk and subsequently distributing them to retailers,” she remarked. Eventually, Kananu shifted her focus to selling mitumba clothing after acquiring a single bale from Gikomba
“I purchased one bale and sold individual pieces for nearly a year until the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted operations,” she explained.
Although she faced a temporary setback, she later reinvested in her business and acquired multiple bales of mitumba clothing.
Kananu offers bales priced between Ksh 8,000 and Ksh 40,000, depending on the specific type of clothing requested by her clients.
“It is packaged according to categories, we have children wear, heavy clothes, summer clothes; it depends with the client,” she said.
Her initial investment amounted to Ksh 200,000.
She allocated a significant portion of her funds towards inventory, focusing on children’s and women’s clothing, which tends to sell more rapidly.
“I did not begin by importing immediately; I started with a few bales sourced from local suppliers and gradually progressed from there,” Kananu stated.
She imports her bales from the United Kingdom.
“The mitumba clothing from the UK is of high quality, and most items are available in medium sizes. In contrast, garments from other countries may be either too short or oversized,” she elaborated.
Kananu also noted that the cost of a bale is influenced by its purchase price, quality, and quantity.
She earns a profit ranging from Ksh 2,000 to Ksh 3,000 per bale, while her monthly operational expenses total Ksh 500,000.
“The mitumba business is rewarding; with a good selection of quality items, you will attract repeat customers,” Kananu remarked.
In addition to local sales, she has also exported to countries such as Tanzania, Uganda, and South Sudan.
She promotes her business through social media platforms, including Facebook.
Looking ahead, Kananu aspires to expand her operations and establish branches in various towns throughout the country.
