Nicholas Wambua, aged 52, has found success and prosperity in the scrap metal business, a stark contrast to his previous occupations as a truck driver and farmer.
Hailing from Machakos County, Wambua initially juggled driving and farming jobs after completing his O’levels. However, he faced challenges with his eyesight over time, leading him to abandon driving to focus on agriculture.
Despite his efforts, farming proved unprofitable due to unpredictable weather patterns, prompting Wambua to relocate from Machakos to Narok County in search of better opportunities.
In Narok town, he ventured into a cereal shop business, but his ambition pushed him to seek greater financial prospects. In 2019, he transitioned to the scrap metal trade, leaving behind cereal sales.
Wambua’s entry into the scrap metal industry began modestly, purchasing old iron sheets from construction sites and reselling them as scrap metal. His reputation grew, attracting more sellers and expanding his business network.
He purchases scrap metal for Sh. 25 per kilogram and sells it to metal industries in Nairobi for Sh. 30, earning a profit of Sh. 5 per kilogram. With a monthly sales volume exceeding 20,000 kilograms, he earns no less than Sh. 100,000.
However, not all scrap metal meets his quality standards, and he must exercise caution to avoid dealing with stolen goods, which could jeopardize his business and legal standing.
Wambua faced challenges during the period between January and March 2022 when scrap metal businesses were temporarily banned due to increased vandalism. He diversified his income by selling plastic bottles during this period.
Additionally, he encountered legal trouble when one of his customers sold him stolen metals, resulting in heavy fines and heightened vigilance in his business dealings.
Despite setbacks, Wambua’s business continues to thrive, enabling him to provide for his two wives and six children. He has invested in property in Narok town and plans to further develop it to bolster his income.
Wambua operates his scrap metal business with the assistance of one of his wives and an employee from a strategically located premises opposite Kandas Ground along the Nyawira road.
