Jua Kali artisans reap big as schools reopen
By Christine.Musa, February 6, 2023
Despite tough economic hurdles reported by most parents over high prices of back-to-school items, metal box dealers reported lucrative business.
A spot check at the Kitengela Jua Kali artisan center indicated that most parents preferred to buy the metal box from the artisans compared to general shops.
Most parents said the preference had been occasioned by quality, affordable prices, and customization of the metal boxes while the dealers reported increased business.
“As a farmer who ekes a living from livestock keeping, I am doing badly financially. I have to explore ways of reducing the cost of back to school and that is why I have opted to visit Jua Kali.
“The prices are friendly and there is a lot to compare even in terms of quality and color. I saved Ksh750 after buying a metal box and metal bucket. That is a significant amount for me,” David Kantai, a parent, said.
Owing that a metal box is a mandatory requirement for those joining secondary, the dealers say business has been booming and parents thronged Jua Kali in the past week.
They say some parents who cannot afford to purchase new metal boxes have brought old ones for repair.
Jua Kali artisans
“2023 Junior Secondary and Form One back to school has been lucrative business to us. A lot of parents have presented themselves in our housewares. Unlike before when we would only sell 20 per cent of our metal boxes directly and supply the rest to general shops, we have sold 70 percent directly.
“Parents are struggling financially and opting to purchase the boxes directly. We are also managing to reduce prices further as demand increases,” Kiama Mwangi a metal dealer at Kitengela Jua Kali said.
Peter Njihia another dealer says he has sold over 900 more pieces on top compared to form ones back to school last year.
Moses Oeri a general shop dealer at Kitengela town decried that his metal box stock sales have been relatively low.
“I realized something is amiss because my sales were low only to learn that parents have resulted for cheaper alternatives,” Oeri said.
A quality metal box range between Ksh1, 100, and Ksh2,500 compared to general shop prices which mostly range between Ksh1, 600, and Ksh3,000.
Most parents in Kajiado County have decried tough economic hurdles due to the ravaging drought that has witnessed tens of cattle succumbed to hunger.