Story by Roselinder Achieng Maima, Impact and Communications Manager, Solar Sister Kenya
When Ednah Jepchirchir joined Solar Sister Kenya in April 2024, she was already doing everything she could to support her family, running a small cereal shop while juggling school fees and bills. But even with all her effort, it still wasn’t quite enough.
The cereal business is highly competitive, so she had to devise something that would differentiate her business from the rest. Ednah wanted something that would attract more customers and complement her existing business. When the opportunity in the clean energy business came knocking, she did not hesitate to take it up.
Now, when someone stops by her shop to buy dry grains, especially maize and beans, staples in her community, Ednah uses the opportunity to discuss clean cookstoves.
“I enjoy the clean energy business as a complement to my grocery business. When a client comes to buy dry goods that require a long time to cook, I propose the clean cook stove to them, which not only saves them from excessive charcoal use but also helps keep their home environment clean.”
Most of my clients make a mixture of maize and beans, which is a typical staple food in this area. They purchase the grains from me, and I influence them to embrace clean cooking to save their family from carbon monoxide poisoning, as they cook inside their houses, sometimes leaving the dried cereals to cook slowly overnight.
I have also introduced this opportunity to my daughter, Valentine Jepleting, as I have seen the gains, and we are now running this business as a family. She is already earning her own money, so I do not have to strain to support her in everything. Also, the training on entrepreneurship has helped us a lot to run our grocery business.”
