Spice girl out to flavour your life

Spice girl out to flavour your life

With a startup capital of Sh2000, an enterprising girl is out to beat odds in the face of abject poverty and hopelessness that Kibera is famed for through selling spices...

By Ethel Omenda

The first time you visit Muslim Gamo at her family’s two roomed house at Mashimoni area deep inside Nairobi’s informal settlement of Kibera, you might be mistaken to think that the little koroboi (tin) lamp lit and parched on top a wooden cupboard is meant to light up the room during the day.

However, a strong and appealing aroma of different spices packed in clean plastic sachets betrays what goes on. In fact, it is this lamp that is used to seal these plastic sachets.

Welcome to Gamo’s ‘spice factory’ and from the look of things, a lot of activity that involves grinding, mixing, packing and sealing of different spices goes on here.

At just 21 years and born in a family of four boys and a girl, Muslim Gamo is literally Kibera’s ‘spice girl’ and her story is a tale of a young enterprising girl out to beat odds in the face of abject poverty and hopelessness that Kibera is well famed for.

After completing her college and several failed attempts to secure an attachment for her catering and hospitality career, Gamo was not comfortable idling at home. Thus what came natural for her was revive a business her late mother raised them up from it’s proceeds.

With a startup capital of KSh2000 and moral support from her sister, the ‘spice girl’ has not only become a household name but also a source of pride to her family. She is now converting many Kibera residents to spice lovers.

“Besides the medicinal benefits that come with spice usage, this business is also meant to correct the notion that spices are a preserve for Asians, Muslims or Swahili people from the Kenyan coast who have a liking for spices,” says Gamo.

In her list of products that include pilau masala, iliki and cloves; tangawizi (ginger) is what her clients prefer and use it to spice up their tea and other hot drinks. 

“I source the spices from Eastleigh in Nairobi because that is where I can get them fresh and at the best price. Once bought, the tangawizi is dusted, dried up and grounded to powdery form using a mortar,” explains Gamo.

The product is then packed in plastic paper sachets that sell for as little as KSh10 depending on a customer’s purchasing power. 

Interestingly, men make the largest base of her customers.

Of all her products, it is the pilau masala that takes up a lot time in preparation. “This product is expensive compared to others and care has to be taken especially when mixing ingredients. The masala is heated mildly and let to cool off before being ground and packed. Being a combination of different ingredients, small quantities are mixed diligently to bring out the desired taste when cooking pilau (rice dish).”

On hygiene and cleanliness, Gamo says it is an issue she does not wish to gamble with. “Naturally in my training in catering and hospitality industry, cleanliness is a prerequisite and must be observed. Thus I ensure utensils used are clean to avoid contamination at the preparation and packing stages.”

Though still new in the spice business, the greatest challenge Gamo is facing is that of competition from established spice companies saying that customers prefer something that is already known and has been in the market for a while.

To counter this she hands out free samples and cooking instructions to potential customers in Kibera-a strategy that ensures a steady stream of spice lovers.

Another challenge Gamo faces is that of bad debts. “Operating in an area with high levels of poverty, customers take products on credit and may delay payment.” 

To consolidate her gains and avoid bad debts, Gamo now supplies the same to small hotels and eateries in and around Nairobi city upon securing orders.

 Asked to comment of how her business has assisted her, Gamo says, “I contribute towards payment of bills for our family since dad’s meager income cannot sustain us.”

“I am also saving up and plan to diversify my business to include weaving and tapestry of mats from the proceeds of my spices.”

Having gone to school up to college level, Gamo advice to Muslim girls is that they should be aggressive in making their lives worthwhile. “Life has become so competitive even for those with excellent academic qualifications. Just do something with your life no matter how small so long as it does not go against your belief.”

Despite securing the attachment she was yearning for in the catering and hospitality industry, Gamo still manages to do a balancing act between attachment and business. “Going for my attachment overnight gives me ample time to engage in my spice business during the day.”

To her, it’s only a matter of time before she pulls herself out of the hard life in Kibera and move to a sweet life that enterprise and hard work offers.

To place your spice orders, call: 0713304429

SOURCE THE NEW DAWN.