Kimani Wa Makaratasi: Meet the Kenyan Man Offering Well-Paying Jobs After Just 10 Days of Training
Meet Charles Kimani, affectionately known as Kimani Wa Makaratasi, a Thika-based businessman and the visionary founder of Jamii Products – a company specializing in the manufacturing of eco-friendly carrier bags, aptly named “makaratasi” in Swahili.
Kimani’s entrepreneurial journey began modestly. Armed with confidence and determination, he seized an opportunity that would eventually grow into a multi-million-shilling enterprise. His story is a shining example of how resilience and a small loan can pave the way for success.
In 2018, Kimani laid the foundation for Jamii Products, driven by a deep understanding of the environmental issues associated with the widespread use of polythene bags. When the Kenyan government imposed a ban on plastic bags, Kimani saw a window of opportunity and decided to act.
“It was a new dawn, and I decided to be part of changing the narrative in the packaging industry,” he explains.
Kimani began his venture with a loan of just Ksh 1,600 from Safaricom’s M-Shwari.
“I started with a loan of 1,600 from M-Shwari. It is on record. When I saw it was growing, I knew this is God’s love,” he reflects. Today, Jamii Products manufactures khaki paper products, including packaging bags, envelopes, gift bags, popcorn bags, cake boxes, and book covers. These products are biodegradable, compostable, and cost-effective, making them a sustainable alternative to single-use plastics.
In addition to offering sustainable solutions, Kimani’s company empowers communities through training. Jamii Products offers training classes for packaging bags, envelopes, book covers, popcorn bags, gift bags, cake boxes, branding, marketing, and cutting rolls to avoid wastage.
Participants also learn how to recycle waste into useful products such as dust bins, charcoal briquettes, and chairs, promoting a circular economy and zero-waste management.
Kimani’s training program is open to individuals for Ksh 15,000 and for groups, the cost ranges from Ksh 5,000 to Ksh 7,500 per person.
The program is accessible to youths, women, people with disabilities (PwDs), caregivers, and prisoners, with no age or education limitations.
To date, over 8,500 individuals have been trained, and 19 jobs created, including opportunities for three people with disabilities and one former prisoner. Kimani has empowered 25 disability groups in Kibra, Kiambu, and Nanyuki, and supported six prisons in Central and Nairobi regions.
Kimani envisions a circular economy where waste is not discarded but transformed into opportunities for growth.
Kimani’s business is conveniently located opposite Mang’u High School along Thika Road.
For inquiries, you can reach him at 0728884303.
To stay updated on the latest products and initiatives, you can follow Jamii Products Limited on Facebook at this link.
Additionally, you can find him on TikTok under the handle https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMkmpQowj/
