On the other hand, it is not always a spell of dry fortunes for some traders as Edwin Kimathi, a student and businessperson narrates. Although he has several businesses in other towns, his cyber cafe business in Maseno stands out.
Dealing with mostly academic materials and services, he offers the services at the strategic location - a few meters from the main gate(A) and Kisumu-Bungoma highway. Kimathi says the positive impacts of setting up the business in Maseno Town outweigh the negatives - giving him a reason to keep going in the business.
"Since my business majorly deals with stationery, my customers are mostly students who come for services such as printing, typing and photocopying. However, there are secondary customers which include lecturers, churches, hospitals and individuals residing in this place, who have made me realize profits from the business by offering us tenders," Kimathi stated.
Kimathi makes huge fortunes during key events such as the admission of new students, graduation ceremonies, sports and other major events. "During this period, we serve thousands of individuals. That means the profit is high. However, due to the high demand, I am forced to seek an extra hand to help my team," Kimathi stated.
His close bond with them has saved his business from destruction during rampages and unrest. He makes more cash from school events.
"The school shares their emerging events via their websites, local media outlets, and the student leadership and through the students, you can determine the events set to happen and that has helped me to plan and use the chances well," Kimathi said.
Academic materials
In comparison, doing business next in a town such as Maseno University has some advantages since the customers are knowledgeable.
"In the case of this place, students will require such things as accessories and academic materials every day, they require online services to submit their assignments, E-citizen services to complete their tasks as compared to the villages where such people are very few," Kimathi stated. "Last month, I made about 379,5200 for all my businesses around Maseno town," Kimathi said. During the short holiday in December last year, he made 125,000.
He made about Sh398,000 in August this year since first years had reported.
He however says he makes as low as Sh4,000 during low seasons.
Monica Ambwao, famously known as Mama Changuli, despite leaving her old illicit liquor brewing to focus on her new business of selling vegetables near the university, said she is forced to retrieve her small garden when students go on holidays.
She noted that this period is the hardest since the little she earns from the business cannot quench her needs and sustain her livelihood.
"When they go for long and short holidays, business relatively goes down. In this situation, I close down my business and go back home and engage in some agricultural activities in preparation for their return because that is the only time we have to perform our duties at home," she narrated.