All businesses are about communication; explaining products, negotiating prices, answering questions, and building trust with customers but it seems effortless for those with all their senses intact, but have you ever imagined what it takes to run a business in complete silence?
In the bustling heart of Kericho town, just outside Shivling Supermarket, a splash of color catches the eye, golden bananas, ripened mangoes, and the deep purples of freshly picked plums, and behind the vibrant display stands 38-year-old Emily Nyamongo, her bright smile as welcoming as the fruit she neatly arranged every day.
Nyamongo, a single mother of one, deaf and mute, has put all her hopes in the fruits business; operates her business in near-complete silence, yet with the energy and precision of a seasoned trader, and for two and a half years, she has been carving a living here, relying on gestures, expressions, and a deep well of patience to communicate with her customers.
To speak with Emily, KNA enlisted the help of sign language interpreter Hellenstancia Manyara, and through her; Nyamongo shared the journey that led her to become a respected grocer in Kericho.
Nyamongo enjoyed the familiar sounds of family life, her mother’s voice, her siblings’ laughter, the chirping of birds, a world filled with warmth and connection through sound until when she was in Standard Four when she was met with a mysterious illness that stole her hearing, turning school into a confusing and isolating place where the chatter of classmates faded into silence and simple communication became a daily struggle
She enrolled in Mumias School for the Deaf and later joined Mumias Secondary School and eventually pursued a diploma in Food and Beverage at Caren College, completing it in 2013 and since then she has been door to door seeking for a job opportunity but in vain.
Nyamongo’s life took several turns after school as she initially sold fries to make ends meet and during a difficult period in her marriage, she found support in a close friend who stood by her and later introduced her to a church-based disability group known as ‘Possibility’ through which she received both moral and financial support that helped her establish her current fruit business
Despite her resilience, Nyamongo’s journey has not been easy; as she continues to navigate a world that often overlooks people with disabilities
“I face many challenges every day, communicating with customers is not always easy, sometimes profits are low, and when it rains heavily, the fruits get spoiled or become hard to find, and there are days I feel the weight of stigma from people who don’t understand my world” Nyamongo shares through her interpreter.
She also revealed that one of her biggest struggles is raising school fees for her child, who is currently in Grade 6, noting that the financial burden often weighs heavily on her limited income from the fruit business.
Nyamongo’s biggest supporters are her friends and her mother, who have stood by her since she transitioned into business. Her entrepreneurial spirit remains strong, and she hopes to one day secure a more stable job or expand her grocery business with the right financial support.
“I would be grateful if the government or well-wishers could help me get a better location and boost my capital,” she signals
Her story is one of quiet courage and a powerful reminder that strength doesn’t always roar but sometimes stands behind a fruit stall, communicating in silence and defying the odds with every sale.
By Hillary Kemei and Abigael Cherono
