As Meru Town continues to grow into a vibrant commercial hub, handcart operators, popularly known as mkokoteni operators, remain among the unsung heroes whose daily efforts ensure the smooth movement of goods from the town markets and wholesale shops to faraway shops and homes.
Every day, hundreds of tonnes of merchandise arrive by lorries and long trailers in Meru town markets, with handcart operators playing a vital role in transporting sizable portions of cargo that cannot be easily moved by customers. Despite their contribution to the local economy, many of them say their work often goes unnoticed.
For most of the operators, the business is their main source of their livelihood, enabling them to provide for their families, educate their children and meet daily household expenses.
Speaking to KNA, Martin Mureti, a handcart operator in Meru Town, said he starts his day early and positions himself near the market, bus stage and wholesale shops in the hope of securing customers.
“I begin work very early every morning and wait near the market, bus stage and wholesale shops for customers. I transport a wide range of goods, including bales of second-hand clothes, sacks of potatoes, tomatoes, onions, vegetables, furniture, water containers and other household items,” he said.
Mureti said he ventured into the business after failing to secure formal employment, noting that the work requires little capital and no specialised skills.
“I chose this work because it requires very little capital and no special skills. My customers include traders, farmers, shop owners and residents who need fairly heavy goods transported from one place to another,” he said.
He added that the amount charged depends on the weight of the load and the distance to be covered.
“The charges vary depending on the size of the load and how far it is being transported,” he explained.
Despite the importance of the work, Mureti said handcart operators face numerous challenges that affect their daily earnings.
“Bad weather, poor roads, heavy loads and low earnings due to stiff competition make this business difficult. Sometimes customers bargain too much, leaving us with very little income,” he said. He also noted that the physical nature of the work has affected his health.
“Lifting and pushing heavy loads every day causes back pain and muscle strain, but I have to continue because this is how I earn a living,” he said.
Looking to the future, Mureti expressed hope of expanding into the transport sector.
“My dream is to save enough money to buy a motorcycle so that I can improve my transport business and earn a better income,” he said.
Residents say handcart operators remain an essential part of Meru Town’s economy, ensuring efficient movement of goods and supporting businesses despite the many challenges they encounter.
By Muguongo Judy
