Purity Wambui’s life began in Munithu – Nyaki West Ward, a village filled with hardships and challenges. Born into a broken family, her parents’ separation marked the beginning of a tumultuous childhood.
While her mother delved into the dangerous world of illicit brewing, Purity sought refuge with her grandmother to pursue her primary education. The struggles she faced only fueled her innate desire for a better life and a thirst for education.
Resilient Spirit
As Purity completed her primary education, she faced another hurdle – lack of financial support to continue her studies.
Undeterred, she ventured into the market in Meru, purchasing vegetables to sell by the roadside. Through her relentless efforts, she managed to raise Ksh 1,500, which she used to buy essential items for high school. Purity’s unwavering goal was to surpass her sisters, who worked as house helps to survive.
After completing her secondary education, Purity found herself at crossroads. Without financial means or a sponsor to pursue tertiary education, she came across a newspaper advertisement that would change her life.
Accompanied by her sister, Purity embarked on a journey to Nairobi, armed with nothing more than a paper bag filled with a few clothes.
Through sheer luck, she secured employment as a house girl, and over the course of a year, she managed to save Ksh 10,000.
Gikomba Triumphs and Setbacks
In 2002, Purity made a life-altering decision to join her sister at Gikomba Market. Armed with her savings, she initially aimed to earn money to fund her tertiary education.
However, her astute business acumen and deep understanding of the market propelled her beyond her initial aspirations. Purity excelled, outperforming even her sister.
Her ability to assess the value of shoes in each bale and make profitable sales proved invaluable. Her business flourished, and she even expanded her operations to Sudan, although language barriers posed challenges.
In 2015, tragedy struck when a devastating fire swept through Gikomba Market, consuming Purity’s cash and goods worth Ksh 3.4 million.
However, amidst the ashes, Purity discovered a glimmer of hope. She encountered someone she describes as a guardian angel. With their support, she managed to rebuild her business, attaining enough financial stability to purchase land and a home.
Success at Last
Driven by her unwavering ambition, Purity began importing full containers of mitumba from the UK, Canada, and China on a weekly basis. These international ventures allowed her to offer a wide range of clothing options to her customers, keeping up with the ever-changing demands of the fashion industry.
With each shipment, Purity’s business grew exponentially. She established strong connections with suppliers overseas, ensuring the consistent availability of high-quality and trendy clothing. By diversifying her sources, Purity reduced dependency on a single market, mitigating risks and expanding her customer base.
The success of her business not only brought financial prosperity but also garnered recognition within the industry. Purity Wambui is now a prominent figure, known for her sharp business acumen and dedication to providing her customers with the best possible products. Her integrity and commitment to quality earned her a loyal customer following, propelling her business to new heights.
As Purity continues to run her multimillion-dollar enterprise, she remains an inspiration to aspiring entrepreneurs and women seeking financial independence. Her story serves as a reminder that with resilience, perseverance, and a relentless pursuit of one’s goals, anyone can rise above their circumstances and achieve extraordinary success. Purity’s entrepreneurial journey stands as a testament to the transformative power of passion, hard work, and unwavering belief in oneself.
For Mitumba bales, you can contact Purity via 0720 230 883, or visit her shop located in Gikomba at Mitumba Centre Opposite Pumwani Social Hall.
The author is a Social Media Strategist, a Digital Media Expert with interest in Governance and Social Welfare.