Watu supports boda riders like Charles, providing financing that transforms lives, creates stability, and fosters independence.
When you meet Charles Mwita Kuria you meet a man whose story crafts a narrative of persistence and hard work. Charles is a boda boda rider, well known among among fellow riders and customers around the Upper Hill area in Nairobi.
But just a few years back, his story was totally different. In 2021, he was workign as a night security guard with a salary that barely covered his needs. He was constantly stressed with unpaid school fees, overdue rent and other expenses and these weighed heavily on him. His wife, a stay at home mum did her best to help him manage the household, but still something needed to change if his young family was to thrive. There was no question that he needed a different path that would give him financial stability and leave him with some time to spend with his family.
His answer came in the form of a motorbike after he looked at the boda boda industry and saw an opportunity. With that came the challenge of access to finance, and that is where Watu checked into his life. With their support, Charles acquired his first motorbike under manageable repayment terms and his life changed immediately. It was a leap of faith, but one he was ready to take.
In just 18 months, Charles had paid for his motorbike fully, an achievement that meant more than just ownership. This meant that he was able to move his family to a better home, school fees for his childrn was always settled on time and he was able to shed the crushing weight he previously felt in the paycheck to paycheck life. He was now not just surviving, but providing for his family.
How does a typical day look liike for Charles?
He starts his day at 5.30am and by 6am, he’s the early bird already ferrying passengers around Nairobi CBD and environs. At these time he mostly does short trips to get people to work. As the morning wears on, he heads to the busy Bunyala Roundabout which is a very popular route for commuters.
By mid-morning, Charles moves further into Upper Hill around where the Watu offices are, and uses that as his base for running errands and offering rides for some time. He then heads towards Carrefour Supermarket in the evening where he’s able to take advantage of the rush hour shoppers who need ferrying home, and then he returns home to his family. His busiest and best time for his business is between 3pm in the afternoon and 6pm in the evening when there is usually a surge in demand.
In terms of earnings, Charles is able to take home Ksh.2,500/- each day, though there are stronger days when he clocks above Ksh.3,000/-. For him these are not just numbers, rather dignity and stability. They mean being able to put food on the table, educate his children and even plan for the future.
Charles’s journey with Watu is clear proof that the right financial tools do empower people to transform their lives. The road ahead for him is no longer uncertain, since he has built a foundation strong enough to move his family forward.
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