Pesa Mashinani: Business Opportunities in Bungoma County

With Norwegian investors keen on investing in the Bamboo farming in Chesikaki ward, a wide range of business opportunities in Bungoma County exits in many other wards and sectors of its economy.

The population of men in Bungoma County in 2015 is slightly below a million. There are 807,157 men in Bungoma County. On the other hand, the population of women in Bungoma County is much higher. The population of women is 844,593. So as an entrepreneur we are looking at a total population of one million six hundred and fifty thousand people (1,650,750 people to be precise). This population of almost two million people forms a strong foundation for all kinds of investment opportunities in Bungoma County in 2015.

Large and small business opportunities in Bungoma County exist in the following sectors;

1. Health Sector

The population of people in Bungoma County is large. The population is slightly below two million people. In an area where there are many people there are many health related issues. So with respect to health, an investor can set up a dispensary or a clinic or a chemist (pharmacy outlet). Well, with respect to setting up a pharmacy, an investor can look for towns or shopping centres in Bungoma where there are hospitals or dispensaries which will be sending patients to buy medications.

Since population greatly influences where a health facility such as a clinic or a pharmacy is located, we have the projected population figures for Bungoma County based on constituencies for the year 2015.

The constituency with the highest population in Bungoma County is Kanduyi Constituency which has a population of almost a quarter million people (224,273). The second most populated constituency is Tongaren constituency. The population of Tongaren Constituency is 186,279. The population of other constituencies in Bungoma County is as follows.

· At third position is Bumula Constituency. The population of Bumula Constituency is 178,438.

· At fourth position is Mt. Elgon constituency. The population of Mt. Elgon Constituency is 171,348.

· Kabuchai Constituency takes the firth position in terms of population. The population of Kabuchai constituency is 140,315.

· Kimilili takes the sixth position with a population of 130,907 people.

· At the third last position in terms of population size is Webuye West constituency. The population of Webuye West Constituency is 126,808.

· The second last constituency in terms of population size in Bungoma County is Sirisia constituency. The population of Sirisia Constituency is 102,040.

· The constituency with the smallest population in Bungoma County is Webuye East has a population of 100,982.

Now that we have explored how the population distribution is like, it is time to hit the nail on the head. Based on population, an investor in the health sector will look for opportunities first in Kanduyi constituency. And if we look further at Kanduyi constituency, it has a very high population of women at 115,238. Now, a high population of women simply implies a higher number of babies and hence a demand for medicines for the small illnesses that normally affect babies (Such as cold flue etc.). A high population of women in Kanduyi Constituency also means that there is a high demand for contraceptives such as family planning pills.

Well, all the constituencies in Bungoma County have populations that are higher than one hundred thousand people (100,000) so health facilities such as clinics and pharmacy shops will make good money in Bungoma county.

3. Building materials.

Did you know that 79% of residents in Bungoma County are living in houses that have been constructed using earth (Udongo/ Mchanga)? Well, this fact alone sets a new stage in terms of business opportunities in building and construction in Bungoma County.

In spite of 79% of the residents are living in houses made of earth, 20% of the residents have houses made of cement and concrete. Well, what is 20% of 1,659,750? Alright, the answer is 326,848. So what does the future holds for an investor? Here is the thing, with a high population of people living in houses made of earth/mud, opportunities are generated as more and more people endeavor to construct permanent houses.

If you are an investor don’t hold back. Rush to Bungoma and set up a business that sells building materials such as Cement, Corrugated iron sheets, padlocks, window frames, glasses, sand, Terrazzo, etc.

Now, which is the best place to start a business in business in Bungoma County that sells building materials? Mmmh, the answer is here. Pesa Mashinani is proud to give you the answer. Kanduyi Constituency is the best place to start a business that deals with building materials. The residents in Kanduyi constituency are actively building permanent homes using cement and concrete. Bumula constituency trails in the whole of Bungoma County in terms of the number of residents who are building homes using cement and other concrete materials.

At the county assembly level, Township ward has the highest number of residents who are building homes using cement and other concrete materials. Cheoyuk ward trails all the other wards in Bungoma County in terms of the number of people who are building permanent houses using cement and other concrete materials.

5. Household items.

Cups, plates, Sufurias, spoons and many other utensils are always in demand thanks to the high population in the county. An average family size in Bungoma County has between 4 to 6 children. So apart from utensils, other items that are used at home are in demand. Just set up a small business in an area that has a high population and watch as your business grow bigger and bigger each and every minute.

6. Spare parts

Well, like in other counties in Kenya, the Boda boda business is booming in Bungoma County. So, for a small investor who is looking for investment opportunities in spare parts business then Bungoma County is the place to have an interest on. Reflector clothing, lubricants, tires and helmets are some of the items that are in demand due to the high number of boda bodas in the county.

Well, Toyota Probox and Toyota Corolla are common care models in the county. So as an investor you can think of setting up a business that sells spare parts in the different parts of the county.

7. Furniture

Well, with a population that will hit two million people by 2018, it is only obvious for smart investor and small entrepreneurs to set up businesses that make and/or sell furniture. As more and more people construct permanent houses, they generate demand for furniture items such as tables, beds, sofa sets, cupboards, stools and many other related items.

8. Bamboo Farming

Perhaps this is something that many have not heard of because it is a very new business opportunity in Bungoma County. Well, Norwegian investors have expressed interest in Bamboo trees from Bungoma County which they will use to make electric poles. So, small scale farmers in Bungoma County can consult the county government on the viability of going into Bamboo farming.

9. Clothing Business

Well, this is a business that has always made good money to small investors. With Uganda just a stone throw away, many entrepreneurs from Bungoma County are crossing the border and importing clothes to sell to the millions of people in Bungoma County.

10. Electronics

Football is something that a majority of the population of men in Bungoma County loves. So as an investor, you can set up an electronics shop that sells television sets, FM radios, digital receiver boxes (Such as Go TV etc.) and Satellite TV dishes (Such as DSTV).

Sale of Mobile phones and mobile phone accessories is another area that presents opportunities for investors in Bungoma County. Well, don’t start a mobile phones business and stock expensive smart phones. It is wise of you as an investor and an entrepreneur to stock affordable mobile phones that will sell quickly. Some of the common specifications that will make you sell the mobile phones quickly in this county include;

· Mobile phones/ smart phones with FM radio

· Affordable smart phones that have internet access.

· Mobile phones/ smart phones that have a camera.

· Mobile phones/ smart phones that can play video.

Always remember not to tock your business with expensive smart phones which the majority of the population cannot afford.

Phone accessories that are in high demand in Bungoma County include; memory cards, charges, earphones mobile phone batteries and mobile phone casings.

11. Electricals

Electrical cables for wiring houses have a very high demand in Bungoma County as much of Bungoma County benefits from rural electrification. Kanduyi constituency for example has a very high rate of electricity connections to new houses every year.

The constituency that has the lowest rate of electricity connectivity is Bumula constituency. So if you want to set up a business that sells electrical cables in Bungoma County, you better consider Kanduyi Constituency. Bumula Constituency should be at the bottom of your priority list in terms of setting up an electrical shop until electricity connectivity in the constituency improves.

So what should be stocked? Well an electrical shop in Bungoma County should stock items such as;

· Wiring cables

· Electrical bulbs (energy savers)

· Sockets

· Switches and main switches.

12. Opportunities in Bungoma County Assembly

There are many tenders by Bungoma County government that are always requesting for services and supply of items. Well, the services and items that are needed are wide but some of the common ones include;

· Supply of office equipment.

· Supply of computer accessories such as toners, uninterrupted power supply.

· Construction and implementation of projects such as construction of classrooms, dispensaries and community water projects.

· Supply of beverages and refreshments.