My bamboo umbrellas

Samson Koross at the recent Mara Day Exhibition in Narok with the umbrellas he makes. PHOTO | JACOB OWITI |

What you need to know:

  • Three reasons inspired him to create the umbrellas.
  • First, many people in the Rift Valley have been struck by lightning while using metallic handle umbrellas.
  • Second, most of the umbrellas in the market do not last. “The metallic part normally rusts and breaks leaving you with the canopy.”
  • Third, using bamboo gives farmers a chance to make cash from the under-used grass.

Dressed in a white T-shirt and black trousers, Samson Koross looked like any other exhibitor at the recent Mara Day Exhibition in Narok.

However, his products stood out. In his stand were several beautiful red and white umbrellas made from bamboo.

The Seeds of Gold team found Koross stepping on one of his umbrellas. “I want to prove to my customers how strong the bamboo umbrellas are; they are better than what is in the market,” he said.

Three reasons inspired him to create the umbrellas.

First, many people in the Rift Valley have been struck by lightning while using metallic handle umbrellas.

Second, most of the umbrellas in the market do not last. “The metallic part normally rusts and breaks leaving you with the canopy.”

Third, using bamboo gives farmers a chance to make cash from the under-used grass.

After some research, Koross settled on bamboo for umbrellas. “Bamboo is strong and a poor conductor of electricity, which makes it the best material to use,” the mechanical engineering technician says.

Koross comes from Olenguruone Village, Nakuru County.

VARIOUS PIECES

He began the project while undertaking a diploma course at the Rift Valley Institute for Science and Technology between 1998 and 2000.

The institute gave him Sh30,000 capital. “I used it to buy a machine for splitting bamboo into small pieces. I made small-scale umbrellas while at college.”

On completing his course, Koross, 42, landed a job at the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation in Nairobi where he worked from 2011 to 2013 and later resigned to work on the umbrellas. He invested Sh12,000 in bamboo.

To make the umbrellas, Koross starts with buying bamboo from a farm in Nakuru and cutting into various pieces.

“We use a machine called a router to roll the bamboo pieces into round shapes and drill small holes on them.”

Further, using a machine called wood lithe, he makes the handles, the runners and the parts that support the canopy. The parts are then joined together to form a complete umbrella.

Koross has been making the umbrellas for the last four years. He fastens his own canopy after buying the materials at Sh50 a metre.

Sometimes, however, he imports from India when clients demand.

“Most of my clients are corporates, though individuals are also buying them. The prices range from Sh700 to Sh1,300 each depending on the size.”

From a 20-foot bamboo stem that goes for Sh300, Koross produces 22 umbrellas, which last up to five years depending on use.

“I always believe that when I go to a farmer to buy bamboo, I am giving them courage to plant more.”

CREATIVE DESIGNER

Koross has since employed 10 people, five who run the machines while the rest do the fixing and put the final touches.

“Apart from the 10 workers, I also have a creative designer, who engraves company logos on the canopy.”

Getting good canopy that is waterproof has become a challenge to the businessman.

The project has seen Koross scoop various awards, including at the National Devolution Jua Kali Conference held at the Bomas of Kenya in Nairobi this year.

International Network for Bamboo and Rattan official, Dr Fu Jinhe, said bamboo is one of the most profitable grasses.

“Bamboo is a promising alternative since it can take up nitrogen, phosphorous and heavy metals from soil, besides being used in the furniture and construction sectors.”