I could not get a job, so I went into business 

Ruth Mwanzia is the founder and CEO of Koola waters. PHOTO| DELFHIN MUGO

What you need to know:

  • A visit to her water bottling factory in Karen is both educative and captivating. Ruth explains the process of water purification and filtration with such ease, you would think she is describing the weather.
  • “We employ the seven-stage filtration process, the latest technology in purifying water,” she explains, pointing at the seven filters attached to a gigantic water purification machine.

Close to two decades ago, a small barefoot girl walked back home from Kyondoni Primary School under the sweltering Kitui afternoon sun.

As usual, she was incredibly thirsty, and could not wait to get back home, where she hoped to find some clean water to drink, you see, water was a luxury in the semi-arid area she comes from.

“Most of the time, getting drinking water was difficult, especially during the dry season when the nearby stream would dry up. We had to walk for kilometres to Kitui town just to buy five litres of the precious commodity, and even then, the water was always contaminated, and as a result, water-borne diseases were common,” says Ruth.

The Moi regime had promised that by the turn of the millennium, every household in Kenya would be connected to clean piped water. The year 2000 came and went, but just like many-a-politician’s promises, this one too turned out to have been an empty one.

“I remember making a promise to myself that when I grew up, I would find a way to end my village’s predicament by providing them with clean and reliable sources of drinking water,” Ruth says. She was 13.

Fast forward to 2016 and Ruth Mwanzia, now 27, is the CEO of Koola Waters Company. Her company, based in Nairobi’s Karen, bottles water under the brand name ‘Koola Waters’. In an effort to fulfil her childhood dream, her company has also set up shop in Kitui Town, where she has sunk a borehole and set up a water kiosk which dispenses water to the locals for Sh5 for 20 litres.

“My long-term plan is to drill boreholes in every constituency within Kitui County and set up water kiosks that will provide water to the residents at affordable cost. By doing so, I will have played a part in helping to solve a problem that has plagued my community for decades.”

A visit to her water bottling factory in Karen is both educative and captivating. Ruth explains the process of water purification and filtration with such ease, you would think she is describing the weather.

“We employ the seven-stage filtration process, the latest technology in purifying water,” she explains, pointing at the seven filters attached to a gigantic water purification machine.

Her company has provided a source of income to seven full-time employees. Working six days a week, these employees ensure that 4,000 bottles of drinking water leave the factory for the market on a daily basis. “We package our water in various quantities, ranging from 300ml to 10-litre bottles. Our company is also contracted by cooperates and those hosting social events such as birthdays and funerals to provide custom-branded water. Clients can also order online and have their water delivered free of charge.”

STARTING OUT

How exactly did she start her water-bottling venture?

“I completed my Bachelor’s Degree in Mass Communication from Africa Nazarene University in 2012. I then applied for numerous jobs with local media houses and PR firms, but two years down the line, my job search had not borne any fruit.

Out of desperation, I decided to fall back on my childhood dream and dived into the water business,” she explains.

Growing up, her parents instilled in her a culture of disciplined savings.

“At university, I would deny myself many pleasures, such as going out for parties and acquiring the latest gadgets in favour of saving. By the time I was ready to go into business, I had saved over Sh500,000,”  she says. She then borrowed additional money from her parents and fundraised among close relatives. She managed to raise Sh2 million, which enabled her to rent premises and purchase the initial equipment to get her company running.

Ruth admits that starting a business from scratch can seem overwhelming, but the only way to make it is to start first and everything else will fall into place.

She explains, “I didn’t know much about water bottling. Believe it or not, I started by Googling, “How to start a water bottling company.”

Her younger sister was her first employee.

WORKED OVERNIGHT

“For my first sale, my sister and I worked overnight, and managed to package five cartons of water, all of which we sold the following day.”

Ruth had approached a local church that was hosting an event and asked them to allow her to set up a stand.

“That day, I made Sh3,000 profit, profit that has been going up ever since.”

Though she admits that the many big players in the water industry offer stiff competition, she is not intimidated, and views the competition as inspiration that prods her to continually improve her product.

“Aside from my parents who have nurtured my entrepreneurial zeal over the years, my employees are my inspiration,” she adds, saying that spiritual uprightness and a good education background are some of the qualities that she looks for in her staff.

On giving back to the community, some of the CSR initiatives that Koola Waters has sponsored include a programme that seeks to empower the girl-child in Mathare slums.

In recognition of this and other community empowerment programmes that Koola Waters has sponsored, the Centre for Social Responsibility and Accountability (CESRA) will bestow a CSR Excellence Award upon the company in an award ceremony to be held in September this year.

Ruth’s Alma mater, the Africa Nazerene University, already honoured her with the Outstanding Alumni Award last year. Even though she has been successful in her business venture, Ruth is still advancing her education.

“I did a postgraduate diploma in Peace and Conflict Resolution, and I am due to graduate with a Master’s Degree from Africa Nazarene University in the same field in October this year,” she says.

Her advice to young looking to venture into entrepreneurship is that they should go for something they feel passionate about, that passion is what gives one the drive to keep going even during tough times.