Future of Work: In Images - Jackson

MEET JACKSON

Jackson rises before the sun and begins his day crafting mandazi and making tea for the 5 am crowd. He honed his culinary skills through the hands-on experience of working alongside his mother in her cooking business, and he’s used them ever since he lost his job during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Like many in the Food Service Provision segment, location is crucial. Jackson works close to where he lives in a residential neighbourhood, which he knows is useful for efficiency and getting to know his customers, although fluctuating footfall throughout the day can be challenging.

“As I contemplate the trajectory from my humble beginnings to my current position, I am confident that I am steadily advancing. My dream is to enhance the quality of life for my mother, nephew, and niece through the success of this business.”
Jackson

Though Jackson’s business may have started through necessity, it is driven by genuine passion both for food and people. Jackson has now passed on his culinary and business skills to four employees, including Allan, whom he mentors and supports. Jackson aspires to expand his business into a nationwide chain of restaurants, driven by his desire to enhance the quality of life for his family and uplift those around him.

Meet Jackson Kithome, a street chef based in Makongeni, Thika, Kenya, whose culinary expertise brings a delightful fusion of flavors to the vibrant street food scene in the city

Jackson’s business is conveniently situated adjacent to his living quarters, nestled in a neighborhood predominantly characterized by residential buildings. This close proximity adds both efficiency and a sense of community to his work environment.

Jackson commences his business at 5 am, preparing ‘Maandazi’ and tea for the early morning crowd. The day concludes at 10 pm with what he describes as supper, showcasing his dedication to providing a range of culinary delights throughout the day.

Jackson collaborates with Allan, extending not only a job opportunity but also sharing valuable culinary expertise. This mentorship highlights Jackson’s commitment to nurturing talent and imparting culinary skills to those he works with. Allan is the fourth person to be under his employment.

Allan holds the distinction of being the fourth employee under Jackson’s mentorship. Demonstrating a commitment to fostering professional growth, Jackson consistently provides opportunities for individuals to work with him and supports their advancement in their respective careers.

Jackson Kithome “As I contemplate the trajectory from my humble beginnings to my current position, I am confident that I am steadily advancing towards the envisioned milestones and accomplishments that lie ahead in my future endeavors.”

Jackson offers a convenient and prompt solution for individuals who are too busy to prepare wholesome meals for themselves and their families. His services cater to the needs of those seeking efficient and quality dining options in the midst of their busy schedules.

Challenges arise when some customers opt to dine on credit, and unfortunately, leave without settling their accrued bills. This poses difficulties in the effective management and sustenance of the business operations.

Jackson Kithome “I aspire to establish a chain of restaurants nation wide in the future, contributing to my vision of a successful and expansive restaurant enterprise.”

The importance of the informal economy in Kenya cannot be overstated; it accounts for 24% of Kenya’s GDP and also employs five times more workers than the formal economy.

TRANSFORM has been working to understand the current realities and future possibilities for the millions of entrepreneurial Kenyans who hustle to sustain livelihoods across the informal economy (read more about the context of the work here).

Brink, Procol Africa, Busara, Laterite, Ideas Unplugged, and TRANSFORM have collaborated throughout to deliver this work, alongside hundreds of ecosystem actors and informal economy entrepreneurs.

These blogs offer an insight into the lives of some informal workers we spoke to over the course of the project, told through images.