Meet Kenya’s oldest newspaper vendor who claims to be 107 years
They say information is key for every individual; but how do we really redefine the means of quenching our thirst for information?
In Kenya and around the world, the media is perceived as the sole provider of daily happenings through different platforms such as radio and the internet.
Others prefer watching television with majority reading news online or getting a newspaper from vendors in the streets and offices.
Daily newspapers undergo thorough processes before reaching the readers.
Publishers ensure they get happenings from journalists who keep track and compile stories which are forwarded to news editors before being published. The newspapers are distributed every morning to different areas.
The publishing company also requires vendors who act as a link with readers in the area of coverage.
This is what leads us into tracing arguably, the world’s oldest newspaper vendor.
Ms Joyce Kanyiri, a newspaper vendor in Isiolo town who claims to be 107 years old is widely known by readers in the area.
Despite her advanced age, Ms Kanyiri is determined to remain at the top of her competition in the town.
The granny says she ventured into the business 30 years ago and this has been the source of livelihood for her family over the years.
EARLY RISER
Going by her daily schedule, age seems to be just a number to the octogenarian.
The granny says she wakes up early in the morning to wait for the van that delivers newspapers to distributors in Isiolo town.
“Only the early risers can last in newspaper selling. I wake up at 4 am every morning to ensure that I don’t miss my copies. If you do not rise up early, you may find that the competitors have sold to your customers,” Ms Kanyiri says.
Armed with Sh4, 000 daily, she purchases copies of the Daily Nation, Taifa Leo, People Daily, The Star and The Standard newspapers.
She says this has been her routine since she started the business. Though she is advanced in age, does not need an alarm to wake up early in the morning.
According to one of her committed customers, Mr Abdikadir Hassan, the granny was still active in the business since he was in class two at Wabera Primary school located within Isiolo town.
Ms Kanyiri estimates to have been selling newspapers for the last 30 years. Due to her advanced age, she cannot remember the actual year when she got into the business.
The granny, a great grandmother says she makes a profit of not less than Sh500 every day.
Surprisingly, for granny Kanyiri, she does not need to walk around offices and the town streets to sell her newspapers as is the custom of other hawkers.
She only shelters at her son’s shop next to the distribution point and watches buyers as they pick newspapers displayed on her trolley labeled ‘Daily Nation’.
SHREWD BUSINESSWOMAN
The granny, conspicuous in her blue ‘Daily Nation’ jacket, attracts buyers from town with her charming smile and traditional Meru songs which she usually hums in a low tone to whenever she is left alone.
Some say she sings probably to lure more customers.
“For the last 30 years that I have been in this business. I do not walk around with the papers but sit down here for my buyers to come and buy them,’’ she says.
From her hard work, the granny has managed to purchase a plot in Isiolo town besides other achievements.
The shrewd businesswoman maintained that she was always alert, and would not allow anyone to sell her newspapers or pick for perusing without paying her.
Ms Pamela Kagwiria, says her grandmother has challenges in knowing how much money to give back to customers as balance.
“She often picks a quarrel with customers regarding balance whenever she is given more than Sh100. She cannot not differentiate fake money from the genuine one. We have to be on the look out to ensure she is not duped with counterfeit money,” Ms Kagwiria says.
The granddaughter is however happy that her granny still works to earn a living despite her age. She notes that this is a rare fete for people of her age.
Kagwiria says she has been inspired by her granny’s efforts and wishes she can be as hardworking as the grandmother.
The granny encourages idle people to find and do something gainful with their lives instead of begging in the streets.