At Mama Robi’s Garage, Skills Training Opens Doors for Kakuma’s Youth

The roar of motorcycles greets visitors approaching Mama Robi Spares and Auto Garage in Kakuma town. Inside, the space buzzes with activity—mechanics clanging wrenches, sockets, and ratchets, interrupted by the screech of angle grinders and the hum of saws cutting parts.

Owner William Moru Pera stocks spare parts for a wide range of motorcycle models. In Kakuma, motorcycles are the most common mode of transport, valued for their ability to navigate the rough terrain of Turkana County. They’ve also become a vital source of income for youth who use them to ferry passengers.

Spotting this opportunity, William started with a makeshift stall. With support from the Kakuma Kalobeyei Challenge Fund (KKCF), he expanded into a full garage and spare parts shop.

As a member of the Turkana community, William admits that business was not always a natural path. But exposure to entrepreneurial newcomers encouraged many locals, including him, to explore new livelihoods.

“I decided to venture into the spare parts business after noticing many motorcycles in the town, but mechanics had to travel to Lodwar to buy spare parts. I knew it would earn me good money if I brought the spares closer where they can readily get them,” says William. 

Today, William runs a thriving apprenticeship model. He trains young people to work alongside experienced mechanics, offering parts on credit that are paid for once repairs are completed. The garage also leases out tools, and many of the mechanics—refugees and host community members alike—began as trainees.

William’s journey wasn’t easy. His first KKCF grant application was rejected. But he was invited to join their accelerator program, where he received training in business planning, financial management, and bookkeeping.

KKCF Program Manager Brian Meme explains that the accelerator was created to strengthen proposals from entrepreneurs whose initial applications lacked polish.

 “Instead of dismissing them, we trained them on business management, financial literacy, marketing and promotions, and bookkeeping. They were then given a chance to rewrite the concepts, which is how many succeeded in the second application,” he says.

Ramadhan Lumumba, a refugee from the Democratic Republic of Congo, now works at the garage as a mechanic.  “We do our best to bring customers here so that the shop owner can sell spares, and we earn some money from fixing the motorcycles. Thishas helped us meet our family needs,” he says.