Nakuru Man Buys Bedbugs And Cockroaches For KSh 5 Each: "Hustle"

• Stephen Mwangi buys the dreaded insects and displays them in the streets for all and sundry as he shows how his insecticides 'eliminate' them
• He disclosed he started with 200 cockroaches before increasing the number gradually to up to 2,000 daily
• His enterprise has generated job opportunities for young individuals actively seeking out insects but noted catching bedbugs is not a walk in the park

TUKO.co.ke journalist Japhet Ruto brings over eight years of experience in financial, business, and technology reporting, offering deep insights into Kenyan and global economic trends.

Kenyans always devise creative ways to make money amid harsh economic times.

Why Stephen Mwangi buys bedbugs and cockroaches

One such Kenyan is Stephen Mwangi, who buys cockroaches and bedbugs for KSh 5 each for use in demonstrations of the efficacy of his insecticides.

After buying the dreaded insects, he displays them in the streets for all and sundry as he shows how his insecticides 'eliminate' them.

Mwangi disclosed that he used to sell insecticides before studying entomology.

In an interview with Mtaa Wangu, he disclosed he started with 200 cockroaches before increasing the number gradually to up to 2,000 daily.

"I have been doing sales for a long time, so when the opportunity arose to introduce the insecticide to the Nakuru market, I knew just what to do to pique the crowd's interest," the regional sales manager said.

How Steven Mwangi created employment

His enterprise has generated job opportunities for young individuals actively seeking out insects.

Although trapping cockroaches is straightforward, the same cannot be said for bed bugs.

"When I started looking for bed bugs, it was a bit of a hustle. I had to go to the slums and assist them because they were poor. I buy them sugar so they can get me the bed bugs," he told NTV.

He trains the youth to carry the insects carefully to avoid suffocating them.

Getting rid of cockroaches

In other news, a pest control company is conducting a study to try and help them find the newest and greatest ways to get rid of cockroaches.

As a result, The Pest Informer is offering KSh 250,000 to homeowners willing to let them unleash 100 American cockroaches in their homes.

Afterwards, the American-based company will then test out a specific pest control technique, to be able to gauge how effective the treatment is.

Nairobi residents used social media platforms to share concerns over an influx in the number of cockroaches.