More manufacturing and fabrication
Adding to manufacturing businesses (methods 616–632), these fabrication businesses serve farmers, builders and households.
What these methods share
- Quality: strong, durable products win repeat orders.
- Standards: KEBS standards apply to many products.
- Safety: welding and machinery need protective gear.
972. Chain-link fencing production
What it is: Making chain-link fencing and barbed wire products. How it works: Wire → weave on machine → roll and sell.
| Skills | Machine operation |
| Cost & equipment | Fencing machine, wire stock |
| Where to find work | Farmers, homeowners, schools, hardware shops |
| Payment | Per roll |
| Realistic earnings | Medium |
| Time to first income | Months |
How to start: Start with one machine; sell to hardware shops and farmers. Pros: Steady demand. Cons & risks: Wire price changes. Scam warning: Use the wire gauge you advertise. Kenya notes: Land fencing is common across Kenya.
973. Concrete posts and culverts
What it is: Casting fencing posts, culverts and ventilation blocks. How it works: Moulds → mix and cast → cure → sell.
| Skills | Concrete work |
| Cost & equipment | Moulds, materials, curing space |
| Where to find work | Farmers, counties, contractors |
| Payment | Per piece |
| Realistic earnings | Medium |
| Time to first income | Months |
How to start: Cure products properly for strength. Pros: Constant demand. Cons & risks: Heavy transport. Scam warning: Don't sell weak, uncured products. Kenya notes: Counties and contractors buy culverts for roads.
974. Metal jiko (charcoal stove) fabrication
What it is: Making improved charcoal stoves (jikos) from metal and ceramic liners. How it works: Cut metal → shape → fit liners → sell.
| Skills | Metalwork |
| Cost & equipment | Tools, metal sheets, liners |
| Where to find work | Households, markets, hardware shops |
| Payment | Per jiko |
| Realistic earnings | Low |
| Time to first income | Weeks |
How to start: Make efficient designs that save charcoal. Pros: Daily household need. Cons & risks: Low prices. Scam warning: Don't claim efficiency you can't show. Kenya notes: Improved jikos cut charcoal use and smoke.
975. Ferro-cement water tanks
What it is: Building water tanks from cement and wire mesh on site. How it works: Build mesh frame → plaster → cure → test.
| Skills | Masonry, ferro-cement technique |
| Cost & equipment | Materials, tools |
| Where to find work | Homes, schools, farms |
| Payment | Per tank |
| Realistic earnings | Medium |
| Time to first income | Weeks |
How to start: Train with a water NGO or experienced mason. Pros: Cheaper than plastic for big tanks. Cons & risks: Skill needed to avoid cracks. Scam warning: Cure properly and test for leaks. Kenya notes: Rainwater harvesting programmes use ferro-cement tanks.
976. Poultry and livestock equipment fabrication
What it is: Making feeders, drinkers, cages, incubator frames and pig pens. How it works: Design → fabricate → sell.
| Skills | Fabrication |
| Cost & equipment | Workshop tools |
| Where to find work | Poultry and livestock farmers, agrovets |
| Payment | Per item |
| Realistic earnings | Low to medium |
| Time to first income | Weeks |
How to start: Sell through agrovets and farmer groups. Pros: Growing farming market. Cons & risks: Competition from imports. Scam warning: Use safe, non-toxic materials. Kenya notes: Poultry farming growth drives demand.
977. Tent and canvas making and repair
What it is: Making and repairing tents, tarpaulins, truck covers and awnings. How it works: Measure → cut canvas → stitch → fit.
| Skills | Heavy-duty sewing |
| Cost & equipment | Industrial sewing machine, canvas |
| Where to find work | Event tent owners, truckers, shops, campsites |
| Payment | Per item or repair |
| Realistic earnings | Medium |
| Time to first income | Months |
How to start: Start with repairs for tent hire businesses. Pros: Repeat repair work. Cons & risks: Bulky materials. Scam warning: Quote materials and labour clearly. Kenya notes: Event tent hire (method 317) depends on repairs.
Summary
- Fabrication businesses include fencing, concrete products, jikos, ferro-cement tanks, livestock equipment and tents.
- Quality, standards and safety matter.
- Honest specifications build trust.
Check yourself
Which body sets product standards in Kenya? (acronym)
Show answer
kebs
What material is combined with wire mesh in ferro-cement tanks? (one word)
Show answer
cement
What is a charcoal stove called in Kenya? (one word)
Show answer
jiko