Growing up, Dorcas Katei had always wanted to farm and coming from a humble background, she always dreamed of working the land, growing food, and feeding communities with natural produce.
This is an inspiration she got growing up in a place called Mutula, in Machakos County. However, as she grew older, that dream felt out of reach. She did not own land, could not afford to lease any, and she felt like life was moving faster than her farming ambitions.
Instead of giving up, she found another path. If she could not grow the food herself, she could source it, refine it, and bring it closer to people who valued natural living. That is how Tei Cereals & Spices, located in Syokimau, was born, offering natural spices, cereals, and supplements to customers seeking healthier solutions for their skin, meals, and wellbeing.
Two years in, the journey has been anything but smooth. Dorcas Katei has learnt patience and the discipline of building something from the ground up. “The mistake most people make is expecting a business to sustain their lifestyle immediately. You get in and realize it takes time, focus, and consistency.”
Her sister eventually introduced her to the KCB Foundation 2Jiajiri Programme to help her business grow, although she admits she did not show up the first time. Her sister persisted, shared her contact, and that second chance changed everything.
The programme exposed her to young entrepreneurs like herself, showing her she was not alone in the struggle. It also helped her refine her business, teaching her record keeping, understanding her market, customer relations, risk analysis, and even evaluating whether her shop was in the right location.
The highlight was the one-on-one coaching. Business coaches visited her shop, went through her records, and helped her identify gaps and opportunities for growth. That personalized support encouraged her to push Tei Cereals and Spices further than she thought possible.
Now, the Actuarial Science graduate from KCA University is still learning, still building, and still driven by the dream that began in her childhood, a dream of nourishing people naturally. “It is not easy, but it is not difficult when you find yourself doing what you love. I have been following my passion, and now, I have employed someone and am looking forward to expanding Tei Cereals and Spices into a supplier, not just a retail business.”