Josephine Njoroge is the CEO of Lemafix Limited, a cereals trading company. She started small, selling maize after leaving a bakery job that paid Ksh 2,900.
Before establishing Lemafix Limited, Josephine Njoroge’s journey was anything but easy. She once worked at a bakery called KenBest, where she earned only Ksh 2,900 in two weeks. Despite the low pay, she saw it as her first step toward something bigger.
With the small amount she saved, Josephine approached Capital Industry, a local company, and confidently offered to supply them with maize. Her proposal was accepted, marking the start of her entrepreneurial journey.
At first, she personally visited farms, filling sacks with maize using a small can. She would then deliver the maize to her new clients and quickly earn their trust. As orders increased, she gained another buyer and began seeing her small hustle transform into a real business.
After several successful deliveries, one of her customers issued her a blank cheque from Absa Bank, then known as Barclays. When she visited the bank to cash it, the staff encouraged her to open an account. At first, she hesitated, fearing her money might “disappear,” but eventually, she agreed.
That simple decision marked a turning point. Absa later offered her a loan of Ksh 3 million, which she used to expand her operations. Josephine invested wisely, buying larger transport vehicles and sourcing cereals beyond Kenya’s borders.
With growing confidence, Josephine began importing maize, beans, rice, and soya from Tanzania, Uganda, and Ethiopia. Her business network expanded, and her honesty earned her strong relationships with suppliers who even allowed her to pay later after making sales.
Her growth was steady and remarkable, from running small deliveries in a pickup to managing large truckloads of cereals across the region.
Today, Lemafix Limited is a trusted name in cereal trading, employing over 40 workers and recording millions in annual turnover.
Josephine’s story reflects resilience, discipline, and the power of small beginnings. From a bakery worker earning a few thousand shillings to a cross-border businesswoman, her journey inspires many young Kenyans chasing financial independence.
