November 26, 2024

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How SK Macharia Saved Kenyans From Using Leaves as Toilet Paper

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Toilet paper would still be a new thing to Kenyans were it not for an investment the tycoon SK Macharia made back in late 1970s.

SK Macharia.

Many would be still using leaves and old newspapers after a long call.

Macharia, the founder and chairman of Royal Media Services is credited for making a bold move that enabled many people shift from the not-so friendly leaves to tissue papers.

Back in 1970s toilet paper was for the rich but a visit they tycoon made to Europe changed this and today toilet paper is common in many Kenyan homes.

Leaves commonly used in toilets.

Macharia was financial controller for the Agriculture Development Corporation and in 1976 while touring Italy he saw a simple manufacturing of the tissue paper from waste papers.

According to the book “A Profile of Kenyan Entrepreneurs” by Wanjiru Waithaka and Evans Majeni, Macharia was mesmerised by the idea and he took a roll home.

He approached the Kenya Industrial Estates (KIE) to research it and have it produced in mass quantities but KIE declined to invest Sh3 million to start it.

Use of old newspapers as toilet paper.

He decided to invest but National Bank of Kenya (NBK) boss a Mr RS Atwood refused to give him a loan.

He got a loan of Sh7 million months later when Stanley Githunguri (former Kiambaa MP) became the NBK boss.

Macharia established Madhupaper in Nairobi’s industrial area and started producing ‘Rosy’ toilet paper that he supplied locally, to Uganda and Tanzania.

Toilet paper established by SK Macharia.

Rosy became a household brand in the region but in 1985 Madhupaper was placed under receivership by Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) over Sh50 million loan but this was seen as harassment by the government.

He lost the case and his company was sold by the KCB to Chandaria Industries Limited.