For three years, my hardware shop in Makindu town had grown steadily, earning the trust of builders, contractors, and local residents.
By the beginning of this year, business was promising, and demand for construction materials was high.
Confident in the trajectory of my enterprise, I placed one of the largest orders I had ever made — iron sheets, cement, and other building supplies — worth Sh2 million from a supplier I had previously trusted.
I sent the payment in early January and shifted my focus to running daily operations, confident the goods would arrive on the agreed date.
But when the delivery day passed without any communication, concern began to creep in. I tried calling the supplier repeatedly, but his phone was unreachable.
Each passing day deepened my anxiety as customers continued asking for materials I had already paid for.
A week later, panic set in. I feared my reputation would be damaged and my business could collapse if I failed to meet customer demand.
Determined to get answers, I reached out to other traders who had previously ordered from the same supplier.
Their responses shocked me: he had delivered their goods days earlier.
One trader shared an alternative phone number. When I finally reached him, instead of explaining the delay, he hurled insults at me.
He arrogantly dared me to report him to the police, declaring he would neither deliver the goods nor refund my money. He even mocked me, saying he was enjoying my cash.
Feeling cheated and helpless, I reported the matter to the police.
However, after another week passed with no meaningful progress, my frustration deepened. My capital was tied up, shelves were thinning, and pressure from customers was mounting.
It was during this period of distress that I remembered a relative mentioning a man known as Dr. Bokko, who had previously helped resolve a serious personal dispute.
With nothing left to lose, I requested his contact and explained my predicament. He listened calmly and assured me he would intervene.
Two days later, in a turn of events I still struggle to explain, the supplier appeared at my shop in Makindu, humbled and visibly shaken.
He pleaded for forgiveness, admitting wrongdoing and asking for another chance. I stood firm, telling him forgiveness would only come after he fulfilled his obligations.
He requested a few more days to deliver the materials. True to his word, he returned within the promised timeframe and supplied every item in full.
I accepted the delivery and warned him never to toy with my business again.
The ordeal taught me painful lessons about trust, due diligence, and safeguarding business transactions.
It also reminded me that resilience and persistence are essential in entrepreneurship — especially when everything seems on the verge of collapse. ...CONTINUE READING