From ‘Mitumba’ seller to millionaire, Kericho tycoon lives to tell tale

Milka Chepkorir, Charles Langat (in spectacles) and Robinson Kipsang oversee a football tournament that Langat launched to inspire youths. Photo/AMOS KERICH

From ‘Mitumba’ seller to millionaire, Kericho tycoon lives to tell tale

Charles Kipngeno Langat, a Kericho businessman popularly known as Chaglano, has gone against the grain to prove that education is not the only way to success.

Having risen from hawking secondhand clothes (Mitumba) to a millionaire, his is a story of how youths can succeed when they nurture their talents and engage in entrepreneurship activities.

Langat, 40, only wants leaders and members of every community to teach youths to accept their situations and move on in life.

“My background was pathetic but I was employed to hawk second hand clothes in Kericho town. After a while, I started selling my own and the construction company I opened five years uplifted me” he says.

Ngeno says after secondary school he turned up for Police Constable Recruitment but did not get a chance.

“Having assisted my father to trade in livestock at our rural market in Kapkatet while in school, I realized that business had lots of money,” he told the Star.

He says poverty level in his family made him face intimidation and rejection.

But despite all this, the resolve to change his family’s history became stronger.

“While I sold Mutumba in Kericho I realized that the region lacked road contractors and I registered a company. I started small by building culverts ” he said.

Ngeno alleges quality work he offered sold his name and was offered several jobs which built him until now he does tarmac roads in the entire South Rift.

In paying back to the society, he has started “Chaglano football tournament” across Bureti Sub County and has pulled thousands of locals who in turn get inspired.

During previous Christmas holiday, he identified 63 elderly persons above 80 years as beneficiaries of a donation of 8-inch mattresses, blankets and Sh1000 each.

“In my diary I have time to visit my home area to see how they are doing. I come across several needy individuals including the aged and I chose to touch their lives so that they feel that they are important people and that tell them that they are not neglected,” he added.

“I started this initiative to teach youths who have graduated to stop waiting for white collar jobs and start small businesses that can grow if nurtured,” he advised.

“I have employed hundreds of people in the construction industry as well as in the real estate. I now want to be close to my people,” Ngeno said.

Source: http://www.the-star.co.ke