My Journey as a Youth Champion and Entrepreneur
My name is Brian Muga Muriithi, a 23-year-old youth champion and founder of AQUABRIM WATER SERVICES, a water enterprise proudly supported by the AOSK-SLYI program. I hail from Sagana in Kirinyaga County, and I am affiliated with Sagana Technical Training Institute. I hold a degree in Mechanical Engineering from Meru University and I am currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Construction. You may be wondering how my journey began, let’s rewind to August 2022.
Becoming a Youth Champion
During the AOSK-SLYI holiday mentorship program at Sagana Technical, I was deeply inspired by the talk given by Br. John Gachoki. When he asked for volunteers passionate about mentorship, I stepped forward, determined to pursue my dream. That decision connected me to the AOSK-SLYI Youth Champion Training at Dimesse Sisters, Karen, Nairobi.
Together with 74 young people from across the country, I was trained in five key areas: Gender-Based Violence, Drug and Substance Abuse, Mental Health, Relationships, and Human Trafficking. We were commissioned by Sr. Pasilisa (Executive Secretary) and Sr. Mercy Mwayi (then Program Manager) to reach out and mentor as many youths as possible.
I quickly put the training into practice: mentoring youth at Makima Parish in Embu Diocese, supporting youth groups in Marsabit, and engaging student groups at Meru University. Among my proudest achievements was spearheading the formation of a United Nations Human Rights Chapter at Meru University, in response to human trafficking challenges affecting vulnerable students. I also worked tirelessly to promote mental health awareness and counseling services within the institution.
By the end of the first quarter, I was privileged to represent youth champions at the AOSK Annual General Meeting in Nakuru, a turning point that affirmed my leadership journey.
Recognition and a New Vision
Through continuous peer mentorship, I grew both personally and socially, and by November 2023, at the close of AOSK-SLYI Phase One, I had mentored over 5,000 youths. For this effort, I was honored as the Best Youth Champion.
This award opened new doors: I had the chance to pitch my water business idea to the AOSK leadership and partners, including Sr. Pasilisa, Sr. Mercy, Mr. Herman, Madam Caroline, Mr. Brighton, and Br. John. They believed in me and pledged support.
Founding Aquabrim Water Services
In early 2024, I developed a detailed business plan and pitched it to a panel. I was successfully awarded KES 515,000 to establish my dream. On 1st July 2024, Aquabrim Water Services was officially launched and blessed by Meru University Chaplain, Dr. Fr. Elias Kinoti, at our facility along the Meru-Makutano road.
Together with my close friend and partner, Mr. Bernard Vaati, we embarked on a journey of resilience and growth.
Our Impact So Far
In just one year and two months (as of September 3, 2025), AQUABRIM has:
- Supplied clean, safe water to over 200 students at Meru University, KeMU, and Meru Polytechnic.
- Served more than 500 households in Meru and Makutano.
- Delivered water to over 30 businesses.
- Won five tenders with organizations including CEMES, Mwalimu National (Meru branch), Solution Sacco, Centenary Sacco, and Meru University.
- Supplied packaged water for numerous events, weddings, graduations, funerals, and traditional ceremonies (ruracio).
- Signed a long-term MOU with Cloud Water Packaging Company, strengthening our supply chain.
Like any business, ours has not been without challenges. We faced hurdles with licensing, machine breakdowns, drops in water quality, rental debts, customer dissatisfaction, and even months of declining revenue. But these obstacles sharpened our resolve. Through better marketing, improved systems, and persistence, we reversed the decline and regained momentum.
Beyond business, AQUABRIM has empowered me to finance my Master’s studies, support myself, and strengthen my resilience. It has deepened my love for entrepreneurship and given me a greater purpose: to mentor others and prove that with vision, discipline, and support, young people can transform their lives and communities.
This journey has been the greatest gift from AOSK-SLYI with support from the Conrad Hilton Foundation and a testimony of God’s grace. I am grateful to the Conrad Hilton Foundation, my mentors, friends, and customers who have walked this path with me.
As a young man, I intend to build on this foundation, mentor others to start their own ventures, and continue serving as a beacon of hope and inspiration for my generation.