A bright University of Nairobi graduate has resorted to being a bodaboda rider after his attempts at job-seeking proved fruitless.
Chigiri Emmanuel Kai, a Bachelor of Economics and Statistics ( Second Class -Upper Division) attributed his state to acute poverty and need for survival at home.
Coming from a polygamous family with 28 other siblings, the young man from Kilifi County has had to resort to becoming a boda boda rider due to lack of jobs.
The Standard caught up with him ferrying clients from Mtwapa trading centre to a neighbouring village.
”From a Second class honours (upper division) award to a boba boda rider. This is what life has turned out for me. But I am banking on God’s intervention for a steady job,” the confident Chigiri said.
Loaned bodaboda
Chigiri used a loaned motorbike from where he pays the owner Sh300 each day he uses it.
”On a good day I make Sh500 bob and take home Sh200 for family use,” he said.
Troubled Education
His ageing father, Mzee Kai Haro who has never seen the inside of a classroom said that Chigiri was his only hope of good life as he went to University to study after excelling in secondary school.
”I borrowed money, sold part of my land and relied on well-wishers to educate him. My other children are struggling in school while others have dropped out,” Mzee Haro, a husband of three wives said.
Partial orphan
Chigiri’s mother died as he transited from primary school to secondary.His entry to school was at Mtepeni Primary School in Mtwapa where he enrolled before transferring to Mtwapa Academy on a scholarship before completing his class eight education in 2009.
He gained admission to Malindi High School after attaining 356 marks.But it was at this time that his mother was diagnosed with breast cancer and required medical attention.
Schooled by late mother
”From our family meagre earnings, we had Sh15,000. My late mother meant everything to me. She said that the money be used to take me to school instead of taking her to the hospital,” Chigiri said.
He went on to state that he was lucky to get support to clear his secondary school after some visitors who were from England heard of his plight and sponsored his entire secondary school tuition.