05/10/2013,
One day after University of Nairobi released May-August exam results. After
sitting for 20 Units in the MBA Course, I thank God for seeing me through and
fighting on my behalf. To Him be all Glory and Honor and I have faith that He will see me through the
remaining part now that it is time to undertake my research project.
First things first, I have
to update this blog……
Back to my story…….
The following day, my
sister who happened to have sat for KCSE exams at the same time as I did went
to her former school, Mutira Girls Secondary school to check her results. It was
amazing that we scored the same grades which was double joy for our parents. After the joy that came with our exam results
faded away, mum came up with an idea that we needed to start a family venture
that could now keep me and my first born sister busy as we waited for the next
course of action now that we had passed.
Mum approached our
uncle who had rental houses in search for a room where we would set up a small
hotel, pork butchery and kitchen services. They agreed on the terms of
engagement and soon, we had the business running. This was set up in a way that
mum and sister were to handle the hotel side and I was in charge of the
butchery side. It was a nice way to spend life after high school now that mum
could not afford to send us to college at that time.
My normal day would
start at around 0400Hrs where using an animal cart, I would load a live pig onto
it, carry firewood and a huge sufuria heading to the slaughter house. On
arrival, I would heat the water till it boils ready for the purpose. I would
then slaughter the pig and by 0600Hrs, I was usually done n would wait for the
meat inspectors. At around 0700Hrs, the meat was usually inspected and ready
for transportation to the butchery.
With me was another
gentle man by the Name Kamau whose father was the owner of the slaughter house
hence as I was slaughtering mine, he was also doing the same. At times,
business was bad hence we would slaughter one pig, share the meat with him
taking the lion share now that his dad’s butchery was well established and mine
was struggling to even keep it’s doors open.
After making sure that
the meat and it’s accompaniments was safely inside the butchery, I would light
fire and start preparing the intestines ,the head and hooves to make what was commonly know as Mutura
and chemsha. By 1200Hrs, customers would
start trooping in for the delicacy. This was usually the beginning of a busy afternoon
where serving them was so much involving and tiresome and I would only
enjoy some free minutes at around 1500Hrs. Things would change at around 1630Hrs
where customers who purchased take away meat would start trooping on their way home after
work. This saw me working tirelessly up to around 2045Hrs where we would close the premises and walk back home a
journey of approximately one hour.
This meant that by the
time I took shower and got ready to sleep, It was usually past 2300Hrs. This
was not easy for me and as months passed by, I was slowly loosing it to
fatigue. The joy that I used to find in this whole business was slowly fading
away. The business was not doing well hence we could not to manage to employ
someone to assist me. I could only do it alone which meant that I was
overworking my self. I started praying God for a new thing that could assist me
pay my college fees considering the fact that if a chance to join a college was
available, my sister would join first and me later.
One day, I and my
friend thought of a plan B. There was a recruitment drive for KWS
Rangers in Kerugoya stadium and we dared to go and try our luck at a time
where getting such an opportunity was not so easy due to corruption that
existed in the whole process. Barely had we gone into most of the stages than
we were eliminated and told that we were too short to serve in KWS and sadly we
left and went back to do what we did most, slaughtering pigs and selling pork!
Kamau swore never to
try such a thing again but I swore to ever try in case that opportunity arose
again. I continued praying that the Lord manifests Himself in my life. I
usually promised mum that I will be the first in her family to graduate with a
degree now that she had struggled with me all through. This was backed by one
statement that she told me at a young age that I could become a professor if I got
serious with education. Sadly, I knew professors as the magicians hence
wondered why I should study so much only to be a magician. Luckily, she
clarified to me and gave me an example of a professor, this was the late Prof
George Saitoti, may he rest I peace!
This prayer continued
for a few months and one day after leaving the slaughter house, I saw an advert
on daily Nation that read…’Kenya Police, Recruitment of Police Constables’. The
requirements were simple and for me, this was an ideal job that could assist me
undertake further studies in the future. I said a quick prayer and told God
that this was a good answer to that prayer that I had always prayed.
I started sharing with
my relatives of this dream job. One of my late grannies discouraged me and told
me to think of something else. I had the feeling that this was the dream job
as far as I was concerned and a bridge to achieve my dream of graduating with a
degree. Luckily, my uncles encouraged me and I was back on my feet again, trusting God and praying Him more than ever!
Kamau, my colleague in the slaughter house also mocked me and questioned my
confidence in clinching a slot in the police force, now that we were locked out
in the KWS recruitment drive.
When the recruitment
date came, I had to wake up early as usual, slaughter the pig, wait for
inspection and then take the meat to the butchery. Luckily, I was not very late
for the recruitment. I said a quick prayer and left to the stadium, I got there in faith and hope of being recruited as a
police officer. We made lines depending on our academic qualifications and
being the last man in the B Line; I went through all the physical examination
and passed well. I was shortlisted for medical exams which were taking place at
Kerugoya Girls Secondary School. On arrival, we sat on the ground under the
scorching sun awaiting the medical examination.
The worst happened as
we were seated there, I fainted and lost consciousness. I later found my self
almost being take to the local district hospital for further treatment. I
pleaded with the officers to allow me complete the tests now that I had come to
look for a job and by then I had not secured one. One lady said that she
admired my confidence and hence pleaded with them to allow me undertake the
remaining tests which were the medical and aptitude tests. I proceeded to do
them and was glad that I had gone up to the last bit. I will forever thank God
for that second chance.
After waiting for an
hour or so, It was now time for the results to be made public and at around 1730Hrs,
the panel came out to announce the outcome of a process that had started early
in the morning. I remember their speech which went like this,……’I am glad that
all of you have passed the tests that you have done (Here, my heart started
beating faster and was full of joy), but the commissioner of police has give us
only twenty slots to fill in the General duties. Here are the qualified ones….(
He called out twenty names and mine was not among them, I got so sad ). After a
while, the speech continued, ‘There are six others who will join us on the other side of the
General Service Unit, Embakasi..(He called out the names One to five and the
Sixth one was Mine! I jumped up and down in jubilation as I could not hide
having passed through the fainting Obstacle. The lady who pleaded that I be
given a second chance hugged me and promised to come to celebrate with me on my
pass out parade. This was a lady of my mother’s caliber that believes in giving
one another chance without giving up!
We were handed over forms called D Numbers
which were to be produced at Embakasi ,dully
filled with the required particulars on the reporting day. The process came to
an end and we were given permission to disperse. I rushed to the Butchery,
hiding the D Number form in between my Tummy and sweater as I was worried that
someone could snatch it and tear it denying me the chance to Join the police
service. Soon, I was at the butchery and told mum what had happened and with
Joy, she shared the good news with the neighbors and soon, word was everywhere
that I had secured a slot to join the Police force…..To God be the Glory
and Honor always!
No comments:
Post a Comment