This archive report was first published on 28 August 2020.
Emmanuel Hirkena, a 26-year-old graduate from Jomo Kenyatta University of Science and Technology, has been a source of inspiration in Marsabit County, where he hails from.
After graduating with a Bachelor of Actuarial Science in 2015, Hirkena joined the ranks of millions of jobless youths in Kenya.
However, unlike many of his peers, Hirkena did not give up. He decided to take matters into his own hands and venture into the informal sector to earn a living.
He secured a temporary job with the National Drought Management Authority (NDMA) and used his savings to buy a Toyota Probox, which he uses as a taxi.
His initial dream was to buy a truck to help his community take livestock to the market in Marsabit, Merille, and Nairobi.
Although he could not raise the money to purchase a truck, Hirkena's taxi business has been a success, with him pocketing at least Sh1,000 at the end of each day.
He advises fellow graduates against staying idle waiting for white-collar jobs and calls for optimism among the youth, many of whom have been rendered jobless by poor governance and education-related factors.
As a student member of the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries (IFOA), Hirkena is currently pursuing his professional papers and has obtained three so far.
His long-term goal is to serve and empower his community in any leadership position.
He also practises kitchen gardening, growing kales, onions, and tomatoes within his homestead for subsistence and sells the surplus.
His story is a testament to the fact that with the right attitude, optimism, and hard work, one can overcome challenges and achieve success.
by nation.co.ke
