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By:
Hudson Gumbihi | |||||||||
| Posted:
Aug,25-2016 12:43:21
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Despite many difficulties he faced, Joshua Kirwa, a security guard, battled against the odds and acquired a degree in Psychology, rungu in hand. He sacrificed sleep, missed class on several occasions, deprived his family and took loans.
Before joining university, Kirwa undertook bridging courses, including a diploma in justice and investigations. He somehow managed to juggle work and education when he enrolled at the Kenya Methodist University (KeMU), paying his way through salary savings and loans from the Sacco. On several occasions, he read on his own after missing class and when on night duty, he attended lessons during the day forgoing sleep.
It is now two years since graduating on July 19, 2014. His journey began 17 years ago, when the father of one left his Kitale home after Fourth Form to capital city in search of a job. Unfortunately, armed only with an "O" Level certificate, his hope for a decent job was just a mirage and for two years, no offers came despite hours spent pounding the tarmac.
With life becoming unbearable each passing day, Kirwa reluctantly accepted an offer at United International Investigative Services (UIIS). He was employed as a private security guard. The 37--year-old gradually took it in stride, appreciating the boots, uniform, rungu and whistle as his tools of trade at the sentry box.
Many are the days Kirwa trekked to work from Kawangware to either Westlands, town, Industrial Area, Hurligham or Upperhill due lack of bus fare. Reporting time was 6 am until 6 pm. During the long hours on duty, lunch was a luxury. He eventually adjusted to the new lifestyle, which he practices to date.
"I usually wake up at around 3 in the morning looking forward to the challenges ahead," says Kirwa, now a supervior at KK Security.
He works in Runda and lives in Ndenderu after relocating from Gachie where he settled when he left Kawangware. Depending on location of the work station, guards frequently change residences. House affordability and transport are key considerations when deciding where to stay. "There is usually rotation and deployment of guards from one station to the other. They are frequently moved forcing some to shift residence due to transport constraints," explains Kirwa. | |||||||||
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