Many a time we dream of that perfect moment where everything is right and a question pops from the Head of State asking you what you want.
Well, this was a reality for the youthful Martin Ngyema who was once the nation's first president's driver.
The driver was once asked by Mzee Jomo Kenyatta what he wanted and it would be granted. Before becoming the president's envoy, he was the driver to the major general at the moment, Ian Freeland.
In 1963, he was promoted after he underwent further training as the official chauffeur of the then Prime Minister Jomo Kenyatta.
The major general put in a good word to Mzee Kenyatta about him and assured the premeire that the diligent soldier was a safe driver who had served him faithfully.
One day, while in the company of the nation's founding father, he was asked that question.
"Young man, do you love being in the army? I will give you a promotion for your exemplary service." the president told him.
However, Ngyema had different plans with his future. The president upon noticing his hesitance then inquired what he wanted.
He turned down the offer that many in his position would have jumped on and asked the president to let him be taught how to fix cars.
"I chose to be taught how to be a mechanic rather than the promotion because, when given the promotion, my entire livelihood would depend on it and if it happens that I make a mistake, I will be fired and left with nothing," he explained.
He further singled out December 11, 1964, as his most memorable moment when he drove the president who was seeing off the British soldiers back to Britain in their last army parade in Kenya.
