A matatu driver who went viral for returning a laptop and Ksh 20,000 that had been misplaced by a university student has received a lucrative deal to honour his integrity.
Basilio Kimani, a driver attached to Kandara Sacco Transporters, which plies Thika and Gatanga route in Murang’a County, has been feted for his act of honesty.
The authorities at International Leadership University, where the motto is "Leadership With Integrity" were touched by his act of kindness after he trended online decided to exalt him.
The institution recognised him with a plague of commendation and also launched the 'Basilio Kimani Integrity Scholarship Endowment' in honour of him.
To kick start the Scholarship Endowment fund, the institution's Vice-Chancellor Tim Kiruhi contributed Ksh250,000.
‘We appeal to members of the public to help raise the money for scholarships targeting needy students. Our first beneficiaries will be Kimani’s child, who will benefit until he is enrolled at any local university. We will also target other Kenyans, who portray honesty in their line of work,’’ the VC stated.
Narrating the ordeal, Kimani stated he noted a passenger had left the belongings in his matatu. He picked and while opening the bag he noticed a laptop and a parcel which had Ksh20,000.
“On September 5, I had carried a passenger who boarded the vehicle at Blue Post-stage and sat with me at the front. When he alighted in Thika town, he forgot a bag which had a laptop, an envelope and a bag with food items.”
“Since he was a stranger and I did not have his contact, I opened the envelope, hoping to find any form of identification, but I only found Sh20,000. I took the items to our Thika offices and requested the staff to call me in case the owner came looking for their items,” he said.
To prove that he is a man of integrity, Kimani noted that the day he picked the bag, his matatu had just broken down and he had only Ksh200 left in the pocket.
“I am a principled man. I believe in honesty. In fact, that day when I collected the money, my matatu had broken down and I only had Sh200 with me. I narrated the story to my wife and we agreed not to touch the money,” he said.
Two days after picking the bag and money, he saw a woman and a young man came to their offices inquiring about the items.
“When I saw the young man, I recognised him. He was in the company of his mother. The young man is a student at a local university and was elated that he had found his laptop. They thanked me and requested we take a photo together,” Kimani remarked.
After returning the money and the laptop, the woman went to her social media page to appreciate the driver for his act of integrity.
