Boniface Waniiku, who was born and raised in Nakuru County, is among the numerous Kenyans serving in in the United State Army.
While in Kenya, Waniiku worked as a taxi driver but that did not make ends meet forcing him to relocate to the US.
"When I lived in Kenya, I was working in the taxi business. One day, I was hijacked and the car was stolen. I did not want that anymore, so I applied for a green card," Waniiku explained.
Luckily, Waniiku secured a green card through the program and relocated to a foreign country in hopes of a better future.
Waniiku works as a wheeled vehicle mechanic in the US Army with 1-14 Cavalry Warhorse under the Stryker Brigade Combat Team.
"I am the first person in my family to come to the United States. When I came to the US, I promised myself, I would not go back. I have to prove to myself that even outside of Kenya, we can make it. After all that, I’m still doing my best every day,” Waniiku stated.
According to Waniiku, he enjoys his stay in the foreign country, as well as his co-workers in the army.
“There have been so many moments since I’ve been with 1-14 CAV where we joined together as a group, being a part of one community, one team, one family. This sticks with me. We are 1-14!“ he stated.
Meanwhile, the Stryker Brigade Combat Team is a combat force that provides division, corps, or joint task force commanders with a unique capability across the spectrum of conflict.
Soldiers under this wing are required to think faster, make decisions more rapidly, and act more quickly than the enemy during continuous operations.
SBCT conducts operations against conventional or unconventional enemy forces in all types of terrain and climate conditions and all areas of conflict.
Additionally, the team can work throughout the entire spectrum of military operations including offensive, defensive, stability, and support but may require some help for some missions.
Conclusively, Waniiku is an inspiration to Kenyans in the same field and others seeking to switch careers as he did.
