Brown Mwamba, a boda boda rider based in Nairobi, embarked on a two-and-half-hour journey to Naivasha to witness the iconic Safari Rally event.
The rider, however, crossed paths with Kapseret MP Oscar Sudi who was stuck in the traffic snarl-up along Nakuru - Nairobi Highway. To escape the traffic, the UDA Legislator alighted from his luxury car and hopped onto Mwamba's motorcycle.
Speaking to Kenyans.co.ke, Mwamba revealed that the encounter was an opportunity to turn his fortunes around and even secure a formal job three years after graduation.
"I did not want him to give me money, all I wanted was to ask him to help me since I am a graduate who has been looking for a job since 2021," Mwamba stated.
The 26-year-old's story began in Mombasa where he was born and raised as part of a family of six. His father passed away leaving him as a breadwinner alongside his mother who runs a kiosk.
After high school, Mwamba joined KCA University where he spent more than three years pursuing an undergraduate degree in Commerce.
The boda boda rider noted that he is qualified in handling finance, marketing, management, economics and accounting alongside Certified Public Accountant (CPA) modules 1, 2, and 3.
After graduation, Mwamba secured a short-term job as a logistics officer but the contract ended leaving him with little money to pay his bills and fend for his family in Mombasa.
Using his savings, the graduate ventured into boda boda business by depositing Ksh15,000 for a motorcycle.
In his encounter with the Kapseret lawmaker, Mwamba noted that he was looking to secure a job but their conversation was muzzled by traffic noise. At the time, the rider had gotten into a minor accident that saw part of his motorcycle's side mirror destroyed.
"I tried to express my gratitude to him but the place was too noisy. I also tried to tell him that I am a graduate who was looking for a job but his security took him away too soon.
"MP Sudi was safe, but my side lump and mirror got broken in the commotion that was witnessed around Hells Gate in Naivasha," he narrated.
He looks forward to securing a job in his field of choice, accounting.
Mwamba is part of about 1.5 million boda boda riders operating in Kenya, most of whom are university graduates.
Joblessness is a major problem in the country, with the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) noting that the unemployment rate hovering around 5.5 per cent in recent years.
KNBS observed that there are a number of factors that contribute to unemployment in Kenya, including a rapid population growth rate, at around 2.2 per cent annually.
This means that there are more people entering the workforce every year, but not enough new jobs being created to absorb all of them.
Statistics from KNBS demonstrate that unemployed people are more likely to live in poverty and be involved in crime.
