A 60-year-old man has garnered significant attention from Kenyans after resorting to carrying a placard in Nairobi's Central Business District (CBD) to plead for a job after looking for work for over five years without success.
On Tuesday, the image of Daniel Mangori, displaying the placard outlining his occupation as an office and house painter along with his contact number, circulated widely on various social media platforms.
The photo quickly gained traction, sparking widespread reactions from empathetic social media users who sympathized with his plight.
Speaking to Kenyans.co.ke in an interview, the father of five revealed that he has been working as a painter for more than 30 years. Despite his extensive experience, the decision to lift a placard in the streets has been driven by the need to provide for his family.
While he resides in Kawangware, Nairobi, his children live in Meru. The income he earns from temporary painting jobs is sent to his family to support them.
The majority of his clients come from referrals, but when these opportunities are not forthcoming, he roams around various estates in Nairobi, strategically positioning himself in the hopes of securing work.
However, with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, job opportunities have dwindled, putting him in a precarious position regarding his ability to provide for his family's sustenance.
“I used up all the savings I had accrued over the years but as a father I had to find ways to secure employment. I had to get past the shame, and I did and that’s why I am out here.” he narrated in a shaky voice.
After the photo went viral, some well wishers have since called him, offering him temporary painting jobs, which he says will go a long way in improving his financial situation and help him provide for his family.
“At the moment all I am asking for is a chance to get a stable job, so that I can fend for my family. That is the only reason I am on these streets, forget the shame, forget what people say, I have a family to feed and that’s why I am asking for a job,” he affirmed.
However, there remains family members a circle of friends within his age group who have attempted to discourage him from displaying placards once again, claiming that this action 'does not set a positive example' for the younger generation.
“People have shown me my pictures on social media, and others are laughing at me saying it's embarrassing but I don’t really care because what I need is a job,” the defiant father of 5 stressed.
In response, Mangori defended his choice, asserting that his determination is driven solely by his necessities, and he remains resolute in seizing every opportunity to seek employment.
In the past, Mangori has been employed by several different employers who were notably impressed by his work, often reaching out to him for gigs from time to time.
“My work is very professional because I actually went to school to study this and that’s why work does not disappoint, any Kenyans willing to have their homes painted should feel free to hit me up,” he remarked.
