In Matungulu, Machakos County, sits Katee, 32 ,boda boda rider. He spends most of his days ferrying passengers through dusty roads chasing for daily earnings to feed his family and pay his bills. But behind his smile and hustle lies a deep story filled with regret, reflection, and a powerful message for the youth.
Katee remembers the days when he sat in the same classroom with his childhood friend Mutiso from primary school although to high school before he dropped out in the first term of form two.“We were inseparable and shared books, skipped school together sometimes, and even laughed at those who took school too seriously.” But that changed in high school. While Mutiso became more focused and Katee went in the opposite direction.“I started missing classes. I didn’t care about exams. I thought life was about quick money and swag. Mutiso, on the other hand, kept reading, studying even during break time,” Katee recalls with a distant look in his eyes.
Years later, their paths tell two different stories. Mutiso went on to join Nairobi university, graduated with a degree in Public Administration. Later graduated with first class degree and later landed a job in government. He drives a luxurious car, owns property including flats and companies, and lives in a estate. He is a very respected man in society who is living example of what education can do while Katee on the other hand who never went past Form Four with no qualifications, he found himself jumping from one casual job to another until he bought a motorcycle to start a boda boda business. “It pays the bills,” he says. “But it’s not the life I dreamed of.”
Katee wants to inspire the youth not to repeat his mistakes. He speaks to young riders, students at the shopping centre, and even passengers who ask him about his life. “If I had listened in school and took education serious, I believe I would be far,” he says. “Look at Mutiso who is my age, but his life is organized, successful and respected just because of books.”
He told us that there’s nothing wrong with riding a boda boda but he believes many young people settle too early because they lack education. “Education opens doors even if you don’t get a white-collar job it changes how you think and it gives you choices for education is not preparation for life but education is life itself.”
Despite the past He has not given up and currently saving to enroll in a part-time driving and mechanical course and his dreams of one day owning a car hire business. “I may not have made it through university, but I can still learn a skill and grow for It’s never too late,” he says.
“Please stay in school for books may look boring now but they’ll shape your future. Don’t be like me regretting when it’s too late and Let Mutiso’s story be your” Katee emotionally left an advice to the young men and students as we ended the interview.
By Joshua mbevi.
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