Growing up with less is an ugly situation many people have grappled with. But what if you also lose your Mom? What if you’re only 15? And are now an orphan?
This is the sad reality that struck Benjamin Kiprop, a 28-year-old from Baringo County whose extraordinary journey from a humble tout to a lawyer is a testament of hope.
The concept of independence was ingrained in him at a tender age after the demise of his mother, who was his only support.
Kiprono, then 15, had just been admitted to Njoro Boys High School in Form One when his mother, Milka Chebon, passed on, leaving his young life into darkness, given his father had departed earlier.
This marked the beginning of his life struggles due to financial constraints. After completing his secondary education in 2008, he did not attain the necessary points to further his studies.
Determined to make ends meet, he opted to work as a tout in Mogotio before graduating as a conductor and then a driver plying the Kabarnet-Nakuru route.
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“I lost my parents when I was 15 years old, and that’s how I found myself at the stage as a makanga. Later on, I graduated to be a conductor. Then later, I became a driver. I have around 12 years of experience driving motor vehicles. And to me, I have never felt disadvantaged by the fact that I drive motor vehicles,” Kiprop recalled.
It was while in the Public transport business that he decided to go back to school, determined to actualize his law dream. Kiprop, however, faced numerous admission rejections from various institutions due to his association with the matatu industry.
”I went to a school within Baringo County, and after informing the principal that I was working as a tout, he told me point blank that he would not offer me an opportunity in that school reason being that people who have worked at the stage are mostly drug abusers,’’ he said.
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Despite the rejections, he managed to return to school thanks to a kind former school director he met at the Mogotio stage, who aided his admission and even sponsored his education.
He worked hard and attained the grade to join University. With the help of well-wishers, Kiprop enrolled for his undergraduate degree at Kabarak University, and his dream soon became a reality.
“When I was doing my undergraduate at Kabarak University, I used to go to classes whenever I had classes. When my schedule was not tight, I’d find myself at the stage. We used to call it squat; I used to go for a squat so that I can get something for a living,” Kiprop added.
His achievements have earned him praise from his former colleagues in the matatu industry and legal fraternity. The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) president Eric Theuri is among the leaders who were present in the celebration of Kiprop’s great achievement.
Theuri described Kiprop’s achievement as an inspiration to both the local community and future generations.
