The United States is one of the top destinations for Kenyan job seekers, with the country’s booming economy and industries serving as a ground for skilled workers from Kenya to serve in various sectors, including healthcare, IT, skilled trades, agriculture, and education.
Samuel Mulwa is one of the Kenyans excelling in the country after venturing into truck driving. In an interview with Kenyan YouTuber El and Nic, Mulwa revealed he ventured into truck driving in the US in 2020, helped by a friend who had worked in the industry for six years.
Before then, he was working as a healthcare provider before the friend informed him of the money-minting transport job.
“I joined a trucking school and attended a five-week programme. I paid Sh447,000 and was trained on the basics of the program,” he stated.
He added that upon taking a test, he was required to work with a trainer for a few weeks to help him with some of the basics of driving the truck and techniques not taught in school.
In his first year, Mulwa earned Sh180,000 per week. He notes that the pay is dependent on the experience.
“The pay is dependent on the experience. Definitely is very rewarding. When you drive for five days a week and you get an average of Sh178,000 and after tax that will be around Sh155,000,” he said.
While the job is rewarding, Mulwa admitted to various challenges, including bad weather and high demands that come with the job.
How popular A.O Bayusuf & Sons trucking company was started
“Not everyone can drive but it is very rewarding. One of the greatest challenges is the weather. The wind here can be crazy at times,” he stated.
“You have to love what to do because it is rewarding. Do not focus on money. You can imagine driving for 5000 kilometres,” he added.
US pauses issuing work visas for commercial truck drivers
The United States recently paused the issuance of all worker visas for commercial truck drivers to address concerns about road safety.
“The increasing number of foreign drivers operating large tractor-trailer trucks on U.S. roads is endangering American lives and undercutting the livelihoods of American truckers,” Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated.
CNN reported that the directive came after the US Department of Transportation said it was investigating a truck driver accused of making an illegal U-turn that caused a wreck and killed three people on Florida’s Turnpike on August 12. Federal authorities alleged that the said driver entered the US illegally.
