Peter Kirui, a 29-year-old shoe shiner based in Eldoret has beaten all odds to earn a living through polishing shoes.
Kirui who is a father of one ventured into the business in his early twenties where he began the business in his hometown, Kesses before relocating to Eldoret town.
He admitted that the main reason why he started the business was the jobless state he was in as he had earlier dropped out of school while in form two due to lack of fees.
"I dropped out of school because my parents could not afford to pay fees, the only way to 'hustle' was shining shoes where I started in a small 'kibanda' at Kesses center," Kirui said.
He revealed that his relocation to Eldoret was to expand his growing business.
"I realized my business was booming in Kesses and I thought it was better to venture in Eldoret where I could earn more," he said.
"I secured a room where my uncle had a hardware and I relocated to Eldoret in 2016 up to date," Kirui added.
Though he faces many challenges, Kirui says he enjoys the business more than any other job.
"I have encountered many challenges like the first time I came here my tools were stolen making me start afresh but still I enjoy shoe shining," Kirui said.
On his earnings, Kirui could not hide his joy.
"When I came here in 2016, I was earning between Sh800-Sh1500 a day but now with my small kiosk where I also sell shoes I make from as low as Sh2500 to as much as Sh4000 a day," a happy Kirui said.
Kirui further revealed how he spends his money.
"With the earnings, I bought a shop for my wife in Kesses where she operates now and importantly I pay fees for my firstborn boy in a private school," he says while urging those still jobless to employ themselves in any job available.
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