The early bird catches the biggest worm so goes the old adage.
So goes an African proverb that, the earliest person to get to the stream always get the cleanest water. The same can be said about one James Mwirigi, who supplies breads in various shops at Kiganjo, Kisii, Makongeni, Kivulini and Landless estates.
Mwirigi, a 25-year-old and food science graduate from Kinyanjui Technical Institute in Nairobi, says he wakes up at 3am daily to pick bread at Kenblest Bakers, Thika to be able to deliver them to various shops by 7am.
"I have to wake up early in the morning to be able to deliver the breads on time. Sleep is not an option," said Mwirigi on Wednesday when we met him after he finished delivering his breads.
Mwirigi who has two kids says that the motivation to wake up early comes from the kids whom he says can't sleep hungry.
"For me and my wife we can sacrifice ourselves and go to bed hungry when things are hard. But what about our kids? There is no satisfactory excuse. I have to wake early," he said.
Mwirigi adds that he has to brave the morning cold and urges the youths to develop a culture of waking up early.
"There is no loss in waking up early. If you are 20 years and above, you have no business being in bed after 6am. Wake up early, opportunities will never find you sleeping," said Mwirigi.