The Unstoppable Nyaboke

When life offers no choices, sometimes that is where true transformation begins. Nyaboke found herself in such a moment—a do-or-die situation where she had no option but to embrace whatever came her way.

Nyaboke had completed high school a year earlier and had remained at home, waiting for an opportunity to pursue higher education. Her mother had promised to send her to college but had to prioritize her younger siblings' school fees due to financial constraints. As months passed, Nyaboke longed to leave her rural home and seek opportunities elsewhere, though she had no concrete plan.

During a family gathering at her uncle's home in Kisii, Bobasi Subcounty, Nyacheki Ward, she met her aunt, Mongina, who lived in Mombasa. When Mongina casually asked if she would like to go with her, Nyaboke did not hesitate. She saw this as the perfect opportunity.

Excited, she rushed to her mother. "Mother, I am going to Mombasa with Aunt Mongina!" she announced.

Kwamboka, her mother, hesitated. "Nyaboke, you are not prepared. It would be better if you go home and get ready before traveling."

"Mum, I don’t need any preparation. I am ready to go just as I am," Nyaboke insisted.

"Don’t you think you’ll be a burden to your aunt?" her mother asked.

Before Nyaboke could respond, Mongina intervened. "Kwamboka, I am concerned that Nyaboke has stayed home for too long since completing school. Let me take her to Mombasa; she might find an opportunity there."

Kwamboka reluctantly agreed. "I have no problem with the idea, but Nyaboke did not bring her clothes. Let her go home and get them."

"Since we are leaving immediately, let’s go with her. I will get her some clothes," Mongina assured.

By 6 p.m., they were on the road. Mongina’s husband, Makori, drove the family, making several stops along the journey. During the drive, he engaged Nyaboke in conversation.

"Would you like to go to college?" he asked.

"Yes, Uncle," she replied eagerly.

"What would you like to study?"

"I have a passion for marketing. Given the chance, I would love to study it."

"Mombasa is a big city. If you’re aggressive, you will find something to do to sustain yourself," Makori advised.

"I will try my best, Uncle," she promised.

By 4 a.m., they arrived in Mombasa and proceeded to their home in Sparki. Nyaboke was thrilled to finally be in the city she had heard so much about—where people "bathe with salty water" and "white people fill the streets."

The family spent Sunday resting. On Monday, when Mongina and Makori left for work, Nyaboke helped with household chores and took the children to school. Later, her aunt bought her new clothes, which, to Nyaboke’s delight, fit perfectly. She expressed deep gratitude.

Determined to find a job, she sought permission to go to town the next day. While her aunt was hesitant, Makori supported the idea. The next morning, they dropped her in town.

Nyaboke walked through the streets, looking for work. At Naibei Hotel, the manager dismissed her instantly. Undeterred, she tried Makuti Hotel, using a different approach. Instead of speaking directly to the manager, she spoke to a waiter and claimed to be a friend of the owner. The waiter informed the receptionist, who led her to the director’s office.

"Yes, little girl, what can I do for you?" the director asked.

"I am Nyaboke. I am looking for a job," she said confidently.

"A job? What kind of job?"

"Any available job, Madam."

After studying her for a moment, the director asked, "Can you do cleaning work?"

"Yes, Madam, I can."

The director called the manager and instructed him to show Nyaboke around and assign her cleaning duties. Though he complied, he was displeased that she had bypassed him.

Excited, Nyaboke returned home and shared the news. Her aunt and uncle advised her to be disciplined in her new role. The next morning, she arrived early and diligently cleaned the hotel. However, the manager, still resentful, assigned her to the toilets. Though humiliated, she complied, determined to keep her job.

Her dedication paid off. When the director, Mrs. Mahinda, noticed how clean the hotel was, she was impressed by Nyaboke’s work ethic. She also observed her warm interactions with customers.

"Stop cleaning. I want you to work as a waiter from now on," Mrs. Mahinda instructed.

The manager reluctantly agreed but continued to mistreat her. One day, when the director caught him in the act, she issued a stern warning.

Nyaboke’s charm and excellent service soon made her popular among customers. One day, two women in a Lexus arrived. Impressed with her service, they asked for her number and later called, inviting her to Hotel Sapphire.

"I own a wholesale clothing store and need a salesperson. Would you be interested?" Ann, one of the women, asked.

"What are the terms?"

"A salary plus commission on sales."

"I’m interested!" Nyaboke exclaimed.

The next day, she reported to Mazuri Wholesalers on Nyerere Avenue. She shadowed an experienced salesperson for three days before starting her role. Her determination paid off, and by the end of the year, her commission exceeded her salary.

Impressed, Ann considered expanding her business. She met with Nyaboke and offered her a promotion to sales manager at a new store on Kaunda Avenue. After careful consideration, Nyaboke accepted.

On January 2nd, the new store opened. The business flourished, and by year-end, Nyaboke had rented her own apartment, was supporting her mother, and paying her siblings’ school fees. She also enrolled at the Kenya Institute of Management to study marketing, realizing her hard work was paying off.

Nyaboke’s motivation stemmed from her mother’s struggles. Kwamboka had raised five children alone after their father, Charles, abandoned them. One day, Nyaboke’s brothers, Silas and Walter, discovered that Charles had stored maize at their former home. They took the maize to their mother, but she ordered them to return it. However, before they could, Charles discovered the theft and reported it to the police.

When Kwamboka was summoned, she presented her marriage certificate and explained that Charles had abandoned his family. The OCPD ruled in her favor, allowing her to keep the maize and ordering Charles’s arrest.

Another day, Nyaboke's brothers told their mother they would not stay in rentals when they had a home. They arranged for transport, packed everything, and moved. Their mother followed them. When their father realized they had occupied the home, he attacked Kwamboka and nearly injured her. She reported him to the police, and Charles was warned that if he returned, he would be arrested.

Knowing her family’s struggles, Nyaboke vowed to work hard for a better future. She was determined never to depend on anyone but herself. Through resilience and determination, she transformed her life, proving that adversity could be the foundation for success.

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