In several instances, we’ve moved from one career to another in pursuit of happiness or even better living while others are inspired by curiosity.
Emmanuel Kevine is one of many who quit his career in the motor industry to explore the ever evolving building and construction industry.
Born over three decades ago in Siaya, the first born in a family of four had always hoped to be an engineer when he grew up. That was his childhood dream that he held so dearly.
But Kevin’s dream would be thwarted after exemplary performance in his Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) exams.
Partially brought up by his maternal grandmother whose only source of income was a small grocery business, it became so difficult for him to transition to secondary school.
Through the support of his maternal grandmother and his mother, Kevine joined a public day secondary school but this was short-lived. The situation got worse and extreme financial struggles from both his mother and grandmother, he was forced to drop out while in form two.
Unbowed, Kevine opted for several courses in the motor industry while his peers who he beat in the nation exams carried on with their studies in boarding schools.
“It was a very disappointment as I watched those I had beaten in the exams carry on with their studies when my fate remained unknown but I’m glad I took a challenge to explore the only available opportunity which was to join a polytechnic.” He said during an exclusive interview with this publisher
He would set on a journey that was to define not only his childhood dream but also his family’s social status.
Emmanuel says he would walk the eight kilometers journey to the polytechnic covering about sixteen kilometers of walk from Monday to Saturday.
The one year journey broomed Emmanuel to a motor savvy in automotive body repair, radiator and brake bonding.
Equipped with these skills, he set out for Nairobi in 2010 to explore the opportunities at the capital, a journey he says was quite challenging.
He would later join Daima Milk, which is owned by Devyani Food Industries Kenya Limited in the production wing.
As a family man at the time, Emmanuel managed to raise enough money for joining Mathare vocational training to pursue a course in building and construction later to major in interior design.
After successfully completing his training, he quit his job and ventured into interior design.
But juggling in this evolving and demanding career called for patience and this he says, is what has stood for him for the last eight years.
“My first earning from this job was Ksh300 and with a young family and bills to pay, it was apparent to me that it could be one of my worst moves. The sh300 a day was not enough to cater for my family. But I was persuaded by instincts to be patient and work hard.” He said
After working under one of his mentors for close to three years, he established his business brand ‘Katinah Interiors ‘ named after his maternal grandmother who is currently in her early 90s. He attributes his efforts to the life lived by his maternal grandmother who he says is his greatest motivation.
Mr. Emmanuel who is keen on being one of the most sought interior designers running a reputable company in the country has urged youths to embrace courses offered in vocational training and institutes as the Industries are still evolving and having such skills would be of great impact in the economy.