It was in 2010 when I joined the Office of the President in then Provincial Administration as a District Officer (DO). The lesson in AGC Secondary school had not sank well and the next experience followed. I admired the way the provincial administrators commanded respect and authority. I applied for the position as a joke since I had low self-esteem of myself then. I was called for an interview in Nairobi, got lost twice and almost missed the interview time. By the grace of God, a good Samaritan held this village boy by hand to the hidden PSC (k) offices. We still have good Samaritans. Amen.
The successful interview was another journey in my life. The group of successful officers were taken for induction at Kenya Institute of Administration (KIA). A wonderful place indeed. We then proceeded for paramilitary training for three months at Email College and finally went for experiential learning at Mt. Kenya School of Leadership and adventure where it culminated with the climbing to the top of Mt. Kenya. With all these, I salute my government for the wonderful training and exposure they accord to such officers who eventually become the core of government functions at all levels. God bless Kenya. That was my first time to shoot in the air not even at a person or an animal – haaaaaaah. Who said all Turkanas know and handle guns? Not true I am a living testimony. Thank God for the disarmament that is ongoing in that region now.
My first posting was in North Eastern Kenya in the current counties of Wajir and Garissa. I enjoyed the privileges accorded to the representatives of the President of the Republic of Kenya. We were in almost every meeting and spoke well about our government. ” Serikal imeamua kuanzia leo’ – in English ” The government has decided from today ….” And people would clap especially it favored them. The security given to us was awesome even with the rising terrorism in that region at that time. In one of the far-fetched divisions of Arbajahan, I was given a brand-new land rover because of my role in that border place. Despite all these, my heart was not settled. I would attend a church service and I was reminded of my rightful place of serving God in the church as He had called me back in 1988. I was like the running Jonah. There were instances that occurred to me that made me reflect on the life of this prophet who was running away from God. Though we were far from each other, my wife took good care of our children and came severally to this volatile region. She is a brave woman and loves me and our family. She is a great woman. The work was challenging but she was there to ensure that all was well. She even spoke with our Bishop Rev. Dr. Robert Langat of my running away like Jonah when he visited Turkana. I had not met our new Bishop by then but she did and spoke so well of me and my calling. The Lord must have spoken to my Bishop. The Lord used this moment to bring me to AGC Central Office where I was rejoined to my true calling. Praise be to God Almighty who works things in His own ways.
In AGC Central office, life was low profile. I was determined to get going because my calling was so powerful than the power, many privileges accrued, aspired promotions as one from a minority groups, the fame from my village (my father was respected and could even threaten to call the DO to deal with an errant chief in the village).
When your calling in life, something that God created you for is knocking on your door, you will never rest from your current place, position until you get to it even if it means sacrificing somethings. Your gifts, talents, calling, passion in life is greater than any position, privileges, power you hold now. Better sacrifice anything for it because that is who God created you for. In that, you will never regret in life and all the joy and success in life will come from that.
Thanks for reading and see you next Saturday on moving from the third highest office in my denomination to my current position. What a move!
