Where do you live and work?
I live in Nairobi and work for the Kenya Revenue Authorities (KRA).
What and where did you study?
I graduated with a Master of Science in Finance and Investment and a Bachelor of Commerce in Finance from The University of Nairobi. In addition to this, I hold two postgraduate diplomas in Customs Administration and in Tax Administration from Kenya School of Revenue Administration (KESRA). I am also a qualified Certified Public Accountant.
How did you get the job you currently have?
I always dreamt of working with KRA. I was intrigued by the technicalities involved in coming up with taxes, as it is the one thing that every human being must pay. When an opportunity came up, I applied, and that’s how my journey started. I started off as a subordinate and have received numerous promotions in line with my academic progression.
What is your favourite part of your job?
Several! But the best part is interacting with people, both colleagues and clients. Our organization has ensured that there is transparency at all levels, and with that, we are able to freely interact with each other. There is a sense of oneness and a feeling of acknowledgement and being a part of a wider family.
What keeps you motivated?
My kids do. Nothing motivates me more than providing and seeing them have opportunities that were not available to me. Working hard and God's grace has landed me where I am today. The company I work for has been rewarding and has given me an opportunity to combine what I studied with my daily work.
What are you investing in right now?
I have recently taken a mortgage and am looking forward to subletting it or starting an AirBnB. The future of real estate looks promising here in Nairobi, and after carrying out extensive research, I feel that this is the right movefor me. The best part of this, in the end, is that I get to finally own a house.
Do you have a side hustle?
Yes. I started a company that help clients with car importations. I have found that most Kenyans do not know what it entails to import a car from abroad; some end up paying a lot of money as a result, others end up having theirimported cars being stolen upon arrival. My company seeks to help with such situations and, so far, I have helped a number of people and have received good feedback from them.
Any advice to young people seeking to start a career?
I would advise young people to make informed career choices by researching online what options they have, then choosing a career that they will be passionate about—and not forgetting that hard work and resilience is the ultimate key to making it.