It is every person’s dream to be recognized by their profession. So those that are yet to earn a title, must work tirelessly to acquire one. We bring forth a story of determination, a story of all firsts. Ms. Madina Matumbai is a mother of two and a driver at Kibabii University. Her story paints a picture of a go-getter combined with luck as she juggled her way to become the first female driver in the University. In an interview, we get to know more about her in our new KIBU NEWSWEEK segment of KNOW YOUR ICONS!
Interview by MeshackNyambane & Agnetta Shilasi Q:
Who is Madina?
Madina is a humble born-again Christian, a third born in a family of 10, 8 girls and 2 boys who hails from Webuye, Bungoma County. We were brought up in a polygamous family where peace and respect were core values. My parents were staunch Catholics. My father worked at Pan Paper Mills in Webuye while my mum was a house wife. I am a wife and a mother of two children, a girl and a boy. My daughter is in her last year of studies at Eldoret National Polytechnic pursuing Diploma in Engineering (Building and Construction option) while my son is at Vera Beauty and Fashion College pursuing Fashion and Design. I am an usher and an Intercessor in my church.
Q: Tell us about your education background.
I went to Nzoia Primary School and upon completion of my primary school education, I joined Muji Secondary School until form two where I left to join the National Youth Service (NYS) in 1988. I undertook a three months basic training at NYS and upon completion, I was posted to Iten. After some time, I went back to Kaptur High School and completed my high school education because I needed a certificate to enable me take a professional course. In 1990, I went back to NYS to undertake 3 months driving course. Upon completion, I trained as an elementary mechanic.
Q: How was the experience at NYS?
I joined NYS in 1988 and I can say it was a good experience, it gave me an opportunity to complete my high school studies. When one joins NYS, you start with basic training which entails orientation on how to conduct yourself during the course period. The training is quite tough whereby you have to wake up by 3 a.m. and by 5 a.m. you were ready for drilling. Self-discipline was core, everything must be in order; even the beds must be well made and properly aligned. Dressing in uniform was a must. It was tough and so many trainees dropped out along the way.
Q: How many ladies made it from there?
We were five ladies from Bungoma County but only four made it to the end. Two enrolled for tailoring and dress making, one for cadet and eventually became a commandant at NYS, while the one who enrolled for Secretarial course but dropped out along the way. I joined driving.
The first three months after joining you had to undergo basic training before joining a course of your choice depending on your secondary school performance. After my form four, I qualified for two courses; tailoring and driving. The first one seemed a bit “tricky” and I opted for driving. The training was successful and upon completion, I was first posted to NYS Nairobi to join my course mate Agnes Mwikali (now deceased) as her co–driver to get driving experience.
We were driving a bus and a water boozer. Agnes was my coach, she trained me on how to drive around the city, what gear to use on slope and which gear to use while driving on a hill. She really encouraged and mentored me. She later secured a job at JKUAT and I was left alone in Nairobi. I was later transferred to Gilgil where I worked for a few months but then got my first job.
Q: Do you still have other friends that you were with at NYS who are currently working in other universities?
I only kept in touch with two female drivers who were ahead of my class and were employed at JKUAT. The late Agnes Mwikali has been working at JKUAT as a driver until June, 2021 when she passed on. Another friend is Jane who works in a private university.
Q: Which was your first vehicle as a professional driver and where?
My first vehicle as a professional driver was a Toyota Tussle. This was the car I used to drive during my job at Oserian Fresh Flowers Company in Gilgil.
Q: Tell us about your professional journey.
I landed my first job in the year 1990 at Oserian as a driver. I consulted the NYS and they advised me to take up the job. It was a tedious job because I was forced to work day and night and the pay was very low. In 1991, I quit the job and went back to NYS where I was discharged as a member of NYS. I was thus given my dues and then came back home. I stayed for ten years without a job. I started a small business to sustain myself. In 2002, I landed my second job through a friend at Ndonyo Lessos Milk Farm in Eldoret. I was driving the CEO’s wife and other workers in the Company. I worked at Ndonyo for 8 months. During one of my routine trips I saw a lady driver in an Eldoret Express bus, I got motivated and decided to quit the job so that I could join the Matatu industry. I started to inquire about the requirements and I was informed that I needed to have a driver’s
badge and a Passenger Service Vehicle (PSV) license. I went to Times Towers in Nairobi and processed all the required documents and came back equipped and ready to work as a matatu driver. I got a job in one of the companies in Bungoma where I worked for a year before joining another company in Kisii under Premium Travellers Sacco where I worked for another one year and then joined Eldoret Sacco. I was the first female driver to drive shuttles from Bungoma to Nairobi under the Eldoret Sacco.
Q: How did you land a job at Kibabii University?
In 2008, while on my normal duty, one of my passengers got interested in this lady driver. We had a lengthy discussion and in the course of the conversation came to learn that he was a staff at Kibabii Diploma Teachers Training College. Upon informing him I trained at NYS, he requested me to take my papers to the Institution for they needed a female driver to drive the Principal. I submitted my papers and was invited for an interview where 78 interviewees turned up and I was the only lady amongst them! I was taken through a bus driving test, and when I started driving everyone was amazed. Even students left their classrooms to come and watch. That’s how I merited for the job. I was given an appointment letter and I reported on duty on 4th October, 2009. I was the Principal’s driver for one year and four months. I then joined Kibabii University on gender basis after the Management approached and requested me to work for the University. I was invited for an interview which was successful and that’s how I started working here.
Q: Which one was your first longest driving journey?
My first longest driving journey was a 370km drive in 1991 at NYS ferrying staff from Nairobi to Moshi in Tanzania which took us six hours on the road.
Q: A wife, a mother and a driver, how are you managing?
I started driving when my first child was 7 years old while my last born was 4 years. My husband has been very supportive all along. We had to take our children to a boarding school to enable me manage with my work. At the moment, they are all grown up which is giving me ample time to do my work.
Q: In 2018 the Government issued a directive for all school buses to be painted with a specific color code. Do you think this has contributed positively?
I support the Government’s initiative. It has really helped in identification of school buses unlike before. It is easy to spot and differentiate a school bus or vans from other cars and this promotes safety.
Q: What are your experiences with ferrying university students?
It has always been a nice experience. They enjoy being driven by a female driver. Female students also feel motivated that what men can do, women can do better. I always have the mother-child relationship with students and I always ensure anytime they are spending a night out, they have a secure place to sleep – a place that they can’t access drugs or get robbed and injured. I make them a part of my responsibilities until we come back to the University.
Q: What are your experiences working in a male dominated field?
As a female driver, I enjoy working in this field. I love my work and I do it with passion. I cannot say it has been soft or tough. At times you are favored especially when the traffic police notice it’s a female driver, they become a bit lenient with you compared to male drivers. On the other hand, it’s tough when you drop either students or staff at their respective areas very late and you have to find a place to sleep on your own or go home alone. It becomes a bit insecure for a lady compared to men.
Q: If not driving, what else would you be doing?
I am a business lady and any time I am away from duty, that’s what I do. Being a driver, I hire a lorry, ferry grocery from farms to the market and sell to vendors at a wholesale prices.
Q: Would you advice ladies to be drivers?
Yes, I advise ladies to be drivers. It is fun, it’s a job that pays well and so if one is committed, it can take them far. Driving is a job just like any other, where focus and determination is key.
“At times you are favored especially when the traffic police notice it’s a female driver, they become a bit lenient with you compared to male drivers,”
Madina
