THE BIRTH OF JAMES PLOTI

 The Birth of James Ploti

Chapter Three: The Road to Nairobi

Growing up upcountry in Kenya, raised by peasant farmers, is nothing like the stories we read or the movies we watch from developed countries. In the first world they call it a countryside upbringing. In Kenya, we call it Ucha.

Ucha is where you learn to wake up before the sun, to walk long distances barefoot, and to understand early that nothing in life comes free. It was in Ucha that James Ploti's story began. But it was after he finished his diploma in Management Information Systems and Software Engineering that a new chapter of his life truly began.

Lessons From College

Back in college, James had already understood that life would not be easy. He watched his father and mother struggle every day. His father worked as a cook at the same college James attended, and because the institution was badly managed, he had gone years without a salary. In a small mercy, the college agreed to let James study there to offset the wages owed to his father.

That arrangement paid his fees, but it did not put food in his pocket. James had no pocket money, so he did what hungry, determined young men do: he found a way. Around Kutus Bus Station he polished shoes and sold khat and chewing gum to earn some extra coins.

The business did well. With what he earned, James bought new trousers and shirts and paid for his exam papers. Without knowing it, he was learning the lessons that would shape his life: hustle, humility and the dignity of honest work.

A Graduate Without a Job

When he graduated, the jobs did not come. In those days very few institutions had moved to ICT, and opportunities for young graduates like James were scarce.

Once again his father stepped in. He spoke to the caterer at the college, a close family friend, and through her James was offered a job marketing beauty products in Nairobi.

And that is how life in Nairobi began.

A Home in the City

James's family could not afford to rent him a house in the city. Instead, his uncle and aunt took him in. They were a young couple who had only just married, yet they opened their home to him without hesitation. God bless Pastor Daniel and Pastor Sharlet of JCC Eastlands for their kindness at a time when James needed it most.

Creativity on the Streets

James was not an ordinary salesman. He brought creativity to his marketing. With help from his younger brother, who was still in school, he gathered a few friends from upcountry. Every weekend they went to different shopping centres, performed short comedy skits to draw crowds, and then sold their products to the laughing audience.

People bought, but the money was never enough. James had a bigger vision. He did not just want to survive in Nairobi. He wanted to earn enough to lift his family out of poverty.

The Newspaper Advert

One day, while he and Dorcas, his aunt's sister, were struggling to make sales, James came across a newspaper advert. G4S Security was recruiting guards and ICT staff.

His eyes lit up.

Early the next morning, James and Auntie Dorcas went to the G4S grounds in Embakasi, where recruitment was taking place. Sadly, Dorcas was turned away because she was shorter than the required height. James made it into the compound, and he had a plan. He knew a senior man in the company came from Kirinyaga, and with nothing but confidence he walked past the queue straight to that man's office.

"I'm here to see my uncle, Mr. Irandu," James said.

The security officers looked nervous at the name. Right away James knew the man was very senior.

Mr. Irandu looked up. "Who are you?"

"I'm James from Kirinyaga. My dad is a friend of your family. He sent me to ask for your help getting an ICT job. I graduated, but I haven't found work."

Mr. Irandu thought for a moment. "We don't have ICT jobs right now. But if you're willing, I'll take you to the guard recruitment. After a few months, you might be lucky and get an ICT position."

James thought hard. All he wanted was a guaranteed job. His family needed help.

"Yes, sir. I'm ready."

Blood on the Pavement

James was taken to the recruitment area. When the head of recruitment saw him, he burst out laughing.

"This guy is so slim. No thug will ever be scared of him."

But Mr. Irandu stood firm. "Trust me, he will be the best in the team."

The test was brutal. Recruits had to run 200 metres barefoot on concrete paving blocks. By the finish line, James's feet were covered in blood.

But he passed. He was given three days to report for training.

When he came out through the gate on the other side, Auntie Dorcas could not hold back her tears. James could barely walk upright, and his legs were burning with pain.

Through the pain, he knew something important had happened. James Ploti now had a better-paying job, and his dream of lifting his family had been born.

Life had opened a new chapter.

Watch out for Chapter Four.