Paul Wa Kihongo: Jobless IT Graduate Who Left the Country After Failing to Get a Job Now Making KSh 5,000 Per Hour Working as Mjengo Man in Canada

Paul, an IT graduate from Kihingo in Limuru, Kenya, had long envisioned a bright career in the tech industry.

However, like many graduates in the country, he found himself struggling to secure employment.

Despite his education, job opportunities were scarce, and the harsh reality of Kenya’s competitive job market left him frustrated.

Determined to turn his life around, Paul sought help from his sister, who had been living in Canada for over 15 years.

In 2020, with her assistance, he managed to secure a green card and left Kenya in search of better opportunities. Little did he know that this move would mark the beginning of a completely different career path and a brighter future.

Upon arriving in Canada, Paul quickly adapted to his new environment. The transition was not easy, as he had to take on jobs that were far removed from his IT background.

He started with landscaping, followed by factory work making brake pads.

While these jobs were not in line with his original career aspirations, Paul was determined to make a living and succeed abroad.

It was in the construction industry, commonly known as “mjengo,” that Paul found stability.

By 2022, he had secured a job as a concrete mixer, earning a remarkable KSh 5,000 per hour, along with an additional KSh 900 for his pension.

This was a significant contrast to what he could have earned for similar work back home in Kenya, where daily wages often range between KSh 1,000 and KSh 2,000.

Paul’s journey is a testament to his resilience and adaptability.

Despite the challenges he faced in Kenya, he remained focused on finding a way to improve his circumstances.

Before his move abroad, Paul had tried his hand at various jobs in Kenya. He worked as a turn boy with his trucker father, held a position at the Bata Shoe Company, and even drove matatus from Naivasha to Nairobi.

Additionally, he ventured into business by selling Safaricom lines and SIM cards, but none of these endeavors provided him the financial stability he sought.