THE ULTIMATE VALENTINE AND THE FACE OF YOUTH UNEMPLOYMENT IN KENYA

During her time as a student of Kaplelwo secondary school in Mogotio sub-county, Emmy Jepkosgei looked forward to building a career as a Gospel artist. She composed and wrote down several songs but later decided to abandon the dream after realizing that in Kenya, the cost of music recording is prohibitive.

As a daughter of a widow, Jepkosgei faced a difficult journey through out her academic life.

She covered 14KM every day in her journey to and from the school. Despite the hardship she faced, she managed to score a C minus in her KCSE National examinations .The fresh secondary school graduate then proceeded to the world of the unknown, but lucky enough to secure a job a shop attendant in the neighboring Nakuru County

Jepkosgei is very thankful to former Mogotio Member of Parliament Professor Hellen Sambili .Her move to drill a water borehole near her home in Lelen saved her study time and that of the many other girls from her locality.

''Proffessor Sambili saved alot of my study time and am always grateful to her'' Jepkosgei said.

In most parts of Baringo county, girl child education is always threatened by cultural norms most of which perceive women as domestic servants .

According to most Kenyan tribes, it is a woman’s responsibility to ensure that her family does not run out of water and therefore, a mark of a true woman or wife material is the ability to overcome all the odds in securing the scarce water, and bring it home!!

During the dry season in Baringo, women and girls form search parties, cover very long distances in the search for water. Sometimes, women and girls are forced to drive away the aggressive baboons, also fighting for a sip in the pools that remained in a once a flowing river.

According to Jepkosgei, scarce water is detrimental to a girl who needs time to study or do school homework.

To mark the year 2023 Valentine Day,Jepkosgei is sharing her story to appreciate her husband Vincent Korir,the man she cherishes so much.

‘’Vincent is not planning to take me out for the Valentine Celebrations. Am not even looking forward to receiving flowers from Vincent, but am celebrating him because he is supporting my dream to drive big machines …’’

But how did Emmy Jepkosgei meet this Gentleman?

‘’ Vincent and I met in Nakuru town where I worked as a shop attendant,’’ she reveals pointing out that though they lived close to each other in the estate, the two of them rarely spoke to one another but the glances from the man were becoming too much for her..

‘’Even without words, his body language betrayed his intentions and strangely, I started developing a crush for him even though he was a stranger to me. It is always special for a woman to discover that a man of her standards finds her attractive or worth his attention …’’Jepkosgei revealed to Independent Reporters Kenya, the hidden world of a woman’s thoughts! Unknown to Jepkosgei, her admirer was a Plant Operator student in Sensei Institute of Technology in Nakuru town …

‘’With the support of my aunt back in Mogotio,I had gone to secure an admission to train as a driver in Sensei Institute of Technology and strangely, the first person I met near the gate was Vincent! My breath was gone and he too was unable to speak to me for a moment. I learnt that he was going home after completing his driving lessons…

Jepkosgei started her driving lessons in Sensei Institute of Technology and Vincent was always in her side. Vincent become her career mentor .He encouraged and supported her financially in her training as a driver of all the heavy machines, including Lorries and school buses.

During break time, this man always treated her in the nearby Cafeteria..

‘’Vincent poured out his heart to me and I did the same. I learnt that he is a Kipsigis from Mauche in Nakuru County and really admired him for his commitment towards building a family.

He often visited me for food, and especially during lunch times.I always did my best to cook for him and he became all mine.

I was sharing a rented room with two other girls and with his request, I moved to his house and we started living together after informing our parents back at home.

We are blessed with three children and to me, finding a man who supports my career dream is the Ultimate Valentine!!

What does she think can constitute a Healthy Love Marriage?

‘’It is not about the Valentine Day! It is not about the flowers! It about genuine Respect for your man ,Love for your Woman-every day will become a Valentine day!

Husbands don’t like to be reprimanded and when you are upset as a woman, wait until he is in the right mood’’ Jepkosgei said in her advice to her members of the Eve Kingdom.

Jepkosgei does not however shy away from pointing out what she calls too much hypocrisy in modern day marriages.

‘’Husband and wife share the same blanket and claim to love one another , but hide all the bank account details from one another, including MPESA Pins’’ Jepkosgei laments, pointing out that under such a scenario, parting ways is the most honorable thing the couple can do.

In her parting shot,Jepkosgei is sending out an appeal to the political establishment, development partners and members of the clergy to declare Youth unemployment a threat to the future of the country.

‘’Thousands of youth in Kenya go to school and work hard but in the end, they face a life of uncertainty. Without jobs, How can the youth in Kenya talk about genuine Love, a crucial ingredient in raising a better citizenry?

Jepkosgei and her husband are qualified plant operators and work as casuals in a private quarry within Marigat town in Baringo County .

Meanwhile, they Wish all Lovers a Happy Valentine Day!!

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[Journalists For Human Rights]