The Rise of Oliver Waindi
Oliver Waindi’s journey from struggling to survive in Nairobi to landing a prestigious international job is a story of faith, resilience, and an unexpected stroke of luck.
At his lowest, Waindi had moved from a three-bedroom house in Buru Buru to a single room in Umoja. He was jobless, struggling to pay university fees, and walking long distances just to apply for jobs. With a young family to support, life was difficult, but he never gave up.
Despite the setbacks, Waindi kept applying for international jobs. He believed that one day, by chance or mistake, he would be invited for an interview. His friend, who owned a cyber café, allowed him to use the computers to send job applications. Every evening, he would walk from Umoja to the University of Nairobi, hoping for a breakthrough.
That breakthrough came unexpectedly. While crossing Kenyatta Avenue, his phone rang. On the other end of the line was a woman inviting him for an interview for a senior regional position. The interview was scheduled to take place in Geneva the following Monday. His travel arrangements had already been made.
At first, he thought it was a prank. He even considered that the call could be coming from Kamiti Prison. But the next day, he received his business class ticket and visa confirmation. It was real.
With only Ksh 55 left at home, Waindi gave the money to his wife and walked from Umoja to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport. Upon arrival, he was surprised to find himself in the business lounge, seated among high-ranking officials. One of them was Japan’s Ambassador to Kenya, who was puzzled by the young man’s presence in the exclusive space. The two struck up a conversation, forming a friendship that would last for years.
Waindi landed in Geneva and attended the interview. After two days of waiting, he received the job offer. His first assignments were attending regional conferences in Paraguay, Ukraine, South Korea, and Tunisia. Within a week, he had moved from near homelessness in Umoja to a global stage, engaging with world leaders.
With his new job, Waindi’s wife wanted them to move back to a bigger house in Buru Buru. But he had learned the value of patience and sacrifice. Instead of renting, he convinced her they should build their own home.
His story is a reminder that no matter how dark life seems, one phone call, one opportunity, or one unexpected event can change everything.
