- Ken Owuor Ondeng’e left many in tears when he disclosed that he held a degree in communication but was working as a security guard
- When Starehe Boys alumnus learnt that their former schoolmate was struggling, they bought him motorcycles and a patrol car to start 3SB Security Company
- One of them, who works as an advocate of the High Court, offered pro bono services to register it
In October 2022, Kenyan widely read media, TUKO.co.ke, ran the heartbreaking story of Ken Owuor Ondeng’e, a struggling security guard in Nairobi.
For a man who studied at Starehe Boys Center and graduated from the University of Nairobi with a degree in communication, it was not the sort of job he had ever imagined himself doing.
Wishing for a better job, he went public, pleading to be given an internship opportunity where he could put his skills and knowledge to better use.
Less than two years later, Ken is back, and this time, he is not wallowing in misery but bursting with joy.
He told TUKO.co.ke that the story got him a managerial job at Squad Three Security, offering him a platform to venture into the security industry.
Three of his former classmates James, Kelvin and Isaiah offered to support him start a company.
“They raised adequate resources, motorcycles, and a patrol car to start 3SB Security Company,” he started.
Kelvin, an advocate of the High Court, offered pro bono services and ensured that the company was registered.
With the support and his savings, the journey to a better future for Ken commenced.
Most of his initial business came from referrals by older Starehe Boys’ Alumni and members of the public who believed in him.
“With time, I made inroads into the market within Nairobi, Kiambu, Nakuru, Mombasa, Narok, Homabay, Kisumu, and other big towns,” he said joyfully.
Having risen from a watchman to a supervisor, an operations manager and now a director, Ken looks back at his journey and is lost for words.
He hopes to hit 500 guards by the end of 2024 and dreams of becoming a security industry leader.
“I owe this milestone to the entire alumni of Starehe Boys Center and in particular my three friends, James, Isaiah and Kelvin,” he praised.
Ken is happy that he is now an employer giving not just internships but livelihoods to the families of his staff.
Unlike two years ago when he needed support in finance and other upkeep, now he requests security tenders.
“I provide guarding services, CCTV installations, electric fences, alarm monitoring, private investigations, and biometric security systems among others,” he concluded.
Abroad-returnee turned security man
Meanwhile, Legit.ng earlier reported that a Nigerian man in his mid-50s who spent more than a decade abroad returned to the country broke after people drained his savings.
In a TikTok clip, the man, who has lived in places like the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Lebanon and some Asian countries, said he was making about N3m monthly working abroad.
Source: TUKO.co.ke