Life is a journey. Everyone has a unique path to follow and each usually leads to different destinies. There are those who experience flawless and a stress free lives but a majority can describe their stay on earth as a horrific roller coaster ride through hell.
However, despite a barrage of challenges many encounter, giving up in life is not an option and what remains is a spirited venture of fighting through.
Elvis Abuka Amunavi is a good definition of resilience. A quick preview of his life is a testimony one can achieve anything as long as they remain committed.
READ ALSO: Kimwarer: Kipchumba Murkomen clashes with Tony Gachoka over dam project’s cancellation
Amunavi browses through his computer before attending a proceeding at Bungoma County Assembly. Photo: Enock Ndayala
Source: Original
READ ALSO: Indigenous tree claimed to miraculously heal infections among Luhyas
Now the Member of County (MCA) for Milima Ward in Bungoma County, Amunavi traces the genesis of his rise to a samosa hawking job in Kapsabet town.
He remembers a grueling life he went through as a child from a peasant family that could not even afford to sustain his stay in secondary school.
READ ALSO: Kibra by-election: ODM rebel MP Aisha Jumwa openly campaigns for Jubilee man Mariga
Amunavi repaints the grueling life he went through as a child from a peasant family. Photo: UGC/Elvis Amunavi
Source: UGC
Amunavi’s life in school was pushed too close to the edge forcing him to drop out and start hawking samosa.
“While in Form Two in 2002 at Kapsabet Boys High School, my parents could not raise school fees and this compelled me to drop out out.
I started by making samosas and in a month, I could make up to KSh 500 in profit. My aim was to save enough money to enable me go back to school,” the lawmaker told Tuko.co.ke during an interview.
A picture (l) of Elvis Abuka Amunavi while he was still a student at UoN where he studied Bachelor’s of Arts in Political science and Kiswahili between 2007 and 2011. Photo: UGC/Elvis Abuka
Source: UGC
After selling samosas for sometime, Amunavi says he decided to look for greener pastures and his quest landed him a job at a restaurant in Kapsabet Town.
The father of three says he worked for six months and managed to save enough money that he later injected in another hawking venture that he deemed more profitable.
“This time round it was not samosa. I invested in watches, purses, torches, earrings, handkerchiefs and sweets among others,” Amunavi explained.
Ford Kenya MCA Elvis Abuka Amunavi (r) and other lawmakers at Bungoma County Assembly. Photo: Enock Ndayala
Source: Original
His investment, however, did not last long since soon as profits started tricking in, thieves broke into his store and made away with all merchandise.
“One day I went to the shop where I used to keep my stock only to realise that my goods had been stolen. This shook me to the core. I had to start all over again,” the MCA said.
Amunavi clinched the Milima MCA seat after the 2017 General Election where he floored 22 other candidates who were interested in the position. Photo: Enock Ndayala
Source: Original
However, that was the time Amunavi believed that in every desert of calamity, God provides an oasis. A good friend offered to give him stock on credit and he pledged to offset the debt in installments.
in 2003, Amunavi had raised some little cash and was readmitted in Form Three at Mukuyuni Secondary School.
On Saturday, September 14th Amunavi welcomed Baringo Senator Gideon Moi and Bungoma Governor Wycliffe Wangamati at a funeral in Milima Ward. Photo: UGC/Enock Ndayala
Source: UGC
Before the end of first term, his dad passed on and the tragedy totally changed the direction of his dreams.
“After death of my dad, my aunts took me to St Peter’s Mumias Boys where I sat for my KCSE and scored B+ of 72 points. This gave me a chance to be enrolled at the University of Nairobi where I took my undergraduate studies in Political Science and Swahili and later graduated with Second Class (Upper Division) in 2011,” he narrated.
Amunavi addressing Milima residents in Bungoma County during a past event. Photo: Enock Ndayala
Source: Original
The idea of leadership, Amunavi says dawned to him while he was till in campus where he served as a Hall Representative.
“I had never envisioned becoming a politician when I was growing up. My relatives had however, nicknamed me Professor Saitoti owing to academic excellence I had shown during my days at school.
When I was a student official at UoN, I helped many students access bursaries and this cushioned them financial burdens that I had experienced before. This is when passion for becoming a leader started burning in me,” he continued.
Amunavi practices dairy farming and also has broilers and layers in his poultry yard. Photo: Enock Ndayala
Source: Original
Apart from his legislative role at the Bungoma County Assembly, Amunavi is a committed farmer who has practices mixed farming.
He also rares dairy cows, keeps broilers and layers in his poultry.
Amunavi walks through his maize farm in Milima Ward to inspect his harvest. Photo: Enock Ndayala
Source: Original
He clinched the Milima MCA seat following the 2017 General Election where floored 22 other candidates who were interested in the position.
According to him, success in life only comes when one is able to utilise opportunities that come their way and also ability to identify blessings that are usually disguised as challenges.
“I urge young people to maximise any opportunity they came across for they know not what the future holds for them. On my part, I have higher ambitions but I will cross the bridge once I get there,” he said while hinting that he has plans to vie for a bigger seat.
Before he became MCA, Amunavi had a tough past just like any other youth. He urged young people to remain focused in life and exploit available opportunities. Photo: Enock Ndayala
Source: Original
Story by by Enock Ndayala – TUKO.co.ke Correspondent
Do you have a groundbreaking story you would like us to publish? Please reach us through [email protected] or WhatsApp: 0732482690. Contact Tuko.co.ke instantly.
She has traveled to all continents for free : Florence Renault | Tuko TV.
