The United States is often seen as a land of opportunity, prosperity, and abundance. For many, including Benard Kiprono, this vision became a reality. Benard, originally from Kapseret, Kenya, spent his earlier years working as a second-hand clothing (mitumba) businessman in various markets including Kericho, Bomet, and Kapkatet.
Two years ago, Benard made a life-changing decision to seek better opportunities in the United States. Today, he holds U.S. citizenship, a status he gained after joining the U.S. Air Force. His journey to the U.S. was not without its challenges.
On his YouTube channel, Benard recalls the uncertainty he felt when he applied for a green card. He had heard many stories of people applying multiple times before succeeding. To boost his chances, he discussed with his wife the possibility of her applying for the Diversity Visa (DV) program as well. When the results came out, Benard was among the fortunate ones who won the lottery, which meant his wife and four children would also be eligible to relocate with him.
However, the journey had its setbacks. Benard first tried to visit the U.S. in 2017, after receiving a letter from Central Michigan University. The letter instructed him to apply for a passport and make a payment via M-Pesa, which raised doubts about its authenticity. “I wrote to the American Embassy, who informed me that university emails should end with .edu,” he explained. Unsure, Benard pursued his education at Kenyatta University, enrolling in a parallel B.Com Finance course, all while researching pathways to the U.S.
When the DV23 season arrived, Benard was prepared. In October 2021, he applied, and on the second day, he also submitted an application for his wife as the primary applicant. While his application was successful, his wife’s was not. The victory, however, came with substantial costs. The medical exams, visa fees, green card production costs, and airline tickets for four family members added up to a hefty sum. To cover these expenses, Benard sold his plot of land for Sh. 1.5 million.
On top of this, Benard faced challenges in securing accommodation. After several requests to friends for a place to stay fell through, he managed to use a DS260 form submitted by someone he trusted. Eventually, he was hosted by his step-sister in the U.S.
Upon arrival in Chicago, Benard spent his first 10 days getting settled and soon received his Social Security number. Twenty-six days later, he began his job search. His first job was at Home Depot, after which he turned his attention to the military. After researching online, Benard found a recruiter, and after completing the necessary tests, he joined the U.S. Air Force, primarily due to age requirements—only the Air Force and Navy were recruiting people in his age group.
Benard passed his military cyber security exams and physical fitness tests, and in just 7.5 weeks, he was hired, qualifying for U.S. citizenship. Now, Benard works as a Finance Controller. He shared on his channel that a military career can fast-track citizenship and provides many benefits, such as housing allowances and mortgage loans at zero interest, with only inspection costs applied.
Benard’s journey from a small-town businessman in Kenya to a U.S. citizen and Air Force member is a testament to the power of perseverance, preparation, and seizing opportunities.
