Samuel Mulwa is among the cohort of young Kenyans who have found success in the United States through the lucrative profession of truck driving.
Having relocated to the US in 2020, Mulwa initially pursued a career in the medical field. However, a pivotal conversation with a friend who had been immersed in the trucking industry for over six years prompted Mulwa to shift his focus to transportation.
Mulwa enrolled in a trucking school, undergoing a comprehensive five-week program where he paid KSh 447,000 for essential training. Following successful completion, he was required to apprentice with an experienced trucker for several weeks before gaining the autonomy to drive independently.
Reflecting on his journey in an interview with El and Nic on YouTube, Mulwa shared insights into the financial aspect of his newfound career. In his first year of driving, he averaged an impressive KSh 180,000 per week. He emphasized that earnings are contingent upon experience, highlighting the substantial rewards of the profession. After taxes, the net income amounted to approximately KSh 155,000 per week.
Mulwa acknowledged the challenges inherent in truck driving across the diverse terrains of the US. He dispelled misconceptions about the ease of the job, particularly noting the difficulties in tasks such as reversing and the unpredictable weather conditions, including formidable winds.
Encouraging others to pursue their passions rather than being fixated on monetary gains, Mulwa underscored the importance of genuine interest in the profession. Despite the challenges, he emphasized the intrinsic rewards of the job, urging individuals to focus on the love for what they do rather than the financial aspects. As Mulwa succinctly put it, “You have to love what you do because it is rewarding. Do not focus on money. You can imagine driving for 5000 kilometres.”
