Mike, a former Geography and Christian Religious Education (CRE) teacher from Wanyororo B in Nakuru County, Kenya, has completely turned his life around since relocating to the United States.
Back in Kenya, Mike earned a modest monthly salary of KSh 40,000 under the Teachers Service Commission (TSC). Today, he can earn that same amount in just a single day as a Metro Bus driver in the US.
Mike began his teaching career at Gatero Secondary School before moving to Kenyatta High School. Despite teaching for five years, he found his income insufficient to meet the needs of his family and support the friends who depended on him. This financial strain, coupled with a desire to do more, motivated him to explore opportunities beyond Kenya’s borders.
In 2016, Mike made the life-changing decision to move to the United States in search of a better future.
Before making the move, he had dipped his toes in the tourism sector. He worked briefly as a tour driver and later launched his own companies—Migration Safaris and Maasai Mara Safaris. While he experienced some level of success, the tourism industry proved unstable, especially during health crises and economic downturns that drastically cut into his earnings.
Hoping to build a more secure future, Mike relocated to the US with his wife. Once there, he took on various jobs without hesitation—from working in adult family homes to caring for people with disabilities. His willingness to adapt and hustle eventually led him to a life-changing decision: becoming a Metro Bus driver.
Getting the job wasn’t easy. Mike had to undergo an intensive 33-day training program that required him to stay clean from alcohol and master every aspect of Metro operations, including route management and emergency procedures. Out of a class of 25, only 10 candidates made it through. Thanks to his determination and hard work, Mike was among them and secured a permanent position.
Today, Mike works a minimum of eight hours per day, earning around KSh 4,000 (approximately 32 USD) per hour. On a busy day, he can take home up to KSh 40,000 by completing 10 bus rounds.
Unlike in Kenya, where buses often wait to fill up with passengers, Metro Buses in the US operate on strict schedules, regardless of how many people are on board. This system keeps Mike constantly on the move and ensures a consistent income.
From the classroom to the driver’s seat, Mike’s journey is a powerful testament to the rewards of resilience, bold decisions, and the pursuit of a better life.
