The diploma holder shoe-shiner

Lydia Bosibori. When she completed her Diploma in Business Management, she looked forward to landing a white collar jobs. (PHOTO: COURTESY)

When Lydia Bosibori completed her Diploma in Business Management, she looked forward to landing a white collar jobs.

Ten years later, this dream was yet to materialise and she decided to join the juakali sector setting up a shoe shiner business in Kisii town.

"I started becoming frustrated as financial constraints put a strain on my marriage. I decided to look around and see what work I could do that was not very competitive. It was then I observed that there was no female shoe-shiner in Kisii town," the mother of five says.

With her mind made up and with only Sh200 in her pocket, Lydia purchased a brush and shoe polich then officially set up the open air business.

"I decided to take this plunge after separation from my husband. I knew life has to go on and I needed to take care of my children and myself," she says.

Today, Lydia is able to cater for her needs. During the rainy season, when her business is at peak, she makes a daily profit of Sh500 and Sh400 during the other days.

"This work has its ups and downs and many times I find people who will undermine me for being a woman doing what is considered a man's job. I however, keep going not allowing their jabs to get to me," she says.

Her only appeal is for the county government to set up stalls where those like her, operating open air businesses, are not affected by the elements.