Stephen Ilaut Sakita
Born in1983 in the local village of Ethi to a polygamous pastoralist family, Stephen was educated in the local area attending both Kanyunga School and Ethi Primary School depending on where his family was living. He then qualified for the ‘School Certificate’ at Dol Dol Secondary School in 2002.
Having completed high school, he was employed to graze his father’s livestock. That was not to last long because Stephen was introduced to me by his brother Ochun Sakita who was working down at Il N’gwesi lodge. We came to a deal – he wanted a job so that he could afford further education. I would employ him as a cook for a maximum of two years if he could save some money for his time in Nairobi. Sadly, the two years came quickly to an end. Stephen was a great cook, learnt the skills of English home cuisine easily and was fun to have in the house. Stephen assures me he still uses some of the skills that he learnt in my kitchen. And so he became the Managing Director’s cook!
He then successfully sought support from Borana Education Support Programme (B.E.S.P.) to enable him to pursue a Diploma in Business Management in a business school in Nairobi. He was actually the first student that this programme sent to a higher education level – the B.E.S.P. paid for his tuition fees and Stephen supported himself for living expenses and we continued to employ him during the holidays, in our house and then in the office.
After successfully completing his Diploma, to reciprocate the above support, he joined Borana Ranch Limited again as a store man in 2007. Later, in 2008, he was promoted to an accounts assistant and transferred to the accounts department.
He also acts as a co-ordinator for B.E.S.P. He oversees the education of 28 students in different Secondary Schools, two in University and three in schools for the mentally handicapped.
Stephen says:
“I’m greatly indebted to my parents, Borana Ranch Limited and most highly Borana Education Support Programme for supporting my education. As a member of the local community, I am much grateful to B.E.S.P for the support it accords to the needy students in the community and for financing construction of classrooms and kitchens in various schools in our locality. My aim is attaining the highest level of qualification in accountancy and be a role model to other young people from our community.”
He is now studying for his Certified Public Accountancy exams.