By Benedicto Ng’etich
Peter Kipkoskei Yegon has a splendid gift of repartee.
If you are not the type that engages in conversation when your shoe is being polished, then you are likely to miss the whole lively banter from Mr Yegon, a talented shoe shiner.
His piercing eyes and a contemplative gaze make his persiflage more interesting.
Short and dark skinned, Mr Yegon is no ordinary shoe shiner. He is also a raconteur.
“We studied together with Dr Fred Matiangi (CS Interior) and Najib Balala (CS Tourism) in Kakamega High School during A-Level. I was the head-boy in 1987 to 1986,” he recalls nostalgically.
He also claims to have bought chicken from the Deputy President Dr William Ruto at Jua Kali in the outskirts of Eldoret town.
He works outside Mutai Wholesalers along Temple Road in Kericho town.
“After completing my secondary education I was admitted at Moi University to pursue a course in Anthropology. Unfortunately, I used all the money given by government to drink silly and forgot to resume my studies on time, which forced the university to discontinue me,” narrates the father of three from Ngata village in Nakuru County.
He has done the shoe shining job for over 20 years.
“I appeal to my two former school mates to assist me by facilitating the education of my children. Life turned out badly for me, but I am solely to blame due to my alcoholism back at the university,” he says.
The boot polisher is well conversant with current affairs. He says he respects the Deputy President for his resilience in business and advises youths in the country to emulate him.
“When I remember that time when Ruto used to park his bicycle at a corner in Jua Kali area, my respect for him grows the more. He has worked hard to be where he is.”
While not at his workstation Mr Yegon is a researcher albeit in a small way. “I enjoy researching on the use of traditional food and medicine to fight diseases like HIV-AIDS and other lifestyle diseases which are ruining the health of many people currently.”
He urges locals to consume more traditional foods especially vegetables if they want to remain healthy and live longer.His is a life of hope.
