By Martin Ruto
St Anthony’s Boys High School Kitale alumni Sam Kiprotich’s dream of flying aeroplanes began when he was a form three student.
He at the time dreamed that he will in future take charge as he Captain of an Emirates jetliner plying international routes across the world.
It was while he was in form three in 2017 that a digital marketing company that also has a global travel tourism partnership organized a competition which saw 78 secondary schools participating.
When the results were announced St. Anthony’s emerged the winners taking position one and that is when Kiprotich’s dream of becoming a pilot was hatched.
Other countries that participated in France competition included Hungary, South Africa, USA, UK and France the host.
The young man now fondly referred to as Captain Sam Kiprotich by friends and relatives was picked with Owen Omwenga who was also a form three student to travel to France.
They travelled with their patron Mr. Suleiman Amboka for the sponsored trip to France for a retreat.
Their journey started from Nairobi to Amsterdam using KLM Boeing 747/400 from where they reconnected to France for a week’s stay.
It was while they were in the aeroplane that the pilot Captain George saw the interest young Kiprotich had in flying through the many questions he was asking.
Captain George encouraged captain Kiprotich to pursue the aviation course.
When they returned to Kenya captain Kiprotich applied for a flying course at Wilson airport which he eventually got.
His uncle Edwin Rop Chebumburet was an instrumental instructor to him as a student.
As he advanced his course at a higher level from February-July in 2019 Jacklyne Kiptoo a flight captain became his instructor.
Kiprotich is a case study of students who pursue their dreams at a tender age and is today walking shoulder high as a flight student pilot.
The only challenge he is facing is that his course is expensive and requires a lot of money for fees.
That is why a major fundraising was held to raise fees for him at Kitale museum on 12th June 2021.
He is being educated by a single mother known as Prisca Maiyo who says: “Captain Kiprotich is the pride of the North Rift Region and the republic of Kenya as whole.”
Kiprotich said: “I’m determined to complete my course and start flying the Emirates plane. I urge many students to pursue aviation course as the numbers of student pilots are still low”
