A self-made engineer in Waguthu village, Kiambaa constituency, has built an aircraft to get sponsorship to pursue his engineering dream.
In 2013, George Tumuti built a microlight plane using scrap metal and got recognition for a significant contribution and dedicated service to the community by the Kiambu government.
He said he would build a more advanced plane.
“With the microlight plane, which on a good runway could fly 20 metres high, I had hoped to get sponsorship to join college, but I didn’t. So I went back to the drawing board as it is my dream to be an engineer and a pilot,” Tumuti said.
The 23-year-old, who is interning with General Motors, said he cannot take his plane for a test flight because the government thinks it is too risky and has prohibited it.
Tumuti dropped out of the Kenya Polytechnic University College for lack of fees.
“If I could get sponsorship I know I can become an engineer. It has been my dream since I was a small boy,” he said.
Tumuti used scrap metal, motorcycle and vehicles’ parts and local materials bought using savings from his car wash business.
Joseph Itibu, Tumuti’s father, said he was amazed.
“We quarrelled often as I did not understand him, but I must support him. He has proved he has the brains and can go far if given the chance and finances,” he said.
