My father knew how passionate I was about being a mechanic and when I completed my secondary school education, he advised me to go for it
Men do the heavy lifting and women, well, the not so heavy stuff. It's the way society has traditionally viewed work.
But now women are increasingly finding themselves in jobs normally reserved for men.
Edith Mwai, a mother of one, is a celebrated mechanic at a garage in Kerugoya town.
Mwai says her parents supported her dream of becoming a mechanic.
“My father knew how passionate I was about being a mechanic and when I completed my secondary school education, he advised me to go for it,” she says
Mwai has worked as a mechanic since completing her training in 2017. She shares her experience in the male-dominated profession.
“I report at 9 in the morning and go back home at around 7pm,” she says as she attends to a client at the garage.
She admits that the work was initially tough but passion kept her going.
“Mechanics is something I have been fond of since my childhood. After Form 4 I joined a technical college, where I was trained and since 2017, that’s what I have been doing,” Mwai says.
...look at my hair, I don’t have much time to make it. Our work involves a lot of dust, oil, and dirt
The job has its fair share of challenges, especially since she is the only woman at the garage.
One is sharing changing rooms with the men.
“I come in the morning and have to make sure I remain alone in the changing room. It is uncomfortable to change my clothes since we don’t have a special room for women,” she says
Sometimes she is belittled by her colleagues, and even clients.
“I once found myself in a situation where a customer rejected my services and asked for a male mechanic. I felt rejected and disappointed,” she narrates.
On a light note, she doesn't have to spend a lot of money on make-up.
“...look at my hair, I don’t have much time to make it. Our work involves a lot of dust, oil, and dirt,” she says.
Despite the challenges, Mwai says, she works hard and has never been ashamed of her work.
“This is where I get money to support my family and though the work involves a lot of dirt, I am proud of it,” Mwai says.
Edited by Josephine M. Mayuya
