In the bustling town of Mwea, located in Kirinyaga County, Irene Wanjira Kamau has defied traditional gender norms and carved a unique path for herself.
Irene Wanjira, a 30-year-old from Mathangauta village, has become a common face in Mwea due to her unconventional job – carrying bags of rice on her back.
Here is her story as told by WOK
Irene’s journey into this line of work began when she dropped out of school after Standard Seven.
With limited options available, she turned to a job that many would find physically demanding – carrying bags of rice.
“As a child I remember seeing men carrying bags of rice at the rice farms, and I kept wondering why women were not allowed to carry loads.” said Wanjira.
This curiosity and her inherent determination led her to start carrying bags of rice at the tender age of 14.
Today, Irene is a familiar face at Mwea rice city, where her job involves loading and unloading bags of rice.
On a good day, she can carry more than 50 bags of rice on her back.
This physically demanding work earns her up to Ksh2,000, enabling her to provide for her family and secure their future.
Irene’s story holds a valuable lesson for the youth of today.
She challenges the notion that opportunities are limited based on education or gender.
She firmly believes that there are plenty of job opportunities available, especially in informal sectors.
Irene urges young people to cast aside preconceived notions about job choices and instead embrace hard work and dedication.
Her dedication to work and strength has left many who visit Mwea rice digital city in awe.
“I am a man, and yet I cannot carry a 50 kg bag of rice. This lady carries over 60 kg bags of rice on her back. She is a very strong and hardworking woman,” said Peter Kinyua, a resident of Mwea.
