Kenyan Man Who Worked as Farm Worker Narrates Joining U.S. Army

Gerald Ngugi a light-wheel vehicle mechanic in the U.S. Army has narrated how he relocated to America.

Ngugi grew up in Kiambu and worked at his grandfather’s farm for years there.

In an interview with the Army Reserve, he said the work was hard at his grandfather’s farm.

“It was manual labour dealing with livestock and farming. Cows, chickens, planting and harvesting collard greens, potatoes and bananas. It was hard work,” he said.

Ngugi moved to the U.S. more than 15 years ago.

“I had a brother who passed away in Boston. I came to help with funeral arrangements to ship him back home and decided to stay after that,” Ngugi said.

Ngugi says he was working at a 7-11 in Boston and would see military guys come in and talk to him about the job.

“So I decided to join – at age 40. The cutoff was 42 then,” he said.

Ngugi says he originally wanted to be a mechanic because transportation is one of the biggest factors that leads to mission accomplishment.

He felt like he could make the most contribution as a mechanic in the Army.

“The Army has given me many opportunities to go to new places, like here in Colorado, where I decided to settle. I have been going to school and trying to be physically fit because of the Army,”

“The Army gives me a higher standard of living. I also feel a sense of pride and honour while serving in the Army,” he added.

Recently Dalya Wambui shared her excitement after her return to Kenya.

Wambui, a Kenyan-born member of the 747th Military Police Company, attached to the 772nd Military Police Company, Massachusetts National Guard.

“I really can’t believe I’m here in Kenya again,” she told U.S. Army.