Trust in an old friend relieved him of his pension

After working as a civil servant for more than 30 years, Mzee Joseph retired to his home in Longisa, Bomet County. His biggest worry was the tedious process of getting his pension.

So it was a great relief when he was able to get it without much ado. Having seen all his children through school, Joseph was happy that he was finally going to relax and enjoy his sunset years with his wife.

He earned ‘celebrity’ status in his village as he usually carried a wad of crisp notes and ordered rounds of beer at his local joint. Some of them mistook his generosity for political overtures and flattered him by calling him ‘Mheshimiwa’.

It occurred to Joseph that he would soon be poor if he did not invest the remaining cash in a venture that would earn him a regular income. The headache was settling on a business idea. He thought of putting up a posho mill but the thought if even walking near the pounding noise of the mill was not at all attractive.

LUCRATIVE DEAL

One afternoon, he was stretching his legs on the streets of Bomet town when a flashy car passed by and stopped in front of him. Because of his failing eyesight, the old man could not immediately recognise the man who alighted from the car. He was elated to learn that it was his long-lost friend Robinson with whom he worked during the early days of their career. They hugged again and again.

Minutes later, they were catching up over a cup of tea. Robinson told his friend that he opted for early retirement and went into a lucrative business that involved importing motorbikes.

“No wonder you look younger. I went the whole hog until my retirement age and now I am at a loss on where to start in business. I am like an old dog trying to learn new tricks,” Mzee opened up to his old friend.

Robinson sympathised and warned that if Joseph was not careful, he would spend all his pension and then lead a life of poverty. Robinson’s warning was a confirmation of Joseph’s worries, so it was a relief when Robinson volunteered to help him and they struck a deal.

All Joseph had to do was give Robinson a sizeable chunk of his pension as a way of buying shares in his company and then enjoy retirement with a regular and tidy sum from the ‘profit making company’. They agreed to meet in a fortnight to finalise the deal.

Mzee’s news of a business deal got a cold reception from his wife and sons. But he was not one to be easily swayed by sentimental family members. He dismissed them as self seekers who should work for their own wealth.

As agreed, the two friends met and Joseph gave Robinson Sh250,000. They parted after signing a few documents of agreement with a promise to keep in touch regularly as business associates do.

BIG BLOW

Not much later, Joseph was flipping through his favourite newspaper when he saw a picture of a handcuffed Robinson in the hands of police who claimed he was a drug dealer. He was initially in denial but after asking around from people who knew Robinson, his fears were confirmed. He also learned that Robinson was a notorious conman. With his head bowed in shame, Joseph confessed to his family that he wished he had listened to them.