'Contentment is not my style'

Anyone who saw the young girl waiting on tables and mopping floors at Steers Restaurant some 14 years ago would not recognise her if they met in the streets today.

She is now a confident businesswoman with four businesses, one NGO and numerous community projects under her name. A budding politician and a generous caregiver and philanthropist, she is a single mother of one.

Pollyne Owoko, 33, was born in Ran’gala, Siaya District, as the second born in a family of five. Growing up, she had loving parents who provided more than enough and she attended Molo Academy and Lwak Girls High School. Then her father passed on when she was 18 and in Form Four, and tables turned.

"It was a difficult time for us. With dad not around any more, mum was left to fend for us on her own, with her meagre salary," she explains.

Pollyne eventually finished school and stayed home for a year since her mother could not afford to pay for her college education. She and her siblings watched their only surviving parent struggle to put food on the table and clothe them.

This brave but humble woman finally decided to put a stop to their misery.

Says she: "I told mother that I was going to Nairobi to fend for myself because I could not just sit at home and do nothing."

Her first job was humble, yet life-changing. Without a college diploma or a degree, the only thing she could do was wait on tables and mop floors, but she was hopeful that her break was around the corner.

It was when she was working as a waiter that she met a Godsend bearing good news.

She recalls: "There was this man who often came to Steers for meals, and one day, he pulled me aside and asked me ‘Why are you doing this job? You seem to me like you should be doing something bigger."

The good samaritan

Pollyne, though intrigued and surprised narrated to him the story of her life.

"He was touched and encouraged me to do something bigger with my life. He wrote a note and handed it to me, with instructions that I go to a company known as Niturn Ltd," she says.

That is how she ended up as a Sales representative for RJ Reynolds, the company that produced Aspen cigarettes.

Life now took an upturn: From earning just Sh4,000 she was now earning Sh30,000. Most of her money was spent in helping out her mother pay school fees for her siblings. RJ Reynolds closed shop and it was time for her to move on. She then worked with Mediplus Services.

It was at Mediplus that she met Lewis Nguyai (current MP for Kikuyu), who mentored her in business. He also took her for the Dale Carnegie corporate and sales management training, which came in handy later in life.

It was also during this period that she got the opportunity to further her studies at The College of Insurance, and acquired a diploma in Insurance management.

Mediplus would soon close down and this gave Pollyne an opportunity to go solo in the world of business. From her savings, and at only 25, she formed Jayvepe Insurance Company, which deals with insurance brokerage, a company she says has given birth to several others.

It was not long before the community service bug bit her and she felt that she was not giving back to society enough.

She explains: "I was not happy with the way politics were run in the country. I felt the need to do my part to change the fact that corruption and poor leadership were the order of the day." explains Pollyne, her perpetual smile beaming.

"My sights were trained on the 2007 election," she offers.

In 2007, she ran for MP of Makadara constituency. Despite the rigorous campaign, Pollyne did not win, but emerged fifth with 850 votes.

"I believe politics is not about being political; it’s about having the people’s issues at heart. I know the people of Makadara are usually bought out but unlike many of my competitors, I did not bribe anyone, so the votes were my deserved ones, " she says.

She left to fight another day and intends to run in the 2012 elections.

Besides politics, Pollyne is actively involved in women, youth and children affairs in Makadara constituency, something that has made her popular with the locals.

Through her NGO, Wema Foundation, Pollyne strives to transform the lives of women, youth and children through microfinance and education sponsorships.

helping spirit

She has partnered with donors such as Millennium Development Goals Fund to sponsor six women groups in slums such as Mukuru, Huruma and Kibera.

They train women in business skills and offer them friendly loans in their microfinance programme. She is also the Kenyan representative of Mama na Dada Africa on their gender and governance programme.

Her efforts at philanthropy have often been marred by setbacks of financial constraints, but this has not dampened her spirit.

"With or without money, I will always fight for the rights of women, youth and children," she says.

Just recently, she has dived headlong into the case of one Margaret Nguvi, a mother of seven from Makuyu who is admitted at Nairobi West Hospital and needs Sh1 million to cover her medical expenses and radiotherapy costs.

Pollyne is helping raise funds for the cervical cancer and fistula patient, along with friends like Tabitha Njoroge. They have already raised Sh200,000.

Pollyne has dedicated her time and efforts to go round high schools to educate girls on safe sex negotiations and contraception use.

Says she: "I am concerned that women in urban areas regularly take after-morning pills, which are not supposed to be taken more than twice a year as they affect a woman’s fertility in the future."

And Pollyne pulled yet another rabbit from her hat when she started Dada African Dishes, a catering company. She is also the director Dada Innovators, a training and community development company that offers consultation and training on community development issues and devolved funds training.

And if you thought that was all, she also owns Dada General Supplies that supplies goods to various clients and companies.

She has employed six full time employees and 15 standby casuals. All her five businesses are based in her office at Ali Bhai Shariff building, Kenyatta Avenue.

Every Sunday, she hosts a Wazee na Vijana football tournament, between the elderly men who drink around the Buruburu beer belt and the youngsters.

So what is the secret of her success?

She says: "Planning, delegation and serious prayer. You must work hard and give back to the society. Never be afraid to help anyone. Giving has never stopped me from being successful."