Meet 22Yr Old Whose Career Dreams Became Shattered But Won’t Give Up

By Tabitha Makumi,

Ever had a dream which you couldn’t let go of no matter what? Most of us are as guilty as charged when it comes to letting our dreams and ambitions wither the minute we encounter some bumpy roads along the way……but not 22 years old Gideon Mutai, a third year medical student at Egerton University.

Born and bred in a small village called Samiytuk in Kericho County to a father who digs toilet for a living and a stay at home mum, Gideon says his humble background doesn’t define his bright future. “I am inspired to change myself, my home, my society and nation at large through books,” he says during an interview.

This young man’s journey of realization began while he was in form two. “That was when I discovered my talent. Then, I used to tell myself that I got a passion for writing. I wasn’t sure of the same but I kept repeating to myself and went on writing poems occasionally,” he says.

It is this passion which led him to write his first play. He narrates that, “After high school, while waiting for the results, I kept myself busy by exploring my talent. I then wrote the first play and in about two months I was done. I gave it the title The Last Straw”

And while a lot of people write for various reasons, Gideon says, “I have had this burning passion in me to write and write. Writing came before medicine and I will always write because I cannot run out of ideas. I write about what surrounds me and what comes to my mind. It’s a talent ingrained in me. I don’t struggle to write.”

But did his first book get published? I probe. “I contacted several publishers and most turned me down for the claim that I was too young and also a first time writer. They didn’t think my work was worth publishing but urged me to keep on writing,” he says.

Not the kind to be ruffled by small challenges Gideon went on write a second book but little did he know he would face the same challenges just as with the first book. “I tried Kenyan publishers ranging from East African Publishers, Moran Publisher, Phoenix etc but most didn’t respond and the one which responded (EAEP) had its editor misplacing the book,” Gideon recalls.

Again, even without much luck with his first two books, Gideon started writing his third book. (Revived Through Poetry) He admits that, “The process of publishing has never been easy, I knew that. I never gave up and this time round, I went a notch higher to ‘Googling’ for all publishers that could take my work.”

But it seems still lady luck was not on his side. “ I received discouraging messages from some publishers that “there is no poetry for market in Kenya”.

He says he held on to his dream of publishing until he got what seemed at the time his lucky break with Sahel Publishing Association “They took my manuscript and worked on it. They gave me the option of printing the book on demand option which was at a fair price to me which my HELB loan with little other cash could suffice,” he says adding that his book was released on Feb 4, 2014 on Amazon.

But there was a problem he tells me. While the publishers had promised to publish the book on Demand Option, they asked him to pay 200k to print it in bulk so that he could realize profits, “Of which I couldn’t afford. I tried raising the amount but all was in vain,” he says

Even after seeking financial aid from friends, relatives and the Youth Enterprise Development Fund, he says “I couldn’t raise the required amount (200K) for publishing on bulk. I felt discouraged after being happy that my book has gotten its way to the international level. Little did I know that that it meant nothing.”

He adds that, “I was so expectant of earning at least something from it after three months. I was so discouraged the time I was received the Royalties Statement showing no online sales for the past three months.” And how much was he hoping to make from the deal? He says, “I was hoping to get roughly 50-70k after three months.”

Question is, is he willing to give up on his dream which doesn’t seem to be yielding any fruits?

In few words he says, “I’ll write as long as I have breath. If I’ll retire from medical field, my full time job will then be writing and more writing.”

With dream of starting his own publishing company in the future he says a career in writing especially in Kenya is bleak. He says publishers in Kenya prefer taking the work of those who are already established in the field leaving the young people out.

He drives the point home by saying “It’s like the companies that advertise for jobs and one of the qualities they look for is 5 yrs experience in the field, even in minor posts. How will one get experience if everyone wants experienced people yet new are not considered? He poses.

And what is his inspiration? What keeps him going despite being shot down so many times? “I am inspired by my humble background and the desire to be an example of success to others and driven by the longing to let others witness that no matter where one comes from, they can make it in life. That the past has nothing to do with their future if only they can work on their present.”

Dont Miss any Job Or Article Subscribe to Career Point Kenya by Email FOR FREE CLICK HERE