Meet Reuben Kerio, Kenya's Famous 42-Year-Old Blind Radio Technician

Meet Reuben Kerio, Kenya's Famous 42-Year-Old Blind Radio Technician

  • Reuben Kerio is visually impaired but has an inborn talent for repairing electronic devices
  • Since he started his repair shop over a decade ago, the 42-year-old has built a reputation as a trusted technician in the area
  • He, however, appeals to well-wishers to come forward and invest in his business to help him grow to higher heights

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Kenya's 42-year-old Reuben Kerio is visually impaired, a condition he has lived with since childhood.

Reuben Kerio has grown into a respected technician in Turkana South.
Reuben received his secondary education at the Thika School for the Blind. Screengrab from Citizen TV.
Source: UGC

That forced him to pursue his primary education at a special school for the blind in Kapenguria.This was followed by enrolment into the Thika School for the Blind, where he did his secondary education.

Innate passion for electronics

One thing, however, stood out as he was growing up; a strong affinity towards electronics. It is a passion that saw him start an electronic repair shop in his house, and in not so long he had carved a niche as a trusted technician.

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"I just found myself in the business. Nowadays I comfortably repair mobile phones, radio systems, as well as other electronic gadgets," he told Citizen TV's Cheboit Emmanuel.

So far, Reuben has been running the repair shop for 12 years, a period that has taught him critical lessons.

Hopes for brighter future

One of his lowest moments was when unknown robbers broke into his premises and stole his equipment.

"I lost a lot of things, among them clients' mobile phones I had already repaired," he recounted.

Villagers admitted that they are still awed at how Reuben is able to manoeuvre his visual impairment and repair the gadgets. With each new device that he brings back to life, Reuben continues hoping the government will help him financially to make his life better.

"I also look forward to the day a well-wisher will come forward and offer me startup capital to push this business to new heights, since it is something that flows in my blood," he appealed.

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Zachary Nyange Muasya

In another case of a visually impaired Kenyan braving the challenge, Zachary Nyange Muasya has grown into one of the best lecturers at the Kenya Institute of Special Education.

Speaking to Briefly News, Muasya revealed that he believes being visually impaired has given him more power to inspire people compared to how it would probably have been if he had his sense of sight.

Colleagues showered accolades on the gifted lecturer, adding that he has taught in the institution for so many years and does not only ooze valuable content but is also updated with current affairs.

Source: Briefly News

Authors:
Kelly Lippke avatar

Kelly Lippke (Senior Editor) Kelly Lippke is a copy editor/proofreader who started her career at the Northern-Natal Courier with a BA in Communication Science/Psychology (Unisa, 2007). Kelly has worked for several Caxton publications, including the Highway Mail and Northglen News. Kelly’s unique editing perspective stems from an additional major in Linguistics. Kelly joined Briefly News in 2018 and she has 14 years of experience. Kelly has also passed a set of trainings by Google News Initiative. You can reach her at kelly.lippke@briefly.co.za.