Samuel Mulwa is among a number of young Kenyans in the United States who are successfully earning a substantial income through truck driving.
In a recent interview with El and Nic on YouTube, Mulwa shared that he initially entered the medical field after relocating to the US.
However, after discussing the trucking industry with a friend who had over six years of experience in the field, he was persuaded to explore opportunities in transportation.
Subsequently, Mulwa enrolled in a trucking school, where he completed a five-week training program.
He invested Ksh 447,000 for this training, which covered the fundamentals of the profession.
Following his training, he was required to work alongside an experienced truck driver for several weeks before he could operate independently.
Once he gained the necessary experience, Mulwa began driving trucks solo and earned an average of Ksh 180,000 per week during his first year.
He explained, “The pay varies based on experience. It is certainly rewarding. If you drive five days a week, you can expect to earn around Ksh178,000, which, after taxes, amounts to approximately Ksh155,000.”
Mulwa emphasized that driving trucks in the US is not as simple as many might think, urging individuals to pursue their passions rather than solely focusing on financial gain.
“It can be daunting, especially when it comes to reversing, which is quite challenging. On the highway, it is essential to constantly check the side mirrors
“Not everyone is suited for this job, but it can be very fulfilling. One of the significant challenges is dealing with the weather, as the winds can be quite severe at times,” Mulwa remarked.
He further advised, “It is crucial to have a passion for what you do because the rewards are substantial. Do not concentrate solely on monetary gain; consider the reality of driving for 5000 kilometers.”