From her small home in Dandora, Bernice Wanjiru Kamau holds on to memories of a career she says gave her purpose.
For 13 years, she worked at the Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC), a place she still proudly calls her second home.
Bernice joined the national broadcaster in 1992, full of energy and ambition. But just a few years later, her life took a difficult turn. Severe headaches developed into an eye condition that robbed her of her sight.
Despite the disability, she continued serving with dedication until 2006, when she was retrenched.
The dismissal, she recalls, shattered her world. “I loved my work and gave it my all. Losing that job left me struggling to provide for my family,” she said.
As a mother of four, the toughest moments came when her children could no longer stay in school due to unpaid fees.
“Some of them dropped out because I simply could not afford it,” she added with emotion.
Although she received her pension a decade later in 2016, the money was too little and came too late to change her family’s fortunes.
Yet, Bernice has not given up. Her wish is to be considered once again for employment at KBC.
“I miss the salary. It gave me stability and helped me take care of many things. If I got the chance, I would still work with the same passion,” she said.
Her appeal is not just about income. Bernice believes returning would restore her dignity and sense of belonging.
“I really love KBC. Even when people criticise it, I feel bad. That place is still part of me,” she explained.
By tuko