In the bustling heart of Nairobi, a silent force keeps the city’s economy humming — an army of riders weaving through traffic, connecting merchants to customers, and ensuring the city never stops moving. Among them is John Bosco Okenera, a 32-year-old from Busia who has made Kangemi his home. His journey from a security guard to a proud motorcycle owner is one of determination, transformation, and resilience — and a reminder of the critical role riders play in Kenya’s digital economy.
For John Bosco, riding for Glovo is more than a job; it’s a turning point. “The most significant thing for me has been the ability to buy my own piece of land this year,” he says proudly — a dream he once thought impossible.
Owning his own motorbike marks a major milestone. “A motorbike can cost around KES 200,000,” he notes. “As a security guard, that would have been completely out of reach.” His shift from wage-earner to asset owner captures the promise of platform-based work: empowerment, flexibility, and opportunity.
He credits Glovo for providing essential gear — helmets, bags, and reflectors — through flexible payment plans, and for offering insurance coverage in case of accidents. “That gives peace of mind,” he says. Beyond safety, the freedom to manage his time has been life-changing. “If something comes up, I don’t have to ask for leave. I can plan my own day.”
Daily earnings, too, have transformed his financial stability. “My pay doesn’t wait until the end of the month,” he explains. “If my family needs something, I can handle it right away.”
Bosco sees riders as more than delivery workers — they’re the engine of the platform economy. “We are partners in the company’s success,” he emphasizes. “We make that final, essential connection to the customer.”
To young people eyeing the delivery sector, his advice is straightforward but profound: “It’s a good job, but focus is everything. Treat it like your main career — not a side hustle. If you’re not serious, you risk losing everything.”
For him, success depends on mindset as much as effort. “If you reject the work mentally,” he says, “you’ll never benefit from it.”
John Bosco’s journey is proof that with hard work, discipline, and the right platform, anyone can rise. Through its support systems — from flexible pay to insurance and equipment — Glovo continues to empower thousands like him to steer their own destinies, one delivery at a time.
