From hawking in Kongowea, Mombasa, and working as a house help to being appointed as a member of the IEBC selection panel,
the story of 26-year-old Novince Euralia Atieno is one of resilience and what she calls God’s doing.
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The Bachelor of Business and Office Management (Secretarial Option) graduate is the 10th born in a family of 10. Novice, who doubles up as a Gospel musician, told us that it has been God’s project, having been sponsored through her secondary education by an NGO.
"My mum gave birth to me at 46. My father died when my mother was pregnant.
Due to financial challenges, my sister took care of me but after Form 4, four she had to strike a balance
because she was taking care of her children and my brother’s children. …
“I got into hawking due to family financial challenges. Sometimes, I had to miss my classes just to go and hawk.
I stopped attending morning classes. I would go to hawk and attend later attend afternoon classes.
From my hawking, I used to get money for part of my school fees, and rent while in school and provide for myself.
My family would assist when they had money.”
Novince has contractual jobs in different organizations, so getting the IEBC selection job wasn’t an easy one.
At the time of her appointment, she was jobless. She said that she applied for the job with faith adding that most of those who were selected are employed. The Gospel musician vowed to uphold integrity in the selection of the new IEBC commissioners.