A matatu driver based in Thika, Kiambu County identified as Basilio Kimani was feted for his integrity after he returned Ksh20,000 that belonged to a passenger.
In his honour, the International Leadership University launched the Basilio Kimani Integrity Scholarship Endowment and gifted him a trophy as confirmed by Vice-Chancellor Tim Kiruhi.
According to the Vice-chancellor, the university decided to celebrate Kimani because he showed integrity, which is what they teach and stand for at the institution.
“Our slogan is ‘Leadership with Integrity’. That is part of our vision and mission. We are proud of Kimani. He has proved that there are honest people among us,” Kiruhi said.
The experienced driver proved to be a rare gem in the matatu industry after he picked and returned an envelope and a laptop that a client had forgotten in his vehicle.
According to Kimani who works with Kandara Sacco Transporters and operates along the Thika, Gatanga route in Murang’a County noticed that a passenger had forgotten his goods at the front seat after alighting in Thika.
Upon realising this, Basilio kept the items safe at the Sacco’s head offices and requested the staff to call him in case anyone claims the lost items
“I had carried a passenger who boarded the vehicle at Blue Post-stage and sat with me at the front but when he alighted in Thika town, he forgot a bag which had a laptop, an envelope and a bag with food items,” he said.
It all started on Sunday, September 5, when a Mount Kenya University MKU student identified as Ian Gitau boarded a matatu at Blue Post Hotel so that he could head to school.
He arrived at Thika town and jumped out of the matatu straight to the boot to check on his luggage.
In the process, Gitau forgot his laptop bag which also contained an envelope that had Ksh20,000 which was meant for his school fees.
It is at that point that the student decided to head to the terminus of the matatu he had boarded with the hope of getting his luggage back.
Efforts to get the laptop and the money proved futile, and he reported the matter at Thika Police Station, but officers informed him that they would not assist him if he did not know the registration number of the car.
Gitau spent his entire day moving from one station to the other hoping that he would get his laptop and the money, in vain.
The following day, they went to KST Sacco offices in Thika and to his shock, he found the laptop there.
Kimani said that he had kept the money by himself and knew the owner of the laptop would have to ask for the cash.
“I believe in honesty. In fact, that day when I collected the money, my matatu had broken down, and I only had Ksh200 with me. I engaged my wife, we agreed not to touch the money,” he said.
