A man in Baringo County defied odds to become a tourist sensation, through his amazing skills despite being physically challenged.
Ambrose Kiptui, who has one leg, has been a diver for 11 years at the deadly Kerio valley Chebloch Gorge.
Though living with disability, he didn’t allow the situation to stop him from earning a decent living, since he is the family breadwinner.
Speaking to the media on Sunday, January 29, Kiptui revealed that he was not born with one leg but lost his limb to amputation following a fatal accident.
The accident that left him bedridden for two years happened a few kilometers from the gorge where he had been diving.
Just like the famous TikToker who went into depression after suffering a severe knee injury, Kiptui’s case was no different.
“A truck ran over my leg leading to amputation. I was so traumatized because diving was my source of income,” he stated.
Kiptui was described as the deepest diver in the region by his neighbours before his life changed in a split second.
After unsuccessfully looking for employment, he decided to try a second stab at his career even through it took courage.
In a video seen by Kenyans.co.ke, Kiptui could be seen navigating the terrain using his crutches and then diving into the deep waters in the gorge.
The gorge claimed the life of the K24’s head of news directors, Daniel Chemjor in November 2019.
“The experience in diving right now is different compared to the moment I had both legs. I have to use a lot of strength while jumping and landing in the water.
Sometimes customers despise me because I have one leg. They fail to consider me when giving my colleagues diving duties during rescue missions thinking I will not make it,” he explained.
Though challenging, there is no day he goes back home empty handed as tourists visiting the site are always amazed by his skills.
“I earn Ksh200 to Ksh300 a day and during festivals, I go home with Ksh1,000 daily,” he announced.
Kenya is home to millions of innovative youths winning the hearts of many. For instance, artisans in Kamukunji’s Jua Kali market in Nairobi established a programme to train street children for free and offer them jobs as a way of keeping them away from crime.
